City guide

Spain

One week, three stops: Barcelona, a stone tower in the hills of the Matarraña, then Valencia for oranges and paella. Here's where to start, then the whole route.

16places

3stops

2★Michelin stars

2Bib Gourmands

Visited España 8 DAYS · 2024 BCN · Matarraña · VLC

Start with these

Two on my Love List, one big night

Bib Gourmand Lunch, first day in Barcelona Berbena Creative · Barcelona OrderSave room for the crème fraîche ice cream with olive oil and salt $$On my Love List

★★ Michelin The big night out Ricard Camarena Creative · Valencia KnowSeasonal: most vegetables come from its own plots near Valencia, picked each morning $$$$Two stars + a green star

Bib Gourmand Dinner in Barcelona Cruix Contemporary · Barcelona OrderThe rice: the paellas have a crispy base. The fried cod churro is a highlight $$On my Love List

The route

Every place, stop by stop

The route on a map

Down the coast, with a detour into the hills

1Barcelona4 days2The Matarraña, Fuentespalda4 days3Valencia, + a citrus farm in Carcaixent2 days

Mediterranean BarcelonaFuentespaldaValenciaCarcaixent The map is about 325 km top to bottom

1 Barcelona4 days in 2024 · Stayed at Monument Hotel

Bib Gourmand Berbena Creative Order Save room for the crème fraîche ice cream with olive oil and salt BarcelonaLunchLove List

Bib Gourmand Cruix Contemporary Order The rice: the paellas have a crispy base. The fried cod churro is a highlight BarcelonaDinnerLove List

Cañete Tapas bar Order Start with the toasted flatbread with tomato, its signature BarcelonaDinner

La Papa Coffee Drink A flat white; it’s a specialty-coffee brunch café, so expect a wait BarcelonaMorning

Blackbird Coffee Corner Coffee Drink A latte and a slice of homemade cake, a few steps from the Sagrada Família BarcelonaAfternoon

Hidden Coffee Roasters Coffee roaster Drink A filter coffee of their own roast, served on a tray with a card naming the farm BarcelonaAfternoon

Sagrada Família Gaudí’s basilica History The first stone was laid in 1882. In 2026 a cross topped its tallest tower, 172.5 m BarcelonaDay 1

Park Güell Gaudí’s park on the hill History Planned as a housing estate of about 60 plots; only two houses went up, and Gaudí lived in one BarcelonaDay 3

La Boqueria Food market on La Rambla History Records of meat sold here go back to 1217; the iron roof went on in 1914 BarcelonaDay 3

Mayan Secret Spa Spa Know It’s inside Hotel Claris, with a small museum of original Mayan pieces BarcelonaDay 1

Barrefit Barre class Know It bills itself as Barcelona’s first barre studio. Bring a towel BarcelonaDay 2

2 The Matarraña4 days in 2024 · Stayed at La Torre del Visco

Green Star El Visco Seasonal, at La Torre del Visco Know Seasonal: the Vía Verde menu is built each day on what’s picked from the hotel gardens FuentespaldaDinnerGarden to table

La Torre del Visco A 15th-century farmhouse hotel with its own gardens History The estate’s tower dates to 1449; the owners rebuilt it from a near ruin about 30 years ago Fuentespalda3 nights

3 Valencia2 days in 2024 · Stayed at Hotel Las Arenas

★★ Michelin Ricard Camarena Creative Know Seasonal: most vegetables come from its own plots near Valencia, picked each morning ValenciaDinnerGreen star too

Huerto San Eusebio Organic citrus farm and guided walk History A family citrus farm since about 1870, growing 20+ varieties, Buddha’s hand included CarcaixentMorning

Market tour + paella class Central Market, then cooking Know The Central Market opened in 1928 and is one of Europe’s largest covered markets ValenciaLast day

Still on the list

Saved for next time: mostly tapas and ice cream

Barcelona El XampanyetTapasBar BetlemTapasTapeoTapasLa PlataTapasOrxateria SirventTurrón ice creamDeLaCremIce creamGelaaati Di MarcoIce creamOggiIce creamSlowMovCoffeeRipa CoffeeCoffeeLos TarantosFlamenco

Near the Matarraña La AlqueríaBib Gourmand · RáfalesMesón del PastorBib Gourmand · MorellaVilla Retiro★ Michelin · Xerta

Valencia Valor ChocolateríaChurrosVeneta GelatoGelatoCafé de las HorasDrinksDulces de EspañaSweets, Central Market