Whether you’re traveling on a budget or you like to bask in exclusivity, Barcelona has something to offer every visitor at every price point. Check out our list of our favorite luxury things to do in Barcelona.
Shop till you drop at La Roca Village
40 minutes outside Barcelona you’ll find La Roca Village, an unorthodox shopping mall built to resemble a quaint, 19th century town – its streets lined with outlet shops by some of the leading brands in the world such as Michael Kors, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Versace, and others… all at discount prices. There are also cafés, restaurants, lifestyle shops, home décor, and many others, so your visit doesn’t only have to be fashion, fashion, and more fashion. Find out everything you need to know about La Roca Village here.
Experience FC Barcelona like a VIP
Going to a football game is one thin — going as a VIP is entirely another. Choose what part of the Camp Nou you want to sit in (hint: go for la tribuna, it has the best views in the entire house) and come to the stadium before kickoff for a hostess-guided tour and to enjoy the catering and drinks offered in the Club’s private lounge. There’s only one condition, you have to dress smart. Find out more about visiting the Camp Nou here.
Go shopping on Passeig de Gracia
Like the Avenue des Champs Elysées in Paris or Fifth Avenue in New York, Barcelona’s Passeig de Gracia is the city’s most important shopping boulevard. Running from Plaça Catalunya to Avinguda Diagonal, it is home to some of the most exclusive brands in the world. Apple, Tommy Hilfiger, Chanel, Gucci, Hermès, Cartier, Burberry and many others can be found lining its sidewalks.
Sip cocktails by the harbor at One Ocean Club
Over the past few years, Barcelona has made a concerted effort to revitalize its marina and integrate it into the city’s cultural fabric. One Ocean Club is part of that effort – an exclusive location where Barcelona’s superyacht visitors and locals can mingle over great food and drinks and sunbathe right on the edge of the water.
Savor avant-garde tapas at Tickets
Everyone knows Ferran Adrià, but these days it’s his younger brother, Albert, who carries the torch of the Adrià name. After working at El Bulli for over a decade as its pastry chef and leading its development kitchen, Albert Adrià opened Tickets in 2011. A fine dining restaurant that elevates simple tapas to the category of art, Tickets is currently rated the 25th best restaurant in the world on the prestigious World’s 50 Best list.
Explore Catalan wine-country
El Priorat is the local equivalent of France’s Bourdeaux. This small, mountain-wrapped region southwest of Tarragona is known to produce the best wines in Catalunya, fruit of its unique terroir, composed of quartz and black slate and known locally as llicorella. It is also one of only two regions in Spain, alongside Rioja, to enjoy the prestigious DOQ qualification, the highest certificate of quality recognized by Spanish wine regulations. El Priorat is tiny, but it is home to over 100 wineries, all of which produce top quality product. It is most known for its powerful, rich, full-bodied reds. Book a wine tour (make sure your guide is a local!) and discover a region that punches way above its weight.
Drive a supercar
If you want to take your visit to the next level forget about taxis, scooters, bicycles, and public transport. Put yourself behind the wheel of an iconic Porsche Carrera, a Ferrari 458, or a Lamborghini Huracan. Feel the rumble of a 500-horsepower engine beneath you and the warm Mediterranean air blowing through your hair. Go for a drive southwards, to the Priorat and Montsant wine regions, and enjoy the beautiful landscape from behind the wheel.
Take a break from the city’s bustle at a Spa
Like with all major cities, sometimes Barcelona can get a little overwhelming – but there’s a great getaway in the heart of the city itself for those moments when you just want to unplug and relax. Aire de Barcelona, located right across the street from El Parc de la Ciutadella, is a Spa that offers thermal pools, aromatherapy, massages and body treatments, all in a beautiful underground stone brick vault setting, illuminated by lanterns and candles. Relax in one of the warm pools, and you’ll feel like you’ve left the city behind.
