what to do in barcelona

Barcelona for Senior Travelers

For slightly older travelers, tapas bar hopping just doesn't cut it anymore. Night long partying and high energy activities do not seem to entice you like they used to, and navigating through throngs of other tourists is the number one thing that you want to avoid during your vacation. Traveling in such a bustling city like Barcelona may seem hectic, but a peaceful and enjoyable holiday can be experienced in this beautiful city. For a more relaxed yet fulfilling time in Barcelona, here is what we would recommend for the more senior and seasoned travelers out there.

rsz_city_sightseeing_gozo_hop-on_hop-off_open_top_bus_fpy_004.jpg

1. Take a “hop on and off” bus tour

Activities like this have always gotten a bad reputation for being the “lazy” and “inauthentic” way of exploring a city. But what most travellers forget is that there is the option for people to get off the bus to explore the attractions themselves. Take it to be like a shuttle bus, bringing you straight from landmark to landmark. With such a system, it becomes so easy for older travelers to customise their own itinerary, only visiting what they are interested in and not having to navigate through public transport, or walk miles upon miles to the next destination. This mode of exploring the city certainly provides a lot more convenience than taking the public transport or walking, but without having to compromise on any attractions! There is a wide variety of such services available in Barcelona, making it perfect for senior travellers to explore the city with ease.

[BARCELONA-FLAVOURS https://www.bonappetour.com/s/Barcelona–Barcelona–Spain?lat=41.38506389999999&lng=2.1734034999999494]

2. Take a class

Be it a flamenco class or cooking class, learn more about Barcelona’s culture and cuisine through engaging and interactive lessons! There is no better way to learn about the city than interacting with its locals. Rather than just visiting monuments and landmarks, why not deepen your understanding of the culture in Barcelona with interactive lessons? Try a paella making class with our Bonappetour host David, or a tapas making workshop with our host Nani! There are endless opportunities for one to learn more about Barcelona, without having to compete with the crowds that swarm famous attractions in the city. Gain insights into the city from a local’s perspective and be amazed at just how much of Barcelona there is that goes beyond its tourist attractions.

3. Dine in the dark

Instead of having a regular meal at a restaurant, invigorate your senses with a one of a kind experience – dining in the dark. During this experience, you will be treated to a meal of gastronomical heights. Have your sense of sight completely eliminated with the help of blindfolds and taste some authentic Spanish food, while simultaneously exposing your senses to this unique dining experience. This is sure to make a mark on your trip to Barcelona. Why not try this spectacular experience with our host Pablo, who offers this amazing dinner in an intimate setting just for you and your family, right in the heart of Barcelona!a

4. Vineyard tour

Not going to the nightly parties that are abundant on the streets of Barcelona, does not mean that you should not enjoy the alcohol that this city has to offer. Take a leisurely trip to one of the many local vineyard near the city and have a taste at some of the best wines, like Cava, you will ever find. Enjoy a tour of the grounds and learn about how certain wines are made locally. The best part of such vineyard tours? The wine tasting session to that comes after the tour. This is certainly one of the best ways to unwind and truly enjoy Barcelona's culture with your loved ones. Enjoy the peaceful and more rural setting for a day, before heading back into the city.

Image credits 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

[icegram campaigns=”612″]

Top 10 Things to Do in Barcelona

1.Tapas Bar Hopping

Definitely not one to be missed, Tapas sits on the top of our list as what any traveler must try during their stay in Barcelona. There is strong "Tapas culture" in Barcelona, where friends chat while eating Tapas and having a drink or two. Avoid flocking to the tourist traps at La Rambla– just ask a local and they will be more than happy to direct you to their favourite tapas bar. If you want a break from bar crawls and would rather learn the art of tapas, join our BonAppetour Host, Nani, and learn how to make your very own Tapas!

[BARCELONA-BEST-PAELLA https://www.bonappetour.com/david-rg/best-paella-cooking-class-in-barcelona-delicious-hands-on-cooking-experience]

2. Enjoy an enchanted evening

Just minutes away from the Espanya metro station, The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is a stunning musical display of colored lights and water acrobatics. Illuminated by over 50 hues of coloured lights, this spectacular fountain is a captivating sight to behold. Whether you are 8 or 82, you are definitely in for a treat as this visual spectacle is one of the most visited attractions in all of Barcelona. It should be noted that the fountain only operates on Thursdays to Sundays from 9.30-11.00pm during the summer

3. Hit the beach

Longing to get that summer glow? It’s time to bask under the Mediterranean Sun at Barceloneta, Barcelona’s most popular beach. Backed with a promenade of seafood restaurants and a string of clubs, it is no wonder that this seafront neighborhood is packed with partygoers every weekend. If the raucous nightlife is not your cup of tea, another beach worth the visit is Sitges, a coastal town that is 20 minutes away from Barcelona. Other than the cerulean waters, this coastal town boasts a rich artistic history, it is home to multiple museums dedicated to the works of Catalan artists.

