This day was almost entirely on foot — I walked more than 20 kilometers, and by the evening my legs were exhausted… but every step was worth it. My reward? A few well-earned glasses of sangria at sunset.
We began the morning at one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks: the Gothic Cathedral of La Seu. The building itself is breathtaking, but the real magic lies in the 14th-century cloister — palm trees, snow-white geese and a peaceful, timeless atmosphere. The chapter house ceiling is a masterpiece on its own.
The rest of the morning was spent wandering the streets of the Gothic Quarter. At Plaça del Rei, we visited the Barcelona History Museum, where the underground archaeological site reveals the remains of Roman Barcino. From there, we walked to the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan covernment, and continued to Casa de l’Arcada — a beautiful arcaded courtyard that once belonged to the cathedral’s provost.
And since we were already in the historic streets of Barcelona, I couldn’t miss Cereria Subira — the city’s oldest candle shop. Anyone who knows me knows I adore candles, so this felt like a small personal pilgrimage.
After all the exploring, it was finally time for lunch — and there’s no better place than the famous Boqueria Market. You know I’m a market enthusiast, but this one is unlike anything in Tuscany or along the French Riviera.
We grabbed seats at a counter bar and enjoyed fresh seafood, tapas, and of course sangria, with crusty bread and Spanish olives.
After lunch, we took a walk through Ciutadella Park — a place full of surprises: romantic pathways, a grand fountain, elegant glasshouses, the Natural Science Museum and even the Barcelona Zoo.
By the end of the day, we had almost no energy left, but a seaside dinner was non-negotiable. In La Barceloneta, at Maná 75, we had one of the best paellas I’ve ever tasted. A glass of wine, the sound of the sea, the pulse of a Spanish evening — nothing more was needed for the perfect ending.
Tomorrow I’m flying back to Florence, while Olivia stays one more day — I’m curious what she’ll discover next.