Day 10 - Free Day in Barcelona

Saturday, June 28, 2025

4.6 Miles Walked

11,858 Steps Walked

We had a completely unplanned day…that was totally planned. Barcelona was supposed to be the end of our trip. Like a calm beach vacation end to our vacation. 

Then we realized the flights in the other direction (Paris, Prague, Barcelona) would cost 3x’s as much!!! Whoa. Suddenly, Paris, Barcelona, Prague sounded like a really good idea. 

So here we are with the relaxing part of our vacation right in the middle of our vacation…which in hindsight worked out rather well. Perhaps this is how vacations should be. 

We started out a bit late again. We started out at a recommended bakery called El Nostre Pa. It did not disappoint. (Aren’t recommendations great?) It is very close to our apartment and the Arc. They had matcha lattes. Grace and I could not resist. They were quite good! Others had coffee, pastries and sandwiches. 

This is Cascada monumental. It was quite interesting. And yes, the water really was that green. Interestingly, Gaudi (of yesterday’s Basilica fame) was credited for part of the design when actually he was just a young student at the time and was only responsible for the hydraulic system driving the water in the fountain. 


This guy was also hanging out near the monument. I’m not sure why he was there, but I think I liked him more than the monument. 


It was a super hot day, and honestly, we weren’t prepared for a beach day, but we were so close we decided we needed to check it out. It was a pretty warm day with notable humidity, so the beach was really only comfortable in the water or under some shade. They kept stating heat warnings over the intercom system on the beach. 


Grace and Evan did dip their toes into the water. They then struck off on a separate adventure. Cameron and I headed home. I had a blister on my left heel that started bugging me last night. (So annoying.) Matt and Caleb joined us back at the apartment after stopping at a brewery for lunch on the way home. 

Grace and Evan in the water! They said it felt pretty cold. Grace said the sand was so hot it burned the bottom of her feet. Yikes!! 

Grace, Evan, and Caleb went back to the Barcelona museum for a guided tour of the old city ruins. 


Dice and games found in the archeological dig.


Pottery found and reassembled.




Tour guide


Grace and Evan found refreshments. 


Cameron found another good restaurant for dinner. It was really easy to find good places to eat in Barcelona. Everything was so good and most of it was very affordable. 

We actually doubled up on dessert tonight. We had brownie and crème brûlée at the restaurant. 


Then we stopped for gelato on the way home. 


It was nice to have a random day. We would have probably spent more time enjoying the beautiful parks if it wasn’t so hot. This was the first time this trip that weather (heat) altered our plans.