Six Days In Fashion-Forward Barcelona

Are you ready to read the ultimate Barcelona travel guide? Just kidding . . . I’m hardly an expert on this city, I only spent six days there (but I might have qualified to be an expert on where to find the best clothes and shoes). This was my first trip to Barcelona but certainly not my last. I’ve been to every major city in Spain and Barcelona is at the top of my list.

Outfit Details: Jacket (from the Barcelona retailer Aragaza) but this one and this one are similar | Tank | Bralette | Necklace | Jeans (similar) here | Spanish retailer Cetti Shoes (not available for purchase in the U.S.) but you can buy these and these which are similar.

In six days I saw a lot but obviously not everything. When I get an opportunity to head to Europe without kids I want to take things at a slower pace. I spent a lot of time walking around this city, enjoying the cafes (oh, the croissants!), hunting down my favorite churros, and enjoying all the food and nightlife the city has to offer. I was definitely not on a timetable to visit every museum and historical landmark (but I did see several so I can check that box). So with that in mind, here’s my low down on Barcelona.

Outfit Details: Tank | Bralette | Necklace | Faux Fur Coat (sold out in yellow) but it’s this one (available in blue and runs true to size) | Jeans | Espadrilles from Toni Pons Barcelona (I wear a size 7.5 US) I’m wearing size 38 similar here

Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region of Spain. The Catalan residents are proud of their city, their culture, their heritage, and more importantly, their hometown team, FC Barcelona! When our family travels to a foreign destination we make it a point to catch a local sporting event. We feel it’s the best way to get a feel for the people and culture of the city. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it happen this time — Barca didn’t have a home game while we were in town. Which is really just an excuse to make another trip so we can get the experience of watching futbol at Camp Nou.

Outfit Details: Joggers | Tote

Barcelona is best seen on foot and I spent a lot of time doing just that! Most of Barcelona’s tourist sites are clustered around the old city (which in my mind is a blend of the Gothic and El Born neighborhoods). The little windy streets are like treasures and you just might need a treasure map to find your way around them! And fyi, the GPS on my phone was not much help here either because the streets are as narrow as hallways and the buildings are tall, so generating a true location was a problem — but that’s all part of the charm of staying in the old city!

Where to Stay

Because I was a tag along on my husband’s business trip, our hotel was pre-planned and I didn’t choose a thing. We stayed at a swanky hotel in the Gothic neighborhood that I wouldn’t have budgeted for myself but I was certainly happy to enjoy. The Neri Hotel is a boutique accommodation set in a medieval palace from the XII century and located just steps away from the Cathedral de Barcelona. It’s a hidden gem in the old city not only to visitors but to the locals too.

I got lost daily trying to find my way back to the hotel and everytime I’d ask local shop keepers in my broken Spanish for directions to the Neri Hotel nobody seemed to know it by name. Getting lost was part of the adventure of staying at this hotel so I learned to embrace it. I also made some of my best shopping discoveries when I was trying to find my way back so there’s that too.

If the Neri Hotel is not in your budget I would focus on hotels in the Gothic or El Born neighborhoods which are my two favorites in Barcelona. You can’t go wrong with either because you are within walking distance of many of the major sites in the old city, the barceloneta, the beach, and the subway. And, it’s just so darn pretty. This is what you come to Europe to see.

 What to Do

• Sagrada Familia. You won’t want to miss Sagrada Familia (a fifteen minute taxi or subway ride from the old city). Sagrada Familia is a temple in Barcelona designed by Antoni Gaudi. It’s the largest unfinished Roman Catholic Church in the world. Gaudi worked for 43 years on the temple until his death. Construction continues today and is expected to be completed in 2026.
• Park Guell. If you are traveling with kids, Park Guell is a must-do because after you’ve taken a few minutes to admire more of the works of Antoni Gaudi you can head to the playground and have a picnic. Park Guell is high in the hills so plan your footwear accordingly.
• Picasso Museum. El born is home to the Picasso Museum. Admittedly, I’m not much of a museum person (I get bored easily, sorry) but even I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit this one which showcases the artist’s work from an early age to some of his most famous paintings.
• La Rambla. La Rambla, or Las Ramblas as it is more often called, is a famous street in Barcelona. On Saturday and Sunday there are clothing and arts and crafts vendors set up along the pedestrian mall. It extends from Place Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus memorial down at Port Vell.
• La Boqueria. Take a walk down Las Ramblas and then visit La Boqueria which is nearby. La Boqueria is a large public market in the old city. The sheer size and variety of food items is a sight to see.
• Barceloneta Promenade. Barceloneta is the seaside neighborhood in Barcelona right on the beach. In addition to the beach, come here for al fresco seafood, tapas, and nightlife. The area reminds me a lot of Washington Harbor if you are in the DC area or Darling Harbour in Sydney if you’ve been fortunate to visit.

Where to Shop

If you consider fashion as a form of art, I am an avid appreciator (and collector)! So what I enjoyed most about my time in Barcelona was poking around the many clothing stores large and small in Barcelona. Admittedly, I wasn’t entirely familiar with many of the Spanish retailers because the last time I was in Spain I was carrying a backpack and I didn’t have two Euros to rub together (it also may not have been the currency back then). But there’s a time and place for everything!

Barcelona is a fashion forward city. While it is not one of Europe’s big four fashion hubs, the city has made a name for itself in the fashion world. Zara and Mango are the two biggest Spanish retail chains you may have heard of. I would recommend centering your shopping excursions around the following areas:

• Passeig de Gracia is the showcase boulevard where you’ll find the luxury retailers and larger Spanish retailers like Zara, Mango, and Desigual;
• Placa Catalunya is the next largest shopping area. Here you’ll find a mix of big Spanish retailers and smaller ones, but not as local as what you’ll find in El Born. Bershka and Hence were a couple of my favorite retailers in this area. I’m thrilled to find out that the British retailer Asos will ship Bershka items to the U.S. so I can keep up with my obsession;
• El Born is the heart of the old city with fantastic artisan shops and hip restaurants. You’ll find many independent, local, and smaller Spanish shops here.

Shop my favorite Barcelona Inspired items

If you like this post please subscribe to receive regular email updates. Did you know that now you can follow a hashtag on Instagram? Follow #lunchwithagirlfriend. For more inspiration, you can also follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.

Rachel Noel Photography

If you like this post please subscribe to receive regular email updates. Did you know that now you can follow a hashtag on Instagram? Follow #lunchwithagirlfriend. For more inspiration, you can also follow me on Facebook and Pinterest .