Surprising someone isn’t easy, and even less so on a first date. Nerves often get the best of us, and even if we try, we can’t control everything.
It might rain that day, you might spill your coffee, or you might simply not be able to think of anything better than taking a stroll through Ciutadella Park. But don’t worry—we ’re here to help you avoid looking (too) basic with these plans to impress your date.
That’s why we’ve selected eight ideas for your first date in Barcelona so that all you have to worry about is letting the love flow. Romance isn’t dead, and we want to prove it to you.
An experience with live music and video mapping inside a temple: LUMINISCENCE
Is there anything more wildly romantic than a spectacular venue, a breathtaking live performance, and an immersive setting that embraces you with projections of light and color? LUMINISCENCE is a video mapping experience inside the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi that tells the story of the temple itself with a voiceover accompanying the entire tour. Additionally, during the sessions from Thursday to Sunday, the Cor Francesc Valls choir will enhance this experience with their voices, making it, if possible, even more special.
A poetry show at the CCCB
Writing sonnets to your lover may be old-fashioned, but poetry is undoubtedly still a symbol of love. If you’re a romantic like those of yesteryear but would like to add a modern twist to your date, we have the perfect plan for you.
The CCCB organizes Poetry Slams, poetry competitions where both the poem and the performance count. Several poets take the stage to recite their creations in a dynamic and performative way, making the show a full-fledged experience to enjoy as a couple. Plus, when it’s over, you’ll have plenty to talk about, so you’ll avoid awkward silences while you go for a drink in the Raval. The upcoming events are already posted.
Chocolate Tasting at the Museu de la Xocolata
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Chocolate is closely linked to love, since they say we produce the same hormones when we eat it as when we’re in love. But, in case you were considering it, yes, giving a box of heart-shaped chocolates is really cheesy—don’t do it.
We suggest this alternative plan where you can take a guided chocolate tasting tour, learning about this product—from the nuances of each variety to the differences between their various origins. And of course, you’ll get to sample some of this aphrodisiac treat and have something to talk about afterward.
A night of live music at The Jazz Room
A date scores big points when there’s good music in the background—and even more so if it’s live. At The Jazz Room, the most intimate space at the Jamboree Jazz Club, jazz and soul tributes provide the perfect soundtrack for a first date. Amid classics by Frank Sinatra or Louis Armstrong —imagine “Fly Me to the Moon” playing as the first kiss approaches—the atmosphere invites you to relax, order a drink, and let the music do its thing.
For the more creative types: brew your own craft beer at the Moritz brewery
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A workshop is always a good option, especially if you’re nervous about a first date, since it helps break the ice and, plus, you’ll have a great time.
So if you’re a fan of craft beer but have realized that heading to your go-to bar might not be as good an idea as you thought, we suggest a workshop where you can make your own.
The Moritz brewery in Sant Antoni offers a monthly workshop to learn about the beer-making process, from milling to fermentation, and a master brewer will help you brew your very own Moritz.
A drink with a view of the city at Mirablau
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Without a doubt, seeing Barcelona from aboveis a must-do. The city, which already shines on its own, takes on a special beauty when viewed from above. The Mirablau restaurant offers spectacular panoramic views of the city,as it’s located on the slopes of Tibidabo.
Its outdoor area is the best spot to enjoy a drink once it’s dark and the city is lit up.
Let yourself be enveloped by the music, dance, and lights of Ballet of Lights
If you’re a hopeless romantic, there are few experiences that will captivate you as much as this one. ‘Ballet of Lights’ is a dance performance that will introduce you and your date to the beauty of this classical art form in an intimate, softly lit setting illuminated by the dancers’ costumes.
Graceful movements and pirouettes that will be elevated to the next level thanks to the lights covering the traditional leotards and tutus, and the music from works about true love: Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.
A sunset at sea on a private boat
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Sunset is the hour of love; the sky turns orange, intoxicating our senses and making us want to stop time to savor the moment. And if you’re watching it from the sea, with a glass of champagne while the sea breeze blows across your face, you’ll surely never want to return to the hustle and bustle of the city.
Surprise your date with a boat ride and enjoy the Barcelona skyline from the sea in a unique experience they’ll likely never forget.