4. Trek up Mount. Tibidabo

Overlooking Barcelona, Mount. Tibidabo is a great spot to capture panoramic views of the city. Prepare your favourite snacks, get your playlist ready and put on your trusty pair of sneakers to embark on a 15km trek up the mountain. Pay a visit to Temple de Sagrat Cor, a charming cathedral designed in a modernisme and neo-Gothic styles and for just €2.50, ride an elevator that takes up to a viewing platform just below the Sacred Heart of Jesus sculpture. If you’re travelling with children, The Tibidabo Amusement Park is a must go, With 25 rides like classic roller coasters and great street theatre performances, the Tibidabo Amusement Park promises a fun-filled time for family members of all ages. Do check out the park’s Skywalk area for the Giradabo, a Ferris wheel gives you a bird’s eye view of Barcelona. Before you leave, make a pit stop at the foot of the mountain and wander into Casa Figueres, a hidden tower constructed by Gaudí.

5. Admire Gaudí’s works of art

photo-1456132311779-ca4ff6130510

With a name synonymous with Barcelona’s urban landscape, it is hard to miss any of Gaudi’s masterpieces while you’re out on the streets. Other than his magnus opus, La Sagrada Família, go on a trail to discover the rest of Gaudí’s work throughout the city. Begin your trail at Güell Palace, a mansion built for the Güell family and then head over to Casa Calvet, one of Gaudí’s most conventional buildings. Once a residential project for textile manufacturers, this beauty now houses a popular restaurant under the same name. We could go on about the other must-see places by Gaudí but it would be slightly ambitious to complete the entire trail in a day. Gaudí’s architecture is full of surprises and unusual elements and it is without a doubt that he left an indelible mark on Barcelona.

6. Watch the sunset at El Carmel Bunker

The El Carmel Bunker is another great spot to capture the best panoramic views of the city. An important slice of history, the place is the ruins of an old air raid bunker used during the Spanish Civil War. Located at the peak of Turo de la Rovira, many locals flock here to watch the sunset and have a picnic with their loved ones, particularly during the summer season. Although situated in a rather remote area, the bunker is accessible by metro and public buses that run from the city centre. If you are into photography, this is the place to take breathtaking photos of Barcelona!

7. Uncover hidden treasures at local markets

Although widely perceived to be ‘tourist traps’, spending the afternoon at a local market is a great way for you to purchase local favourites at an affordable price. These markets are a one-stop shop for everything gastronomical.Push through the tour groups that usually crowd the entrances of the market and venture deeper where you would find the part of the market that locals love- from seafood and specialty meat cuts to pickled delights. Just a word of caution, don’t get carried away by the hubbub of the market’s crowd always keep an eye on your valuables at all times.

8. Dine with a local home chef

If you are here in Barcelona for a special occasion, why not take up a cooking class for an unforgettable experience? This is a great way for you to learn more about the city, have a wonderful time with your loved ones, straight from a local's kitchen. Cook like a local, dine like a local and live like a local- get a taste of home away from home and perhaps learn a recipe or two! Check out our BonAppetour hosts, like Teresa, who will teach how to make your own paella from scratch!

9. Pop by a quirky museum

Barcelona is renowned for having one of the most vibrant and established art scenes in Europe. But beyond Picasso and Dalí, there are many weird and wonderful museums to stop by for a fun-filled afternoon. Museu de Perfum tops the list as a museum so unusual that it remains the only perfume museum in Spain. Step into a time capsule and sniff your way through times dating back to Mesopotamia, Roman and Egyptian times. Another museum that showcases something stranger is the Museum of Funeral Carriages, aptly located inside Montjuïc Cemetery. Renowned for displaying some of the most exquisite antique funeral carriages and hearses in the world, the exhibits here are key in learning how the deceased were moved to burial sites in the past. If you have a morbid fascination and are travelling on a budget, do check out this museum as entry is completely free of charge!

10. Be part of a summer festival

One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Catalan culture is to participate in the neighbourhood festivals. Barcelona’s niche festival, La Mercè takes place during late summer and it is a boisterous celebration that honours the city’s patron saint, the Virgin of La Mercè. La Mercè is a time of gaiety that brings locals and tourists together through the flurry of events and attractions-heart-thumping live music festivals, castells(acrobatic locals building their own human towers), processions of gegants(giant papier-mâché figures) and street parties!

Image credits: 1| 2| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| 10| 11