Hola Barcelona! 48 Hours of Sun, Sea & Gaudí
🇪🇸 Escaping to Barcelona and the Costa Brava for a perfect solo weekend.
From the winter winds of the north to the sun-soaked streets of Catalonia. I flew from Lisbon to Barcelona for a weekend of Gaudí, coastal hikes, and vibrant energy.
I started my morning at Origo Bakery in the Gràcia district. This artisan spot specializes in organic sourdough.
Fueled by pastries, I took the Metro (L4) to Passeig de Gràcia and switched to the R1 Train towards Blanes. The train runs right along the coast—a scenic 1.5-hour ride.
I originally thought my 48h City Pass covered the trip to Blanes, but I was wrong!
The Issue: The City Pass is usually for Zone 1, but Blanes is in Zone 5. I actually had trouble exiting the gates at Blanes station because my ticket wasn't valid there.
Solution: Don't make my mistake! Please buy a separate Rodalies ticket (Zone 5) specifically for Blanes at the station machine. It costs around €6-7 one way.
Hiking the Coastline (1:20 PM):
Since the Jardí Botànic Marimurtra closed early at 3 PM, I pivoted to a coastal hike. The sea breeze and the winter sun created a warmth I hadn't felt in weeks.
- Castell de Sant Joan: A bit of a climb, but the 360-degree vistas of the Mediterranean were breathtaking.
- Sa Palomera Rock: The symbolic beginning of the Costa Brava.
- Cala de Sant Francesc: A 20-minute hike past the gardens led to this hidden gem.
📍 Hiking Routes
Ended the day with churros at Xurreria Trebol (€4.95) and a communal dinner back at Yeah Hostel.
Morning Vibes: Strolled through the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) and found the famous "Kiss of Freedom" mural. Grabbed brunch at Lato Cafe (€22.50) before heading to the main event.
Sagrada Familia
If you think the outside is unbelievable, wait until you step inside. It is simply gorgeous. When you see the details, you realize why it has taken over 100 years to build.
For architecture lovers, this is Mecca. Even if you aren't religious, it is a must-see.
Student Ticket: €24.00
Book your slot for after 3:00 PM. This is when the sun hits the stained glass windows, flooding the interior with incredible colors.
After soaking in the art, I grabbed a drink at Chinese Tofu Magician (€6.80) and headed to San Sebastian Beach for some guitar vibes and sunset.
Bar Orient Express
A unique experience! You play a game on a vintage phone to pick your cocktail, and then the drink arrives on a model train that stops right in front of you.
The waiter was fully in character, making the service 10/10. Highly recommended for a fun night out.
Cost: €18.00
Departures & Regrets
The trip ended with a dash to the airport (L9 Sud Metro) for my flight to Milan (€59.99).
As a solo traveler with a small appetite, I sadly missed out on proper Tapas and the famous Jon Cake. I guess I have a reason to come back!
I wasn't ready to go home yet. I grabbed a cheap Wizz Air flight (€59.99) from Barcelona to Milan Malpensa for a quick Italian culinary stopover.
Since I couldn't check into a hotel, I used Radical Storage. It helps you find local shops that store luggage securely. I found a highly-rated spot nearby and dropped my bags instantly.
Transport Note: Milan public transport tickets are valid for 90 minutes after validation. You can transfer between buses, trams, and the metro freely.
The Cappuccino Incident
I ordered the Pasta con le Sarde (Sardines) and... a Cappuccino.
OMG. The waiter gave me the look. I know it's an Italian sin to drink milk coffee after noon, but I barely slept at the airport and needed the caffeine!
Embarrassment aside, the pasta was lovingly prepared and awesome. I tried to come back on a second trip with family, but it was sold out.
Total: €17.30 (Make a reservation! They turn people away daily.)
Ciacco Gelato
Recommended by a friend, and it "over-deserved" the hype! I grabbed the Pistachio and Hazelnut flavors.
It’s a tiny shop with limited seating (you might have to stand), but the welcome was warm and the flavors were incredible. Vegan and Gluten-free options available too.
Cost: €3.00
The Final Pizza & Departure
For dinner, I tried the famous L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele. I ordered the Margherita (€11) + Water (€4).
Ciao Milano! Short, sweet, and delicious. 🇮🇹
Getting to the Next Flight:
I took the Terravision Bus (€10) from Milan Central Station to Bergamo Airport (BGY). It’s a reliable service if you have an early flight.
Feb 18: A sunrise flight back to reality.
Milan (Bergamo) ➝ Krakow (Ryanair) • €32.46