Exploring Barcelona in Winter

Exploring Barcelona in Winter: Gaudí, the Gothic Quarter & Easy Day Trips, Top Attractions, Travel Tips, & Romantic Ideas for Couples Over 50

We recently explored Barcelona in winter, visiting iconic landmarks and stunning Gaudí architecture and taking two fantastic day trips. This visit included a seven-night cruise in the Mediterranean, which we bookended with stays in this incredible city. Here’s what we loved and what we learned!

This blog gives a brief overview of our time in Barcelona. We will share more about each district we visited and our day trips in other blogs and videos. The idea of this blog is to give you an overview of an easy five-day itinerary for a mild winter visit.

Need to Know for Exploring Barcelona

Currency & Payments

Currency: Euro (€)

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but for smaller businesses and markets, carry some cash. We always get some local currency before we leave home; this is helpful if you need to pay some money in a pinch.

Use a *Wise card; it is easy to load and use for over 4o currencies.

Tipping is not mandatory—rounding up the bill or leaving small change is appreciated.

Transport & Getting Around

Metro & walking: The best ways to explore.

We brought T-Casual cards. They have 10 rides for €12.55 and can be topped up as needed. If you use a fair bit of public transport, consider using these bulk ride cards instead of paying as you go.

Walking is also straightforward in Barcelona’s neighbourhoods.

We blended both seamlessly and made our time exploring the city easy and convenient.

Here is a link to the TMB site to help you find the best transport options. 

Meal Times & Dining Etiquette

Adjust to later meal times: Lunch (1-3 PM) and Dinner (8 PM onward).

We ate earlier than most in Spain and found places to eat. However, be aware that you have limited choices as the kitchens close between lunch and dinner.

Tip: Make reservations for popular restaurants, especially on weekends.

Safety & Cultural Etiquette

Keep valuables secure in busy tourist areas. Barcelona has a reputation as a pickpocket hotspot, especially in places like the La Rambla, the Sagrada Família and Placa de Catalunya. I have used a Pacsafe Bag for extra security, and Phil always has his wallet safely stored.

We also ensure that our digital identity is on RFDI sleeves and use Surfshark (VPN) on our devices to help with cybersecurity.

Basic Spanish Phrases

A little effort goes a long way!

 Hello – Hola

 Goodbye – Adeu

 Sorry – Perdó

Please – Si us plau

Thank you – Gràcies

I must admit I struggled with learning and pronouncing different languages. Even though I was not very good at it, most people seemed to appreciate my attempts. So don’t be afraid to let the locals help you.

Winter Weather: What to Expect in February

Expect mild temperatures: 8°C (47°F) in the mornings to 15°C (59°F) in the afternoons. We found the weather comfortable and even a couple of t-shirt days.

Rain is possible (3-8 rainy days per month), so a waterproof jacket and a small umbrella are handy to have with you.

Tip:

We found that layers worked best—Barcelona isn’t freezing, but mornings and evenings can be chilly. We have a blog and video sharing what we packed—the essentials: a waterproof jacket, comfortable shoes, and a scarf for windy days.

Exploring Barcelona: Must-Visit Highlights for Couples

1. The Gothic Quarter: Barcelona’s Heartbeat

Stroll through charming medieval streets, hidden plazas, and historical landmarks.

Visit Plaça Reial, Barcelona Cathedral, La Boquriea Markets and boutique shops. Our favourite place to visit in the Gothic Quarter was the Barcelona Cathedral; this fantastic house of worship was full of surprises and worth a stop. With hundreds of years of history, the Gothic Quarter has something new around every corner.

The best spots for coffee or wine breaks are perfect for couples! Whether you want a quick coffee, churros with thick hot chocolate, tapas and a drink, or a slow meal while watching the world pass you by, there are countless options and settings to relax in this area. We enjoyed stops at Plaça Reial and found churros stops in the bustling alleyways.

Tip: Visit in the morning for quiet walks or at night when it’s beautifully lit. We used our visit to the Gothic Quarter as an easy way to combat Jetlag.

Read our Walking tour guide to the Gothic Quarter, and here is the video exploring it.

2. Montjuïc: Breathtaking Views & Hidden Gems

Take the Montjuïc Vanicular for panoramic city views. A cable car is also available, but it was closed for maintenance during our visit. We went up to the castle using the Vanicular and bus and casually walked back down through parks, stopping at enchanting viewing spots looking out over the city.

Explore Montjuïc Castle, which offers excellent views, places to explore, gardens, and museums. Many sites are linked to the 1992 Olympics, and we enjoyed a drink at Salt, a bar overlooking the diving pool and the wider city.

 Another iconic attraction in Montjuric is the Magic Fountain, which is closed for maintenance in February.

Tip: Visit in the late afternoon for stunning sunset views.

