Barcelona is an exceptional destination for couples seeking a romantic and captivating getaway. My sister and I went with both of our partners to the vibrant Catalonian capital. Barcelona offers a blend of breathtaking architecture, mouthwatering cuisine, and a lively cultural scene that makes it an ideal location for couples to explore and create cherished memories together.
We’ve put together one of our 1 day itineraries which includes the Sagrada Familia and incredible tapas.
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1. Gazing at the Sagrada Familia
The first item on the Barcelona checklist is visiting the Sagrada Familia, you cannot miss one of Antoni Gaudí’s truly iconic structures.
It’s no secret that it’s a popular tourist spot so we made sure to arrive as soon as it opened at 9am. As we had a jam-packed day ahead, it made sense for us to purchase a ticket which allowed us to skip the long queues which had already formed so early in the morning. As a couple, we wanted to delve deeper into Gaudí’s creative process by visiting the on-site museum along with a guided tour. All of this was achieved by this highly recommended tour we booked on Viator, click here to book.
We wandered through the towering, intricately carved spires and stained glass windows and we were in such awe of its sheer beauty and grandeur. It was a truly enriching experience which strangely made us bond a little bit more, I think taking in how magnificent this cathedral is (even though construction is still ongoing) highlighted our appreciation for the time, effort and love that went into building this phenomenal landmark.
Sagrada Familia – Eixample, 08013 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Times – Mon-Fri (9am-8pm), Sat (9am-6pm), Sun (10:30am-8pm)
2. Brunching at Zenith
We walked to Zenith which we stumbled across on social media. The menu boasts an extensive range of fresh and tasty dishes along with an array of beverages. We didn’t have a reservation but we were seated as soon as it was possible. We loved the atmosphere when we walked in, the staff were warm and friendly and we just knew we had come to the right place for brunch.
We wanted a taste of both the sweet and savoury offerings so we ordered two different dishes to share. Their take on an Eggs Royale was something we’d never come across before, the eggs were breaded and it was served with crispy onions, avocado, chives and cherry tomatoes – it was truly an incredible twist on a brunch classic. The pancakes were delicious, very fluffy and had the perfect amount of ice cream to accompany it.
Did you really go to brunch if you don’t wash this all down with a Mimosa?
Zenith – Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 633, L’Eixample, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Times – Mon-Fri (8am-5pm), Sat-Sun (8am-6pm)
You can also find Zenith in Porto, Lisbon and Madrid.
3. Rowing in Parc de la Ciutadella
To walk off the food, we headed to Parc de la Ciutadella,
This expansive green space offered us delightful respite from the bustling city streets. There was some unexpectedly beautiful architecture that dotted the grounds, including the impressive Catalan Parliament building and the iconic Cascada fountain, a stunning Baroque-style waterfall that acts as the centrepiece of this park. There was one thing and one thing only that we had on our must do list in this park – couples rowing. For €6, we rowed around a small lake for half an hour (ample amount of time) taking in the shimmering lake and groves of towering palm trees that swayed gently in the breeze.
I had never rowed a boat before and it became very clear that I wasn’t very good at it, so sadly my partner was left to do all the hard graft!
Pricing can be found below and you can pay by card, we don’t believe pre-booking can be done for this activity but feel free to email us to let us know if it’s possible.
2 persons: €6
3 persons: €9
4/5 persons: €10
Parc de La Cuitadella – Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Times for the Park– Everyday (10am-10:30pm)
Opening Times for Boat Rental – 23 March to 22 September: Everyday (10am-8pm)
4. Exploring Mercat de la Boqueria
Before heading to the market, you cannot avoid the infamous Las Ramblas boulevard. It’s a lively and iconic street in the heart of Barcelona home to La Boqueria Market which is just a stone’s throw away.
Entry is free. We had no plans to purchase anything but thought it was still worth a visit even if to just soak up the atmosphere. It offers a captivating sensory experience that immerses visitors in the heart of Catalan culture particularly the explosion of colours from the fresh fruits in the stalls.
Rows upon rows of stalls display an incredible variety of fresh produce, from glistening seafood to succulent meats. The air is thick with the tantalizing scents of sizzling tapas, cured meats, and artisanal cheeses, beckoning you to sample the local delicacies.
We wanted to save ourselves for dinner but we couldn’t leave without having an oyster each. They were divine! For any couples who are thinking of taking a trip to his market to have these oysters, remember they are an aphrodisiac – 23 Travels cannot be held accountable for what happens to your libidos after consumption!
Mercat de La Boqueria – La Rambla, 91, Ciutat Vella, 08001 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Times – Mon-Sat (8am-8:30pm), Sun (Closed)
5. Drinks in Plaça Reial
Not far from La Rambla, you will find a vibrant square in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter accentuated with fountains, palm trees and most importantly for us, a beautiful setting to have a pre-dinner drink. As the evening was beginning to settle in, we had cocktails at Ocaña outside on the terrace watching the world go by. Drinks are slightly pricier in this square but this is no surprise as you paying for the beautiful location. We started to get a bit tetchy with each other which only meant one thing, we were hangry and it was time for dinner. If you stay at Ocaña, you are likely to catch some live music which sounds like such an amazing vibe on a summer evening in Barcelona.
Plaça Reial – Pl. Reial, 1, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Times – 24 hours everyday
Opening Times for Ocaña – Everyday (9am-3am)
6. Dinner at Restaurant Colom
Melissa being the food blogger that she is had been told on many occasions that the BEST place to have paella is Restaurant Colom. Having looked at the 4.7 stars and 18k+ reviews on Google, it made complete sense.
The line to get in might put many people off but trust me, it is worth it. You cannot make reservations in advance so we joined many hungry hopefuls in a 45-minute wait to see what Colom had to offer and it did not disappoint. The setting is casual, warm and inviting with very quick service. Despite this, you do not feel pressured to leave, they encourage you to enjoy your food and drink which is a nice feeling even though they were aware the queue outside was not getting any shorter.
I cannot even begin to express how incredible everything we ordered was. The octopus with paprika was succulent, the chicken wings were more-ish and don’t get me started on the paella, it was OUT of this world just bursting with flavour, definitely worth all the hype. A lot of establishments will claim they have the best paella but believe me when I say, if you are looking for an authentic friendly spot to try the country’s national dish, Colom is the place to visit.
I must say I’m quite the critic when it comes to sangria, it’s got to have the perfect balance of everything and Colom did just that! It was so good that I ended up ordering another jug just for myself – when in Barcelona right??!!
Restaurant Colom – Carrer dels Escudellers, 33, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Opening Times – Everyday (12:30pm-12:00am)
7. What else did we do during our stay in Barcelona?
We stayed at the incredible 5* hotel Ocean Drive in Barcelona. We loved it for its location, unique decor and outdoor pool. If you would like to find out more or book straight away, click here.
Here’s what we got up to for the remainder of our time in Barcelona:
- Park Güell
- Casa Batlló
- Camp Nou
- Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
- Barceloneta Beach
- Arco de Triunfo
- Cable Cars to Montjuic Castle
- Tibidabo Mountain
- Flamenco Show
- Day trip to Montserrat
That’s All 23 Travellers! Thank you for reading. We hope you enjoyed reading through The Perfect One Day Itinerary for Couples Visiting Barcelona.
23 Travels are Personal Travel Planners who have been creating bespoke travel itineraries for many years. If you would like us to plan your trip to Barcelona, or any other worldwide destination for you, please visit 23 Travels Itinerary Services.
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