As far as European cities go, Barcelona definitely has some hipster vibes going on. From it’s funky architecture to it’s delicious food (that’s open late!) and craft beer bars, you’ll be in hipster heaven.
My first impression of Barcelona was that it reminded me a bit of San Francisco. Mostly in that there are a lot of young twenty
Things to do
The Magic Fountain: Thursday through Saturday around 8PM the fountain in front of the National Art Museum lights up to music in a colorful display.
Montjuic and its cable cars: Montjuic is the large hill on the southern end of the city that boasts awesome views and two cable cars to get you to the top!
Barcelona Pavilion: If you love architecture you don’t want to miss the Barcelona Pavilion. It was built as the German Pavilion for the 1929 International Exhibition and remains a beautiful example of modern design and unique materials.
Eat & Drink
Food
Costa Pacifico: Mexican food with an awesome interior, they’ve got some really cool murals and neon signs going on.
Bar del Pla: Super cutesy tapas bar, amazing food and wine, and local beers on tap.
Sagardi: Traditional Barcelona tapas, you can go down the counter line picking things out which is fun and all the food is delicious!
Casa Lolea: This is the place for sangria! Amazing selection of different sangrias and delicious appetizers.
Leka: Traditional Spanish food with a modern twist, everything is organic and focused on “honest food”.
Mosquito: Sort of tapas, sort of dim sum – its Spanish style dumplings and its amazing!
El Nacional: It’s sort of like a mall, but a food mall. There are four different restaurants serving up original recipes from around the Iberian Peninsula, plus four bars for beer, wine, cocktails, and oysters!
Federal Cafe: Cutesy brunch spot that doubles as a good works spot if you bring your laptop. Delicious food and free wifi, what’s better?
Alsur Cafe: The perfect spot for the digital nomad, good coffee, free wifi, and plenty of seating both inside and outside.
Drink
Satan’s Coffee: Hipsters and coffee snobs will be in heaven, Satan’s Coffee has some of the best coffee in Barcelona!
El Born Bar: A classic little neighborhood bar, nice and cozy inside and perfect for a date night.
Mr. Robinson: This modern cocktail bar serves excellent cocktails as well as brunch in the morning and dinner in the evening.
Ale & Hop: Cute little tap room with craft beer from all around Spain and Europe.
Cat Bar: This funky cat
Garage Beer Co: Craft beer made right Barcelona, they’ve got a wide variety of beers to try in the taproom and you can now take home cans!
Bier Cab: Another local Barcelona brewery and restaurant serving up their own beers, and beers from around the world with some awesome bar food.
Where to Stay
El Born: The El Born neighborhood is close to everything and strikes the perfect balance between local hipster and tourist. It’s not quite as touristy as the Gothic quarter but by no means unknown. It’s skinny streets are filled with bars and restaurants making it easy to find what every you need as soon as you leave your Air BNB.
Barceloneta: Sea views and easy access to the beach is always nice, Barceloneta is right on the water. You can wander the boardwalk, grab drinks at any of the beachside bars, and pick up a tapestry from one of the many vendors selling along the shore.
Poblenou: This warehouse district turned hipster neighborhood is filled with cute cafes, restaurants, and nightlife. The neighborhood is located near the beach and the Olympic village, and has easy access to the metro system making it easy to get anywhere else in the city.
Gracia: Located in the geographic center of the city, the Gracia neighborhood is a bit removed from the tourist core and general hubbub of the city making it a peaceful and quiet place stay. But just because you aren’t in the thick of it doesn’t mean there aren’t great bars restaurants and shops around because there definitely are.
Best Spots for Pictures
Streets of El Born: The skinny little alleyway streets of El Born can make for some pretty cool looking photos. Some streets have string lights hanging above them while
Cactus Garden: Aren’t all hipster obsessed with cacti? Get some fun and unique shots among our spiny friends.
Park Guell: Crazy architecture and bright colors what could be better for a photo? Just remember to get there early because it gets super crowded during the day!
Bunker De Carmel: Get some awesome city views as your backdrop, because you can really see the whole city from atop this abandoned
La Sagrada Familia: The iconic cathedral is kind of a must. Get your quintessential pic in front of it, but the whole building is amazing so walk around and go inside for some more awesome looking shots.
READ MORE:
The 10 Coolest Things To Do In Barcelona
The Best Food & Drink in Barcelona
Where to Find Craft Beer in Barcelona
A Guide to Park Güell
Packing for Spain in Fall
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Super helpful post. I’ve been living in Barcelona for 3 years and I have to say this is very well written and informed. Have you ever eaten a paella at Arume? to me it is by far the BEST. Both duck and seafood paella are to die for, honestly. I totally recommend it, especially considering how hard it is to find good paella in Barcelona.
So glad you found it helpful! I haven’t been to Arume, but I’ll have to give it a try when I’m in Barcelona the next time. I love paella!
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