Park Güell is a public park in the Carmel Hill area consisting of a series of beautiful gardens and unique architecture. The site was originally intended as a housing development by Eusebi Güell, the park’s namesake and a successful Spanish businessman at the turn of the 20th century. He was inspired by the English garden city movement, a reaction to the industrial revolution in which urban planners sought to implement urban gardens to even the proportions of residential, industrial, and agricultural areas. He tasked Gaudi, a local artist deeply influenced by naturalist themes, with transitioning the development from residences to a municipal park.

The park is a beautiful place to spend a sunny afternoon and take in the Catalan culture. The architecture draws inspiration from nature as well as from Spanish mythology, complementing the dreamy and ethereal feel of its lush gardens. There are a number of mosaic accents throughout the park as well, including a giant salamander statue that locals call “el drac,” or “the dragon”. If you have time to spare on you Barcelona girls trip, spend it wandering through Park Güell. You will get magnificent views over the city.

While we didn’t have a chance to go inside, we did pass by the Casa Batlló, a gorgeous modernist building in the center of Barcelona. It is repleted with shimmering tiles and mosaic patterns. Designed by Gaudi as well, the house is a redesign of a residential home known to locals as the casa del ossos, or the house of bones. It’s easy to see why they call it that — the building does have a skeletal quality, with balconies jutting out beneath windows like joints and a rounded, scaly roof between two bulbous turrets. Even just walking by this gorgeous piece of architecture was breathtaking. The building is considered one of Gaudi’s masterpieces.

Another opportunity to see some amazing art while in Barcelona is to visit the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the National Museum of Catalan Art, an amazing building in its own right. Their holdings include an impressive collection of Romanesque paintings as well as Catalan art in the modernist and Art Nouveau styles. This blend of old and new makes the trip a vibrant and diverse experience as you walk through the exhibitions. For an outing on the quirkier side, check out the Numismatic Cabinet of Catalonia, an enormous coin collection of over 130,000 holdings. Some can be dated back to the 6th century BC!

Though there might be a bit of a wait for this popular place, Vinitus is well worth it. They offer classic Spanish tapas with a twist, as well as a tempting wine bar with a number of local selections to pair with your meal. In addition to exemplifying their delicious food, Vinitus’ menu also offers the origin of the word “tapas,” which means “cover” in Spanish. The story goes that years ago, at an inn, a waiter set a slice of ham down on the top of a glass belonging to King Alfonso XIII, to prevent dust or debris from getting in. The King was so pleased with this idea that he asked for it again and again. Now, “tapas” is synonymous with small plates, of which Vinitus has a number, from tuna belly salad to traditional paella. You’re sure to find something to whet your appetite.

Located just steps from the Barceloneta Beach and perfect for an easy afternoon of people-watching, Agua is the go-to destination for Barcelona seafood. They offer tapas and paella to share as well as delicious entrées with homemade pasta and fresh fish. For something a bit different, they serve a dish of monkfish tail with Santurce sauce, a kind of tomato base, or if you’re not in the mood for seafood, try the lamb confit.

By far the greatest draw bringing patrons to Opium is their phenomenal terrace overlooking the Barcelona beach and Mediterranean Sea. It’s next to the Hotel Arts, and offers a cocktail bar and lounge atmosphere perfect for a laidback night of drinks during a Barcelona girls trip. Seating is ample throughout the venue. Opium can accommodate groups of 10 to 12 people as easily as smaller parties of three or four. Their music scene is another killer asset — recently they’ve hosted acts like Avicii, David Guetta, and Tiestö.

An amazing spot for rooftop cocktails with amazing views of the city, Skybar offers a lovely venue for a meal or a glass of champagne. The bar is smaller and more intimate, and it’s adjacent to a pool for a quick sunset dip. Great stop during a Barcelona girls trip. Try their tequila cocktails if you’re visiting on a bar crawl, or have a glass of local wine with your lunch mid-day.

My girls and I had a great time exploring the gorgeous, active, historic city of Barcelona on our trip together. We sampled the local foods, ventured into the Spanish nightlife scene. We saw more sights than I could have ever imagined. The city was easily walkable from our AirBnB, and the Hop On, Hop Off Tour Bus helped us to see the outer reaches in a way that we would not have otherwise.

This Barcelona girls trip was amazing and I can’t wait to visit again someday — hopefully soon!