It’s always good to finish a trip on a high note, and we broke glass with our operatic crescendo on this one! Day Six was wonderful (I still have a special place in my heart for Montserrat, but I think both kids would say Day Six was their favourite).
We were up at a leisurely time to shower, pack (*sad emoji*), eat breakfast, and begin our final day of adventuring. We opted to wander most of the morning and started off by walking to the Arc de Triomf. There happened to be a busker making bubbles and it was MAGIC. Beautiful sunshine, bubbles everywhere, and so many smiles. Regardless of age, bubbles are exciting, right?
As part of our wandering we managed to snag some final souvenirs – a few gifts for friends and a fortuitous stumble across a lovely little gallery to help us keep the tradition of bringing home local art as our main souvenir. At this quaint little art co-op (containing work from ten local artists) we bought two pieces which represent Spain perfectly; I can’t wait to incorporate them into our home decor!
We stopped for lunch – another round of empanadas from La Fabrica for the three oldest people in our clan (L wanted a burger and got a DELICIOUS one right next to Plaça Reial). For the empanada-eaters, we settled in at Plaça del Rei – a 14th century square that was apparently the site of many executions during the Spanish Inquisition. Thankfully, I didn’t know it was the scene of so much bloodshed until after I had consumed my delicious empanadas.
We bought our LAST SET OF CHURROS (*sobbing emoji*) and ate those at Plaça Reial while we enjoyed watching a team of acrobatic buskers.
Plaça Reial is the most iconic of Barcelona’s squares; it’s very picturesque and the entire perimeter is filled with options for al fresco dining.
After licking the final grains of churro sugar from our lips, we hopped on a Metro line heading “up”. We wandered around various side streets, and visited one final Gaudi home – Casa Vicens – which was his first major architectural work.
The street wandering potential was incredible in this part of Barcelona with art around every corner.
We happened upon Real Santuario de San Jose de la Montaña – the first Catholic Church in Spain dedicated to Joseph. I think? Don’t quote me. It was a wonderful place to sit down and enjoy a snack and more lovely architecture…
Our final destination for the day – and for the entire trip – was Park Güell. This is an attraction that requires advance reservations. I had hummed and hawed about going for over a month. It looked like it might be over-hyped, it was out of the way, there were no free entrance times. I had even told John I thought we should just skip it…and then when I was texting back-and-forth with Kae during the week I asked her point blank if we should go (here is her Barcelona recap!); she basically said – if you’re in Barcelona, you NEED TO GO TO Park Güell. So we did, and I am so, so glad!
I found the park confusing at first – there are a series of one-way trails (you can go DOWN but not UP) and you can only go both directions on the perimeter of the park. Finding bathrooms was a nightmare and the lines were so long. But…it was all worth it because this space is a giant tourist destination for a reason. It’s beautiful. It’s unique. It’s whimsical. It screams Gaudi!
Built between 1900 and 1914, it was originally designed to be a residential park – luxury homes nestled in a remote part of the city, surrounded by nature. I think the plan was to build 60 houses; they ended up building only two and when no one bought those houses, Gaudi purchased one and lived in it until his death in 1926. In the 80’s, this park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Let the onslaught of pictures begin (and this is not all of them!).
Because of the one-way paths and hassles finding a bathroom, L and I got to fit in a bit of extra exploration.
I KNOW! There are so many photos of the same place, but it was just tremendously picturesque.
After a few beloved early park experiences, L had been desperate to find another playground. “Bigger” playgrounds seem hard to come by in Barcelona – most parks we saw had very small equipment clearly designed for toddlers and preschoolers. But I keyed in an address for a larger park and we headed that way. Upon arrival, L was intimidated to see a big group of boys (approximately his age) sitting on the equipment and speaking in Spanish. We stayed on the perimeter of the park for a while as he dithered about trying to play with them. He had just decided we should leave when a boy arrived with his father and they started playing soccer. Again, L debated for a while what to do. Eventually his love of soccer outweighed any embarrassment or fear. He walked over, asked to join them, and played his little heart out for the next thirty minutes. I leaned over to John and said: This is going to be his favourite memory from Barcelona.
