In September 2024 I was lucky enough to get to visit Spain for a short solo mini-break in Barcelona. Visiting this beautiful city has been a long-held dream of mine, so I was thrilled to be able to finally make it happen.
I had three full days there to explore (plus a travel day either side) and a loooooong list of things I wanted to see, do and experience.
You can read all about what I got up to on days 1 and 2 , plus information about where I stayed, in part one of this blog post series, here.
Solo Mini-Break in Barcelona: Travel Diaries
Day 3: Tuesday (am)
I was up and out of my Airbnb early in the morning, fully intending to watch the sunrise at the beach. Somehow, I got myself all turned around (Google Maps is my long-standing arch nemesis – for every single trip, not just this solo mini-break in Barcelona) and I inexplicably ended up at Port Vell instead. I’m still not entirely sure how.
The sunrise was pretty and I decided to make the most of this unexpected plot-twist in my morning adventure. I started wandering down the marina and eventually found myself in the midst of some seriously impressive sea vessels. It turns out I’d discovered the Race Village for the America’s Cup, which happened to be in Barcelona from August right the way through to October 2024. Seeing all the different boats was pretty cool and I bet the whole area would have been buzzing with activity later on in the day once it opened.
Sunrise from the marina at Port Vell
Beyond the boats, there wasn’t much to see, so I retraced my steps back to the nearest metro station and made my way into the heart of Barcelona. I love wandering city streets early in the morning; there’s something quietly and intrinsically intimate about witnessing a place slowly starting to wake up. I headed for La Rambla, a pedestrianised boulevard full of market stalls. I’d been advised to go first thing in the morning, before it got too crowded with people (and pickpockets). However, clearly my definition of ‘first-thing’ and everyone else’s idea of it are vastly different. I must have been a little bit too early as none of the stalls were open yet, and I was left feeling rather underwhelmed. I guess I’ll just have to plan another solo mini-break in Barcelona some other time in order to experience it fully…
I took a chance on a side street and stumbled upon Barri Gotic (the Gothic Quarter) and Pont del Bisbe (Bishop’s Bridge) – which looks centuries old but was actually built in the early 1900s. Stark stone walls and impressive doors were the main feature of this part of the city. Eventually I emerged into a large square that’s home to the Catedral de Barcelona, which was stunning.
Details of one of the beautiful buildings lining Las Ramblas
A secret courtyard that I happened to stumble across
Palau de la Generalitat – my favourite thing about this photo is the little wedding party, bottom right
Pont del Bisbe
The bottom half of the words are missing – it starts off as something like “We are all put on this earth” (I think). I mostly just loved the mural painted on the shutter.
After a quick consultation of (and polite negotiation with) Google Maps again, I determinedly set out in search of something that I’d been wanting to see ever since I learned of it’s existence. It was not easy to find – tucked away and hidden down a tiny, unassuming, inconspicuous back street – but it was worth every frustrating wrong turn. El Món Neix en Cada Besada / ‘The World Begins With Every Kiss’ (also known as ‘The Kiss of Freedom mural’, or even simply ‘The Kiss’) is an incredible piece of street art.
Seen from afar, it looks like a giant image of two people kissing. The closer you get to it, the easier it is to see that it’s actually a photo-mosaic formed of thousands of tiles (estimated to be anywhere between four and six thousand in total), with each of those individual tiles containing an image.
Those images were sent in voluntarily by locals in response to a request from artist Joan Fontcuberta in for “photos representing a moment of freedom” and there really is anything and everything you could imagine… Places, people, events. Images of families, friends and pets. Lovers of all different genders, ages and orientations. Nature, rainbows, the ocean. Babies and children.
It was originally supposed to be temporary, but it proved to be so popular, and it’s message was so powerful, that it became a permanent installation. I was thrilled to be the only person there, so I could photograph it to my heart’s content. A definite highlight of my solo mini-break in Barcelona, for sure.
The Kiss Of Freedom mural, Barcelona
From there I made my way to the Palau de Musica Catalana. Whilst I was still in the planning stages of my solo mini-break in Barcelona, trying to figure out where I wanted to go and what I wanted to see, it was a flip-of-the-coin decision between this and the Picasso Museum as I knew I wouldn’t have time to do both. The Palau won the toss and I’m really, really glad it did because it’s incredible.
It was designed and built by the same architect as the Hospital Sant Pau, (which I saw from the outside yesterday) and it honestly took my breath away. The intricacy, the detail, the colours, the symmetry, the opulence… it really was spectacular. I’d go back again, for sure. And I’d love to see a show performed there as well.
