2 Days in Barcelona

We absolutely loved our hotel, the Eurostars Grand Marina. A friend and I had been traveling through France and Italy the previous week, staying in budget accommodations. My boyfriend met up with me and surprised me with this beautiful hotel.

I also had one of the best dining experiences ever at a quaint and tucked-away restaurant aptly named Colibri (hummingbird). This gem had only seven or eight tables, which made the service very personalized and attentive.

We also enjoyed the cable-car ride from the base of our hotel to Montjuic. The views of the city were magnificent.

If you are a soccer fan (as my boyfriend is), the massive stadium where FC Barcelona plays is a must-see. It also houses a rather large and detailed museum honoring the sport.

Quick Tips:

Try to make dinner reservations prior to your trip, as most of the high-end restaurants were booked.

Best Way To Get Around:

We used a combination of transportation. On our first day, we took the cable car up to Montjuic and explored Olympic Village by foot. Then we grabbed a cab to the Ramblas.

After staying in more moderate- to budget-type hotels throughout Italy, my boyfriend surprised me by booking this "posh" hotel.

The hotel is right on the bay, surrounded by boats and cruise ships. The large lobby is rather stark, but the rooms were very nicely decorated, reflecting the modernistic theme you see throughout Barcelona. Our room was a decent size for European standards and the bathroom was quite large. The bed was comfortable, and the sheets felt luxurious.

The hotel staff was very attentive. They offered a turn-down service, which was very welcomed after a long day of walking! We had a lovely room service breakfast that was very prompt. The hotel also provided a Mercedes to take us to the airport at around the same price of a taxi. The cable cars to Montjuic were just outside the lobby doors, and it was quick 2-minute taxi ride or 15-minute walk to Las Ramblas. My only suggestion is to expect to pay an arm and a leg if you use the hotel's laundry service. We were quite surprised at our $100 bill for only a few articles!

Overall, we really enjoyed our two nights' stay and would return again.

Our night at Colibri was one of the best dining experiences I have ever had. The restaurant was very quaint and romantic, holding only seven or eight tables. I believe we were the only non-locals that night, but we felt just as welcomed. Our server was very friendly and attentive. He went out of his way to explain Colibri's most unique menu. We were told that the chef buys all of the ingredients for that evening's menu at the morning markets to ensure quality and freshness. We were also given several generous chef's tastings. The atmosphere is very romantic, even though the room is rather small. Our fellow diners seemed to be immersed in their own conversations and companions. Our meal was phenomenal, from the delicious cava to our decadent chocolate dessert. We still talk about our night at Colibri!

Authentic Spanish paella is a must while in Barcelona. I was advised by a foodie friend of mine that I could not leave Barcelona without trying this seafood-and rice dish. After inquiring at the hotel and asking a few local taxi drivers, Salamanca was the resounding choice.

Our host was very friendly. The restaurant was casual with a nautical theme, and the paella did not disappoint! The flavors of the rice and generous amount of mussels, shrimp, fish, and squid made me a fan of this local specialty. Even my boyfriend, who normally doesn't try new dishes, kept stealing bites. Since then, I have been unable to find a restaurant that serves paella as good as Salamanca's.

For my soccer-crazy boyfriend, visiting the Camp Nou stadium was one of the highlights of our trip. I don't know much about soccer, but I walked through the museum and found the history of this team quite fascinating. There were many cases filled with trophies and photographs of past players and championships. We were able to walk into the stadium and look down on the field. It was hard to imagine over 100,000 crazy soccer fans in one place. I was somewhat glad there was not a game being played when we were there!

There was also a huge, multi-level FC Barcelona store upon exiting the museum, where you could find any type of team-related souvenirs.

During one afternoon, we had the taxi drop us off at the Placa De Catalunya and walked down Las Ramblas, enjoying the shops and beautiful churches along the way. In the evening, colorful street performers showcased their talents and often drew a large audience. There were some of the trendier fashion stores, like Zara, closer to the Placa de Calalunya. I also found many fun shops on the side streets off Las Ramblas.

I have read mixed reviews, and although we did not get as far as the main clusters of street vendors, we never felt unsafe or uncomfortable. As expected, the street is filled with tourists, but Las Ramblas is definitely one of the vibrant areas of the city and should not be missed!