Discovering Barcelona: A Guide to the City Beyond Ibiza
- KEBarlow
- Oct 20, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
You know that we do actually leave Ibiza, right? Life isn't just constant sangria and sunbathing. Shock horror, huh? So where do we go when we escape Ibiza's clutches? Well, here's one place we visit quite regularly, and I've even told you where to find us!
Barcelona… Come on! Tell me you didn’t just break into a bit of Freddie Mercury in your head then… or is that just me? (Showing my age, I guess!) We’re very lucky here at Milner4x4 HQ as Barcelona is just a hop, skip, and a very short plane ride away. As such, it’s a place we’ve visited regularly over the years, and honestly? It never gets old.
Why We Love Barcelona
We especially love it this time of year. The madness of the summer season in Ibiza is coming to a close. The weather is a bit cooler, and a little break not too far from home is sometimes just what you need to wind down. What we especially love is that there’s always something new to see or do. However, that hasn’t stopped us from falling into the delightful trap of revisiting our favorite restaurants, bars, and hotels. What can I say? Your faves are your faves, and we are creatures of habit!
Our kids absolutely love it—not least the opportunity to strike a pose outside Barcelona FC’s shop rocking their Real Madrid shirts! Barcelona feels so alive. Ibiza is beautiful (she’ll always be our number one), but for teens who want a Taco Bell fix or want to wander around big brand stores you won’t find on our little island, Barcelona is wondrous. And the people! So many people! It’s a bit of a culture shock if you’ve been tucked away on a quiet beach for too long, but in the best way possible.
Must-See Sights in Barcelona
La Sagrada Familia
La Sagrada Familia – Gaudí’s infamous masterpiece is still under construction after more than a century. Somehow, that makes it even more magical. Whether you love architecture or just want to gawk at something utterly bonkers (in the best way), this is a must. However, the Sagrada is one of Barcelona’s top tourist destinations, and it can get very crowded. Weekends, summer season, and fiestas are peak times.
Take Note: You cannot just turn up and expect to get inside. You have to book in advance, and tickets are for timed admission. Various ticket/tour options are available, including a skip-the-line option—yes! Or a private tour (which may feel less manic!). So avoid disappointment and book those tickets. Be aware that even when you’ve booked your tickets, even if it's a skip-the-line ticket, you still have to go through a security screening before entering the site, which may cause a short line. So, you know, don’t bring your life’s belongings or packed lunches to speed up the process a bit!
Important Side Note! Remember, the Sagrada Familia is a place of worship. You are expected to dress accordingly. It is respectful to cover your shoulders (tops of arms) and thighs. Basically, don’t wear ‘short’ shorts and vest tops. Don’t even contemplate turning up in beachwear or see-through clothing. You shouldn’t be wearing your hat inside either. It’s not hard. It's simply a matter of respect.
Park Güell
Park Güell – Is not your ordinary park! Another Gaudí gem, this colorful park is part fairy tale, part art installation, and 100% Instagram gold. Gaudí spent 15 years designing and building this park. Did the man ever sleep?? It does get very busy in peak season and at peak hours. Again, you can book tickets in advance, skip the queue, or have a private tour. Either way, it is a PEAK Barcelona Must See! Also, you can book a combined Sagrada Familia and Park Güell tour—two birds, one stone, handy, huh!
La Boqueria
La Boqueria – OMG, could you imagine going to Barcelona and NOT visiting La Boqueria? Possibly the most popular market in the whole of Europe? It’d be like going to London and saying, “No, we didn’t bother going to see Buckingham Palace.” La Boqueria Market (Mercat de la Boqueria) is Barcelona’s busiest market, dating back to the 13th century. However, the market you visit today is in the Mercat de Sant Josep market hall built in 1914 along La Rambla. Fresh fruits and vegetables galore, olives ahhhhh the olives, and huge slabs of cheese, ahhhh the cheese!!! Alongside an abundance of seafood, various meats, and sweets (OMG the sweets!!). Go for a wander or book yourself a tour with a wonderful local guide that can give you all the knows there are to know! Either way, do not miss this place out because you'll feel like a right numpty when every single person you tell about your visit to Barcelona asks you about the market, and you have to hang your head in shame and tell them you didn't go. Can you imagine?
The Gothic Quarter
Gothic Quarter – The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic) dates back to the Middle Ages. It’s cobblestone alleys, nooks and crannies (my favorite thing of all!), shaded plazas, tucked-away tapas bars, and unexpected bursts of street art. And let’s not forget the three other major cathedrals! Three!! If you fancy it, you can opt for a (small group) guided tour that will tell you all about the Quarter, give you stories about its history and architecture, and also (as you’re very close) take you to Las Ramblas and La Boqueria Market too, which to me is a bonus! It’s the kind of place you’ll want to get a little lost in. Tell a lie, you’ll probably never want to leave actually; it is simply gorgeous.
