A Bullet Tour of Barcelona, Valencia, and Mallorca: Focusing on Food and Sightseeing in Just One Week. This time, let’s delve into our first stop: Barcelona. I hope this serves as a handy guide for your travel planning!
From Japan to Barcelona:
After weighing the cost of the plane ticket and the required travel time, I settled on a plan with two layovers – one in Malaysia and another in Qatar. Departing from Kansai International Airport, it involves three flights, each approximately 6 hours.
A bit delayed due to traffic, I arrived at Kansai International Airport. Perhaps because the staff at the check-in counter was undergoing training, the check-in and luggage drop-off took much longer than expected. I had to dash to security with only 30 minutes left until boarding began.
In Kuala Lumpur, I had a relatively long layover of 6 hours. Given it was the first leg of the journey, I opted to rest and conserve energy within the airport.
Next, the layover in Doha was a 2-hour wait in the middle of the night. Hamad International Airport is surprisingly vast, so I focused solely on finding my boarding gate without getting sidetracked.
Once on the final flight from Doha to Barcelona, I felt a wave of relief. The only concern remaining was whether my luggage would arrive safely in Barcelona
Barcelona Day 1
Safely arrived in Barcelona a little past 7 in the morning. The immigration lines were split between the EU, the UK, and other countries. The majority of the travelers were from ‘other countries’, and the wait was long. After queuing for about an hour and a half, I understood the reason for the delay; it seemed like the staff at the counter was new and under training. Every step required confirmation from a senior staff member. I assume it’s usually faster.
Due to the prolonged immigration process, my luggage was already out waiting for me. With check-in hours still ahead, the plan was to drop off my baggage at the accommodation and head out for sightseeing. First, I transferred my electronic devices that I couldn’t check in into my suitcase and got myself ready for a day out.
Switched to the eSIM I had pre-purchased on Airalo and ensured I had internet access.
I intended to take a taxi from Barcelona airport to the city center but first headed to the metro station to buy an unlimited public transport pass. I had heard much about the 10-ride T-casual ticket, but it seemed they had stopped selling it. Instead, I bought the 30-day unlimited T-usual pass, which was on discount for 20 euros.
Although I was cautious about pickpockets, the metro station wasn’t too crowded. So, I decided to use the subway to get to my accommodation.
The nearest station to my stay was Gracia, about an hour’s ride with one transfer. The area seemed tranquil and safe. A few minutes walk from the station and I arrived at the accommodation without any hassle.
I booked my stay in Barcelona at the Hotel via Augusta through HIS, the cheapest option. It cost [¥… amount] for two nights, including breakfast. They had a system where if you purchased a water bottle for 4 euros, you could refill it as much as you wanted during your stay. Given that bottled water costs 1-2 euros, unlimited water, especially during the hot months, is a blessing. Luggage stored and off to explore the city!
Despite being on the Mediterranean, it felt unexpectedly humid. Hot.
Since I was in Barcelona, I had to see the Sagrada Família. I took the subway from Gracia station, and as I ascended the exit stairs, the majestic Sagrada Família stood before me! It was less crowded than expected. The popular park for capturing the entire view was filled with tourists taking photos and vendors targeting them.
You can visit the inside of the Sagrada Família if you pre-book and pay the entrance fee, but I skipped it this time. Instead, headed to the market for lunch. After a 10-minute subway ride, I arrived at the Boqueria Market, Barcelona’s most renowned.
Jamón (cured ham), seafood, fruits! All of Barcelona’s gourmet delicacies are here.
Although it’s a market, most shops accept cards due to its touristy nature.
Among the items I tried, I’d love to introduce the grilled razor clams. Not common in Japan, these clams are shucked right in front of you, drizzled with olive oil and a garlic-based sauce, and torched on the spot. You enjoy it while squeezing some generously cut lemon. It offers an impressive texture and the sweet essence of the clam.
Spanish cured ham is sold in various shops, packaged for snacking. Each type is sold separately, costing around 4-5 euros. Some stalls shave it from the whole leg upon order.
