Life took us back to Spain for our next trip. It was a family trip with my mother and brother. My mum travelled with us again, and that was one of the best things she could have done. Over the past few months, I've been reading Die with Zero — a book I would happily recommend to anyone even remotely like me, someone who enjoys making plans. Life will rewrite them anyway, but you can still make plans, right?

So, Barcelona it was. I knew this would be my last trip for a while, as we were expecting a baby, so I tried to enjoy every minute of it.

DAY ONE

plans vs. reality

The plan was to quickly check into our accommodation after arriving and celebrate with a welcome drink. So let's go back to that part about making plans and life getting in the way. We immediately became victims of a scam, as the accommodation was completely different from what we had booked (This can happen even when you book through one of the biggest accommodation platforms.) Not exactly the start we had hoped for.

They say every cloud has a silver lining. Thanks to my brother, we managed to find a great hotel a few streets away at a discounted price.

So, time for that drink!

Crowded entrance to Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria market in Barcelona, Spain, featuring colorful mosaic facade.

A glass of Vermut Lustau served on the rocks, surrounded by appetizers and fresh ingredients on a table.

Since the Sant Josep market, Mercat de la Boqueria, was only a few streets away, and we had really enjoyed visiting markets on our previous trip to Spain, I thought we should start there. Fresh ingredients, a little tapas platter and the Spanish vermouth we had already grown to like. I was curious to see what the others would think.

I really liked the whole idea of slowing down, sipping your drink, talking, and picking at a little tapas here and there. Luckily, the others got into the mood too. We instantly switched into travel mode. We had arrived. Barcelona!

Woman standing at a rustic wooden bar counter inside Rambiero restaurant with warm ambient lighting.

Fresh crabs displayed on ice with lemon in a terracotta bowl at a vibrant seafood market stall.

Warm interior of Mercat Bar with wooden counter, bar stools, and food display in a bustling market setting.

Nuts displayed in baskets at a bustling market stall with vendors and customers in the background.

Fresh seafood display on ice at a market, featuring Gamba Vermella prawns at 42 and Escamarlà at 46 euros per kg.

Fresh whole fish displayed on ice at a seafood market with price tags, including mackerel and other Mediterranean varieties.

If you remember that old Scooter song, you'll know how much the fish costs. :)

Fresh Gillardeau oysters displayed on ice at a seafood market counter.

Narrow stone alley with tourists walking between ancient buildings in Mdina Malta.

Flowering bougainvillea cascades down limestone walls beside blue door on sunny street.

Stone statue adorns historic building facade while worker in safety vest passes by.

As usual, we didn't really plan anything. Obviously, we knew where the main sights were, but there was no actual itinerary, just a few stars saved on Google Maps. We were getting close to one of them, so let's see what it was. It turned out to be Güell Palace.

The palace isn't necessarily interesting because it is huge or spectacular at first sight, but because Gaudí's way of thinking can be felt in almost every detail. It is one of those buildings where light, shapes, materials and tiny details really start working together, and where it is worth slowing down instead of simply walking through the rooms.

Ornate ceiling with geometric patterns, glowing lights, and intricate wooden details in a historic architectural interior.

Silhouettes of people in a dark church with colorful stained glass windows depicting saints in background.

Elegant hallway with ornate wooden ceiling, marble walls, parquet floors, and decorative lanterns in a historic building.

Intricate wooden lattice ceiling with geometric cross patterns and ornate metal rosette accents in warm golden tones.

Ornate golden doors open in a grand historic interior with warm lighting, artwork, and visitors exploring the space.

Ornate golden quilted double doors with rivets, framed by wood-paneled walls with artwork in a luxurious interior.

Ornate dark wood dining room with carved fireplace, large round medallion, antique chairs, and parquet floors in a historic mansion.

Aerial view through wooden slats of people gathered in an ornate lobby with parquet floors and vintage wall sconces.

Aerial view of a European street with pedestrians walking past a shop and ornate balconied building in warm sunlight.

Panoramic view of Barcelona skyline featuring Gothic cathedral spires and modern towers under a partly cloudy blue sky.

Scenes from everyday life, looking down from the rooftop of Güell Palace.

Barcelona's past and present in one cityscape, Torre Glòries and Barcelona Cathedral

Colorful mosaic chimney at Casa Batllo rooftop in Barcelona, featuring intricate ceramic tile patterns in blue and white.

Green mosaic pine cone chimney sculpture on brick base against blue sky, likely Palau Guell rooftop by Gaudi, Barcelona.

A little bit of this, a little bit of that... this will look good

There's plenty of free time if social media doesn't steal it :)

We stayed for a while, didn't rush, and just took in the art. Luckily, we could also rest on the rooftop terrace and have a refreshing drink.

Leaving the palace behind, we continued walking, and since the beach is always a good idea, we headed that way. It was a spring trip, so the sun already felt really good.

Close-up of an ornate golden wooden lattice pattern with decorative metal rosette accents at intersecting points.

