The Life Of Lazlo

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I recently came back from Barcelona and I had the time of my life. It has been a minute since I’ve visited a city that really resonated with me. A group of friends and I decided to take our annual guys’ trip to Barcelona, and it was the best decision. Now I’ve known most of these guys since 16, and with the daily minutiae of adulthood and differing priorities, we try to ensure an annual trip as an excuse to get together. 

Initially, we were sceptical about going to Barcelona, as we wanted to go last year, but due to the anti-tourism protests going on at the time, we opted for Madrid instead. Madrid was lovely for sure, but Barcelona was a different beast. It seemed like the anti-tourism protests were dying down in Barcelona this year, at least. Though we avoided opting for Airbnb’s, as that was the crux of the reason for the protests. Also, when we travel, we always opt for hostels as the social aspect is hard to turn down. As a group, we can get rooms to ourselves so we avoid any awkwardness that can arise when sharing a room with strangers. 

In short, Barcelona was the perfect blend of culture and partying. A city to get lost in the cobbled, sun-soaked streets and the gothic architecture, to the sandy beaches, as club music blares nearby. There is something for everyone in Barcelona. Now let’s recap why I loved Barcelona so much, and why I want to head back with the fellas ASAP.

Day 1

After we had landed and settled into the hostel. The first problem we had to encounter was our hunger. We flew early and didn’t have time for a good breakfast, so before we could be tourists, we had to eat. Fortunately, we had a taco spot a 5-minute walk from the hostel. The taco spot was called Pikio Taco with a rustic neon interior. The staff were welcoming, and whilst they could understand some English, it was nice to have two of the gang be able to speak conversational Spanish. The tacos were absolutely scrumptious and very affordable. It was a great starting point for the holiday. 

Now, what kind of fat boy doesn’t have a sweet tooth? After having tacos, I was keen for a spot I had seen on TikTok. A shop that sells cheesecake to go! Starting from 99 cents. Can you believe it? It was so goddamn good, I cannot stress that enough. A multitude of toppings were available, from Biscoff and pistachio spreads to Oreo crumbs or assorted sprinkles. There was something for everyone…who likes cheesecake, and if you don’t, well…some people have good taste and others have to be the others. 

The next stop was Sagrada Familia, the iconic unfinished church recognisable worldwide. Though I must admit I first learnt about the church in an episode of How I Met Your Mother. Sagrada Familia was heaving with tourists once we arrived. Bustling with several tour groups waving their flags around and their headsets on. We purchased tickets to head inside and take a look, and my goodness, I get why so many tourists had made their way to the church. The interior was truly breathtaking. The stained glass windows were hit perfectly by the sunlight, providing the most stunning kaleidoscopic silhouettes. An outstanding place of worship that included what you would usually expect from a church. The oversized organ, Jesus on the cross, lit candles, and more. 

The final stop of the day was hitting up a Flamenco show. I had previously seen Flamenco in Madrid, so I knew what to expect, and the show didn’t disappoint. The fluid and mesmerising footwork, to the way the dresses flowed. It was both a visual and an audio feast for the senses. Also, shout out to the host of the show. We were originally 20 minutes late for the original time slot, but thanks to the hospitality shown, we were booked onto the next available show. 

With that, the cultural activities came to an end as the boys and I descended into drunken debauchery with the hostel’s Bar Crawl. Big fan of Bar Crawls abroad as it gives a good lay of the land when you don’t know where to start having fun. It was also a great social opportunity as we got to mingle with others who were also staying at the hotel. We cut some shapes, grooved to the mix of music, and the Bar Crawl ended with us in a club by the beachfront front so I got to take in a beach lit by moonlight. The sound of waves was briefly interrupted by some locals playing reggae music. It was a surreal experience, to say the least.

Day 2

Day 2 was a lot more chill as we were recovering from the travel the day before and also the night out straight after. My friend recommended a location called Cerveseria Catalana, known for their delicious tapas. I’ve not always been the most keen on tapas in London, as 9/10 it is unreasonably expensive, small sharing plates that are never filling, so you have to spend a small fortune to actually have a satisfying meal. However, this place was different. Even from the queue outside, we had a good idea this place was going to be worth the hype, as both locals and tourists alike were keenly waiting to get seated. With a range of authentic Catalonian & Spanish small plates that were reasonably priced, but most importantly, incredibly delicious. From the prawns that were huge and juicy, the monkfish with honey that was absolutely insane, to the flavoursome patatas bravas, and of course, we got some crispy calamari. Everything we chose was delectable. 

Once we were sufficiently satiated with copious small plates and sangria (can’t have a hangover if you don’t stop drinking), we headed down to Port Vell. Port Vell was quaint, with numerous small stalls selling an array of items, from vintage toy soldiers and pocket watches to distinctive clothing items and souvenirs. From here, you can get tickets to numerous boat cruises, but we had our jazz boat cruise booked in advance. The jazz boat cruise was exactly what we needed as we kicked back on a catamaran, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying the musical stylings of a smooth saxophonist and guitarist. It was a great way to kill some time, rest up and take in beautiful sights. The water was a crisp blue, the skies were clear, and the atmosphere jovial. 

Of course, this day ended with another night out, this time we headed to Otto Zutz, a favourite amongst the locals, as we barely heard a lick of English, which is exactly what I like to hear when immersing myself in a new city. 

Day 3

Our third day consisted of exploring Park Güell, a must when visiting the city, in my opinion. We walked up to the famous, and it was a very steep walk to the top, so bear that in mind should you choose to do the same.

The park was expansive with beautiful twisted and curved architecture outside of anything I’ve seen before. The architecture was adorned with a myriad of kaleidoscopic mosaics paired with lush green open spaces to relax and unwind. Definitely bring your walking shoes as you will be getting your steps in. There were multiple buskers dotted around that added to the ambience as well. The views of the city landscape were also worth the walk up and entry to the park itself. 

We also ended the day with you guessed it, another bar crawl with the hostel. 

Day 4

Our final day didn’t allow for much time to roam, as we had our flight early in the evening. We started with the Moco Museum, which I highly recommend. The Moco Museum has a collection of contemporary and digital art from artists all over the world, from the likes of Robbie Williams and KAWS to a whole section dedicated to Banksy. The museum was both interactive and immersive. If you are into your art and the history of it, I would recommend fitting this museum into your itinerary, and it only takes about an hour to work your way through if you are in a rush. 

Finally, we had our final lunch with Cerveseria Catalana because it was so good, we had to go again. We all just wanted the monkfish to ourselves the second time around before we headed off to the airport.

So my dear readers…

…if you want a European city break in a bustling city with a thriving nightclub scene, incredible tapas restaurants, clear blue waters and boat cruises, as well as unique architecture from Gothic to downright one of a kind, then Barcelona is a city for you. It was a trip I won’t be forgetting any time soon, and I look forward to the second time around. 

Highlights 

Restaurants of note:

• Cerveseria Catalana

• Pikio Tacos

• 99Cheesecake

Landmarks of note:

• Park Guell

• Basílica de la Sagrada Família

Activities of note

• Jazz Boat Cruise (booked in advance through GetYourGuide also available on the day at the port itself)