The most important word you need to know in Barcelona is siesta, because a solid afternoon nap is the only way to survive this action-packed city that decided dusk till dawn just wasn’t enough. The architecturally gorgeous coastal destination is absolute paradise; you can tan on hot beaches filled with beautiful people, navigate through two-and-a-half lifetimes worth of bars (yes, that’s statistically accurate), and dance at the open-air nightclubs that are packed till sunrise.
But if it feels like these options are missing something, you’re right – it’s missing sports! Which is why a less obvious but just as awesome thing you have to do while in town is go to an FC Barcelona match. The quaking stadium couples one of the most fanatic fan-bases with one of the best football teams in the world for a sporting experience unlike any other. With this in mind, make sure to buy tickets in advance for the big match, because below is an amazing way to spend a day in Barcelona.
Barceloneta Beach
It’s a typical Catalonian day; the sun is baking, the mercury is rising, and you are wondering what to do. Take our advice and head to Barceloneta Beach, the most popular stretch of sand in the city. You’ll find yourself lying out amidst an energetic mix of all sorts, from sexy locals to tourists to entertainers playing their instruments to vendors selling random goods. And when you’re feeling fried and dreaming of refreshment, simply walk over to one of the many chiringuitos (beach bars), and cool off with some chilled sangria or a cold brew. Beach, beer, beautiful people, what could be better?
Camp Nou
After you awake from your UV induced coma, throw on your Messi jersey and follow the masses to Barcelona’s sports mecca, Camp Nou. 90,000+ crazed fans sell-out the stadium for nearly every big match, causing the steel and concrete to shake and sway to the unified chants of the spectators. Don’t be surprised if trash fires pop up in the middle of the stands while world-class soccer takes place on the field. The energy in the air is so overwhelming that you’ll be jumping and hugging with total strangers when FC Barcelona puts one in the net.
Chupitos
There’s nothing quite like the ecstatic high of a sports victory witnessed in person…except for taking shots of god-knows-what while wearing an army helmet as a bartender whistles at you to finish. That’s just the sort of thing you can expect at Chupitos, which specializes in shots accompanied by ridiculous props and performances that makes the joint one of the wildest bars in Barcelona. Hundreds of options with no translation or description are available for your choosing on the long blackboard behind the bar. Grab your friends and play a little bit of Spanish roulette with the random options. You can’t lose.
Opium Mar
It may be the middle of the night, but the city’s finest are heading back to the beach, replacing their bikinis and shorts with mini-dresses and collars for the trendy beachfront venue of Opium Mar. The sleek multi-leveled cavern is one of the best clubs in Barcelona, providing a decadent playground for trendy locals and international jetsetters, with plenty of VIP areas for anyone trying to drop some extra cash. You can start by enjoying the warm night on the terrace outside while eyeing the incoming patrons, but the bumping dance floor inside is where the real action goes down. With some of the best DJs in the world, an abundance of gorgeous people, and state-of-the-art lightshows, Opium Mar will be a crazier party on the sand than any bonfire you’ve ever been to.
Daniel Hogan is a writer at Party Earth - a global media and entertainment company that publishes reviews and listings of the best social experiences around the world including: things to do in Barcelona, beaches in Ibiza, plazas in Rome, bars in Los Angeles, parks in New York, festivals and concerts everywhere, and more.