Drifting Through Spain: Barcelona & Madrid Tales + Tapas

The Last Leg

After hours on that long train ride from Nice to Barcelona, we finally made it to the city I think I’d secretly been anticipating the most. Something in me just knew a childhood dream was about to be activated. Barcelona was where my Cheetah Girls 2 fantasy was waiting, and I was absolutely ready to live out my cheetahlicious moment.

We got to our hotel pretty late, but honestly that fit the vibe because Barcelona doesn’t even wake up until nighttime. The hotel ended up being one of the nicest places we stayed the whole trip and the location was chef’s kiss — walkable to everything we could want.

Our first night was calm, but I finally got introduced to the holy grail: patatas bravas.Between that and being surrounded by Catalan food and culture, dinner felt like my official “Welcome to Spain” moment.

Since we had plenty of time in Spain, I didn’t feel rushed for once. The next day we slept in, wandered at our own pace, and I took a solo stroll through the neighborhood. That’s how I found Handlebar, a fancy little bar that looked like something out of The Godfather. Only older men were in there, cigar-and-whiskey types, but somehow it instantly became my spot. Their espresso martinis? Let’s just say they had no business being that smooth, and those bar chips were disrespectfully addictive. And even with the old-school vibe, I was thrown off because they were playing music I never expected, including a song that had been stuck in my head all summer: Anthony Hamilton’s “Best of Me.” The moment I heard “good morning is breakfast, lost track of time but we had a ballllll,” everything felt aligned, like the universe was laughing with me.

Our first full day was dedicated to exploring all the essentials:
Casa Batlló, Gaudí masterpieces everywhere, St. Josep La Boqueria, and… yes, Primark because who were we kidding? Shopping is a cultural activity.

And then — my moment. We hit our first Cheetah Girls filming location: Palau Dalmases, where the iconic “Strut” intro was shot. If you visit, I’ve heard they host really good flamenco shows too.

We visited the Arc de Triomf, the Sagrada Família, and wrapped up the night at La Selva eating steak on swing chairs. And where did we end the night?

Please. You already know.
Back at Handlebar, like the regulars we were becoming.

Buenas!

We started the next morning… at Handlebar again. At this point just judge your mother.

After that we went shopping at Zara before heading to the Barcelona Cathedral, because I specifically wanted to meet this woman on TikTok (IG: @ITINERANT_PICS) who shoots film photos in the Gothic Quarter. She was the sweetest, and the photograph instantly became a core memory.

Later that afternoon we headed to the beach. We got ice cream, walked in the sand, and watched the locals play soccer . We stayed there for hours just soaking in the vibes.

That night we went out to Pacha Barcelona, one of the hottest clubs in the city. A bachelor party from London spotted us and invited us to their VIP by the DJ booth. They were respectful and genuinely wanted us to enjoy ourselves — and we did.

After leaving the club we ended up back on the beach at 4 AM, because I just needed to film a drunk in love-style TikTok. The footage was fire. Security tried to clear the beach shortly after, but jokes on them — I already had what I needed.

Barcelona: Day 3

The next morning we went to the flea market that’s supposed to be known for antiques… but honestly? Everything looked a little too antique. More “estate sale leftovers” than treasure.

From there we made our way to Park Güell, which was another major Cheetah Girls filming spot — part of the “Strut” sequence. Besides the nostalgia, the architecture and views were unreal. One of my favorite spots of the whole trip.

That night we went to Joosy Gastro, a Jamaican restaurant in Barcelona. And listen… as someone who takes Jamaican food seriously, this place understood the mission. My plate was left embarrassingly clean — oxtail, rice and peas, plantain, and mac & cheese demolished without hesitation or shame.

Barcelona: Day 4

We started the day with our laundry run, then (surprise) went back to Handlebar. At this point they should’ve given us preferred customer cards.

We had lunch at Maraña where I enjoyed a goat cheese salad and a pornstar martini, and then it was time to catch our train to Madrid.

Barcelona gave everything — childhood dreams fulfilled, beach days, club nights, film photos, chaotic stories, and comfort in the form of a bar full of old men and perfect espresso martinis.

Madrid

When we pulled into Madrid, the sky was cloudy, the air was warm, and everything had this orange glow from nearby fires (terrifying). It was surreal, but in a cinematic kind of way.

We checked into our Vincci Hotel and hauled ourselves together for dinner at SLVJ — a spot with dancers, cocktails, tender octopus, and sushi so good it briefly made me forget I was traveling. After dinner we hit up Amazónico for a nightcap before collapsing into bed, still buzzing from our Barcelona energy.

The next day we wandered through Plaza de Goya and the Mercado de San Miguel, then visited the Royal Palace of Madrid. Teachers get discounts, which I happily used, though the woman at the door didn’t believe me at first. I had to show her my offer letter, not my ID. Yes, really. But once inside, the palace was everything. I didn’t have much to compare it to, but I knew greatness when I saw it.

That night we hit Aarde, which quickly became our Madrid go-to spot. We wanted patio seating, but they were switching it over for the dinner crowd. Inside was perfectly fine: a DJ spinning, mostly quiet, except a table of businessmen. One of them, Victor,  invited himself to our table, insisted we order whatever we wanted (his treat), and then casually became our unofficial Madrid tour guide.

Victor walked us around the city, pointing out history, introducing us to hidden gems, and turning the night into a movie. We danced with street performers, met people who felt like actual characters, and somehow ended up at Florida Park, a club tucked inside a literal park. Victor had connections, so we got our own section. We stayed out until the sky turned purple.

The next day we grabbed lunch at QuintoElemento (cute vibe, food just okay) and then wandered through Parque del Retiro until our feet were begging for mercy.

Of course, we couldn’t leave Madrid without visiting Teatro Kapital, the seven-floor mega club everyone talks about. I’d give it a solid 7/10, but the gyro I inhaled afterward easily earned an 11.

Our last full day was spent shopping everywhere our feet could take us. True to form, we ended the night back at Aarde. Predictable? Yes. Regretful? Absolutely not. Before finally heading in, I went up to the Central Colón rooftop for one last sunset moment, then back to the hotel for room service and rest.

The next morning, I packed my bags, caught my flight back to Houston, and officially closed the chapter on my Euro summer.

Adiós

So that’s it, folks! 15 cities in roughly two months. I’ve been dreaming about this Euro summer for years, and I finally got it. I have a pocket full of irreplaceable memories with the people I love. Was the financial irresponsibility worth it? Partly, because I paid it off now, lol. This trip showed me just how capable I am. Traveling truly is my passion, and I don’t think I realized just how much until this summer. I enjoyed writing all of these blog posts, which at the end of the day are for me and my memories and a way to recount everything as detailed as possible so that when I look back, it’s as fresh as if it had happened yesterday. But it’s also there for you to understand, and hopefully inspire you to explore your own expeditions.

If there’s one thing this summer taught me, it’s that the best souvenirs aren’t the items you bring home. They are the stories you live, the nights that feel endless, the people who leave your heart a little fuller, and the streets that somehow seem like they were made just for you. That is the kind of wonder worth chasing, the kind that stays with you long after the plane lands and the suitcase is unpacked.