Hola,
Hello in Catalan/Spanish
With its vibrant nightlife, stunning architecture and beautiful beaches, along with convenient and affordable travel options from Madrid, Barcelona was the perfect first destination of my semester.
To get to Barcelona, I took the train from Madrid Atocha station to Barcelona Sants, which was a peaceful two-and-a-half hour ride through the Spanish countryside. High-speed AVE trains make this route frequently throughout the day—up to 28 times—making it one of the most popular and efficient ways to travel between the two cities. The train ride itself was a nice change of pace, giving me time to look out the window and take in the scenery before arriving in the bustling city.
This was my first time staying in a hostel, and I was not quite sure what to expect. Hostels get a bit of a bad rep sometimes, but overall, it was a good experience and an easy way to meet people from all over the world. Just remember to bring shower shoes (unlike me) and, if possible, get enough people to book a private room–it is just more comfortable without being that much more expensive. Hostels also often have free events, which are pretty fun and a great way to socialize without spending extra money.
After checking in, we spent the morning exploring the Gothic Quarter. This neighborhood is one of the oldest parts of Barcelona, and its narrow, winding streets are lined with historic buildings and small cafes, giving the area a unique charm. We then made our way over to the L’Eixample district, known for its wide, grid-like streets and modernist architecture, where we had lunch at Serenata, a panini spot recommended on TikTok. As much as TikTok can be a waste of time, it has actually become one of my go-to travel tools. It is full of local recommendations that can feel more authentic than just looking at Yelp or Google reviews.
That evening, we decided to catch the sunset at Barceloneta Beach. We took the metro to get there. Figuring out a new city’s public transport can be intimidating, but it is always simpler than you think and definitely the most affordable option. Barceloneta Beach was busy with people running, roller skating, biking, walking or just sitting on the pier watching the sky turn orange.
Later that night, a few friends and I signed up for a cocktail-making class. We learned how to make espresso martinis, mojitos, cosmos and margaritas and enjoyed tapas, which are small sharing plates—a staple in Spanish food culture. We found the class through GetYourGuide, which is great for finding unique experiences in any city, whether that is cooking classes, dance lessons or even art workshops. One of my favorite parts about being abroad has been having the opportunity to take classes like this and have experiences I would not back home.
The next morning, we kicked off the day with croissants and coffee—a classic European breakfast. Then, we headed to La Sagrada Família for an audio-guided tour. The tour covered the history of the La Sagrada Familia and Antoni Guadi’s vision behind the basilica. Hearing about Gaudí’s creative process while standing inside the iconic structure made me appreciate the architecture even more.
That night, we made our way to Salts, an outdoor rooftop space with live music, drinks and snacks. The journey there involved climbing up a steep hill and a lot of stairs, but the view made every step worth it. Barcelona is known for its rooftop culture, so many buildings have terraces where people gather to eat, drink and take in the views. Sitting up there, listening to the music while watching the sunset over the city as the building’s lights come on, felt surreal.
We had dinner at a nearby Italian restaurant, and like most spots in Barcelona, it did not disappoint. The city has a strong food culture, whether you are eating traditional Catalan dishes or trying one of the many international options. After dinner, we enjoyed Barcelona’s amazing nightlife, with bars and clubs full of people from all over the world.
Barcelona was a great option for a first trip, and it certainly set the bar high. From wandering through historic neighborhoods to watching sunsets on the beach and meeting people from around the world, every moment felt like a reminder of why I chose to study abroad. I know I will be back one day to explore even more.
