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Looking for romantic activities in Barcelona, Spain?
This is a guest post by Tendelle Travel a la Tendelle.
Barcelona has to be one of the most romantic cities in Europe, if not the entire world. It is also one of the the most beautiful places in Spain. Where do I start? I could talk about its dark, winding streets in the old quarters. Or I could gush about the wonderful panoramic view to the ocean from the city’s many advantages.
And let’s not forget the amazing gastronomy that never fails to disappoint, even the most hardened foodies. You can’t go wrong with Barcelona as a romantic getaway – your time in Barcelona with that special someone will be something to remember. These 7 romantic things to do in Barcelona will get your planning started.
Day trip to a Catalan winery
Catalonia is home to many wine regions that produce amazing red and white wine, as well as Catalan sparkling wine, cava. Many of these wineries are located in the hills next to the ocean along the coast of Catalonia. From the vineyards, you can often have great views of the ocean. What could be more romantic than learning about winemaking, tasting quality wine, and then having a picnic among the vineyards overlooking the ocean?
See more Barcelona day trips here. Or, planning a multi-day trip? This 5-day Barcelona itinerary will help, or this Spain itinerary by train will help you create an incredible adventure across the country.
When you come back to Barcelona, give it a try this place serves Catalan cuisine.
For a perfect half day or full day trip, Alella is a wine region that is an easy day trip from Barcelona, just 25 minutes by car or 1 hour by train and bus. At the esteemed Alta Alella winery, you can take a winery tour with wine tasting. At the neighboring Bouquet d’Alella winery, you can even have a picnic among the vines!
[Another great day trip is to Montserrat. This guide to a day trip to Montserrat from Barcelona offers tips for going by train.]
Mágica de Montjuic font
Although the Magic Fountain of Montjuic may seem a bit clichéd and overcrowded with tourists, (as are the famous locations of exciting Gracia neighborhood) is undoubtedly one of the most romantic places in Barcelona. Dare I say, “magical”?
With the stunning backdrop of the Palau Nacional, the giant fountain in front of the Montjuic mountain has a light and music show every Thursday-Saturday and more often in the summer (program here). The synchronization of music (always classical), light and water will leave you in awe. Stand too close to the fountain and you’ll get wet – there’s nothing like sneaking a kiss in the ‘rain’ to add to the romance.
Lose Yourself in El Born & Barrio Gotico
El Born and Barrio Gótico, in the medieval part of the city, are probably the most romantic districts of Barcelona. It is home to narrow, winding streets filled with restaurants and tapas bars, each with its own flair.
At night, many of the famous buildings are also lit up at night, such as the Catedral de Barcelona and the Palau de la Música Catalana, adding to the mystery and romance of the old city.
Explore these districts, then sit down for some sangria or wine on an outdoor terrace. Goof around, feed each other some tapas and whisper sweet nothings into each other’s ears.
Antic Teatre
Tucked away in El Born, the Antic Teatre is exactly what it sounds like, an ‘old theatre’. If you are not aware, you would not seek what is hidden behind the theater doors. Shaded by lush vegetation, it is one of the nicest indoor terraces in Barcelona.
The bar of the Antic Teatre is romantic both for a nice morning coffee or for an evening drink after walking around the city all day. True to its name, it’s also a cultural center, so you can see theater performances here (although most programs will be in Catalan or Spanish).
PS: Are you going to Madrid next? Here is a great one list of things to do there.
Ohla Hotel Rooftop Bar
The Rooftop Bar at the Ohla Hotel is the most romantic rooftop bar in Barcelona. Right in the heart of Barrio Gótico, lovebirds can sit overlooking the rooftops of Gothic architecture while sipping cocktails. There’s even a rooftop pool for those who want to take a dip.
Go at dusk and watch the sky turn colors as the sun sets. This could be perfect for summer in barcelona…or any other time of year.
Photo source: Gary Ullah, Flickr Creative Commons
Go to the beach at 4 in the morning
When the weather is good, Barcelona’s beaches are usually packed with tourists during the day. But at night, the beach offers a rare respite from the hoards of tourists in town. If you are the party guyyou can dance the night away at beach clubs like Opium Mar, CDLC, Pacha.
After a long night out, you can hit the beaches conveniently located just outside the clubs and cuddle up with your honey on the beach. Traveling salesmen, also known as “cerveza beer” guys. doherb is Spanish for beer and these vendors work on the beach at all hours of the day. They will come to offer you beer for one euro, but when they see couples in canoes the script changes slightly to “Cerveza beer, cerveza beer… Condom?’
Hike to Tibidabo
Those who have been to Barcelona might wonder what the big white church is up there on the highest mountain. When lit up at night, it looks a bit like a Disney castle! This is actually not only the church, Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor, but also marks the location of the Tibidabo amusement park.
You can go directly up to the mountain and amusement park by public transport, or for the active couple, you can hike there from Parc Guell (Valcara Metro Station), climbing four kilometers. Once you’re up the mountain, you can spend the afternoon enjoying the best views of the city and bond with the adrenaline rush of the rides!
Extra Cultural Tip: Sant Jordi
Sant Jordi is the Catalan version of Valentine’s Day. And in my opinion, it’s more romantic than Valentine’s Day!
Sant Jordi falls on April 23rdrd every year, and has a very romantic tradition: men give women a rose and women give men a book. Love is in the air not only for the couples, but throughout the city. On this day, Barcelona is filled with street stalls selling flowers and books wherever you go. What a beautiful, literary holiday!
About the Author: Tendelle is an American expat whose love affair with Barcelona began 10 years ago, and who is called back to the city again and again. Most recently he was in Barcelona pursuing a Masters in Tourism Management and working at a culinary tourism startup. In her spare time she works on her blog, Journey à la Tendellewhich documents her other passion, festival and nightlife tourism.
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