The interior of the Palau de Musica Catalana
I loved these mosaic pillars on a balcony outside one of the rooms
To counteract the richness and decadence of the Palau, I stepped into the more down-to-earth Mercat de Santa Caterina and was immediately enveloped in a wild array of smells and sounds and impressive displays of stallholders’ wares – meat and fish and cheese and fruit and vegetables and bread and pastries of every kind piled up precariously high. I didn’t buy anything – I can never choose when there are as many options as that – but I enjoyed people-watching as the locals bargained and bought the ingredients for that night’s dinner.
After that, I spent a very satisfying and eye-opening hour or so wandering through the back alleys, allowing myself to get completely lost in the labyrinthine streets. It’s one of my favourite things to do when travelling – just meandering with zero agenda, no specific destination in mind, just seeing where I end up and experiencing whatever I happen to encounter along the way.
There was laundry draped over balcony railings, and colourful street art & bright graffiti adorned almost every door and shutter (though not quite as all encompassing as I saw when I visited Lisbon in 2023). Tiny shops crammed full of trinkets – their entrances propped open to let in the non-existant breeze – invited me in to browse; rainbow bunting and vibrant plants stretched out rebelliously along telephone wires; mysterious alleyways gave the impression that there was a long-lost secret hidden around every corner; and local life bustled onwards as if I wasn’t even there.
Eventually the streets spat me out right next to a metro station, so I got my bearings and headed back to my Airbnb as I desperately needed to charge my phone.
Always, always look up when wandering the streets – you never know what you might see!
Balcony gardens and bunting
Street art and stickers
I can’t even begin to explain how much I loved the shutter on this shop!
Day 3: Tuesday (pm)
After refuelling and recharging (myself and my phone!), I headed back out into the city to explore, with a rough plan of action for where I wanted to go. First up was the Arc de Triomf. Yes, there is one in Barcelona as well as in Paris! There was a big national day of celebration happening the next day – Diada de Catalunya – so the entire city was gearing up for that: setting up equipment for concerts; roads being closed for parades etc… It looked and felt chaotic but it seemed to be very well organised.
I strolled down to Ciutadella Park and admired the impressively ornate fountain (which was actually turned on, unlike all the other fountains I’d encountered so far). The park is home to a small lake with rowing boats and even a zoo, though I didn’t go in. I made my way to the perimeter road (Passeig de Circumvallacio) the entire length of which was flanked by street art and murals – it was very cool.
My destination point was the beach – I planned to start at the one the furthest away from my Airbnb (Somorrostro Beach) and gradually walk back (via well-known Barceloneta Beach) to the one closest to where I was staying (San Sebastian beach). It turns out that it’s quite a long way! I unexpectedly encountered a nudist beach partway along, which took me by surprise. The beaches themselves are golden sand, and they were busy but well attended by lifeguards and with plenty of public toilets along the promenade.
Eventually I reached the landmark W hotel, and ventured all the way out beyond it to the mirador (lookout point). I imagine it would be a great place to watch the sunrise and/or sunset.
Exhausted, I got the metro back to my Airbnb and enjoyed a very quiet evening of reading and an early (-ish, for me) night, ready for more adventures on my solo mini break in Barcelona the next day.
Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf – you can see the stage for the concert being set up just behind it
Ciutadella Park
The iconic W Hotel
Looking back along the beaches – I started out at those two tall tower blocks in the distance and walked all the way along the shoreline to where I took this photo from!
Day 4: Wednesday (am)
The last full day of my solo mini-break in Barcelona and I was absolutely determined to make it to the beach to watch the sunrise, seeing as it was the last real chance I’d have to do so. I set my alarm super-early, got up, triple-checked that I was heading in the correct direction to get to the right metro station… and made it to Barceloneta Beach at the perfect time.
Quite a few people had clearly had the same idea – because Barcelona is on the East coast of Spain, it’s famed for it’s spectacular sunrises. I didn’t mind sharing the beach with my fellow early-risers though. In fact, I felt a sort of solidarity and companionship with them – we were all there to witness something beautiful and to collectively feel whatever we experienced, simultaneously. That felt pretty magic to me.
It was a really gorgeous sunrise too – the gold reflected in the water so it sparkled. Watching the sunrise genuinely is one of my absolute favourite things to do and this was one of the highlights of my trip. There were lots of SUP-pers out on the water (stand-up paddleboarding), gliding serenely across the surface of the Mediterranean with ease. I’d seriously considered trying this out (it’s on my ’50 Things Before I’m 50′ list) and couldn’t quite manage the logistics of needing to find time for a lesson first as well as getting to the right place at the right time. It’ll happen one day, I’ll make sure of it.
