Unique, Unusual, & Offbeat Things to Do in Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a truly vibrant city, full of out-of-the-ordinary fun. If the usual festivals, art museums and sport don’t quench your cultural thirst in the capital of Catalonia, try out some of the suggestions below to make sure yours is a trip to remember. 

1) Museum of Erotica

Dedicated to cataloguing humanity’s interest in the erotic through artistic and cultural facets, this museum set in the busy area of La Ramblas may not be one to visit with your Gran — though if she does tag along she’ll be treated to a free drink and Wi-Fi use, which comes with every ticket.

2) Pinchos (Pintxos)

If like me you love a good buffet, the concept of pinchos can’t fail to excite you. When it comes to authentic Spanish cuisine most people have heard of tapas, but are not necessarily aware of its sexier sister pinchos. Pinchos is usually served in bars or café-style restaurants and is so-called because the small tapas dishes on offer are held together by small skewers or sticks (pincho is the word for spike). These tasty treats make for a great informal dinner with friends and let those who always want to try as much as possible do just that.

3) Dans le Noir (eat in the dark)

If you’ve ever watched (and enjoyed) the programme Dating in the Dark, then this should be on your list of places to eat in Barcelona. Designed to be a complete sensory treat, this blacked out restaurant is situated in Born. On arrival guests are taken by blind waiters to be seated in a dark room where their dining experience takes place. Quirky, creepy and messy in equal measures!

4) Ice Bar on the Beach

Temperatures in Barcelona can top 30 degrees in the summer, so a trip to Barceloneta’s ice bar should you sort you out when it starts to swelter. You’ll be offered appropriate attire for the sub-zero temperatures within and can enjoy sipping on cocktails and admiring the bar’s ice sculptures.

5) Museu de Carrosses Fúnebres

Again, this is probably not one for taking your Gran along to as this museum in the basement of Barcelona’s Municipal Funeral Services houses a fine collection of funeral carriages and hearses from all over the world. It provides some great insight into funeral ceremonies of the past and includes some fairly strange looking figures in some of the exhibits.

If any of these quirky things have awakened the travel bug in you then don’t procrastinate. If you are amongst our European readership and you’re in need of a break and are flexible with your travel dates, you can save yourself a lot of money by booking a cheap last minute holiday through Teletext Holidays (UK). If you’re planning on travelling from the States as part of a longer trip to Europe you must include Barcelona in your itinerary. If you haven’t booked your travel tickets already then consider using Kayak (USA) who offer good deals to Europe and especially Barcelona.

Raymond Walsh

I’m a travel blogger and freelance travel writer. I left behind my cubicle-shaped cell to see the world. Now I inspire others to “shake the shackles and escape through travel.” This is my blog.

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