Travel Writer’s Guide To Barcelona
This Travel Writer’s Guide To Barcelona focuses not only on a guide to travel but specifically with the needs of a writer in mind. A traveling writer needs to know the history, where to find inspiration, a great place to write, and a great place to lay their head. That way all you’re energy can funnel into creating!
History
Barcelona was founded by the Romans who created the colony Barcino in the 1st century BC. The remains of the walls of the colony can still be found in the old town.
It was under Muslim rule for 200 years after the Christians. During the medieval period, Barcelona became the economic and political center of the Western Mediterranean.
To this day, stands the city’s Gothic Quarter which was home to the culture of life in the 13th and 15th centuries.
Inspo
The city of Barcelona has the potential to inspire all kinds of ideas. The city has many different faces. Stroll through the centuries-old Gothic Quarter for a sense of old-world Barcelona, or people-watch in Catalonia Square. Walk the palm tree-lined path to the Arc De Triomf or the boardwalk where you will happen on nude beaches alongside beach cafes. Near to the strip of nightclubs, you will even find mega yachts. For some inspiration on unusual characters, walk along to dock and research the owners of the billion-dollar boats.
For those inspired by literary history, be sure to follow this trail of Don Quixote that guides you through Miguel de Cervante’s Don Quixote of La Mancha.
Writing Places
There are endless restaurants and cafes in the city of Barcelona, however, these are our top pics for conducive but inspiring workplaces to spend your time writing.
1. Federal Cafe Gothic
A nice place to enjoy coffee and cafe foods while writing
2. Espai Joliu
Incredibly eclectic wood and stone cafe
3. Marrow Coffee
Nice coffee shop with comfortable seating
4. Bambu Beach Bar
An adorable cafe located right on the beach
Travel Tips
Where to stay: If you’re looking for nightlife or if you enjoy the beach then you will want to stay near Platja del Somorrostro. This will be a little bit of a walk into the city, but if you’re spending more time out at night or at the beach then it’s worth it.
If you’re not likely to go to the beach or nightclubs, then you can stay anywhere in the city area. Realize that if you choose to stay in the Gothic Quarter then you will likely have to walk for a few blocks to your accommodations because cars are not allowed on all of the streets in that area. It is better to stay near the Gothic Quarter than inside it.
Barcelona has many hotels and Airbnb to choose from however for the price and amount of space, our top pick for Barcelona is this two bed, two bath, two balcony Airbnb:
Getting around: You can get a cab or use an app like Free Now or Cabify, however, Barcelona is a very walkable city and has many close-by restaurants and necessities on every block. Another option is to utilize the buses or subways.
When to go: Although the weather is not unbearably hot in the late summer, the best time to visit Barcelona is in the first half of March, the month of May, and mid-September through October.
There will be the least crowds and the weather will be a little cooler than in the summer, making it more comfortable to explore.