Sharing some of our favorite adventures in Barcelona.
Hi friends! How are you? I hope your week is off to an amazing start! We’re currently in Seville, enjoying beautiful monuments, shopping, delicious food, and a variety of tourist activities. It’s been the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. I hope your summer is going well so far!
For today’s post, I wanted to share some of our Barcelona adventures, including where we stayed, in case you’re planning a trip. We spent a few nights in Barcelona before and after a Disney cruise and completely fell in love with the city. It’s a stunning blend of architecture—from Gaudi’s iconic designs to modern styles, Gothic cathedrals, and Roman ruins. It’s also a massive city (because, well, it is one, haha) with so much to see and do. We could easily spend weeks there, and here are some highlights from our trip.
Eating in Barcelona
The food in Barcelona is absolutely incredible. I’d rank it up there with Rome, and we were blown away by almost every restaurant we tried. They use fresh ingredients, the flavors are well-balanced, portions are just right (especially if you like sharing), and allergens are often clearly marked.
Floral Meadow
This was our first meal in Barcelona, and it definitely set the tone. I couldn’t resist ordering Tinto de Verano (a red wine and citrus spritzer, like a less sweet sangria) and a Spanish tortilla. The girls and I shared a variety of dishes: chicken skewers, Greek salad, sardines, and tortilla. P also had a burger, which was perfection.
Gluten-Free Food Tour
I wrote a whole post about this experience, but we got to try six different spots with tons of gluten-free options. A croissant filled with GF Nutella literally set my soul free—it’s probably in my top 10 best things I’ve ever eaten. Barcelona is a fantastic destination for gluten-free travelers, with dedicated GF kitchens everywhere.
Blomme by Sasha
This is a completely gluten-free brunch spot offering pancakes, avocado toast, bowls, and pastries made with organic, fresh ingredients. If we lived in Barcelona, I’d eat here every week. They have several locations, so I highly recommend checking them out if you’re visiting.
Bar Mut
Located near our hotel, this spot had great reviews and a Spanish tortilla that I was determined to try. We went one night and shared a variety of tapas. The tortilla with truffle oil was heavenly, and the cheese plate was excellent.
Roots & Rolls
One of the highlights of our trip was catching up with my friend Sara! We worked together at Canyon Ranch and have stayed in touch over the years. We met her and her husband for amazing vegan sushi, gluten-free options, bao buns, pad thai, and more. The food was incredible, but the company was even better.
If you’re in Barcelona, Sara also owns Spain’s first assisted stretching studio: Stretch Eden.
Where We Stayed in Barcelona
We stayed at two different hotels: Royal Ramblas before the cruise and Room Mate Carla after. Both were great, and it was cute because the girls and I each had our own little space in both places.
I should note that I almost always book our hotels for free using credit card points. We use our Amex Platinum for everything, which offers perks like lounge access, shopping credits, and travel benefits. If you’re interested, here’s my referral link.
Things to Do in Barcelona
Barcelona is packed with activities, from the famous Mercado de la Boqueria and La Sagrada Familia to museums and beautiful beaches. I would’ve loved a museum day, but the kids were pretty worn out after the cruise. (I’m still a little bummed we missed our Sagrada Familia tour, but we’ll definitely be back!)
One highlight was the White Rabbit Museum, which was a huge hit. It blends Catalan culture with immersive experiences like projection rooms, virtual reality, lights, and sculptures. If you’re traveling with kids, I highly recommend it.
Is Barcelona Safe?
Our taxi driver warned us about pickpockets and areas to avoid, but I never felt unsafe during our visit. In fact, I felt much safer than in many parts of the U.S. The key is to stay aware of your surroundings, stick to well-lit and populated areas, and keep your belongings close. (I carried this Amazon anti-theft bag the entire trip and loved it.)
The Purpose of This Trip
This adventure was all about spending quality time with the kids, exploring new places, and recharging after a hectic start to 2025. I also started toying with the idea of finding a new place to live, and Barcelona felt like the closest fit. It has the big-city vibe we love (tons of shopping, amazing dining, and plenty of gluten-free options) mixed with charming, smaller neighborhoods. We especially loved the Gràcia district.
I’m not sure if we’ll actually move from Tucson, but we’re keeping our eyes open and exploring options.
Have you been to Barcelona? What’s your favorite summer travel destination?
XO,
Gina