On the way to the beach

Red ornate double door with fanlight arch set in limestone wall.

This is a ship here.

Olive green traditional door with decorative metal hardware under stone archway.

“Look, there’s a ship,” said Christopher Columbus.

A tall steel cable car tower with two gondolas against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Catalan independence flag displayed on a balcony of a historic building in Barcelona, Spain.

Bronze sculptural monument with relief carvings on Las Ramblas boulevard in Barcelona, Spain, surrounded by trees.

We enjoyed the warmth and simply watched the locals and tourists around us, all recharging their batteries in the sunshine.

The first day had been a long one with the travelling, the accommodation problems and everything else, so we headed back to the hotel. From the 360-degree rooftop terrace, where there was also a bar, we watched the sunset. After an early sleep, we were ready for day two.

Antique street lamp and stone statue against bright blue sky on historic building.

Stone archway frames view of church dome through narrow medieval street.

Overhead view of a vibrant red Negroni cocktail with ice cubes and an orange peel garnish in a glass.

Sunset with a Negroni is always a good idea

Coin-operated binoculars on a rooftop overlooking a city skyline at golden sunset with warm lens flare.

Dramatic urban sunset silhouette with glowing orange sun behind city buildings against dark cloudy sky.

DAY Two

the long walk

Day two was going to be a long one. Legs, please prepare yourselves. There was no plan for today either. Just lots of walking and getting lost in the crowds. Luckily, if I remember correctly, the city is designed in a way that allows the sea breeze to naturally ventilate many of the streets.

As we wandered around, we checked the map to see which of our starred places was nearby. Casa Batlló, one of Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces.

Green Mini Cooper parked in front of traditional Mediterranean stone building.

Stained glass window featuring circular swirled glass pieces in shades of blue, teal, and purple on a light blue background.

Silhouettes of visitors admire colorful stained glass windows with circular patterns at Casa Batllo in Barcelona.

Crystal chandelier hanging from an ornate swirling plaster ceiling with warm golden light in an elegant historic interior.

Interior courtyard of Casa Batlló by Gaudí, featuring blue mosaic tiles and organic-shaped windows in Barcelona.

Abstract reflection through wavy glass window revealing warm golden interior with ornate details at Casa Batlló, Barcelona.

Feeling dizzy, yeah?

Ornate wooden Art Nouveau door with blue ceramic tile frame in Casa Batllo, Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudi.

Warm Santorini interior with arched white walls, wooden window shutters, and decorative shelf with vases.

Vintage gramophone with vinyl record in elegant antique living room with ornate furniture and tropical plants.

Vintage wooden desk with brass inkwell, quill pen holder, and open sketchbook in an elegant antique study.

We let ourselves be enchanted by Gaudí and tried to understand his architecture. It is incredible and completely unique. His style comes through in every detail, and those details… unbelievable. I honestly can't imagine someone sitting down today and saying, right, let's build a house like this.

It's also quite interesting that there seems to be a place for a drink on every rooftop here. :) A great excuse to sit down for a while and discuss what everyone thought about the artist and his work.

Sagrada Familia towers visible through colorful spring tree branches in Barcelona, Spain.

Our next destination was the Sagrada Família basilica. When we visited, there was still plenty of work going on, and since then it has moved even closer to completion. Gaudí wasn't simply trying to build a church here, but a space where light is almost as important as the building itself. Standing inside, it really feels like you are somewhere other than a traditional church.

It is an amazing building from the outside, and no less impressive inside, although I had a strange feeling about it. Somehow, it felt too new for a church. But then again, what else should a building feel like when they are finally getting around to finishing it? :)

Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona with ornate stone spires and a construction crane under cloudy skies.

Couple posing in front of Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, Spain, surrounded by autumn trees.

Cruise ship viewed through stone archway with lighthouse visible in distance at dusk.

White cruise ship with yellow funnel sailing in blue Mediterranean waters near coastal buildings.

Vibrant stained glass windows in warm red, orange, and yellow hues with circular and arched panels in a cathedral.

Two silhouetted visitors admire illuminated architectural models and sculptures in a dimly lit museum exhibition gallery.

Two visitors admire an illuminated architectural scale model of the Sagrada Familia cathedral on display indoors.

Woman in denim jacket photographing ornate bronze relief sculpture panels on a stone cathedral wall.

Ancient bronze door with inscription D HERODES A PILAT, featuring intricate relief carvings of symbols and figures.

Looks like Ancient Aliens left the knowledge for us on the back door. :)

After some discussion about where to go next, we chose Park Güell. We cheated a little and took the local metro to get there, with a small twist: we didn't arrive at the park through the main entrance.

We soon realised that this entrance was rather high up, so, as if we were in San Francisco, we had to climb some seriously steep streets to get there.

Low-angle street view between two people wearing tan pants on a narrow urban alley with buildings and blue sky ahead.

Outdoor escalators descending a steep urban street flanked by modern apartment buildings in Barcelona, Spain.

