Celebrating of 20 years of friendship in Gaudí’s City of mosaic
As a girl living in the Balkans, I’ve always felt naturally drawn to southern countries, especially places that share something familiar with my temperament and culture, with beautiful scenery, delicious cuisine, and people who seem to know the secret of slowing down and simply enjoying life. And what country could represent this better than Spain?
Spain has always attracted me with its atmosphere, music, food, and overall relaxed lifestyle. Spanish people make you feel that work is not everything and that you should also pay attention to the small, simple pleasures in life: long conversations with your best friend, lying on the beach watching the sea, or enjoying a peaceful sunset without rushing to your next task. Siesta…
But what is travelling if you can’t the emotions of discovering a new country with someone close? Some women prefer solo travel. I personally love the shared experience, the small talks, lazy mornings with a cup of coffee, and time spent with someone you care about.
And this is how my plan to visit Barcelona with my best friend turned into reality. For me, it was a chance to revisit this beautiful Spanish city 10 years after my first trip. For him, it was his first encounter with Spanish culture. And for both of us, it became a lesson that you can travel with a friend and still stay friends afterwards, no matter the challenges. What is more, you can even strengthen a bond.
The challenge of travelling with a best friend
When someone has been your friend since your school days, you sometimes feel you know them better than you know yourself. But travelling is different, especially when you’re no longer teenagers, live in different cities and have grown into adults with your own personalities, preferences, habits and little quirks. Be honest — are you always ready to compromise when it comes to the things you like and dislike?
Spending five days with someone you see twice a year, outside both of your comfort zones, can reveal the sides of your personality that rarely surface in everyday life. You can never be entirely sure how travelling together will go, especially when both of you inevitably show not only your best qualities, but also your imperfections.
And here comes the challenge.
Is there a secret to travelling with your best friend and still staying friends afterwards?
I’ll tell you how we do it, and so far, it seems to work perfectly for us. We don’t try to force each other into our own idea of the “perfect holiday”.
Instead, we compromise without even realising it and somehow always find the golden middle.
For us, that means aligning our work schedules, booking flights and accommodation, and then keeping everything flexible. No pressure, no strict “must-see everything” itineraries. On the contrary! Our way of travelling is relaxed and focused more on enjoying the atmosphere, trying local food and drinks, and simply experiencing the city at an easy pace.
When your holiday got off to a rocky start…
Because this is not meant to be a typical travel guide, let me tell you how our journey started in the most unusual way possible: with an overbooking on our flight from Sofia to Barcelona, and no confirmed seats!
We tried online check-in a few hours before departure, but the system wouldn’t allow it. At the airport, we went straight to the check-in desk, only to be told there had been an overbooking and only one seat was available – for my friend, who had priority boarding. Firstly, we were shocked.
I could potentially be left behind.
The staff explained it was a “normal” and advised me to wait and hope for a no-show, or to look for another flight!
While we waited, my friend stayed calm and tried to get more information, while I silently prepared a Plan B in my head. At one point, I even suggested he should go without me since I had already been to Barcelona. He refused to even consider it and said he wouldn’t board that plane without me, even if it meant cancelling everything.
Fortunately, luck was on our side, and we both got seats in the end. Whether it was luck or simply airline strategy, we’ll never know. What mattered was that our first “friendship challenge” was a success. Neither of us had to choose between the trip and each other.
Instead, a few hours later, we were enjoying a beautiful sunset together as our plane approached Barcelona.
Five days of enjoying friendship, as the Spanish do
Depending on the season, the Catalan capital, often called the cosmopolitan heart of Catalonia, has so many different experienced to offer. Spring is especially lovely because the city feels warm but not too hot, and less crowded.
Although we didn’t follow a strict itinerary, except for two must-see places on our list, Sagrada Família and Park Güell, I want to share a few highlights from our time in Barcelona.
Sagrada Família
We visited the emblematic cathedral first thing in the morning. It was a sunny day, and we went there an hour before our planned visit in order to be sure we are on time and to have enough time making photos outside. The building is really impressive, and while I think I was more impressed the first time I saw it some years ago, the astonishment of seeing it almost finished and from different angles was incomparable!
Now and then, I was far more impressed entering the cathedral, as inside it feels almost otherworldly. Towering columns rise like a mystical forest, as coloured light pours through stained glass windows. Every detail creates a sense of calm, wonder, and spiritual beauty. The interior of Sagrada Família is simply unforgettable!
The Gothic Quarter and the Gothic Cathedral
In the afternoon, we wandered through the Gothic Quarter. Walking its narrow cobbled streets felt like stepping back in time because of the hidden squares, balconies, and candlelit cafés revealing the romantic soul of Barcelona.
At its heart stands the magnificent Barcelona Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece with soaring arches and intricate details.
And yes, the delicious merengue with pistachio and the street performances in front of the cathedral made this area even more special and vivid. It quickly became our favourite part of the city.
Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is one of the city’s most famous seaside spots. Living by the sea myself, I couldn’t miss the chance to experience Barcelona’s coastline. The beach perfectly reflected the city’s magical blend of urban energy and coastal relaxation.
Nearby, the World Trade Centre Barcelona added a modern, cosmopolitan contrast to the skyline, surrounded by yachts, palm trees, and sea views.
Colourful, distinctive, and instantly recognisable, Park Güell felt like stepping into Antoni Gaudí’s vivid imagination – a completely new magical world. From mosaic benches to fairytale creatures like El Drac (Gaudí’s mosaic dragon/salamander), unique architecture and panoramic views over Barcelona, it is a charming mix of art, nature, and creativity.
We visited the Park in the morning and enjoyed a slightly cloudy day, which was perfect for photos without the blinding sun.
Tibidabo Funicular and Amusement Park
Perched above the city, Tibidabo offered us breathtaking views over Barcelona. The ride up on the historic funicular was part of the interesting experience. The weather turned rainy and foggy, so we didn’t stay long, but even in the mist, the place had a special atmosphere.
Magic Fountain of Montjuïc
In the evening, we enjoyed the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc, where water, music, and light came together in a romantic and vibrant show.
It was the perfect way to end a long day of exploring Barcelona.
Maritime Museum of Barcelona
Housed in medieval shipyards near the port, the Maritime Museum was a fascinating insight into Barcelona’s maritime history. The museum wasn’t part of our original plan at all, but due to the rainy weather, we needed a quick shelter, and it turned out to be absolutely worth it.
Tips and tricks for a smoother trip to Barcelona
- Get a Hola Barcelona Travel Card for unlimited public transport
- Use phone lanyards for safety and convenience
- Always book tickets in advance for major attractions like Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló
- Check the museum’s free-entry days
- Check recommendations on Google and social media for the best places to eat local delicacies
When friendship matters more than the destination and plans
Across all five days, our pace was slow and relaxed: no rushing, no strict plans, lots of coffee breaks, lazy banter, and wandering through both famous landmarks and hidden streets. And honestly? It was perfect, because we had time for reflection, deep conversations over sangria, memories from school years, and quiet moments, no matter sun, fog, or rain.
There will always be small things that can annoy you when travelling with a friend. But what truly matters is choosing to focus on the time you spend together and not the imperfections. This trip reminded me once again that there are no accidental encounters in life, and we meet the people who are meant to stay. Those relationships are worth nurturing, through every journey we take together.
And yes, friendship forgives blurry photos and imperfect moments. Because after all, the most beautiful memories are rarely “picture-perfect”, just like friendship itself.
