When staying in one of our rural holiday homes near Barcelona, a day trip to the city is an easy and popular choice. You can enjoy the quiet countryside and still reach Barcelona within 1–2 hours by car – many of our homes are around one hour away.
Most guests have a rental car, which makes a day trip flexible and straightforward.
Driving to Barcelona is generally easy, although traffic can be busy at peak times.
We recommend parking in an underground parking garage (pàrquing) once you arrive. Street parking is limited and can be complicated, while parking garages are safe and centrally located. Prices can be higher than outside the city, but it’s usually the most convenient option.
If you prefer not to drive, we can help arrange a taxi or transfer:
Bertel:
info@sydensferiehuse.dk
+45 50 56 76 24
Barcelona is best explored on foot. Even with limited time, you can see a lot by focusing on a few areas.
A walk along La Rambla gives a good first impression of the city. Just off the street is La Boqueria Market, which is ideal for a quick snack, coffee or juice. The market is always busy, and if you haven't been there before, we recommend passing by. Keep in mind, however, that because of the "fame" of this particular market, many stalls are a bit expensive and slightly more geared towards tourists. There are some amazing market stalls though!
Of course, you should also visit La Sagrada Família if you haven't seen it before (be wary of pickpockets).
The areas around Barri Gòtic, El Born, Raval, and El Poblesec are generally well worth walking through, and what you could consider the "center" of Barcelona. Narrow streets, small squares and a mix of old and new give a sense of Barcelona’s character. As in any busy city, be mindful of pickpockets.
For shopping and architecture, Passeig de Gràcia is a good stop. You’ll find well-known brands alongside notable buildings such as Casa Batlló and La Pedrera.
Head down to Barceloneta for a walk by the sea and some time at the beach. One tip: avoid eating at most of the restaurants directly "on the beach" – they tend to be expensive and not very good. Stopping for a drink is fine, but for food it’s generally better to walk a few streets inland.
If time allows, Montjuïc offers green spaces and views over the city and harbour. It’s a quieter contrast to the busy centre.
Barcelona has a huge number of restaurants and bars. A few places we’ve personally visited and can recommend include:
- Bar Cañete is bustling, busy, loud atmosphere - very authentic, even though the crowd is a mix of locals and tourists. Great experience!
- Quimet & Quimet - quite famous - make sure to book in good time!
- Güell Tapas is another very good tapas place close to La Rambla
- La Tasqueta de Blai is fun, casual tapas - pinchos style. Worth trying out for lunch if you're nearby.
- Mundial Bar is a nice tapas place in Born
- Sifo Parrilla Argentina - here we had incredible food that was very affordable. We had their menu del día for lunch.
- For pizza, Pummarola is a great option in the Raval area.
For cakes and chocolate, we used to go to Bubó Bar, which had some very unique items. We also enjoyed the raw and casual Bar Brutal, where we had their natural wines (not recommended for children, as it also says on their website).
Many popular places require reservations, especially in the evenings.
If you’re interested in football, watching an FC Barcelona match can be a memorable part of your day. Check the fixture list in advance and consider buying tickets on their website.
The ticket system for Barcelona can be a bit strange, and is a bit of an art to figure out, since the far majority of the seats are owned by season ticket holders. Sometimes, therefore, it's not possible to purchase tickets for the games until quite close to the matchday. Be sure to research this, if you are considering it. We only recommend buying tickets from FC Barcelona's official website.
We generally recommend keeping your plans simple: a few walks, a good lunch, and time to enjoy the city without rushing. Afterwards, returning to your holiday home outside Barcelona often feels like a welcome contrast.
If you need help with transport or practical planning, we are always happy to assist.
Enjoy your day trip to Barcelona.
Nansensgade 53, gaden, tv
1366 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Bertel Dahlmand Stahn
Owner & Contact person
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