Spain 

Located in the Gracia neighborhood, this bar/restaurant has a distinctly local vibe. Bar Bodega Quimet is a traditional bodega with lots of charm.

El Vivero is situated along the beach promenade in Sitges and offers a terrace with amazing views of the old town and ocean a bit away from the crowds. It has a relaxed vibe and offers coffee, drinks, and tapas.

This tapas restaurant was recommended to us by both our hosts as well as our walking tour guide as one of the most famous/delicious tapas restaurants in the city. They offer both a pleasant interior space as well as an even more charming covered patio space in the meridian of the street.

Like every major city these days, Barcelona has a craft beer scene. A fun place to try locally made beer is at La Cervesera Artesana.

This is a fun stop directly on the sea in Cadaques. It’s been in business for over 80 years since 1935, and was a popular stop for Dali. Today you can enjoy sea views over a drink and some good tapas – especially the calamari. If the weather is nice make sure to sit outside.

This funky ice cream shop off of La Rambla is reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory in its decoration and serves up wonderful gelato concoctions.

Vinitus is another extremely popular tapas bar in the Eixample neighborhood and was recommended to us by our hosts. It’s especially popular for its take on seafood and offers a nice daily tapas menu with fresh and local ingredients. Be prepared to come early or wait in line. 

Dining Drinks

OK so this is weird combo, but the church is built INSIDE the mosque. The Mezquita is an enormous and very beautiful mosque with a forest of columns. Wander around the amazing, impressive sight and right in the middle stumble into a small cathedral built right in the middle of the mosque.

This is a seriously creepy piece of architecture that screams Inquisition. It’s a massive building with over 100 miles of passages built between 1562 and 1584, and its construction costs nearly bankrupt the country.

This building still functions as a royal palace, the oldest in Europe that’s still in use. It dates originally to the 10th century but most of what you’ll visit was a 14th century remodel by Muslim workmen working for christian king Pedro I.

Spain’s national art museum houses one of the finest collections of European art in the world, with pieces dating to the 12th century. Truly one of the great museums of the world, the Prado should not be missed. Allow a half day – it’s huge.

Ronda is where modern bullfighting was born and this was the first purpose built ring (before that fights were using conducted in the main plazas. Even if you are morally opposed to the “sport” its part of Spain and the sight here is fascinating. There is an interesting museum and then you can wander out into he ring and salute your 5,000 fans.

The awe inspiring largest Gothic cathedral in the world. Visit the tomb of Christopher Columbus and hear about his extensive (posthumous) journeys.

Ok, I loved this museum, and not everyone in our group did, but it’s just SO WEIRD. It’s amazing. That being said, this is the best Dali sight probably anywhere.

The Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s most famous architectural accomplishment, is truly awe inspiring. If you see one thing in Barcelona it should be this.

This is the oldest university is Spain (est 1218) and was a center of European learning for 400 years. Don’t miss the oldest library in Spain.

The most sacred spot in Catalunya, Montserrat towers in the mountains 1.5 hours away from Barcelona. It offers both a mountain top Benedictine monastery (Montserrat) nestled in the jagged mountainside and hikes through a unique  and impressive terrain of rocky peaks.

The University of Salamanca is Spain’s oldest, established in 1218. You can wander the old lecture halls surrounding the cloister and feel like you stepped back in time. 

Barcelona is a huge city with a lot of historical things to see. We feel that the best way to explore the city is to enjoy one or more walking tours.

Created in the 18th century, this beautiful 300-acre park in Madrid offers a nice escape from the bustling city. Wander from park along the great boulevard towards the Prado and explore the Royal Botanical Garden with trees from around the world.

While Casa Batllo has a better exterior, Casa Mila is probably the better of the 2 most famous Gaudi apartments to see because of it’s funky roof and lovely interior, made at the height of Gaudi’s career and with original furnishings (vs Casa Batllo where only the exterior was designed by Gaudi)

This is the ultimate Spanish Plaza –  it is considered the heart of Salamanca and is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful plazas in Spain

The city’s park, designed in part by Gaudi, offers some of the most whimsical Gaudi architecture found in the city.

Flamenco dance is a must-see while in Sevilla. Enjoy the graceful movement of the dance while guitar, vocals, and castanets accompany the movement. You have a few options to take it in: a serious concert, tourist dinner or a bar with late night, often impromptu performances.

With over 3000 rooms, the Royal palace of Madrid is the largest royal palace in Europe. It was built based on sketches for the Louvre in the mid 1700s and is full of art, has  interesting state rooms, Royal Armory and kitchen.

This portico lined square from the 17th century is situated at the heart of Hapsburg Madrid, the old part of the city and one of the capital’s most charming districts.

Toledo’s museum which tells Spain’s military history from 1492 to the 1900s. Spain has a very famous military history and this museum certainly does it justice.

No, this is not Barcelona’s most famous cathedral – that honor goes to Sagrada Familia – but this is Barcelona’s huge Gothic cathedral from the 14th century (minus the 19th century facade) which played a significant part in the history of the city.

Set on a side street off of Las Ramblas, this market has been in existence in one form or another since 1200. It’s a great place to grab lunch or just peruse tempting fruit, fish, meat, cheese, and local Catalan products.

This historic building from 1916 is the city’s oldest market hall and offers a selection of produce, tapas, wine, and pretty much anything else food-wise you can think of. Make yourself a nice lunch from the cheeses, olives, and tapas and finish it off with draft vermouth or sangria.

Built in 1513, the “new” cathedral was built directly next to the 12th century Romanesque one already standing there, creating a uniquely blended church.

This museum is small, so don’t expect it to take more than about 45 minutes to explore, but it has some great Picasso pieces from his time spent in Barcelona at the beginning of his careers (from age 14-23). If you love Picasso, this is probably a can’t-miss.

This church from 1607 is a nice quick visit, boasting a Last Supper altarpiece. At the convent half a block down you can buy items from the cloistered nuns by ringing the buzzer near the sign that says “Venta de Dulces.”

Great location on a pedestrian near the cathedral – this is a nice hotel with well sound proofed for sleeping at night. There is parking in a large public garage nearby

Reasonably nice hotel in a good location.It has a garage that is small, tight and dark.