The Trekking Pawns' Diary

  Get it Amazon! - Kindle, Audio, hardcover!!! One of our favorite things to do before a trip is read our way there . Before we pack our bags, research restaurants, figure out public transportation, and build our list of things to see, we like to find stories that can help us imagine the place we're about to visit. Not just what a city looks like today—but what it felt like before we ever arrived. For our upcoming trip to Barcelona, I even booked a walking tour of the Gothic Quarter through Expedia , so I wanted to do a little homework before we arrived. I want to walk through those narrow streets and old buildings with at least a little understanding of the history that happened around me. Enter one of my favorite ways to accidentally discover a book: It had Barcelona in the title. That was pretty much my entire selection process. 📖 Our Last Days in Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton. And, as usual, I deliberately didn't read the summary before starting it. I know. This probably s...

 The Trekking Pawns are heading back to Europe! This time, we’re setting our sights on Barcelona, Spain , and we’re planning to visit in the fall. And honestly, I think fall might be one of the best times to experience this city. Barcelona has so much going on that I already know we’re going to have a difficult time deciding what to do first. Architecture? Absolutely. Food? Obviously. Beaches? Yes, please. Wandering through old neighborhoods with no particular destination? Probably one of our favorite activities. And because we’re The Trekking Pawns, we also want to see how much we can experience without spending a fortune . 🍂 Why Barcelona in the Fall? One of the biggest reasons I’m excited about visiting Barcelona in the fall is the weather. We’re looking at the late September/early October timeframe , when Barcelona is transitioning away from the intense summer heat. According to the Barcelona tourism office, average maximum temperatures are around 79°F in September and 69°F i...

If you’re planning to stay in Barcelona for a few weeks or a full month, the T‑usual is one of the most affordable ways to get around. It gives you unlimited travel for 30 consecutive days across the city’s entire integrated public transport network, including the metro stations at Barcelona Airport . For frequent riders, it’s easily the best value pass available. What the T‑usual Is The T‑usual is a personal monthly pass that activates the first time you use it. From that moment, it’s valid for 30 days on the metro, buses, trams, FGC trains, and Rodalies commuter trains within the zones you choose. It’s designed for people who ride daily, but visitors staying long‑term can benefit just as much. Where You Can Buy It You can buy the T‑usual right when you land . Both airport metro stations— Aeroport T1 and T2 —have ticket machines that sell it. The machines accept cash or card, and you can load the pass onto a T‑mobilitat card or even your NFC‑enabled phone. If you prefer, you can al...

  Barcelona is one of Europe’s easiest cities to navigate without a car. Its metro, buses, trams, and suburban trains are affordable, frequent, and well‑connected—making them ideal for travelers who want to save money while exploring the city. Below is everything you need to know before riding. 🚇 Public Transportation Options in Barcelona Barcelona’s network includes: Metro (subway) – Fastest way around the city; 12 lines covering nearly all major attractions. TMB Buses – Extensive coverage, great for short hops or areas not served by metro. Tram (Trambaix & Trambesòs) – Clean, modern, and useful for certain neighborhoods. Rodalies (Suburban Trains ) – Ideal for day trips or reaching outer districts. Night Buses (NitBus) – Run when the metro is closed. 💸 Current Ticket Prices & Pass Options (2026) Barcelona offers several passes depending on how often you plan to ride. Single & Occasional Use Tickets Single Ticket: €2.90 (1 zone) T‑Casual (10 rides): €13.00 (1...

  Why We’re Heading Back to Barcelona After wandering through charming streets, hunting down affordable eats, and trying our best to blend in with locals across Europe, we’ve decided it’s time to return to one of our favorite cities: Barcelona, Spain. Unlike our first visit, this trip isn't about checking famous landmarks off a bucket list. We've already stood in awe of the Sagrada Família , strolled down Las Ramblas, admired Gaudí's masterpieces, and visited the city's biggest attractions. This time, we're approaching Barcelona differently. As the Trekking Pawns, we're heading back with a slower pace and a local mindset . We want to spend our days discovering neighborhood cafés, lingering in public squares, exploring markets, and experiencing the rhythms of everyday life. Barcelona feels like the perfect city for that kind of adventure. Between its diverse neighborhoods, Mediterranean lifestyle, and excellent public transportation, it offers endless opportuniti...

Your Paw-sitively Fun Guide to Picking the Perfect Basecamp in Barcelona. We've been to Barcelona before, but just for a few days and saw all the tourists spots. It's been a couple years, thus now we are going back for a slower adventure and meet ups with locals!  Barcelona is one of those cities that grabs you by the heart, feeds you tapas, dazzles you with Gaudí architecture, and then whispers, “Stay a little longer…” But with so many neighborhoods and hotel styles, choosing where to stay can feel like trying to pick the best churro in a city full of churros. Fear not, fellow Pawns — we’ve scouted five great stays from our Expedia affiliate list and broken down the pros and cons for each. Whether you're chasing nightlife, beaches, culture, or easy metro access (because we’re rolling car-free), this guide has you covered. Pros & Cons Breakdown  ⭐ 1. Hotel Royal Passeig de Gracia — For the Culture Buffs Pros: Steps from Gaudí masterpieces Amazing rooftop bar Metro conn...