Shop for great design and food
Jaime Beriestain (pronounced Beh-ree-es-tayn) is a Chilean interior designer-turned-restauranteur that calls Barcelona home. His concept shop/café/restaurant on Carrer Pau Claris is a good place to shop for sophisticated home décor and follow it up with a meal. The wine list is impeccable – try the Kripta and you’ll see why Cava has nothing to envy Champagne.
Taste quirky ice cream by a world-renowned chef
The Roca brothers’ El Celler de Can Roca has been at the top of the culinary world for over a decade, twice having held the title of best restaurant in the world on the prestigious World’s 50 Best list. Rocambolesc is Jordi Roca’s pet project outside of the restaurant, an ice cream parlor inspired by Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, where you can enjoy delicacies like roasted apple ice cream with caramel and cotton candy, or blood orange and mango popsicles. You’ll find his Barcelona location on La Rambla, right next to the Liceu.
Go sailing on the Mediterranean
The Mediterranean is a tranquil sea, which makes it a great place for sailing. There are many tour providers in Barcelona that will allow you to experience it, from watching the sun rise over the water, to sailing to surrounding port villages, to having a barbecue or watching the sunset while you sip a glass of wine.
If you want the full experience, you can even sail to Formentera and spend a few days exploring its little coves, hidden beaches, and crystalline waters.
Upgrade your wardrobe at Santa Eulalia
Dating from 1843, Santa Eulalia is one of the oldest shops in Barcelona and the city’s particular temple to fashion, luxury, and good taste. More than just a shop, Santa Eulalia is an experience in itself. Its two thousand square meters are a carefully curated gallery that reads like the VIP list of the global fashion industry. The store is not just a retailer – for decades it has been known as the go-to place for bespoke suits in Barcelona. After browsing the boutique’s extensive collection, you can take a break at its Bistro and Champagne bar, on the top floor.
Enjoy Michelin-starred dining, a spa visit, and cocktails on a rooftop terrace
The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Barcelona is rated one of the best hotels in the world, and is a case study in everything a hotel should be. Its interior design is something to be admired, bordering on being artwork, and its service is reputedly impeccable. The hotel’s flagship restaurant, Moments, is the creation of Carme Ruscalleda, arguably the most successful female chef in the world, holding seven Michelin stars between three restaurants. After enjoying Michelin-starred contemporary Catalan gastronomy you can relax in its spa, or sip a craft cocktail on the roof, overlooking Barcelona’s beautiful skyline.
Listen to live jazz in a spectacular Modernista setting
La Casa Fuster is one of the Barcelona’s most beautiful modernist buildings. Designed by local architect Lluis Domenech i Montaner, one of the heavyweights of Catalan modernism, it sits at the entrance to the quaint Gràcia neighborhood, at the intersection of Passeig de Gracia and the Diagonal. In 2004 the building became a 5 star hotel, and it has become famous locally for its Thursday night live Jazz sessions, which you can enjoy over dinner and cocktails.
Dance the night away overlooking the Mediterranean
Eclipse Bar, found on the 26th floor of the W Hotel, is the bar with the most spectacular views in Barcelona. Chic, luxurious, and beautifully designed, its premium location offers an experience like no other establishment in the city. Sip impeccably crafted cocktails while enjoying the view through the facade-spanning glass walls, and hit the dance floor featuring a tasteful mix of contemporary hits, classics, hip hop and RnB, and electronic music. Make sure to dress to impress – the place is worth it.
…and wake up to an equally spectacular view
Just like at Eclipse Bar, the W Hotel’s rooms have some of the most privileged views in the entire city. Its sea-facing suites have glass walls, so you’ll awaken every morning to the sunrise over the Mediterranean and La Barceloneta’s beaches. But the views aren’t everything, the W, known locally as the Hotel Vela for being shaped like the sail of a ship, also has restaurants, cocktail lounges, sun decks and a swimming pool, and a Spa. Everything you could need for your stay to be as enjoyable as possible.
