Barcelona Pre‑Cruise Guide: Returning 11 Years
Barcelona will always be one of those cities that changed the trajectory of our family’s travel story. The last time we were here was 11 years ago, on a trip we won — my boys’ very first time in Europe. That trip flipped a switch for all of us. It was the moment they realized they loved exploring cities, history, food, and culture way more than theme parks. And honestly… same.
After that trip, we never looked back. No more Disney. No more “kid trips.” The boys only wanted Europe — and that’s when I got serious about maximizing our points and miles. What started as casual travel hacking turned into a full strategy, and over the next decade I refined it, optimized it, and eventually built the entire NPLB system around it.
Coming back to Barcelona for this cruise felt like a full-circle moment — especially for Brandon. He had one request for this trip: Sagrada Família. We visited it 11 years ago, and it stuck with him in a way few places do. It was the one thing he absolutely wanted to experience again.
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And because we don’t have unlimited vacation time with Brandon’s schedule, we only had time for that one big Barcelona experience — but honestly, it was perfect. If you’re short on time, Sagrada Família is the thing to prioritize. It’s Gaudí at his most breathtaking, and every time you visit, it feels like a completely different building because it’s constantly evolving.
I personally love all things Gaudí — Casa Batlló, Park Güell, Casa Milà — and if you have more time, you could easily spend a whole day just exploring his work. And if you’re traveling with teens or soccer fans, Camp Nou is absolutely worth a visit.
If you’re sailing a Mediterranean itinerary as we did, you can explore all my guides here:
It’s extra special for us because the boys still have their jerseys from the FC Barcelona store at Camp Nou. Tanner was only seven at the time — he definitely can’t wear his jersey anymore — but he still keeps it in his closet as a souvenir. It’s tucked right next to a whole collection of jerseys he’s picked up from his European adventures over the years.
And the food memories? They’re legendary in our house.
Tanner — the pickiest eater on earth at the time — fell in love with a sausage-and-wine sauce dish and talked about it for years. No chicken tenders the entire week. It was the first time he realized European food was an adventure, not a challenge.
Finn, at eleven, discovered Shrimp Anguillo and tried to order extra plates… until we reminded him they were €20 each. That trip also sparked his lifelong love affair with serrano ham — he begged for serrano ham and fresh baguettes in his lunch when he went back to fourth grade. Barcelona didn’t just give them memories; it shaped their taste, their curiosity, and the way they see the world.
🚕 Getting Around: From Private Drivers to Taxis & Transfers
The last time we were in Barcelona, we had private drivers the entire time thanks to the trip we won — which was amazing, but definitely not our normal travel style.
This time, we’re keeping it simple with:
Taxis
Pre-booked transfers
Easy point-to-point rides
Barcelona is incredibly easy to navigate, taxis are reliable, and transfers make getting to the port stress-free. When you’re only in the city for a short pre‑cruise stay, simple is perfect.
🏨 Where We Stayed: Hilton Barcelona (Free on Points + Diamond Perks)
For this trip, we stayed at the Hilton Barcelona, and it was the perfect Lazy Girl choice for a quick pre‑cruise stay. Thanks to points, our night was completely free — which always feels like a win when you’re stacking a cruise + international flights + multiple cities.
Diamond status also meant:
Early check‑in
Late check‑out
Breakfast access
A smoother, more comfortable stay overall
It’s not the most “touristy” location, but for a short stay, it checks every box: safe, clean, comfortable, predictable, and easy to get around from.
If you want the full breakdown of how I booked this entire trip — flights, hotel, cruise, and even a casino deal — using points and miles, you can read my complete guide here: How I Booked This Trip on Points, Miles & a Casino Deal
✨ Why Barcelona Works So Well as a Pre‑Cruise City
Barcelona is one of those cities that instantly puts you in vacation mode. It’s walkable, energetic, full of incredible food, and easy to navigate even when you’re jet-lagged. It’s the perfect place to start a Mediterranean cruise because you can do as much or as little as you want.
What We Did This Time
Stayed at the Hilton Barcelona on points
Wandered through the Gothic Quarter
Ate tapas like it was our job
Revisited Sagrada Família for Brandon
Soaked up the Mediterranean vibe before boarding the ship
Used taxis + transfers instead of private drivers
👋 About the Author
Hi, I’m Julie — travel hacker, cruise lover, and creator of NoPointLeftBehind.net. I help families, beginners, and Lazy Girls travel smarter using points, miles, and simple strategies that actually work in real life. After more than a decade of maximizing points (and raising two Europe‑obsessed boys), I’ve built NPLB into a hub for practical travel tips, cruise guides, and easy-to-follow points strategies.
If you love cruising, Europe, or making travel more affordable, you’re in the right place.
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