Travel Stories

• neighborhoods

• destination practicalities

5 min read • Jul 21, 2022

Barcelona is a compact, easy-to-walk city with several distinct districts, each with its own vibe. Here are the top neighborhoods to explore in Barcelona.

• architecture

• art and culture

8 min read • Mar 18, 2022

Barcelona is a dream for culture vultures and foodies, but entry fees and tapas bills can mount up. Here are the 20 best free things to do in Barcelona.

• architecture

• art and culture

7 min read • Aug 8, 2021

Famed for its architectural treasures, Barcelona is dotted with striking Gothic cathedrals, fantastical Modernisme creations and avant-garde works.

• hiking

• activities

6 min read • Jul 30, 2021

Barcelona is studded with parks, gardens, wild spaces and green landmarks. If you crave open spaces, here is our pick of the best parks in the city.

• beaches

• activities

4 min read • Feb 12, 2021

One of the world's greatest beach cities, Barcelona has sand for every demand. These are the best.

• festivals and events

• art and culture

4 min read • Feb 12, 2021

Barcelona is known to have a very busy tourist season, so when is the best time to visit to avoid the crowds?

• history

• art and culture

1 min read • May 8, 2020

What happens when a globetrotting music teacher gets grounded in Spain by the COVID-19 pandemic? She turns her apartment window into a concert venue.

• sustainable travel

• connections

7 min read • Oct 16, 2019

Volunteering for a beach clean allows travellers to do good, get outdoors and meet locals. Here are six cities where you can help to clean the coastline.

• art

• art and culture

4 min read • Sep 16, 2019

Poblenou lies at the centre of the Barcelona design movement, with trendy markets, concept stores and innovative festivals. Check out our favourite spots.

• festivals and events

• art and culture

4 min read • Sep 10, 2019

La Mercè is Barcelona’s biggest festival, taking place this year from 20-24 September 2019. Writer Esme Fox shares her tips on how to join the fun.

• food

• food and drink

6 min read • Aug 15, 2019

Western Europe's major attractions are impressive but also draw huge crowds; the magic of exploring the big sights can be quickly lost amidst long queues…

• beaches

• activities

5 min read • Jul 28, 2019

Barcelona – laid-back, beautiful and right on the beach – is a great city to bring the kids.

• food

• food and drink

6 min read • Jul 19, 2019

Barcelona's popularity as a tourist destination has surged in recent years, but there are still many local barrios (neighbourhoods) to explore away from…

• road trips

• destination practicalities

7 min read • Jul 11, 2019

Between the ‘left-hand, right-hand' debate, mega roundabouts seemingly sent from hell, and frustratingly incomprehensible road signs (what does that…

• food

• food and drink

5 min read • Jun 12, 2019

A weekend in Barcelona can only ever be a teaser of what this majestic beachside city has to offer, so here is a grab-bag of highlights, spanning ancient…

• art

• art and culture

5 min read • Jun 10, 2019

After arriving in one of Europe’s cultural capitals, you could check into your hotel and take time to rest and reset. Or you could hit the ground running …

• food

• food and drink

4 min read • Jul 30, 2018

Lonely Planet Local Esme Fox first fell in love with Barcelona over 10 years ago on a rail trip around Spain, and nowadays she's lucky enough to call the…

• food

• food and drink

9 min read • Jul 25, 2018

As the sun sets, Barcelona comes alive. Explore from dusk ‘til dawn to encounter the places and people at their brightest during the city’s darkest hours.

• family travel

• connections

6 min read • Jun 1, 2016

One of the great football powerhouses of today, FC Barcelona has always been ‘més que un club’ (‘more than a club’). This motto, coined back in 1968, does…

• food

• food and drink

6 min read • Apr 11, 2016

One of the world’s most visited cities, Barcelona is likely on your bucket list to visit or re-visit. But all that attention has a cost. As this…

• family travel

• connections

3 min read • May 7, 2015

One of the great things about Barcelona is the local habit of including children in many seemingly adult activities. Going out to eat or sipping a beer at…

• food

• food and drink

5 min read • Apr 21, 2015

Barcelona perhaps finally achieved peak hipster with the recent opening of Urban Outfitters, a massive statement of a shop in a central and symbolic…