Exploring the Fun of Barcelona With Friends

For many people, travel is just like a party: you get to go to new places, meet new people, eat and drink your fill, sing and dance, and generally just have a good time – and maybe, if you’re lucky, you even learn something new. And the best people to party with are, of course, your friends.

We all know, however, friends travelling together, especially in large groups, can present challenges: synchronising schedules, managing logistics, and even figuring out a group budget can be complicated. It’s one thing to road trip to the beach three towns over, but what if you're heading abroad? Fortunately, with things like group travel rates, online reservations, and fast and convenient airport shuttle services, your gang can have fun anywhere in the world. A place with something for everyone is a tall order, however – but somewhere that definitely has the answer is Barcelona.

Beautiful Barcelona

The second-largest city in Spain (and the Catalan capital) is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. Exciting nightlife, gorgeous beaches, ages-old cathedrals and museums, and incredible examples of Spanish architecture is everywhere you turn. Whether your group's idea of fun is having grand historic adventures or just hanging around having drinks and tapas, Barcelona is definitely the place to go.

Watch a Football Game in Camp Nou

Don’t chat with your airport shuttle driver about the latest 'soccer game' unless you want them to educate you on the finer points of Spanish fu?tbol, the country’s favourite sport. The Catalans take their fu?tbol seriously, as evidenced by the 100,000-capacity Camp Nou stadium, home of the Barcelona FC team. On non-game days, you can take a tour of the museum, which features not only a tour of the stadium itself but also exhibits of sports memorabilia. You can also tour special rooms, such as the stadium’s pressrooms, the visiting players’ changing rooms, and even the chapel where players go to say a quick prayer before games. The chapel was blessed in 1982 by Pope John Paul II—further proof of how important the sport is to Catalans!

Walk Around Las Ramblas

Unfortunately, sometimes friends don’t all have the same level of disposal income so finding the best value is crucial. Of course, you can save by sharing expenses on hotel rates and airport shuttle services, but finding free things you can all do together is crucial. Las Ramblas, Barcelona’s busiest thoroughfare, is a great introduction to Catalan culture. During the day, you can watch locals and visitors alike walking around admiring the city’s beautiful architecture (not to mention it’s beautiful men and women), with the occasional street performer making music or mime. However, it’s at night the street truly comes alive. Throngs of locals and tourists head out to tapas and cocktail bars, and to party in one of the strip’s famous nightclubs for a night of music, drinking, and flamenco dancing.

See Spain Through the Ages

It would be a shame to visit Barcelona and not see Poble Espanyol de Barcelona, the Spanish village on Montjuic Hill. Built in 1929 for the Barcelona 1929 World Fair and Universal Exposition, the village showcases different Spanish architectural styles through the ages. Now a permanent tourist attraction, the village features cafes, restaurants, stages for concert performances, and even open-air dancing during the summer. With more then 40 handicraft shops, it’s the perfect place to do your souvenir shopping before you head back home. Don’t worry about overdoing it, your airport shuttle driver will be more than happy to help you with your bags.

Barcelona is the perfect city to discover with friends!

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for an airport shuttle, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.