3. Eixample & Gaudí’s Masterpieces

The Neighbourhood Eixample, or the expansion, was a late 19th-century city expansion. This thoughtfully planned neighbourhood, laid out in a grid with wide boulevards, is an interesting contrast to the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter and home to some beautiful architecture.

We visited three Gaudí buildings: Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló, and Casa Milà—each offering something unique!

Sagrada Família: Best visiting times and ticket tips.

Casa Batlló: A dreamlike experience with its colourful, curved facade.

Casa Milà (La Pedrera): Unique rooftop views and architectural genius.

We also walked past Gaudí’s first building, Casa Vicens —worth seeing for architecture lovers!

Tip: Many Guadi sights require you to book tickets online in advance to avoid queues and disappointment.

 

Day Trips from Barcelona: What We Learned

Barcelona is perfectly positioned for incredible day trips, whether you’re interested in history, wine, or coastal escapes. We explored Tarragona, a stunning Roman-era city by the sea. Another highlight was Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, the heart of Spain’s cava wine region. Other popular day trips include Montserrat, a breathtaking mountain retreat with a famous monastery; Girona, a medieval city with picturesque bridges and Game of Thrones filming locations; and Sitges, a coastal town known for its sandy beaches and vibrant arts scene. Whether you’re after culture, nature, or a relaxing escape, Barcelona makes it easy to explore Catalonia in just a day.

 On a previous visit to Barcarlona, we explored Monseratt, which we highly recommend. During this visit, we wanted to explore a few different, perhaps lesser-known, places for day trips.

At the last minute, we decided to change the days of our visits, which had interesting effects on both locations. We still enjoyed our days, but they may have been even better if we had stuck to the order I had planned for them.

1. Tarragona: A Roman Gem (But Check the Day!)

We visited Tarragona on Monday but found that many sites were closed, so plan a visit any day except Monday!

We followed a fantastic audio guide and can not recommend it highly enough. I am sure we will be trying VoiceMaps again in other destinations.

Highlights: Roman Amphitheatre, old town charm, and beautiful seaside views.

Tip: Ideal for history lovers, but check opening times before you go.

2. Sant Sadurní d’Anoia: Cava & Chocolate Heaven

We explored Spain’s cava wine region, visited wineries, and learned about traditional sparkling wine-making.

Freixenet and Codorníu wineries are two of the biggest in town. There are many Cava houses in town, and they are an easy walk from the train station—great for wine lovers! We managed to visit three houses and taste the sparkling wine they produce.

Simon Coll Chocolate Factory is a delicious stop on the way; book before you go. It is best to book your tour in advance, as the tours are offered in different languages at certain times, the same for the major Cava houses.

We dropped into the Cava centre in the centre of town, and the lady was beneficial about which houses we could easily visit.

Tip: Train travel is easy and affordable for this visit; reaching Barcelona takes only 50 minutes. I had natively thought that Sant Sadurní d’Anoia would be relatively flat and easy to navigate, but it was pretty hilly, and we did not attempt to visit Codorniu Winery.

This is how we spent our time in Barcelona, and we found it easy, relaxed, and perfect for couples—even in winter. From exploring Gaudí’s masterpieces to strolling through the Gothic Quarter and taking scenic day trips, we enjoyed a mix of culture, history, and downtime. Our detailed Gothic Quarter guide is live now, and we’ll be sharing more district guides and videos soon—so stay tuned for even more tips to help you plan your own effortless Barcelona adventure!

Where we stayed

As stated at the beginning, this visit was centered around a cruise, so we tried two different hotels in different neighbourhoods. Here is a brief overview of the hotels.

Hostal Europa

This hotel was on Carrer La Boqueria, just metres from La Rambla and moments from some of the Gothic Quarter’s main sites. Because of its low price, we had low expectations for this place, but we were very pleasantly surprised. *Hostal Europa was in the middle of having some very extensive renovations, and our room had been recently improved. They are still working on the building, and even in the room, there seemed to be things that still needed finishing. Still, none of this was terrible, and the glimpse we saw of these will be charming rooms once they are complete. We concluded that our price may not reflect the permanent price, but I think it will still be a value hotel in a fantastic location. Here is our YouTube review of Hostal Europa

TIP: There are stairs to the reception and the lift, but once you are in the building, there is a small lift to the floors with rooms.

The Conica Deluxe Bed & Breakfast

For the second stay of the visit, we stayed at The Conica Deluxe Bed & Breakfast, a charming guest house in the Exiample neighbourhood. This was still a budget accommodation, but it definitely did not feel like it. Spotlessly clean and loving, you are cared for and feel welcomed during your stay. The room was spacious and comfortable.

The Conica Deluxe Bed & Breakfast does not actually serve breakfast, but it does offer tea, coffee, and snacks to get you going. There is also a choice of cheap and nice options right outside the front door. The staff was terrific as well.

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