I had the pleasure of visiting Barcelona for a few days on a trip to the Iberian Peninsula in January 2016.

(Here’s how I was able to do it for next to nothing using points/miles)

A cityscape view from Park Güell in Barcelona, featuring unique architecture, colorful mosaics, and distant buildings under a clear blue sky—perfect for travel enthusiasts earning points or miles.

Here are 5 thoughts I had after my trip:

Barcelona is Not the “Spain” That You Pictured

Yes, Barcelona is a City within the Kingdom of Spain.

But spend more than 10 minutes there and you’ll realize that Barcelona is far different from the rest of the country, and from what most people imagine “Spain” to look and feel like.

People walk along a wide, palm tree-lined promenade leading to the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, earning travel memories under a clear blue sky.

Barcelona isn’t the flamenco dancing, bull fighting, colorful/vibrant culture that you’ll find in other parts of the country (although you can find touristy versions of these everywhere).

But rather a cosmopolitan, laid-back city that emphasizes its different take on food, art, and language (Catalan).

In fact, many in Barcelona identify first as “Catalan” and secondly as “Spanish” (if at all). There is even talk of succeeding from Spain to become the independent State of Catalonia.

Flags supporting Catalonia’s independence from Spain seemed to hang on every balcony in the City.

A Catalan independence flag with yellow and red stripes and a blue triangle with a white star hangs over the railing of a small balcony, ready to greet those who travel the miles along the building’s facade.

Barcelona is Pretty Affordable

From the moment I arrived in Barcelona I was surprised to see how cheap everything was (as compared to other major European destinations).

Don’t get me wrong, Barcelona isn’t “buy everything in sight because it’s so cheap” cheap, but it certainly won’t break the budget to enjoy much of what the city has to offer.

(Some of this is likely due to the fact that we were traveling in January)

In general, I found everything to be comparable to prices in the Midwest. A decent meal will run you ~12-18 Euros and you can find cocktails for 5 euros each.

Here’s an example of what 15 Euros can get you.

A glass cup filled with a creamy white dessert, garnished with herbs, red sauce, and two pieces of toasted bread, sits on a dark table next to a knife and a wine glass—perfect for savoring after collecting miles on your travels.
A white plate with a small serving of brown pasta, topped with shrimp, green peas, and white sauce sits on a dark placemat—perfect for travelers to enjoy while earning miles or points. A fork, knife, wine glass, and water glass are also nearby.
A white bowl containing sliced potatoes, braised meat in a brown sauce, and microgreens garnish is held in hand; a glass of water and a glass of red wine rest nearby on a dark table, perfect for savoring during your travel using miles or points.
A small dessert topped with whipped cream, a raspberry, and a sprig of herb sits on a dark plate, garnished with crumbled crumbs and diced fruit pieces—perfect for savoring after earning travel miles. Wine glasses and water are in the background.

Four courses later (plus a glass of wine) and I was ready for an afternoon siesta.

If you’re looking to save some money, make lunch your biggest meal of the day. You can get plates for about 60-70% of what they would cost at dinner time.

And whatever you do, do not eat on or around La Rambla. You’ll pay double the price for the Spanish equivalent of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Brightside Tours = An Awesome Travel Experience

I’ve done some pretty neat things in all of my travels but I have to admit that my day spent with Brightside Tours is one of my favorite travel experiences to date.

Brightside Tours offers a number of different tours of Barcelona and many of them can be done by sidecar.

A collage of four photos shows two people riding a motorcycle with a sidecar in sunny Barcelona, earning travel points as they pass palm trees, stop in scenic spots, and pose together next to the motorcycle.

You read that right. By sidecar.

(I’m now thoroughly convinced there is no better way to see a city)

We opted to go with the Wine County – Vineyards, Wines & Sidecar, which is about a 3.5 hour experience from start to finish.

They picked us up from our hotel and took us on a short tour of the City before heading out to Alta Alella Winery, where we toured the property and sampled a number of award winning wines.