Travel back to the 19th century with dinner at Els 4 Gats
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This historic Barcelona restaurant opened its doors in 1897 on the ground floor of Casa Martí, a building designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, one of the most iconic architects of Catalan Modernism.
You can choose between a more casual gathering in its Gastrobar area , designed for coffee and conversation, or if you prefer long, leisurely after-dinner chats following a typical Catalan meal, you can opt to visit its restaurant. A perfect plan for discovering corners of the city that we often overlook in our daily routines.
Go to The Jury Experience and decide the verdict of a trial together
Not everything on a date has to be candles and intense gazes; it can also be tension, mystery, and debate. At The Jury Experience , you’ll step into the shoes of a juror and have to decide whether the defendant is innocent or guilty. You’ll hear testimonies, cross-examinations, and forensic evidence, and then deliberate together on the verdict. An original way to see if you share a sense of justice… or to discover that you don’t think alike, but still end up laughing together. Here are the trials available.
Enjoy the stars at the Fabra Observatory
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The night sky allows us to reflect and realize just how small we are. When we share this experience with someone, for one reason or another, we feel closer to them, as it has an aura that makes the moment magical and special.
The Fabra Observatory offers guided tours of its facilities, which include observing the night sky through the telescope and visiting its dome. At the end, you can share a glass of cava or juice to round out the experience with a romantic touch.
Dine at one of the most beautiful restaurants in Barcelona
Editorial credit: Isabella’s Group.
Flowers, chocolates, and agourmet dinner. We haven’t exactly revealed the recipe for a perfect date, since this combo is well-known and firmly established in our collective imagination as a must-have for winning someone over.
That’s why, the closer an important date gets, the more we obsess over finding the most beautiful restaurants in Barcelona to surprise our date or family, whether celebrating years together or making a first date memorable.
Nowadays,many restaurants design a multisensory experience for diners; in addition to good food, you also get to enjoya beautiful and cozy space. If you want to have a special dinner and take your date to a good (and beautiful) restaurant, here are the 21 most beautiful restaurants in Barcelona, where you can fall in love through your stomach and your eyes.
Experience a candlelight concert
If you’re looking for intimacy and connection, few plans are as foolproof as candlelight concerts. Imagine sitting next to your date while live music fills the room and thousands of candles transform the space into an intimate sanctuary where everything seems to stand still. The best part is that you can choose the soundtrack for your evening: from timeless classics to tributes to today’s hits, all set against the backdrop of some of Barcelona’s most special locations.
Gothic Walk in Pedralbes
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The Monastery of Pedralbes is one of those places in the city that reminds us that what is now Barcelona used to be small villages. It is a complex of Gothic-style monuments at the foot of Collserola that makes for the ideal setting for a romantic stroll.
We’ll enjoy not only a tour of the monastery’s interior but also its surroundings, since if we enter from Avda. de Esplugues, we’ll walk down a street lined with low-rise houses, and then arrive at a square with benches and trees overlooking the mountain. Its charm is sure to captivate you.
Improshow
Improshow is another one of those activities that can help you break the ice, have a laugh, provide a great conversation starter afterward, and, in general, get a sense of your potential partner—seeing if your tastes align or if you find the phrases they suggest to kick off the show funny (or not).
You know what it’s all about. As they explain themselves , “at Impro Show, you’re the screenwriter and the star: through your random phrases and suggestions, the improvisers create characters, stories, and settings that will take you out of your routine.” An hour of great entertainment that will have you starting your date with a smile—which is always appreciated.
Cable car and walk around Montjuïc Castle
The Telegraph recommends visiting both the Sagrada Familia and heading up to Montjuïc to see it from above. Photo: Shutterstock.
If you’re sick of your first dates being, yet again, sitting somewhere halfway between their place and yours and having a beer, you can suggest a different kind of outing that takes you up Barcelona’s most iconic mountain. We’ve already told you about the wonders Montjuïc hides, and the best part is that there’s always something new you didn’t know about.
If you want to make it a perfect outing, buy a cable car ticket (which doubles as a movie ticket), head up the mountain, and take your time wandering down through gardens, avenues, and castles, looking for a bench with a view where love can blossom.
