Barcelona, Spain is a bustling city filled with stunning cathedrals, flashy architecture (literally), and delicious food: tapas. The region is also a destination that perfectly blends land and sea, with golden sand beaches and lush mountains with some of the region’s best wine labels.
I recently stopped at a destination in Spain to test drive a brand new car. Volvo EX30. I’m an avid traveler, but I’ve never actually driven overseas. So I jumped at the chance to check something new off my travel bucket list while exploring the area behind the wheel of the car brand’s smallest EV ever.
On my second visit to Barcelona, I was able to cover even more territory than I had on my first visit nearly 10 years ago.From Black-owned restaurants to DIY upcycling studios to getting “shots” in front of celebrities. cheetah girls 2 movie background. Here’s an insider’s view of what to eat, see, and do there.
destination
The key for big cities is staying in a central location. This makes it easy to get around by foot, rideshare, or even public transportation. On this trip, we stayed at the super trendy ME Barcelona. Filling the walls with gorgeous images of black women in natural twists and coils, this hotel is a dream come true for black women who like to be seen.
The entire property is decorated in neutral tones and wood accents. There’s a rooftop pool for warm-weather visitors, a late-night bar accented with pink florals hanging from the ceiling, and a delicious restaurant sprinkled with plenty of greenery.
Attractions and activities
First and foremost, this is Europe, so retail therapy is a must. The EU has a VAT (value added tax) refund system, so it’s the perfect excuse to save some change while enjoying a little designer shopping. Spain is home to fashion house Loewe (pronounced lo-e-vee), so you can be sure to get the brand’s most popular bags and shades at a fraction of the price in the US. Oh, and there’s a lovely designer outlet just 30 minutes from Barcelona. Please thank me later. There is also great shopping around Plaça Catalunya and the emblematic Las Ramblas (Barcelona’s famous pedestrian street).
If you’re an artsy girl, visit the Upcycling Barcelona shop (L’Escola d’Upcyling) for unique items and an added chance to join the collective’s daily DIY upcycling classes. please. This shop mainly sells denim, so you can take home your own custom items. Also, no trip to this city is complete without seeing the various buildings and residences built by architect Antoni Gaudí. These structures cannot be accurately expressed in words, so you have to see them with your own eyes.
Spend some time getting lost in the alleyways of the Gothic Quarter, filled with street art and murals.
you cheetah girls Are your fans growing? The city was used as the backdrop for the second Disney film, and some of the most memorable scenes were filmed in Park Guell. Pro tip: Arrive early if you want to take “pictures” as it can get crowded with people trying to take photos of the landmarks. Also note that there is a 10 euro entrance fee for just walking in the park.
where to eat
Spain is generally famous for its tapas culture. Almost all sit-down restaurants in the city offer a number of small plates that can be shared by groups. My favorites are tomato bread with olive oil, fried croquettes, and grilled octopus.
If you’re feeling Issa Rae vibes right now and want to root for (and support) all Black people, check out Black-owned Spice BCN and Fori. Both are known for their African influences and cuisine. If you want a taste of the local atmosphere, book a table at a taverna. Lumber is tucked away in the back alleys of the city. This is a popular spot among locals, so be aware that it can get crowded.
For a unique twist on tapas, head to Fismaller, which also has live music most nights.
For wine lovers, Barcelona is known for its wine tourism, as it is home to the popular sparkling variety Cava. Add his full-day wine tour to your itinerary and taste the region’s best wines.
Feature image by DeAnna Taylor
