What I’d Do Differently: Barcelona Edition

Updated April 2026 | 3 min read

A week in Barcelona and the Costa Brava in May-June 2023, including the Spanish Grand Prix. Here is what we would change.

Stay in El Born, Not on La Rambla

Le Meridien Barcelona is right on La Rambla. The location is central but La Rambla is touristy and loud at night. El Born has better restaurants and a more local feel.

Skip the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Barcelona’s metro gets you everywhere faster. The bus spends half its time in traffic on the Eixample grid.

Book Sagrada Familia for the Morning

We had a 2:15pm slot. Morning tickets get the best light through the east-facing stained glass. Book tower tickets at the same time as general admission.

Base on the Costa Brava for 2-3 Nights

We day-tripped from Barcelona but the drives were long. Basing in Begur or Calella de Palafrugell and doing Barcelona as the bookend would have been better.

Bring Sun Protection to the Grand Prix

Almost no shade in the grandstands at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Bring a wide-brim hat, reapply sunscreen hourly, and bring more water than you think you need. Eat in Montmelo before entering the circuit.

The Bottom Line

Barcelona is one of the best cities in Europe and the Costa Brava is underrated. We would just shift accommodation, protect from the sun, and spend more time on the coast.

Barcelona, Costa Brava, and the F1 Spanish Grand Prix is the full overview.

Travel Tools We Actually Use

Every Barcelona travel thread mentions pickpockets. Las Ramblas, Sagrada Familia entrance, the Metro, and beaches are hotspots. Plan accordingly.

• eSIM Data: Airalo eSIM for Spain — You need data for metro navigation and restaurant lookups. Eating on Las Ramblas is the single biggest mistake — use Google Maps to find places 2 blocks away in El Born or Gracia.
• Anti-Theft Bag: Pacsafe crossbody bag — Slash-proof with lockable zippers. Barcelona-specific advice from every travel forum: crossbody bag facing your body, nothing in back pockets, leave passport copies in hotel safe.
• Travel Insurance: — Theft claims in Barcelona are common. Make sure your policy covers stolen electronics.
• Money: — Best euro rate. Adjust to Spanish meal times: lunch at 2-3 PM, dinner after 9 PM. Trying to eat at 6 PM means tourist-trap restaurants.

Book Tours and Activities

• Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line
• Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona
• Barcelona Food Tour

Gear That Saved Us in Europe

• Osprey Farpoint 40 Travel Backpack – Fits in overhead bins on budget European airlines.
• Anker Nano Power Bank – Long museum and walking days drain your phone.
• Airalo eSIM – One eSIM for all of Europe.
• Universal Travel Adapter – EU, UK, and Swiss plugs are all different.
• Packing Cubes – Keeps your bag organized across multiple cities.
• Rain Jacket (Marmot Precip) – Weather changes fast in shoulder season.

Find Your Next Flight

Book on GetYourGuide:

• Sagrada Familia Skip-the-Line
• Park Guell Timed Entry
• Montserrat Half-Day Trip

Plan Your Trip to Barcelona

Ready to book? Search flights to Barcelona to compare prices across airlines. And compare hotel rates in Barcelona to find the best deals for your dates.

Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. SafetyWing, Skyscanner, Airalo, Booking.com, Viator, GetYourGuide.

Plan your own trip: guides I actually use

More from this region:

• Barcelona, Costa Brava, and the F1 Spanish Grand Prix
• Where to Stay for European F1 Races — Monza, Barcelona, Spa, and Austria
• Costa Brava Day Trips from Barcelona: The Towns Worth Visiting
• Costa Brava Day Trip from Barcelona: Calella, Tossa de Mar, and the Coastal Drive

Cards, lounges & insurance:

• Best Airport Lounges I Have Actually Used — From Changi to Istanbul
• Is Priority Pass Worth It in 2026 — My Honest Review After 15 Airports
• Best Travel Credit Cards for 2026: The Cards I Actually Use and Why
• Best Travel Insurance for 2026: What I Actually Recommend After 15 International Trips
• The Credit Card Points Strategy That Funded $15,000 of Travel

Finding cheap flights:

• Going vs Dollar Flight Club vs Thrifty Traveler: Which Flight Deal Service Is Worth It in 2026?
• When to Book Flights by Region — The Booking Windows That Actually Save Money
• How to Find Error Fares and Flight Deals — The Services I Actually Use
• Google Flights vs Skyscanner vs Momondo — Which Actually Finds the Cheapest Flights

Staying connected abroad:

• Best VPN for Travel 2026 — NordVPN vs Surfshark and Why You Need One
• Best eSIM for Travel 2026 — Holafly vs Airalo vs Nomad

Travel gear I actually use:

• Best Portable Chargers for Travel in 2026: Which Size You Actually Need
• My Exact Travel Tech Setup After 15 International Trips
• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for Travel in 2026: Tested on 40+ Flights
• Best Travel Backpacks for 2026: The 5 I Have Actually Used
• Phone Photography Tips for Travel: How to Take Great Photos With Just Your iPhone