The Catalan capital has a lot to offer, from leafy pedestrian “superblocks” to restored architectural gems and new restaurants.
Almost 30 years after the Olympics transformed Barcelona into a tourist magnet, the city’s architecture and food culture have only grown stronger, making it one of Europe’s key battlegrounds against overtourism.
Tighter restrictions on Airbnb and size of groups, together with bike lanes and the restored Sant Antoni market, have made a huge difference for locals. Most impressively, Barcelona’s “superblock” initiative has created car-free, pedestrian-friendly areas all over the city. The moratorium on hotel construction only lasted a few years, but these other measures have proven much more successful in reducing crowds.
Casa Mila — otherwise known as La Pedrera — is an iconic structure of the city, boasting its captivating wave-like exterior. Located in the Eixample district, it offers a comprehensive insight into Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular designs, from his fondness for botanical elements to the clever physics implemented in his architecture. Additionally, a virtual reality tour has recently been added, allowing visitors with VR headsets to explore Gaudi’s signature design features while moving through several rooms (entrance with virtual reality exhibition costing 35 euros).
Since its grand opening in 2006, Gresca has been setting the bar for bistronomia, a style of cooking that merges flair with a relaxed vibe and low prices. With an enlarged space and culinary adventurousness, Chef Rafael Peña has concocted a host of small plates that tantalize – from mackerel marinated in citrusy soy sauce to glazed eel on top of pickled onions and indulgent brioche (a two-person meal for about 100 euros).
