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Curator’s statement
Barcelona calls all types of tourists with its amazing climate, gothic architecture and stellar food scene, but its hotspots have become overly crowded over the last decade. If you would still like to enjoy Barcelona but see another — more local and less crowded — side of it, then this guide is for you! Everyone should try to get to the Catalan Capital at least once a year, doing it differently can ensure you never get bored.
The Fora Difference
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Killer perks
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Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Barcelona
H10 Metropolitan
A sophisticated, modern hotel nestled in Barcelona's vibrant city center, renowned for its sleek design and rooftop terrace with plunge pool.
Fora Perks
- ★
Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
- ★
Welcome amenity.
Casa Bonay
Join the city’s coolest crowd at this 67-room gem, with gorgeous rooftop spaces and a hotspot, natural wine bar.
Fora Perks
- ★
Welcome treat in room on arrival.
- ★
Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
Hotel Bagués
Hotel Bagués, located on Barcelona's iconic Las Ramblas, is a boutique hotel blending modern luxury with Art Nouveau charm. With exquisite jewelry-inspired design, upscale accommodations, and a prime city center location, the hotel offers a sophisticated and stylish retreat in the heart of Barcelona.
Fora Perks
- ★
Complimentary entrance to the Egyptian Museum.
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One complimentary breakfast per stay
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Upgrade & guaranteed late check-out.
Hotel Brummell, Barcelona
Hotel Brummell, nestled in Barcelona's Poble Sec neighborhood, combines modern design with a laid-back atmosphere. This boutique hotel offers stylish accommodations, a lush garden and a rooftop terrace.
Kimpton Vividora Barcelona
In the heart of the bustling Gothic Quarter, a stylish sanctuary with splurge-worthy, balconied-suites and a lively rooftop pool scene.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 food / beverage credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Unlock perks by contacting Nicola to book your trip.
Things to do in Barcelona
Montjuïc: Explore this underrated neighborhood early one morning on a run or a hike up the hill. You will see the staging grounds of the 1992 Olympic games, the Castell Montjüic and the Botanic Gardens, all while having an extraordinary and unobstructed of Barcelona from the top.
Caves Codorniu: Enjoying all that Cava? Why not visit where it is actually made? Discover the place where it all began 450 years by taking a detour from the Ramblas to the Codorniu family winery.
Museums Galore: Interested in a deep dive of the unique regional history surrounding the city, then go to the History Museum of Catalonia. Hipster? The Design Museum awaits. Undecided? The Picasso Museum is always a safe bet.
Shopaholic? Make sure to check out Gimaguas or Ivori. Aragaza is also a must for men's shirts!
Parc del Laberint d'Horta: Reachable by metro or cab, this is Barcelona's oldest, but less renowned, garden. Take a stroll through the more than 50 manicured hectares and try not to get lost in the maze!
Go watch a fútbol match. Yes, everyone wants to visit the Camp Nou and watch FC Barcelona, but while it's under renovation, why not checkout a game of rivals RCD Espanyol for a less commercialized atmosphere?
Day Trips:
Take a drive up the Costa Brava to Begur or Cadaqués for some beach time. Alternatively, go South, right outside of Barcelona, to Sitges and escape the buzz of the big city.
Places to eat & drink in Barcelona
Elsa y Fred: Whether for Sunday brunch or late-night tapas, this is one of the hottest tickets in town at the moment.
Mediamanga: Carnivores beware! After having the txuletón here, you will need a break. Everything else is great too including the fish-based dishes, desserts and the service.
Restaurant Barceloneta: Classic seaside cuisine, everything from oysters to paella as you admire the sunset in the bay.
DelaCrem: Artisanal gelato to cure (or aggravate) any sweet tooth.
Honest Greens Tuset: Take part in the green revolution one day for lunch. Chances are that you won't be disappointed.
Flex & Kale: The type of place that your parents would say is "where all the young, beautiful people" go for brunch... well, they must be flocking there for a reason.
Orxateria Sirvent: You cannot visit Barcelona without trying an orxata de chufa. The Valencians (as usual) claim this tiger nut drink was their invention, but the Catalans might just do it better!
Especiarium: Often proclaimed as the best cocktail bar in Barcelona, stop here for after dinner drinks, which in this city could mean 1 a.m.!
Need to know
Book recommendation: The Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón (2001)
Zafón’s masterpiece is a love letter to Barcelona and even has a book-inspired guide to the city in the back.
This magical tale was a worldwide hit when it was released in the early 2000s. I came to it late when my father-in-law gave it to me for Christmas last year claiming it was “perhaps the best novel” he had ever read. Lofty praise. After devouring it over a recent vacation, I think he may have been right.
The novel begins with its protagonist — a ten-year-old Daniel — becoming enraptured by an obscure book he finds in the cemetery of forgotten books in post-war Barcelona. Whilst searching for books by the same author, he discovers that somebody has been systematically destroying all of them. From there, Daniel spends the next ten years of his life playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse as he tries to uncover the mystery.
Travel Advisor
Nicola Volpi
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Looking for more travel inspiration? Check out my guide, London Calling: An Alternative Getaway.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Barcelona.