A white villa nestled among lush green trees on a hillside under a partly cloudy blue sky.

White Mediterranean villa with green shutters and ornate architecture surrounded by lush gardens under a blue sky.

Agave plants frame a distant church spire and terracotta rooftops under a clear blue sky in Barcelona.

Low angle view looking up a tall palm tree trunk with lush green fronds against a clear blue sky.

Colorful mosaic benches at Park Güell, Barcelona, with a checkered tower and city skyline in the background.

Tourists walking through the iconic stone colonnade corridor at Park Güell, Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Tourists explore Park Guell's iconic mosaic medallion fountain and grand staircase in Barcelona, Spain.

Colorful mosaic sun medallions decorating the ceiling of Park Guell, Barcelona, Gaudi architecture detail.

The park was beautiful, and it felt good to recharge a little in nature after all the noise and bustle of the city. I think we were lucky. I'm pretty sure there were fewer tourists here because of the time of year. At least there were moments when it genuinely felt like we had the place almost to ourselves.

We decided to try and catch the sunset from another high point, this time at Montjuïc Castle. The castle sits on top of Montjuïc and offers a completely different view of Barcelona: the city behind us, and the sea and harbour stretching out in front of us. The castle itself wasn't necessarily the most interesting part for us; it was more about the atmosphere and the view.

People enjoying rocky beach area along Mediterranean coastline with historic fortifications visible.

Swimmers and sunbathers at urban waterfront.

We had already spotted the cable car from the beach, so we decided to take it both up and down, giving us a chance to see Barcelona and its surroundings from above.

It turned out to be a great choice, especially after such a long day, and the views were genuinely beautiful. We walked around the castle along a small path and, unfortunately, because of the lack of time – and, let's be honest, tired legs – we only rushed through it. It definitely deserved more time.

Rusty antique cannon on a rotating platform displayed outdoors among trees, a historic military artifact.

I think this is a better use than the original.

People climbing on a graffiti-covered military cannon exhibit outdoors on a sunny day.

It could even be a playground for kids.

Aerial view of a busy Mediterranean port with cranes, cruise ships, and blue sea framed by lush green foliage.

Aerial view of a busy shipping port with colorful cargo containers, cranes, and ocean horizon framed by a prickly pear cactus.

Cable car gondolas descend from a mountain station with panoramic city views visible in the background.

Aerial cable car tower overlooking Barcelona cityscape with lush green park and distant Sagrada Familia visible.

DAY Three

the lazy day

We took it a little easier on our last day. We stayed in bed a bit longer and started the day slowly. There were a few shops we wanted to check out, so we spent the morning browsing, shopping and doing a bit of window shopping. We walked around, watching the locals go about their everyday lives. Along the way, we stopped at a little tapas bar for some food and a refreshing drink, before ending up back at the beach.

Blurred motion of vehicles and pedestrians on a busy urban street lined with trees on a sunny day.

Crowded street scene on La Rambla, Barcelona, with tourists and locals walking under bare trees on a sunny day.

Ornate stained glass sign for Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria market in Barcelona, Spain.

A glass of Voll-Damm beer beside two anchovy tomato toasts on a slate board.

Barcelona's Port Vell aerial tramway tower rises above the harbor with cable cars suspended against a clear blue sky.

White platform sneakers standing on El Port de Barcelona sign on dark textured ground.

Spanish and Catalan flags flying on tall sailing ship masts against a clear blue sky.

Sunlight bursting through tropical banana plant leaves, creating golden star flare effect in lush green garden setting.

Silhouette of birds flying over a city skyline at golden sunset with architectural structures in the foreground.

Aerial view of a photographer holding a camera, standing on a brick floor wearing a backpack and white sneakers.

"Hey, that’s me in the mirror. Say cheese!”

Silhouette of Columbus Monument and city skyline against a golden sunset sky in Barcelona, Spain.

Unfortunately, we hadn't really found the kind of food experience we were looking for, and things weren't looking particularly promising until our last evening. My brother had already given up on our final night, but my mum and I decided to walk down to the harbour one more time and get one last breath of sea air.

Twilight view of Barcelona harbor with illuminated waterfront promenade, cable car tower, and city skyline reflecting on calm water.

And what a good decision that was! After a beautiful sunset, we somehow ended up at Time Out Market, where one great food spot after another was serving amazing dishes. I only wish we had discovered it earlier. I would have happily ended every evening there.

A blurred Aperol Spritz cocktail on a rooftop bar counter at dusk with city lights in the background.

One last Negroni before bed and heading home

Rooftop bar and restaurant with lush tropical plants, modern seating, and glowing Market sign at dusk.

We were leaving before dawn the next morning, but before heading home I really wanted to see the sunrise, so I could only hope that the rooftop terrace would be open. I was lucky. It was open, and the light was absolutely incredible.

Thank you Barcelona, for this family trip that started with a bit of trouble but ended with great experiences, long walks and plenty of memories.