Sunrise at Barceloneta Beach
The rest of the morning was jam-packed too. I’d advance-booked a timed entry slot for Park Guell, which is on the opposite side of the city from the beaches. I deliberately chose the earliest time I could, right for when the park opened, hoping to beat the (other) tourists. It worked to some extent, especially in comparison to just an hour later when it became incredibly crowded. Fortunately I was able to experience the parts I really wanted to see without too much bother – it was busy but there was space and people mostly politely took turns to take photographs.
It’s very hard to describe Park Guell – it’s a fantastical place that you kind of have to see in person to believe it exists. Gaudi certainly had a wild imagination. I loved all the mosaics and colours that were scattered in amongst the multitude of green foliage and impressive trees. I spent a good few hours there and could have stayed longer – it’s intricate, interconnected pathways meant that there was something interesting around every corner, and there were several buildings I could have gone into and explored too.
Close up of the incredible mosaic bench surrounding Nature Square
Palm Trees Path
The Salamander
Casa del Guarda
High Bridge
Day 4: Wednesday (pm)
Today was the Diada de Catalunya (the National Day of Catalonia), a day-long public holiday and festival commemorating the end of the siege of Barcelona in the War of Spanish Succession in 1714. It’s a big deal for Barcelona, so I decided to head into the city for the afternoon to see what was happening. It was, of course, extraordinarily busy, but it was a good atmosphere and really interesting to see some of the celebrations. There were flower offerings at various locations, including the memorial of Rafael Casanova, the mayor of Barcelona who was wounded in battle. Roads everywhere were closed to traffic and there were street parties down many side-streets, full of trestle tables laden with food and surrounded by people talking and laughing together. I also saw several processions/demonstrations and the distinctive red and yellow striped flags were proudly displayed on virtually every building.
As I was wandering, I stumbled across the entrance to the Banksy Museum and impulsively decided to go in. I found it really interesting – I like Banksy’s art/work and there were so many more pieces than I knew. All of the ones on display in the museum are replicas/reproductions created using the exact same techniques that Banksy uses. There was information and a story about each piece and multiple rooms to explore. I spent ages in there and found it quite fascinating.
A little outside area at the Banksy Museum. I just loved this little slice of Barcelona life – imagine living there!
Street musicians – they were excellent!
La Cara de Barcelona (‘The Face Of Barcelona’)
Afterwards, I wandered through the backstreets, stopping to watch street musicians on the way, heading in the general direction of the coastline. I’d started the day at the beach, and I wanted to finish the day there too, and to see the sea one final time before I left this beautiful city the following morning. I was also determined to ride the cable car from San Sebastian port up to Montjiuc. At the ticket booth I was told it was a half hour wait but I suspect he would have said that no matter what – it was more like an hour. This cable car was much higher and much longer than the one I’d ridden on a couple of days previously. It was also standing room only inside the pods – no seats, open windows, and it definitely had a little bit more of a sway to it as it moved. I’d say there were about 16-20 of us in there. It was…cosy, to say the least. But very fun.
It was 100% worth the €12.50 for the one-way trip though – the views were absolutely breathtaking. It was really interesting making this journey at the end of my trip because I could see each of the things I’d been to visit during my solo mini break in Barcelona and it made me realise just how far I’ve actually walked. I’d been literally all over the city!
The starting point of the cable car ride – you take a lift to the top of the tower
Port Vell, and if you look carefully you can see the Sagrada Familia in the distance too.
Here I’m looking back at where I’ve just come from – the tower you can see is the halfway point of the cable car ride
Day 5: Thursday – travel day
There were no adventures this morning – I got up, packed, checked out of my cute little Airbnb and made my way back to the airport for my flight back to England. I was very sad to leave and I definitely left a little piece of my heart in Barcelona. I’d like to go back again one day as there were still many more things I wanted to see and experience: Tibidabo; the restaurant/bar/cafe ‘El Bosc de les Fades’; the Picasso Museum; Poble Espanyol and the Carmel Bunkers to name just a few.
It’s an incredibly unique city that I think everyone needs to experience – there’s an indescribable cultural vibe to it that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
Have you been to Barcelona? If so, please do feel free to leave a comment below with any recommendations for interesting things to do. And, as always, thank you for reading.
