Barcelona Hen Do

Did you know?

• This city is home to the busiest pedestrian street in Spain. Located in Barcelona’s Old Town, the shopping hub ‘Portal de l’Àngel’ is the country’s busiest walkway. Fancy heading down there to see what all the fuss is about?
• Barcelona is the largest city on the Mediterranean Sea.
• It is the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid.
• Icebarcelona is the world’s first ice bar located on the beach.
• Barcelona is home to the largest football stadium in Europe.
• Barcelona’s Parc de Collserola is the largest city park in the world, measuring over 84km².
• It has more than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants.
• Barcelona’s beaches are artificial! There were actually no beaches in Barcelona before 1992.
• The FC Barcelona museum is the most visited museum in the city.
• Gaudi is best-known for the most iconic sight in Barcelona, the unfinished Sagrada Família cathedral, which has actually been under construction since 1882!
• The well-known Las Ramblas, a street known to tourists and locals alike for the perfect place to wander down, is actually a combination of five streets.

Barcelona in numbers

• With its key location on the Mediterranean Sea, the Port of Barcelona is Europe’s largest cruise port, with approximately 3.6 million cruisers passing through the port each year.
• Barcelona has 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Barcelona has 1.6 million residents residing in the city.
• The city covers approximately 102 km².
• There are over 65 museums in Barcelona – will you get around to seeing any?
• The beach runs over 4km in length.
• Over 7 million people speak Catalan in Barcelona. This is the most widely spoken language, after Spanish, in this region.

Barcelona’s cuisine exceeds all expectations and a trip to this city just wouldn’t be complete without trying a traditional bite to eat!

Take your taste buds on a journey with a dining experience at one of Barcelona’s many tapas restaurants and indulge in a variety of popular dishes such as patatas bravas, paella and bombas; a meat and potato filled ball! You’ll thank us later.

Head to El Xampanyet in the Gothic Quarter to enjoy a traditional tapas experience. Here you’ll find a selection of classic small plates which pair perfectly with a bottle of Cava. This one’s popular with the locals, so you’ll know it will be good.

Another restaurant we’d recommend for tapas include Paz19, situated on the ‘Passage of Peace’ also in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. This eatery takes a twist on classic Spanish tapas and incorporates flavours from all across the Med, including Italy, France, Lebanon, Greece and Morocco. It also turns into a chic cocktail bar once the kitchen closes, so ensure this gem is on your radar!

If you’re after a caffeine fix, then you will literally be spoiled for choice as there’s hundreds of places to grab a coffee in the city. But one spot that really caught our eye was Espai Joliu. This quirky little venue situated in El Poblenou isn’t just a café it’s also an art gallery and filled with gorgeous plants too! Oh and if you’re in need of a cute Instagram photo in a rustic surrounding, then this is the place.

The harbour is a popular place for groups to stop off to eat, however the prices at these restaurants and the quality of food tend not to be great, relying on the constant line of tourists. Instead, there are a number of other great venues which we can arrange for you. If you want something a little more unique, make sure to check out Billy's Brunch

For another coffee hit, check out Hush Hush Café on Placa de Sant Cugat. Popular for it’s perfectly pulled espresso, delicious food and its top-notch service, this café is certainly worth a pitstop during your day of exploring and perfect for a pick me up. They even serve cocktails too, so why not treat yourself? Go on, you’re on holiday.

As the evening comes around, you’ll need some bars to get the party started, so head to none other than The Alchemix for some of the most aesthetically pleasing cocktails in town. You can even get a Beauty and The Beast themed concoction called ‘Mrs. Potts and Little Chip’ made from gin and infused with tea, lychee, rosewater, and hibiscus. Best of all, it comes served in a teacup and steaming teapot!

If you’re looking for somewhere super swanky, then make sure you visit one of the city’s rooftop bars. Usually situated within hotels, these bars offer some incredible views across Barcelona and are worth stopping by. Drinks will be pricey, but worth it for the sights alone.

Try Sky Bar at Grand Central Hotel, Eleven BCN at The Gran Hotel Calderon and Panoramic Terrace at Hotel Colon. Just note that many of the hotel rooftop bars are available in the day exclusively for hotel guests only and will usually open in the evening for non-guests.

Alternatively, you may prefer having a go at making the cocktails yourself with a Cocktail Making class in Barcelona

One of the most unique and highest rated bars in the world exists right here in Barcelona, but it still feels like a relatively hidden gem. Called Paradiso, this is a speakeasy bar, meaning the outside looks like a traditional meat store selling chorizo and salami, but ask the staff to come inside and they will lead you in through a door into this beautiful bar!

When the darkness falls, Barcelona's nightlife really comes alive and here, you'll find a massive range of clubs. With varying music artists, DJs and performers on offer - this city really does have it all.

Pacha Barcelona is the ultimate super club and a sleek and sexy spot to hit with your friends. Expect true Ibiza style here with it's chic interiors, VIP areas and top international DJ's who will take you into the small hours.

It's not all about partying though as Pacha also boasts a terrace restaurant overlooking the beach. Book a table here for chilled out vibes and great food before heading to the club later.

Opium is another club that lines the beach of Barcelona. Perfect for your hen group as you enjoy the restaurant, cocktail bar and lounge all in one brilliant venue. With a range of music on offer check ahead for which night suits you best! Heading on a great night out in Barcelona is a must for your hen do

Of course, there are a range of cocktails bars throughout the city if you don’t fancy staying up until the sun rises. Just make sure you don’t make too much noise around the old town – the locals won’t like it! Respect those who reside here, or you won’t be welcomed back!

Barcelona is a great city with lots to do throughout every month of the year. Spring and autumn bring warm weather without it being too hot. Think jeans and a nice top for your going out outfit.

The summer is, of course, the busiest and hottest time, with temperatures reaching into the 30’s. Whereas spring and autumn bring usually around the late teens and early twenties making it a more popular time to travel and visit this city. Not to mention more bearable!

In the winter months, the sun still shines but with far less crowds meaning you can get that iconic photo in front of La Sagrada Familia without there being hundreds of other tourists in your way!

Tuck into some warm churros and chocolate to feel cosy as you duck into a café. With temperatures rarely going below freezing, even at night, you will just need a warm fleece rather than having to pack three different coats!

Getting around Barcelona is super easy. The best, and cheapest, way to see the city is by walking! All the main sights are within walking distance from one another, so you don’t have to spend any money on buses, taxis or the metro.

If your group want to do a lot of sightseeing during your stay then you could always consider the hop on hop off bus tickets. If you're staying for a couple of days then it might be worth opting for the two day ticket rather than 1 day, being much cheaper for the second day. The ticket allows you to go on as many times in a day as you like, while it takes you to all the key spots, such as the Camp Nou, Park Guell and Sagrada La Familia.

If you get tired or your destination is just a little too far to walk then the city is well connected via the metro, tram and bus system across the city.

Navigating your way around is easy and comparatively cheap to London prices! Alternatively, you can always hop in a taxi, these are especially handy after a big night out.