A Winter Hen Do
So your best friend/sister is getting married? Congratulations! And you want to visit Barcelona as part of your hen weekend – an even better idea. But oh no! It’s still winter and even the Mediterranean gets cold! The sun might be shining but the temperature is low. The streets are beautiful but some turn into wind tunnels. Don’t worry! Barcelona Hen Weekend has some brilliant ideas of what to do even when it’s chilly on the beach.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking is always a great way to pass the time when it’s cold outside. If you’re looking for a warm, inviting space with some really creative cocktails, you’ll want to check out Paradiso Cocktail Bar in the Born neighbourhood. Hidden in a side street and full of surprises (including a secret entrance), this cocktail bar also offers up delicious sandwiches and snacks in a classic and inviting setting.
If a casual beer is more your style, then just explore the neighbouring streets and you’ll find a myriad of little bars to choose from – there’s no better place to get lost! The beautiful street Passeig del Born has a great selection and one of Barcelona Hen Weekend’s favourites to visit is Bar el Born – although beware the tiny spiral staircase you have to ascend to reach the bathroom!
What about a great way to combine food and drink with a Barcelona twist? A visit to the Poble Sec neighbourhood and Carrer Blai. This street is a long line of “pintxo” bars – tapas places where you pay per item that you eat! Slices of baguette are stacked with selections of fish, meat and vegetables, all held together with a toothpick, alongside hot items like croquettes and pimientos de padrón (a typical tapas of fried small green peppers – careful, some are spicy!). When you’re done, the staff simply count the number of sticks and plates. With the average price of a pintxo being 1 or 2 euros, there are plenty of cash leftover for a few “cañas”, a small beer, or a few glasses of wine.
Cocktail Class
While beer and wine are plentiful in Barcelona, we all enjoy a classic cocktail now and then! But it can be boring always having the same things so what can you do when you’re ready for something other than a mojito or a martini?
If you’d rather put together your own signature drinks, then our Cocktail Making classes are for you. With your own private bartender to show you the ropes, you’ll be a cocktail pro in no time. After taste testing the wonderful concoctions that the bartender puts together, you’ll be put to work mixing your own – and drinking them of course! See who can make the best tasting cocktail out of your group and have a great time experimenting. For more information, please follow this link: https://www.barcelonahenweekend.com/evening-activities/item/11-barcelona-cocktail-making-class/.
Spa Experience
In the winter, our skin takes a beating from the elements. The combination of cold weather, wind and rain (yep, even Barcelona gets rain in the winter), can leave your body and your mood feeling low. When you’re with your closest friends and family celebrating your upcoming nuptials, it’s always worth scheduling in a little pampering! Just like bad weather, days of indulging in food and drink can take their toll, so a trip to the spa is the perfect way to wind down and warm up.
Barcelona Hen Weekend can organise an amazing spa experience for you and your group. Please click the following link for more details: https://www.barcelonahenweekend.com/daytime-activities/item/48-relaxing-spa-experience/.
Museums
If a spa day isn’t for you but you still want a relaxing experience, Barcelona has an amazing selection of museums. If it’s culture and history you’re looking for why not try MUHBA, the history of Barcelona museum? You can see Barcelona as it existed in the Roman era. Enter through the historic Plaza del Rey and be transported 2000 years into the past! See the remains of houses, streets, even winemaking vats (the Romans knew the most important arts to perfect!). This is also a great place to start a walk through the Gothic quarter, Barcelona’s beautiful centre.
However, ancient history isn’t for everyone – what about the history of chocolate? It’s the Spanish that we have to thank for the presence of chocolate in Europe since they brought it back from Mexico in the 1500s. Over time, Spain has become overshadowed by countries like Belgium and Switzerland in regards to the most indulgent of treats, but this museum sets the story straight. Located in the Born on Carrer del Comerç, this converted convent provides an alternative and delicious history of the city – most importantly, there are samples!
For more exciting ideas for your hen weekend, check out our Daytime and Evening Activities pages! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].
Links
Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate museum)
http://www.museuxocolata.cat/?lang=en
MUHBA (History of Barcelona museum)
http://museuhistoria.bcn.cat/en
Paradiso Cocktail Bar
https://www.facebook.com/Paradiso-928595557214379/
Bar El Born
http://www.elbornbar.neositios.com/
