Valentine’s Day in Catalonia? The Most Romantic Spots in Barcelona

What better place for a Valentine’s get-away than romantic Barcelona? Mountains, beaches, amazing architecture and great food: this city has it all. Let our guide to some of the most romantic places and activities in Barcelona take the stress out of planning your perfect trip.

A place to lay your heads

Many hotels in the city offer special Valentine’s Day packages, so start your break in style with a complimentary bottle of bubbly on arrival. The packages usually also include chocolates or flowers and breakfast in your room or dinner in the restaurant. To really show you care, book your partner a treatment in the hotel spa, or even a couple’s massage so that you can relax together.

It’s not just hotels. For a more boutique experience, why not look for an apartment with a personal assistant? They’ll fill the fridge with indulgent treats of your choice, book taxis and basically organise everything you might need for your time in the city, leaving you free to enjoy your surroundings and each other.

Somewhere to say “I love you”

Barcelona is a great city for strolling around in, especially hand in hand with a loved one. So take a wander and find your own special place in romantic Barcelona. Our top suggestions are:

• The Gothic Quarter. This is the heart of old Barcelona, with narrow alleyways, tiny squares and beautiful architecture (not all Gothic, despite the name). You could follow a map or join a walking tour, but the real romance is in just wandering through the lanes and discovering the area for yourselves. Having said that, there are a few spots not to miss: Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, a tranquil, tree-lined square with a central fountain; Temple d’Augustus, the remains of Roman Barcelona’s main temple and one of the city’s best kept secrets; La Seu (or Barcelona Cathedral), a classic example of Gothic architecture with some stunning stained glass dating from the 14^th to the 20^th But even if you get totally lost in the maze, you’ll be sure to find somewhere magical just for the two of you.
• Away from the city crowds, this is the long, flat-topped hill to the south west of the city. It offers great views, gardens and many places of interest, but first you have to get up there. From Barceloneta, step aboard the Port Cable Car and swing your way across the harbour and up the hill. This isn’t a mode of transport for the faint hearted, so if you’ve not got a head for heights, you can also hop on the funicular railway at the Parallel Metro station (a couple of minutes) or walk up the hill (around an hour). Once at the top, stroll through the beautiful Jardins Mossen Cinto Verdaguer and head to the castle – again, you can walk or take a different cable car, the Teleférico de Montjuic. At 173 metres above the port, the castle grounds provide a glorious view of the Mediterranean as well as over the city. There are many other places to visit while up on Montjuic, such as the Olympic Park and the Botanic Gardens, but art enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the Miro museum (Fundació Joan Miró) – be sure to find the ‘Pair of Lovers Playing with Almond Blossoms’.
• A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without an exploration of some of the city’s architectural masterpieces by one of Barcelona’s most famous names, Spanish Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. From Casa Batlló, also known as House of Bones, with its colourful mosaics and incredible rooftop and La Sagrada Familia, Gaudí’s iconic unfinished church to Casa Milá‘s unique façade and quirky chimneys and more, there are plenty of stunning photo-ops throughout the city!

Bloemisten @ Las Ramblas, Barcelona 📸 #barcelona #lasramblas #larambla #floristesdelarambla #rambladelesflors #barcelonainspira #barcelonacity #barcelonagram #localtips #travel #reizen #travelblog #reisblog

A photo posted by HolaBarcelona.nl (@holabarcelona.nl) on Oct 7, 2016 at 8:20am PDT

To have and to hold

You might have said the words, but how about a physical token to demonstrate your affection as well? Well, the classic is, of course, flowers. The flower stalls of Rambla de les Flors, some that date back 100 years, are a good start and offer a huge range of different blooms.

After something a little longer lasting and easier to get back home? Barcelona boasts some incredible jewellery shops, and you should find something to suit most budgets. If you’re looking for something truly unique, you can even commission your own piece. A wedding ring, maybe…? Worth a visit even if you aren’t planning a purchase, the whimsical Basílica Galería on Passeig de Gràcia is more like an art gallery than a shop, with a selection of unusual jewellery and other objets d’art on the first floor. If you can’t find anything to your taste in there, try the perfumery downstairs and its collection of more than 1000 niche fragrances.

A bite to eat

Barcelona is a mecca of deliciousness, from local produce and traditional Catalonian dishes to exceptional modern cuisine and more, there’s an inexhaustible supply to tantalise your tastebuds. If you and your love are a bit more low-key, be sure to check out our guide to Barcelona’s best food markets. If you want to soak up the culture, you’ll need to make time for some Pintxos. Above all else, you should also factor in a stroll around Las Ramblas and discover a culinary gem (or two!)

Whether your relationship is young or old, romantic Barcelona is the perfect place for declaring your love for the first or thousandth time. So what are you waiting for? Go and tell your Valentine to pack their bag!