After indulging in various delicacies, I headed back to the hotel to check in. The room was small but clean. Coffee and tea were available anytime from the machine on the first floor.
Feeling quite tired, I decided to rest until dinner time. I booked online tickets for Park Güell, which I planned to visit the next day.
For dinner, I went to the seafood restaurant El Mercat I’d researched beforehand. Without reservations, I was worried about getting a spot but was relieved to find counter seats available. Ordered their signature Pan con Tomate, Padrón peppers, squid, and octopus.
The Pan con Tomate – crispy bread with rustic olive oil and tomato – was a must-try for those who love hard bread with tomatoes.
Padrón peppers resembled a chunkier version of Japanese Shishito peppers but had a slightly stronger bitterness.
The squid was tender with a sweet undertone. As with most Spanish dishes, they use a generous amount of olive oil, which can feel a bit overpowering as you continue eating.
The octopus was served whole and grilled, unlike the firm Japanese preparation. It seemed the Spanish way is to make it tender and juicy. The accompanying potatoes were delicious.
While individual dishes may seem pricy, the portions are much larger than in Japan, so it’s not as costly as it first appears. Light eaters should be cautious not to over-order.
Barcelona Day 2
I had breakfast at the inn. It was more luxurious than expected. There were various types of fruits, and especially the melon was delicious.
Mornings in Spain start late. Until around 10 a.m., there weren’t many stores open in the city. After breakfast, I headed to the morning market to browse.
It’s different from the Boqueria Market and resembles a flea market. After taking a look around, I headed to our next destination. I had some time before the desired chocolate shop opens, so I admired Gaudí’s architecture, Casa Milà, from the outside.
Then I visited the popular chocolate shop, Xocolata Amatller. It’s a small shop, but various types of chocolates were on display. The can designs were elaborate, making them recommended for souvenirs. They offered tastings.
I bought a few items and took a break at a nearby cake shop, Mauri. The prices were cheaper than Japanese cake shops. The mille-feuille was sweet, and coffee was essential to finish it. The lemon mousse had a firm yet smooth texture and was very delicious. When you order, they hand you a card, and additional items like drinks get charged onto it. You present this card to settle the bill at the end.
After the break, I went another chocolate shop, Cacao Sampaka. The shop had a chic interior dominated by black. At the entrance, there’s a vast variety of chocolate bars, including ones with a hint of Mallorca salt.
For lunch, I headed to the Santa Caterina Market, a more local market compared to the touristy Boqueria Market.
Around lunchtime, every shop is full, but I managed to get a seat at Univers when some customers left. We order fresh oysters and a seafood mix. Since it’s more local, it’s a bit difficult to communicate in English.
After lunch, I munch on some ham we bought at the market and stroll around the city. I saw various old cathedrals and parts of castles, giving a sense of history. I had a reservation at Park Güell at 7 p.m., so I head back to the inn for a bit.
Summer in Spain has long days, and it stays light until around 9 p.m. I ensured I was not late for the reservation and headed to Park Güell. Buses are available to the park. Some shuttle bus services seem suspended, and regular bus routes seemed to have changed. Park Güell is on a slope, and while the main entrance is at the bottom, it’s recommended to use the upper entrance. It’s right after getting off the city bus, and you can tour the park while descending.
There are free and paid areas in Park Güell, so you can see many people walking their dogs or running in the free areas. From the plaza in the paid area, you can get a panoramic view of Barcelona.
I planned to have the last dinner in Barcelona at a tapas bar, but there were long lines everywhere. While wandering around, I stumbled upon Casa Moritz. It turned out to be the direct shop of a popular local craft beer manufacturer. I ordered a beer tasting set of four varieties and some croquettes. Their specialty seems to be grilled whole chicken, but I judged it too much for me. Since it’s a beer place, all the dishes are seasoned strongly to pair with beer. It’s more recommended for beer enthusiasts than those looking for a meal.
I enjoyed Barcelona for two days and am now heading to the next city, Valencia, in search of authentic paella!
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