Quick Tip: Okay, so I should probably put this in the "Where to Eat" section, but you'll find this place in the Gothic Quarter, so I'm sticking it here. SAMANTHA'S. It has its own whole vibe. It has a great atmosphere, great food, and lovely staff. Just check out their Insta yourself at @samanthasbcn, and you can thank me later.
Where to Eat in Barcelona
The amount of blog posts in the world that must have been written about Barcelona and where to eat is overwhelming. I'm not even going to attempt to compare with them! I'm just going to give you a couple of places where we ACTUALLY eat. Maybe we’ll see you there soon!
El Nacional – Four restaurants and four bars under one gorgeous roof. Perfect if no one can decide what they want to eat! I’ve added it because it’s an experience you should try. It's a lovely place, the staff are really friendly, and it’s a “cool” place to have been.
Botafumeiro – It’s not inexpensive, but it’s a treat. It’s become home from home, and it has been exceptional every single time. The food has always been top-notch. We have met fellow diners who have become firm friends. The staff are just lovely. Did I say the food is top-notch? It is. The seafood is (chef's kiss). That's my Seafood Platter below! It’s an experience, and we’ll be there again in a couple of weeks. That’s how much we love it.
La Maroteca – Another family fave that's visited on every trip to Barcelona. Family-run, really friendly, and welcoming. The food is delicious. Proper fresh fish. (So fresh I said it twice, see!) The seafood platter OMG… And yes, we’ll also be here again in a couple of weeks!
Taco Bell (yes, seriously) – Don’t judge me… because I'm not eating it, aha!! This one's for the kids. There is no Taco Bell in Ibiza, and the kids were rather jealous when their big sister moved back to the UK and its fast food wonderland. So, when in Barcelona…. Apparently, it’s sooooo good. (And let's be perfectly honest—they get a bit sick of eating in 'proper' restaurants sometimes.) To me, it looks like a stomach ache. (Sorry Taco Bell!)
Where to Stay in Barcelona
We’ve tried a few spots over the years, but if you’re looking for a central stay, we’re big fans of:
Hotel Jazz – Rooftop pool, walkable to everything, and comfy beds. It's rated exceptional for a reason. (The ramen restaurant next door is a tasty plus too!)
Praktik Bakery Hotel – Yes, there’s an actual bakery in the hotel. Yes, it smells amazing. The breakfast is totally delish—a perfect start to a day full of exploring! Quite frankly, I defy you to find fault with the Praktik!
Hotel Oriente – Excellent central location, the staff are friendly, and it's very comfortable. It's also pretty reasonably priced given you are in such a central spot! This is where the Milner boys stay when they're in Barcelona. (So, quite often!)
Getting Around Barcelona
Barcelona’s metro system is easy to navigate, clean, and surprisingly affordable. My teenagers have no problems getting about by themselves. Grab a Hola BCN travel card for unlimited rides; it’ll save you time and stress.
If you're more into pedaling than underground tunnels, the city’s bike rentals are also fantastic. Just maybe avoid cycling Las Ramblas unless you enjoy dodging a thousand people per minute.
But my fave?? The Barcelona Hop on Hop Off buses that you can buy passes for and literally “hop on, hop off” (as much as you want) for getting about from spot to spot. Like, what is not to love about that?
Traveling with Kids or Teens in Barcelona?
Barcelona has something for every age: interactive museums, open-top buses, street performers, churros on every corner. Our top kid/teen pleasers:
CosmoCaixa Science Museum – Hands-on and brilliant. It has more than 30,000 square meters of exhibits to keep you busy. The absolute star of the show is undoubtedly the flooded forest. It is a permanent exhibit that transports visitors to the jungles of the Amazon. It has real trees, rainfall at regular intervals throughout the day, and exotic animals like caymans and boa constrictors. You will love it!
L’Aquarium Barcelona – A big hit with littles and bigs alike. It has a massive (life-size, I should say) sperm whale statue you can walk right through—so cool! It is the world's largest Mediterranean-themed aquarium, don't you know! There's loads to see: sandbar sharks, rays, etc. It's a fun afternoon out for all.
Shopping at Plaça de Catalunya – Because the likes of Zara and Primark hit different when you’re in Barcelona. (We don’t have a Primark in Ibiza; I think we should start some sort of petition somewhere... but I digress.) The simple fact is loads of people from here pop over to Mallorca or Barcelona to get a shopping fix; let's not pretend otherwise!
Camp Nou – They do a tour where you can visit the FC Barcelona Museum, peek in the press room, walk on the pitch, etc. Whether you're a Barcelona fan or not, any football fan will appreciate this tour because Camp Nou, like it or not, is a flipping impressive stadium! (We're Real Madrid fans; it did make my toes curl just a little to include this ha! ha!)
Final Thoughts
Barcelona is big, bold, and a little chaotic, but in the best way. It’s one of those cities that wraps its arms around you, feeds you well, wears you out, and sends you home dreaming of your next visit. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, one weekend is never enough. But it’s a start. And we’re willing to bet you’ll be back. See you there soon x
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