Barcelona is one of the coolest and most chilled out cities in Europe – from the sandy beaches to the all-night tapas bars, this is a city that knows how to relax, so it’s the perfect place to visit on a spa break.
Barcelona is just over a two-hour hop from London (still under three hours from other parts of the UK). and this is reflected in the price of flights. Even outside of the budget airlines you can still get tickets with the likes of British Airways from just £35 one-way.
This makes it one of the easiest (and cheapest) spa city breaks out of the UK – just make sure you fly and don’t end up on a 24 hour ferry!
We’ve chosen three great spas to help you make the most of your city spa break in Barcelona. Take your pick of the upscale offerings of the Yhi Spa (at the Melia hotel), the Majestic Spa or the Spa at Mandarin Oriental, all of which we’re happy to recommend.
These three spas are all centrally located and set inside luxury hotels, making them a convenient pit stop between sightseeing and partying.
Stay at Melia hotel and enjoy the hammam and Turkish baths of the Yhi Spa before a big night out. The next day, treat yourself to a detoxing Thalasso Draining Treatment to wipe away the damage done the night before.
Image from Yhi Spa, Barcelona
At the Majestic Spa, try a signature facial such as the algae-enriched Oxygen Sea treatment or the Diamond & Symphony massage ritual.
Image from the Majestic Spa
The Majestic Hotel & Spa is located on Barcelona’s famous Passeig de Gràcia, so you can completely relax during your spa treatment, then just walk a few steps out the front door to get to major sights such as the Sagrada Familia.
The luxury Mandarin Oriental is also centrally located, and boasts a rooftop pool with views across the city. The spa is every bit as extravagant as you would expect, offering manicures and pedicures by world-famous podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez; facial treatments by spa queen Linda Meredith; and facial products by Spanish skincare expert Maribel Yébenes.
Image from the Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona
In Barcelona, the party never stops. Take a tip from the locals and have a siesta during the afternoon so you’re ready to party from sundown to sun up.
There are hundreds of amazing bars in the city, but a few of our favourites include the impossibly stylish L’Entresòl, the eclectic 23 Robadors (just ring the doorbell to get in) and of course, the ever-popular underground club Moog.
Barcelona is a foodie’s dream. The tapas revolution began here, and it’s still alive and kicking at local haunts such as BarraVas and Quimet y Quimet.
Barcelona native Ferran Adria is arguably one of the best chefs in the world, and since the closure of the legendary El Bulli restaurant he has been running the acclaimed Tickets Tapas Bar, and the cocktail bar, 41°. If you manage to get a table, opt for the 41-course tasting menu for some of the best tapas you’ll ever have.
Image from Tickets Tapas Bar
Spanish fashion is all about comfort and classic style – this was the birthplace of high street star Zara after all.
Visit Zara, Mango and Custo for wallet-friendly fashion; El Corte Ingles for a range of designers and accessories; and Adolfo Dominguez, Ivori and Zazo&Brull for unique local finds.
Stobo Castle
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Nirvana Spa
