Bike Tours in Barcelona

How to Make the Most of Your Weekend in Barcelona

Whether you’re looking for an adrenaline-packed vacation with your best friends or a romantic getaway with your special someone, Barcelona has everything you need!  A last-minute break to Barcelona is the perfect solution to the everlasting debate of where to spend your weekend; this exotic location has everything from shopping in the city to hiking in the mountains.  After visiting this amazing area, you’ll want to spend all your weekends away in Barcelona! Three days is such a brief amount of time to pack in all of the countless Barcelona attractions, so check out this guide to five of the best tours that will help you see as much of this city as possible!

The 5 Best Tours for Your Weekend in Barcelona

  1. Feel Free Walking Tours

The best way to discover the true culture of the city during your weekend in Barcelona is to attend a walking tour.  The Feel Free Walking Tours offers daily tours to see the best attractions; these tours are completely free of charge, making a great addition to a bargain break in Barcelona!  Learn all about Gaudi modernism, ancient monuments, and art history through these multiple tours. These are a great way to educate and engage visitors of all ages; they even provide a Kick Scooter Tour, a fun activity for kids.  

  1. Barcelona Photo Walk

You have to take lots of pictures so you will always remember your weekend in Barcelona!  Get the best shots on a Barcelona Photo Walk, held the second Saturday of every month.  This tours will guide you throughout the most picturesque scenes of the city so you can take fantastic photographs to commemorate your visit.  This is a wonderful way to meet other individuals interested in photography while exploring during your Barcelona weekend break.  

  1. Discover Walks Barcelona

Learn all about the area from a Barcelona native during the Discover Walks of Barcelona.  Navigate through the famous Ramblas, enjoy skip-the-lines visits to local attractions, and view the best must-see landmarks.  Your weekend in Barcelona is not complete without one of this fantastic tours; group tours, private tours, and family specials are all offered.

  1. Barcelona Bike Tours

See all the best sights during your weekends away in Barcelona- all on a bike! Cycle through beaches, mountains, city streets and more on one of these awesome guided bike tours.  Rentals are available and Barcelona Bike Tours are offered daily to give everyone the opportunity to see the most of the area as possible.

  1. Barcelona Food Tours

Taste the best of Barcelona!  Participate in a Barcelona Food Tour to sample all kinds of traditional dishes from the greatest restaurants in the city.  These tours can be customized to accommodate all kinds of dietary restrictions and preferences so you can have the most delicious food experience possible.  Make sure your dream vacation includes legendary meals every day!

Stay in the Best Barcelona Rentals with BizFlats!

bizFlats wants to provide you with the most luxurious accommodations to accompany your Barcelona weekend break!  Book one of our amazing rentals to receive a relaxing weekend in the perfect vacation home, fully equipped with the best amenities.  Savor breathtaking views of the sea and city- right from your balcony!  Check our availability and plan a last minute break to Barcelona today!

Photo by Jose Mesa / Flickr

barcelona gothic quarter

Get Lost in the History of the Barcelona Gothic Quarter

You won’t just get lost in the history of the Barcelona Gothic Quarter but also in the amazing variety of things to do in this corner of the city that is among the most visited places by tourists and residents alike. With its labyrinthine streets, it’s best to pay extra close attention to your surroundings as it’s common to literally get lost in the area. Along with beautiful squares that make for the perfect place to relax for an afternoon with a bottle of wine or a good book, there are numerous great boutiques for shopping, a grand cathedral, and a lively nightlife. During your next visit to Barcelona, be sure to take a walking tour though the Gothic Quarter!

History of the Barcelona Gothic Quarter

The Gothic Quarter is the center of the old city of Barcelona. Many of its buildings maintain their medievally designed integrity though there were many additions and improvements throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. The Roman Wall remains are evidence that the gothic quarter dates as far back as the Roman settlement in Barcelona. The labyrinthine street layout is further evidence, with many of the streets opening up into squares that would have been markets and meeting places in medieval times.

Barcelona Gothic Quarter Attractions

Gothic quarter of Barcelona in wet weather conditions
Photo Credit: bbsferrari/iStock/Thinkstock
  • The Barcelona Gothic Quarter Cathedral is one of the main attractions in this area and is the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona, as well as breathtaking sight. Having been constructed from the 13th to the 15th centuries, its neogothic style is complete with rooftop gargoyles and other domestic and mythic animals.
  • Plaça Sant Jaume is located at the heart of the Barcelona Gothic Quarter and is the administrative center of the city as home to both City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia. The square is home to many big events throughout the year.
  • Plaça Reial sits between the Gothic Quarter and La Rambla and is a popular attraction. It is well known for its rich nightlife as it is home to many famous nightclubs and outdoor venues. It is one of the most popular spots for national celebrations like New Year’s Eve.
  • Portal de l’Àngel is known among locals for being one of the premier locations for shopping in Barcelona, since it is a pedestrian-only street – it attracts many of the best-known local and international fashion brands. The huge footfall on Portal del’Àngel makes it Barcelona’s (and Spain’s) most expensive retail location.
  • The Barcelona Gothic Quarter also has its own collection of ruins, such as the Temple of Augustus, an old Roman temple built during the Imperial period. After being demolished, its remains were not discovered for centuries and have been slowly restored as they have been found.

A Few Fantastic Gothic Quarter Restaurants

There are far too many romantic restaurants in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, but a few highly-recommended spots to eat include: Bilbao Berria, Cal Pep, and Pla Restaurant.

Whether you like shopping, nightclubs or are more interested in a beautiful place to sit outside and take in the atmosphere, you will enjoy the Barcelona Gothic Quarter.  There are numerous short term holiday rentals around this area giving you a historic experience on your stay here. While they are in the medieval corner of Barcelona, these flats are all newly remodeled with all the modern features you’re used to at home. Our Gothic Quarter apartments are conveniently located at the center of the city giving you easy access to whatever you might want to see on your stay. Our vacation rentals are where to stay in Barcelona, and are a perfect alternative to Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter hotels.

“Calçotada” de Valls (Spring Onion Festival)

If anybody ever ask me to mention a traditional Catalan dish, I would say “Calçots” without hesitation. Calçots are milder and less bulbous than onions.This weekend we will celebrate the 34th edition of Fiesta de la Calçotada de Valls (Spring Onion Festival).

 I know sometimes it’s better to discover new experiences by your own. However, some local events require some know-how/contacts, and it’s better to reserve a tour, so you enjoy all the insights of the festival. A great option is LivingIt, an agency focus on traditional events and local festivals in Catalunya.

If you decide to visit the festival by your own, make sure you get there early (before 10 a.m.) to  make the most of your visit. There are trains coming to Valls from Barcelona Sants Station.

There will be plenty of contests and activities, so  as soon as you arrive, go to get your tickets at the City Hall and get prepare to live a unique traditional experience.

If you are looking for accommodation in Barcelona, don’t miss our special offers for this weekend. Apartments in the city center from 36€ per person/per night.

Bon profit!