And when anybody asks him about his favourite experience from our trip to Barcelona, he brings up this game of pick-up soccer with two strangers.
To cap off this near-perfect day we stopped for perhaps the best gelato of my life. Cloud Gelato lived up to the Google reviews (if anyone reading this happens to visit Cloud Gelato, the pistachio and cheesecake flavours were out of this world).
By 6:30 pm we were on the Metro for one final ride – back to the hotel for evening showers and last minute packing.
Farwell to Barcelona. We were all feeling the blues over having to leave which, I guess, is the best way to end a vacation since it means it was wonderful. All my fears and anxieties about jet lag and the kids fighting and complaining were mostly for naught. There were some sighs and eye rolls and enough sibling bickering that I knew their personalities weren’t being altered by all the churros, but it was a special time as a family – our first international trip together and I hope the children remember these memories and cherish them throughout their lives.
And that’s a wrap on our Barcelona recaps. I’ll be back with one final post about the trip related to planning, travel to/from, and how much it all cost.
- Distance walked: 13.38 km | 18,968 steps | 24 flights
Your turn. Favourite gelato flavour? What is your preferred souvenir to bring home from travel destinations?
Jenny
Yes, I’m SURE the kids will remember this trip forever!!! What a fun last day. I did get sad when you mentioned all the “lasts”- last churros, last metro ride, etc. The end of vacations is so sad! But I’m glad your last day was so fun- hooray for Kae convincing you on Park Guell- you definitely wouldn’t have wanted to miss that. And I love L’s soccer game- that was brave of him to ask to join!
Elisabeth
The end of vacations is so sad. Sigh. It’s the worst part of the experience, but we made the most of our time!
And yes – I think I would have come very close to passing on Park Guell, so three cheers for Kae. She really convinced me and I have ZERO regrets <3
Nicole MacPherson
Wow, have I ever enjoyed your recaps! What a great vacation, Elisabeth. Thanks for taking us along with you!
Elisabeth
Thanks for coming 🙂 I realize there were A LOT of recaps and it’s a bit tedious/boring to read all sorts of little details about a trip you didn’t actually go on, but it is really nice to preserve the memories for our family in writing…and then of course there will be the EPIC photobook section. Haha.
Kyria @ Travel Spot
What a fun day! I love the colors and the architecture in Barcelona; isn’t it grand!? I could just wander the streets for days. When I was there we were only there for maybe two days, so we did not get to Montserrat or Park Guell, so I guess I need to go back! There are so many fabulous places to see in the world, isn’t there?
I love that L played pick up soccer; I am a shy person who doesn’t like to ask, but having experiences like that is priceless! I am glad that he was brave enough to do it. Good for him!
Elisabeth
It’s always the streets, right, in those European cities! There are so many and they’re so unique and have so much character.
You definitely need to go back!
Melissa
Good pistachio gelato is amazing. I usually only order it once I’ve already tried other flavours at the store because fake pistachio flavour is a hard no for me. It was so brave of L to go and play soccer, and what a special memory. I’ve loved your recaps, thanks so much for taking the time.
Elisabeth
Yes! I asked to try it before ordering (though people had been swooning over it in online reviews). It was so good. I also got the mango – without trying it – and it was a bit too strong for my liking. But John got the cheesecake and it was divine. But the pistachio was so authentic and without a doubt the best pistachio-flavoured treat I’ve ever had!
Sara
I absolutely loved reading your recaps. In a season of my life where international travel is non-existent, I really enjoyed journeying with you in my mind!
Elisabeth
Thanks, Sara. I feel the same way when I read other people’s trip recaps: I get to adventure to that place in my mind (for free…and without having to worry about wet feet or where to find the nearest bathroom).
Stephany
Oh, my heart was in my throat at L wanting to play with the boys but being too shy to do so. And then he was brave enough to approach the other boy – what an amazing experience for him! I love that so much and the pictures are priceless.
What an amazing vacation for your family! I am sure it is one they will remember forever.
Elisabeth
It really was such a wonderful trip and I think we will all remember it. Even a few years ago I think L would have forgotten large chunks of this sort of trip, but not now at 9. I was worried how it would all shake out, but it ended up being fantastic. Sometimes you win some, sometimes you lose some…and we won this time around!
