🎀 Short n' sweet: (vol. 2) Barcelona
BOS<>BCN. 7 hours direct. For when you really just need to leave the country for the weekend to stuff your face with bocadillos, tortilla, papas, camarones, vino tinto — the works.
Before we get into it.
A brief monologue with regards to public education that tries.
I miss school. These days, it feels like I’m just endlessly scrolling, consumed by stories that I’m not even sure are real. I wish I was still required to be creative in an art class, to move my body in phys ed, to practice a second language, to question things. It makes me mad-sad that those in power want to dismantle equitable access to public education. Remember the teachers that shaped you, support your libraries, ask questions.
And so. I’m currently doom-scrolling and fantasizing about escaping the madness. Traveling is indeed an escape. A lot of us are craving that recently.🙈
Barcelona is farther away than most short n’ sweets.
But it’s nice to remember that Europe is more than doable for a weekend when you live on the East coast, are willing to deal with red-eyes, and find a cheap flight. For my East Coast folks, direct flights to Barcelona are easy to find. A quick search turned up nonstop tickets for two under $700.
Our lovely friends got married there a couple of years ago, which meant we spent a weekend exploring the city. Then, Barcelona came through again as a last-minute refuge when our flight out of Sicily got canceled—we landed at midnight and still managed to eat tapas. The first time I visited over 10 years ago, I wasn’t totally sold on it, but now? I look back on Barcelona fondly. And the thought of spending ~2 days there? Sounds pretty nice.
Repeating a picture-perfect 48-hr stint in Barca
This list isn’t about seeing everything in two days. It’s about panza llena, corazon contento / és un panxa contenta. Full tummy, happy heart. When your stomach is content, life is good. Is it worth it to go to Sagrada? Yes. But past that, just spend your time eating, drinking, and wandering until you end up at one of GaudÃ’s casas.
Note: If you want to go to La Sagrada Familia or Park Güell reserve your tickets asap - they sell out fast!
Where I would eat and sleep at again.
Seventy Barcelona - Big fan of this hotel! Great location, rooftop pool, spa treatments, super-friendly staff, cozy rooms (blackout blinds, robes, slippies). Great value for a Michelin key. We were able to book a room with our own private patio. Most importantly—this hotel saved us when we had less than 24 hours’ notice to find a room in the middle of July. Seventy really delivers.
Le Pepita - Across the street from Seventy. We ate there three times. Chill, cheap, good. More flexible hours for a late-afternoon lunch/tapas than most places!
Entrepanes Diaz - Catalan tapas at 1 AM. Tasty drinks (awesome vermouth & vino selection). Old-school service. Order anything with ajo negro. The squid sandwich was tasty. There might have also been a DJ next door? Hard to say, we were post-plane drowsy; the late-night vibes here saved our tummies!
Funky eatery - Yummy breakfast/brunch pastries. Hangover-cure juices.
La Flauta - Flute-like baguette sammies! Iberico + camarones + gambas.
photo cred // La Pepita <3
No repeats edition: Where I want to eat and sleep next
I would be pumped to stay at any one of these hotels:
Casa Bonay is #1 on my list. 19th-century Neoclassical residential building, soundproofed rooms, rooftop lounge area with showers for cooling off. And perks.
Hotel Pulitzer Barcelona - location, location, location. And perks.Bar La Plata - Open since 1945, this place has stood the test of time. Order what's been on the menu since day one: crispy fried fish, tomato salad with anchovies + olives, pan con tomate with sauage or anchovies. I also really want to meet, Pepe Gómez who has been at the bar for more than 50 years - his motto is "The more I give, the more I have." 🥹 One day I’ll be trying the house vermouth.
Can Paixano - Some of the best bocadillos since 1969.
Taverna El Glop - Squid in paella in a casual atmosphere.
When you want classic tapas in the Gothic quarter go to El Xampanyet est. 1929 or Cal Pep. Be prepared for a wait.
I miss school too 🥲 take me to Barca!