A former matador arena turned mall in 2011, this iconic structure with a beautifully preserved facade houses anything from Desigual to Yamamay and has a sick view of Placa d’Espanya from the rooftop.
Amusement park by day and an adult playground for photographers by night. At 512 meters high, Tibidabo is the highest mountain of the chain surrounding the city. This makes it an ideal spot for night shots of the Barcelona lights.
El Born is a trendy neighborhood close to the beach, known for its dank restaurants. From small tapas (I recommend “la bomba de la Barceloneta” at La Taverna del Born) to full out fresh seafood meals, this is foodie central.
A swanky open-air shopping center, you can kill an entire day at Glories. Restaurants, cafes, shops and an IMAX theater beckon you to spend your euro and time.
The meeting place of iconic artists and writers like Picasso and Ramon Casas i Carbó, this bohemian tavern is one of the old centers of Modernisme. First closed at 1903 and re-opened in 2989, the restaurant will bring you back in time with its authentic atmosphere.
Leave the actual theme park for the tourists. Go up into the mountains, by the bunkers, where you’ll lose yourself in lush greenery and will indulge in a romantic view of Barcelona swimming in light.
El Raval is a hip neighborhood with a ton of alternative, gothy bars, pubs, and tattoo shops. My favorite is Siha tattoo where I got my first ink, but there are many other options in the narrow streets by the Museu d’art Contemporani.
The flamenco shows in the Gothic Quarter are wonderful and very authentic. Gathered in a small room at Tablao, you will feel the magic of this passionate dance first-hand.
If not for the music, at least go to Palau de la Musica for the interesting architecture. Vintage seats made of red velvet, gold decors framing the main stage, and heavy curtains will make you feel like the créme de la créme of local society every time you attend a show. I recommend that you dress the part.
AKA the Mapfre Tower. This giant, egg-shaped building houses the city water department and glows in a million colors at night.
Take it from someone who worked as a concierge in Barcelona, hit up the pier of la Barceloneta for some delicious seafood paella. I recommend Barraca.
What in the world are those weird dolls on top of that building, you probably think as you stroll down Passaig de Gracia. That is Casa Mila, a part of Gaudí’s la Pedrera. Gorgeous during day time, the tour of his architectural masterpiece is even more spectacular at night, during the intimate, “secret” tour. 