Kate
L’s face after the soccer game!!! Melt my heart. These are the kinds of experiences I hope we all come away with after international travel — the educational aspect is one thing, and fun is always good of course, but that moment of connection with someone from another culture and language lays such a foundation for a broader worldview. It’s really important to me that my kids don’t grow up thinking their own limited experience defines the world.
I’m pretty sure that ancient picture is of the original Roman wall — I know parts of it are still preserved! Just crazy to think about the hands that built that.
Love the idea of bringing some art home from a trip. We always choose a magnet or two, but your tradition is more sophisticated 😉 I’ve really enjoyed reading your recaps! Now you have to go on another trip so you can tell us about it!!
Elisabeth
He was sooo sweaty and did not want to leave – he would have played for hours, I think.
Those little experiences are impossible to choreograph or plan into a vacation but are magical when they happen.
We started a tradition of bringing some little blue glass trinket home, but got tired of that after a few trips. Little trinkets aren’t my thing (though we did get a magnet from Rome that is still on our fridge), but art we love. We don’t get big things – we only have carryons with us – but it’s fun to be able to look at a piece of art and think: That was from Italy! or That’s from Central Park in NYC!
Lisa’s Yarns
So it seems like IKEA designed their store based on that park. lol. That was my initial thought when you said you could only go in one direction. I loathe IKEA for that reason so I have strong feelings about being forced to only take one route/go in one direction. Ha.
I am glad you had such a great final day! It is great to end a trip on a high note like that. And I am glad that traveling went so well for your family! We are a LONG ways from being ready to take an international trip with our kids but it’s encouraging to see that you can have a great trip with minimal complaints!
Elisabeth
You are SO RIGHT. I hate one-way things. In this case, there were park workers guarding the stairs so you could only go one way. Like it was enforced! (I use the shortcuts at IKEA a lot! There are shortcuts!!).
It was so, so nice to end on a high note. We never had a low-low note, but Thursday was my least favourite day and that was smack-dab in the middle which I think is the best timing? Our first two days were great, the third day was a bit more Meh, and then the last days were great. Starting and ending on high notes is a relief.
You will get there! This is L’s first international trip and I would not have wanted to do it one second sooner. I know some people love to travel with small children (or maybe don’t love doing it, but they want to travel so badly they’ll bring kids along). This is NOT ME! No regrets on waiting until this stage. (9 and 13).
NGS
I took so many notes as I was reading this! What fabulous photos. I know that you claimed you didn’t have hat Easter eggs in your photos for me, but I refuse to accept it – great hats! I love the No empanadas, no life neon sign. It turns out I’m over here empanada-less and clearly have no led a life.
I think the family photo attempt is perfect. It’s always so staid when everyone’s looking at the camera. It’s a wonderful photo that shows off everyone’s personalities so perfectly.
I think pistachio gelato is perfection, so I approve of your choice. I also like a salted caramel gelato. Favorite souvenir is postcards, of course!
Elisabeth
Fair enough – family photos are highly posed and these were REAL LIFE! Maybe I should just do a “blooper” real of photos this year?
Salted caramel is *chef’s kiss*
Fingers crossed your postcard gets there!??!!!
J
I’ve never really thought of going to Barcelona, I’m such a Paris fan. Your pictures have me rethinking that, for sure. It looks like you had an amazing time.
When I was in Nice a couple of years ago, we got gellato one day, and I chickened out of ordering the pistachio. It was just a street cart, and I didn’t know if I could ask for a taste. Looking back, I wish I had done it. If it wasn’t good, I could have just thrown it away and gotten another flavor, right? Lesson learned for future me.
Elisabeth
I loved Paris so much, though I will admit it would be a CLOSE tie with Rome. That city was just incredible. Very, very different vibe from Paris but I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would.
Barcelona was great; not quite to Paris/Rome for me.
Fake pistachio is awful. Thankfully this was the real deal and it was so good!
San
Ah, beautiful. I just love all the photos… thanks for taking us along 🙂 and I can imagine it was hard for this trip to come to an end. There’s always more to see and explore but I think you did a great job planning this all out. And I feel like Barcelona’s streets are really perfect for all those shoe shots 🙂