Eight friends from around the world choose Barcelona as a place to get together. Discover how this cosmopolitan European city won us over and why we are coming back to the same place at the same time next year!<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I mean, it is a great city, but there are plenty of great cities to choose from when people are coming from around the world to meet up. It just so happened that Barcelona was the place that had direct flights from all the right places in the UK and is just a stone\u2019s-throw from Palma by boat!<\/span><\/p>\n A penthouse apartment (complete with a turret), which boasted six bedrooms and four bathrooms, plus views of Sagrada Familia. This rental was located on Pg. de St. Joan<\/a>, just half hour drive from the airport, and slap bang in the centre of Barcelona. We enjoyed a very spacious stay, it made for a great place to socialise, and we particularly enjoyed the rooftop terrace.<\/span><\/p>\n Get your comfiest trainers on because Barcelona is a BIG city, and it is best to explore it on foot. On the first full day we each clocked around 30,000 steps. This was all as a gentle meander from eatery to attraction, through the city, through the parks, down to the beach, and back to our apartment located in central Barcelona. Highlights were:<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n It\u2019s very hard to go wrong eating out in Barcelona, the cuisine is simply divine. Our favourite finds were:<\/span><\/p>\n Billy Brunch<\/b><\/a> \u2013 A simple menu that hits all the right spots and is freshly made to order. We tucked into avocado toast, eggs benedict, chakchouka, and pancakes alongside superfood smoothies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Casa Vall<\/b><\/a> \u2013 It\u2019s been a go-to place for locals since 1920, serving up delicious tapas alongside the likes of sandwiches, salads and burgers. We tucked into oxtail soup, Spanish tortilla, English breakfast sandwich, and ribs with patatas bravas sitting out in the sun.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Las Sorrentinas<\/b><\/a> \u2013 What a gem this find was! A small and welcoming eatery serving up a fusion of Peruvian and Italian homemade food! The deep fried aubergine with pineapple jam was a firm favourite as a starter,\u00a0<\/span>and we all enjoyed a different dish filled with homemade pasta.<\/span><\/p>\n Pastisseria!<\/b> \u2013 If eating pastries and cakes is your idea of heaven, then Barcelona might bring you slightly closer to feeling divine. There is somewhere to grab freshly baked goods every few shopfronts, and I swear that every single thing we tried was out of this world!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The city just oozes creativity and inspiration. Not only is the architecture of every building a visual delight, but the streets are packed with independent galleries alongside bigger art museums. And we can\u2019t forget the street art culture here \u2013 graffiti is plentiful, and in many places encouraged. I highly recommend you get out and go see the artists in action!<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We were fortunate enough to stay the weekend of the marathon, and our apartment was right on the route! Watching 30,000 people pass by added a level of emotion we weren\u2019t expecting, and inspired some of our party so much that they have signed up to take part next year! Hence, we\u2019ll be back!<\/span><\/p>\n It is CHEAP! A round of drinks (2 beers, 3 wines, and some sparkling water) came to \u20ac15. Eating out came to between \u20ac20 and \u20ac30 per head, including drinks, and while we didn\u2019t indulge in much retail therapy (besides a quick dip into a vintage market) clothes, jewellery and accessories looked pretty reasonable too.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Not that we encountered any animosity, but it is clear that there is some disdain for tourists descending upon the city. We saw some \u201ctourists go home\u201d stickers and street tags, but in all honesty everyone was very pleasant to us during our time there.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This wasn\u2019t my first time, and it won\u2019t be my last! I may not be signing up for the marathon next year, but I\u2019ll definitely be there to cheer the rest of the party along!<\/span><\/p>\n Kerry McCarthy is a Writer, Editor, Artist & Breathwork Instructor who loves to travel. You can find out more about her adventures over on instagram at @kerrymccarthystars<\/a><\/p>\n Kerry and Friends in Barcelona \u00a9 Kerry McCarthy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n We have specialist travel insurance policies to suit a range of budgets and needs. All of our policies come with 24\/7 multilingual helpline access and each policy can be tailored to suit your unique needs, no matter where in the world you are!<\/p>\n Get in <\/b>touch with us for a quote<\/b><\/a> or call us on 01892 833338<\/b><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Group](\"https:\/\/www.worldwideinsure.com\/travel-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/db32c7db-2124-4ddb-a360-b0a7712e735c-e1743091241807.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhy Barcelona?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Where we stayed in Barcelona<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThings to do in Barcelona<\/b><\/h2>\n
Walk!<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nEat!<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nArt!<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Barcelona Marathon!<\/b><\/h3>\n
What to love (and not to love) about Barcelona<\/b><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSo what didn\u2019t we love?\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWould I go to Barcelona again?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Travel Writer Bio<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0Get Travel Insurance for travel to the EU<\/b><\/h2>\n