Try the classic tapas of Barceloneta, “La Bomba" - a yummy ball of potato filled with spicy meat and aioli.
Set on a triangular spit of land just south of Barcelona’s Parc de la Ciutadella, Barceloneta wasn’t always the golden-beached go-to city hotspot that it is today. For centuries after the city was founded, its beachfront was almost entirely ignored, except by the occasional day-trippers venturing out from the centre, and Miguel de Cervantes, who included the beach as the setting for Don Quixote’s fight against the Knight of the White Moon. In the late 1980s, suddenly faced with the prospect of hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics, the city council decided that it was time to shake things up.
Beach Life
Now the former fishing district is alive with activity, and is the perfect place to unwind in the sun. There are seven kilometres of beaches in all, starting at the thriving, similarly-renovated Port Vell, and stretching all the way down past the Port Olímpic to the Fòrum. However, the first two kilometres belong to Barceloneta, and these are invariably the most lively at all times of day and night.
Keeping it Fresh
Barceloneta is without doubt one of the finest areas in the city for fresh seafood. Eateries vary from plush five-course restaurants to tiny bistros serving the catch of the day. Can Solé has perhaps the most extensive fish menu in the city, and the food is exquisite, but it is a little on the pricey side, while at the other end of the scale Can Maño is a bustling tavern where you can see fresh fish coming through the door as yours is being prepared in the kitchen.
Tapas are a fundamental element of Spanish gastronomy, and Barcelona is no exception. The Catalan capital has produced some of the world’s most innovative chefs, and its many tapas bars offer a tantalising mix of traditional dishes and modern avant-garde offerings. Our private tapas tour is a fantastic way to get a closer look at Barcelona’s culinary scene, sampling a carefully curated selection of dishes and exploring the iconic neighbourhoods of the Gothic Quarter, El Born and Barceloneta along the way.
On your private tapas tour, you will:
Starting in a lively square in the heart of the Ciutat Vella, Barcelona’s atmospheric Old Town, this private tapas tour helps you delve into the historic heart of the city, winding through the Gothic Quarter, El Born, and the seaside neighbourhood of Barceloneta. In the company of a local guide, you’ll not only taste the flavours that define the Catalan capital but also uncover the hidden stories and culinary traditions that give Barcelona its unique character. Every stop is a discovery, blending the city’s history with its thriving food culture.
You will enjoy various food tastings and delectable drinks, encountering both beloved classics and modern innovations. In Barceloneta, you’ll have the chance to bite into a bomba, an irresistible croquette-like explosion of potato and spice, born in this very quarter. You can sip vermouth the way locals do before dinner, and try your hand at drinking crisp white wine from a porrón, a peculiar glass pitcher that actually serves a practical purpose. You can enjoy a glass of Cava, Spain’s sparkling answer to Champagne, and sample a selection of other dishes (often determined by what is in season) that may include Basque-inspired pintxos or a robust fideuà, a hearty noodle-based alternative to stereotypical Spanish paella.
Along the way, you’ll explore what makes Catalan cuisine distinctive: its Mediterranean roots, its seasonal ingredients, and how it is influenced by the geography of the region, nestled between the mountains and the sea. The tour concludes with a sweet Catalan pastry, the perfect finale to a journey through the flavours of the city. By the end of your time together, you’ll have more than a satisfied appetite: you’ll understand how Barcelona eats, celebrates, and comes together around the table, leaving you with memories and tastes you’d never find on your own.
Discover several incredible panoramic views over the city of Barcelona on this half-day private driving tour around the city's most amazing viewpoints, including a visit to the amazing Glòries Tower skyscraper.
On your private tour, you will:
Discover some of the most astounding panoramic views high above Barcelona, kept secret by the locals, on this fabulous private driving tour to the best viewing points over this stunning city! Your private guide will meet you at your hotel, and whisk you off in search of some of the finest panoramic views, not just of Barcelona but all of Europe!
Enjoy a relaxing and thoroughly scenic drive out of the city centre, while your guide will share lots of fascinating history and stories of Barcelona with you as you head up the hill, towards your first stop: the Carmel Bunkers. Rather than bunkers, this place was used during the Spanish Civil War to store firearms - specifically anti-aircraft weapons.
Afterwards, the area became a shanty town; the residents were rehoused during the Olympic Games in 1992 and today the site is still a well-kept secret by the locals and provides a breathtaking view over Barcelona - with the city and her grand monuments stretched out beneath you.
Next drive to Tibidabo, which at 512 meters it is the highest hill overlooking Barcelona. It rises sharply in the northwest and enjoys panoramic views of both the city and the coastline. Perched on the summit is the astonishingly beautiful Sagrat Cor Church (Sacred Heart), which was begun in 1902 and completed 60 years later. It is a vast neo-gothic church with a massive statue of the sacred heart of Jesus on top: a truly spectacular sight to behold.
Then drive to beautiful Montjuic - the most famous hill in Barcelona, filled with pavillions, temples, palaces, parks, botanical gardens, and other monuments from when Barcelona hosted the World's Fair in 1920. It means Jewish Mountain, named for the medieval Jewish cemetery there, and has glorious views over the city.
For years it was an important defence outpost of the city, with a wooded valley and fort. Today, there are many castles and museums to see and admire on Montjuic, including the Magic Fountain - and of course wonderful views over the city!
Then it's time to drive back into the city where you will be dropped off at the Glòries Tower, your guide will give you your tickets and guide you to the entrance. Then you have free time to head up to the Observation Deck of this grand glass skyscraper - with, yes, some of the greatest views over the city!
Please note:
- This tour runs rain or shine, and on a rainy day, the visibility of the city skyline might be affected. Your guide will be happy to change the stops to offer the best experience.
- Access to the Carmel Bunkers implies a walking part to get to the top of the hill from the parking area.
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