A woman and a man stand by a parked vehicle on a dirt path, with the man taking a photo using his phone. Leafless vines and sparse bushes dot the landscape under a clear blue sky, capturing the spirit of travel.
A woman behind a counter pours wine for a man and woman, who are tasting and discussing the wine. Several wine bottles and a bowl of snacks are on the counter, setting the scene for travel memories or points-worthy experiences.

Tours with Brightside are certainly not cheap, but I won’t hesitate to book another one if I ever return to Barcelona.

A close-up of a green sidecar with a red circular sticker that reads: brightside. Promoting travel tours in Barcelona with contact information, the sidecar rests on a sunlit surface.

Winter is a Great Time to Visit

We had the pleasure of interacting with a number of locals while in Barcelona and all of them told us the same 2 things.

  1. Barcelona is not “Spain” (covered above)
  2. All of the locals leave Barcelona during the summer because it is incredibly hot and crowded

The temperature during our January trip hovered in the lower 60s by day, mid 50s by night. Perfect weather for walking around and exploring a new city.

A couple poses and smiles in front of a large Gothic cathedral, its tall spires and ornate details towering overhead. Travelers gather in the bustling plaza beneath a clear blue sky, making memories on their journey.

But summer is a different story, when temperatures exceed 90 degrees as the City fills with sweaty tourists from every corner of the earth.

So if you’re looking for the perfect time to visit Barcelona, consider going in the winter. This will also allow you to take advantage of the off-peak rates for lodging and airfare.

La Sagrada Familia is a Must See Attraction

I’m not a huge architecture fan, but still found La Sagrada Familia to be the most impressive attraction in Barcelona.

This breathtaking church is the crown jewel of the work of Antoni Gaudi, who seemingly built the entire City of Barcelona (according to the locals, anyway).

Pictures can’t come close to doing it justice, but here are a few anyway.

The towering, ornate façade of La Sagrada Familia basilica in Barcelona, Spain rises under a clear sky as cranes signal ongoing construction—a must-see for travel lovers eager to earn points on their adventures.
The interior of a grand cathedral with tall columns, colorful stained glass windows, and a lit altar canopy at the center casts a warm glow, inspiring those who travel miles to admire its beauty in the spacious hall.
Stained glass windows with vibrant blue and green hues illuminate the church interior, casting colorful light. Ornate, geometric architectural details shine as soft lighting highlights the design—an inspiring sight for travel enthusiasts earning miles or points.
Interior of a grand cathedral with tall columns and colorful stained glass windows; soft light filters in, illuminating architectural details. A few people, perhaps travelers earning miles or points on their journey, are visible near the bottom of the image.

Gaudi is said to have spent his last few years exclusively in La Sagrada Familia, obsessing over the construction and design of the building. He died while still working on the church and is buried in a crypt deep within his most prized work of art.

La Sagrada Familia is set to be finished in the late 2020’s, more than 140 years after it was started.

A detailed scale model of the Sagrada Família basilica, featuring its intricate towers and facade, is displayed indoors behind glass with other architectural models and materials—an inspiring sight for travel enthusiasts to admire up close.

Assuming there is not a huge line to get in, you can visit La Sagrada Familia in about 2-3 hours. It’s a little off the beaten path but well worth the trip.

And while we are talking attractions, Park Guell (also by Gaudi) is also worth a few hours of your time. Make sure to book a guided tour so you can fully appreciate all that the park has to offer.

Stone archway decorated with mosaic tiles and a circular emblem featuring a red and black design, surrounded by trees and greenery—perfect for travelers seeking unique points of interest on their journey for miles.
A row of large, curved stone arches forms a shaded walkway surrounded by tall trees and greenery in an outdoor park—a perfect spot for travel photos as sunlight filters through the arches, creating patterns on the ground.
A man sits on a colorful mosaic bench in sunlight at Park Güell in Barcelona, earning travel memories as other visitors explore nearby, with a red building behind him and the city skyline visible under a clear blue sky.

Bottom Line

Barcelona is an absolutely beautiful city that is well worth the visit. To get the most out of your trip, try to avoid the peak summer months and be sure to see La Sagrada Familia, try the amazing food (during lunchtime), and immerse yourself in the culture of this truly unique place.

Happy Travels,
Bryce