Cruises To & From Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is packed with excellent restaurants, from Michelin-starred dining to rustic tapas bars. There are places to eat all along La Rambla, but these tend to be very touristy; you’ll find better food in the side alleys and squares of the Gothic Quarter or the leafy Eixample neighborhood. Barceloneta, the former fishermen’s village, is another great place to find authentic dining, with seafood restaurants on the beach, while you can try street food in the excellent La Boqueria market.

Sample tapas, from creamy croquetas to spicy patatas bravas, Iberian hams, and Manchego cheese. Vegetarians will love escalivada, a dish of slow-roasted vegetables. You’ll find paella everywhere, and fideuà, a similar seafood-rich dish but with noodles instead of rice. For dessert, don’t miss crema Catalana, a crème brûlée with a crunchy caramelized top.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya, an autonomous community with its own language, Catalan, and distinctive culture. The Romans founded the city in the first century BC, calling it Barcino; you can still see remnants of the old city walls in the Gothic Quarter. The city was under Muslim rule for 200 years in the Middle Ages, when Spain was occupied by Moors from North Africa, who left a magnificent cultural and architectural heritage.

In the early 20th century, Barcelona expanded outside its original walls, in the area called Eixample, which is where you’ll find most of the colorful Art Nouveau architecture, the legacy of Gaudí and his contemporaries. Like all of Spain, the city suffered during the Civil War in 1936 and the subsequent Franco dictatorship. Barcelona sprung back to life following the successful 1992 Olympic Games and has thrived ever since; it’s now one of the most visited cities in the world.

Souvenir stalls line Las Ramblas, but beware of fakes here. You’ll find much more authentic clothing and craft items in the Gothic Quarter, and quirky, boho fashions in El Born and El Raval. There’s mainstream and Spanish fashion galore around Plaça Catalunya and designer shops along chic Passeig de Gracia. Shop for food gifts in La Boqueria market, and for the best Gaudí-inspired souvenirs, the excellent gift shop at the Sagrada Familia basilica.

Barcelona is a pedestrian-friendly city with plenty of public transportation options. From the Port Terminal, there is a shuttle bus service that will drop you off directly in Las Ramblas. There are hop-on, hop-off buses, bike rentals and plenty of cycle lanes, an efficient metro system, and abundant taxis and ride-hailing services. You can walk, too, but distances between neighborhoods are quite long in the heat. To visit Montjuic for the Miró Foundation and other attractions, take the scenic cable car from the port.

In Barcelona, the currency is the euro. You won’t have any trouble finding ATMs throughout the city. Exchange offices are typically open for later hours than banks, but you will receive a better exchange rate at most banks. There’s not a big tipping culture here, but 5% to 10% is a suitable token for good service in a restaurant. Round up the bill for taxis if paying in cash. There’s no need to tip bartenders.