Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, with activities that really allow you to see both it's old and new faces. Most notably, the food in Barcelona is to die for. The restaurants never seems to be catering to tourists, so we never really felt like we wandered into a tourist trap--something that can happen more often than not in some large European cities. Bourdain has said that Spain has surpassed Italy and France in the food scene, and I may have to agree. The prices in Barcelona are also insanely reasonable.
Where to Stay: Either a hotel or Airbnb in the Gothic Quarter. It's centrally located yet feels tucked away from the bustling streets of Las Ramblas. It's a romantic, picturesque and historic neighborhood, with wonderful small shops and restaurants. For somewhere more sceney, stay at the W on the boardwalk. It's a kind of landmark for the city, and is right on the beach. The rooftop has a lot going on at all times.
Where to Eat: The highlight of our trip was Tickets, the Adria Brothers restaurant. We ordered nearly everything on the menu, and nothing disappointed us. The liquid olives are life changing, the iberico brushed tuna and "Nordic Landscape" plates incredible. The restaurant is theme-y and quite casual, but the quality and presentation are certainly not. Our favorite casual tapas were had at Bar Cañete off of Las Ramblas. The quirky menu and brusque service add to a hip vibe, and the food is phenomenal. For classic paella visit 7 Portes, an elegant, classic restaurant with name plates where celebrities have sat through the years. Finally, make sure visit Formatgeria La Seu if you find youself in the Gothic Quarter. It is an amazing little cheese shop with a hilarious owner who will give you a glass of Spanish wine with your cheese plate. The cheese and the experience were equally memorable.
