I recently had an opportunity to travel to Sardinia, Italy for a yoga retreat which you cannot fly directly to from the United States. As our group was narrowing down which connecting city we wanted to travel through, we decided to choose a place we hadn’t been to before to spend a few extra days exploring. Barcelona was recommended to us and it seemed like the perfect way to begin our adventure. Little did we know how truly magical it would be!

Tips for Navigating Barcelona

Barcelona is rich with culture, spectacular views and even better food. You can see the city in a solid four days, or stretch it out to five or six if you want a slower pace. We were here in the middle of September, coming after the busy, hot summer season. The crowds were minimal and the weather was fantastic. We felt safe, despite the news articles out there about tourists being targeted. However, like anytime you travel, take safety measures into consideration.

• Don’t walk around with your phone out unless absolutely necessary
• Wear a purse close to your body that can’t be taken off your shoulder
• Always know where you are and where you are going before setting off
• Share your location with friends or family members
• Remember that dinner doesn’t start until 8pm, so bring snacks, drink coffee and wear your concealer.
• When all else fails… there’s sangria!

Day 1: Arrival Adventures + Paella Cooking Class-ish

When we arrived, we had arranged for a transport to pick us up, or so we thought. We soon learned that it was just for our luggage and that we were not in fact crawling in the back of a windowless van. Finding a taxi/uber to transfer us to our paella cooking class we had booked was no easy feat, but it worked out in our favor. We arrived over an hour late with snacks laid out, wine poured and our meal cooked and ready to be served. Our tired bodies were very thankful! If you are looking for a paella cooking class while in Barcelona, I highly recommend La Salsamenta for an authentic, family-feel, delicious experience!

Following our class we walked to the VRBO we were staying at located on Passeig de Garcia, Barcelona’s most high-end street. It was a central location for us to be able to explore most of the city by foot and occasionally grab a taxi when needed. Plus the added bonus of being surrounded by the world’s most sought-after, beautiful brands you could imagine wasn’t a bad perk. We didn’t do any crazy shopping but it sure was fun to look!

Day 2: Gaudi, Tapas, Repeat

Our second day was the busiest we had planned. We allowed ourselves some time to sleep in before heading to Casa Batlló, one of the many Gaudí houses throughout the city. If you have not heard of Antoni Gaudi, like myself, and are heading to Barcelona, you will leave changed for the better because of him. This house was remarkable. The way in which he was able to incorporate the natural light to reflect off of the colors and the movement he created throughout the architecture that was inspired by marine-life is genius.

From here we walked to a tapas lunch, which became one of my favorite kind of meals we experienced. Ordering a bunch of small plates for the table to share creates more conversation and allows you to truly sample all of the local dishes. After lunch we walked on to Park Güell, another Gaudi designed piece of the city. We were blessed with beautiful weather on this trip which highlighted the magic of every place we explored. It was easy to spot the Gaudí touches after visiting Casa Batlló, each uniquely created yet simple to identify as his. There wasn’t a place you looked that didn’t have thought go into every detail. You’ll need about an hour or so to explore the park, if you are planning it into your day!

We finished the day at another tapas kind of restaurant for dinner, that didn’t have a menu. Say what! I know, it seems risky for those of us that like what we like, am I right? However, whenever I travel, a goal of mine to truly immerse myself in the culture of where I am. I have my limitations, but I like to try new things or things I normally wouldn’t like in new places. I ate more tuna, oysters and clams on this trip than I have eaten in maybe my entire life. It was all worth at least trying and I usually went back for more! Don’t be afraid to try new things when you travel, because the fun of it is discovering what you didn’t know you are missing out on!

Day 3: La Sagrada Familia, Boats, oh my!

Did I mention that this was our warm-up to the actual other trip we booked? We started off day three finding a coffee shop that had large coffees. American problems. Ha! Then hit the subway to get to our tour of La Sagrada Família. I grew up Catholic and even though I’m not an actively practicing Catholic, it is where my faith is based and a big part of my upbringing. I was not prepared for the breathtaking piece of architecture this church is. Again, Gaudí’s influence is profound. The church has three grand façades: the Nativity façade, the Passion façade and the Glory façade, which remains unfinished.

There are so many details and creative skill that went into the outside of this church. Then, you step inside and see the lights pouring in from the stained glass, all with purpose and intention. It brought me to tears. Whether or not you believe in God will not matter to appreciate the brilliance of this sacred space and Gaudí’s final resting place. I highly recommend to put this on your list!

One piece of advice when purchasing tickets is to definitely have a guide to show you around, learning the history of the church and why it remains unfinished. However, I do not think adding the tower to your tour is worth it, especially if you are claustrophobic, have vertigo or get dizzy easily. You take an elevator up to the top of the tower, walk a few feet and take a very tight, long spiral staircase down. I am not claustrophobic, however I did not feel super great when I got the bottom. This is the only thing I would have done differently!

After Sagrada Família, we had a little bit of down time to change before our final excursion. We booked a private 3 hour boat tour in a very cute coastal town about an hour away. I’m not going to lie, I was not particularly looking forward to this. I get motion sick riding in a car. A boat on a calm day is a great time. A boat on a choppy day may be my worst nightmare, so it’s always a toss up, but in the name of adventure, I persisted!

The water was definitely choppy, but when the boat is moving fast I didn’t notice it as much and just tried to take it all in. The views were spectacular!

We got the chance to stop, jump off and swim, which we chose to swim out to a rocky beach in hopes of finding some sea glass. Alas, there was none, so we quickly got back on the boat because that water was COLD! We enjoyed some snacks and drinks as the boat sat. I was eating potato chips like my life was depending on it. As we sat, the boat was really rocking and I started feeling it. Then, my anxiety took over. I did not want to be the one throwing up so I headed to the front of the boat to find a piece of land to focus on. I spiraled and ended up in a full blown panic attack.

The good thing about private tours and traveling with friends is that you have people to help you through it. My friends understand me, that I struggle with both motion sickness and anxiety and love my anyway. However, this moment is something I will hold close in my heart for the rest of my life. One of these precious friends came over to me and put their hand on my back and told me to breathe, which helped to ground me. Then handed me a piece of sea glass and told me to spin it around my finger and don’t stop. She stood there with me the rest of the tour, which at this point was about an hour and when you don’t feel good, this can feel like a lifetime. I was able to calm down, focus and once we got off the boat, I was fine. It’s one thing to not feel good and another to mentally spiral because your anxiety takes over. Knowing that my friends were supporting me through it, instead of judging me for it is the greatest gift. I’m forever grateful for this moment and for these friends.

Day 4: Our Final Day

Our final day in Barcelona was a travel day to our next location. We ended up splitting up; some of the group headed for the Gothic Quarter to explore and some of us stayed behind to shop around our VRBO, enjoying a slower morning and lunch. I chose the later, deciding to skip the Gothic Quarter, however, it is definitely on my list to see if I return!

We hit the ground running from the moment we landed and were able to squeeze in everything we wanted to see! I continue to be inspired by Gaudí’s idea of taking what nature has given us and bring it into our own living spaces. Traveling always simplifies life for me. It reminds me that life is meant to be lived in the moment, with our loved ones, surrounded by laughter, good food and adventure.

Thanks for stopping in! Let’s stay connected and see the world together!