10 Experience Gifts in Barcelona

Surprising someone with an experience gift in Barcelona is easy. This city has so many options that you can turn almost any date into an event. A birthday, an anniversary, or just a day worth marking — there is always something that surprises them and you at the same time.

To make the choice simpler, we put this list together for you. Here are ten of the most interesting things Barcelona has for you and the people close to you.  Each one is an original gift they will talk about for a long time.

YOULO self-photo session

YOULO is a fun, different gift for a friend, your partner or your mum — anyone can enjoy it. It's a portrait session in a professional studio with one twist: there is no photographer. The idea is already big in cities like New York, Los Angeles and Seoul, and now you can do it here in Barcelona too. 

When you arrive, we show you how it all works. The camera and the lights are already set, so you only need to walk in and enjoy it with the people you brought. The session runs 40 minutes. In that time you control the camera yourself and take as many photos as you want, while you watch yourself in the mirror.

If you want a Barcelona experience for your partner that is relaxed, different and leaves you with photos you'll keep, YOULO is built for exactly that. You get the space to yourselves, built for showing each other affection. Room for hugs, kisses and even a proposal. 

It also works for photos with friends, or for getting the whole family together for real, natural shots that your children will still want to look at years from now. And don't leave the pets out. You can bring your four-legged friends and photograph them too.

Best part: when the session ends, you get a digital gallery with every photo in high resolution. Sound good?

Food experiences in Barcelona

Le Petit Chef mixes serious cooking with projection technology. Through the evening, a tiny animated chef comes to life on your table and walks you through every dish, from the prep to the final plate. The show uses 3D projection and effects to create the moving images.  If you want a different idea, a gift card can be the simple answer for someone special.

You can book online or directly at the Hyatt Regency Barcelona Tower and pick from the menu options they offer. 

Dinner under the stars

The historic Fabra Observatory sits on a hill above Barcelona. It's the right spot for dinner under an open sky.

Give this one and you get a Mediterranean menu made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. It usually includes a wide choice of starters, main courses and desserts. 

Besides the food, you take part in astronomy activities: guided viewing through telescopes and short talks about the universe. 

The official Fabra Observatory website lists available dates and booking details. For this Barcelona gift, book early — places sell out fast. 

Flamenco dinner in Barcelona

Palau Dalmases sits in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, Barcelona's old town. The medieval building sets the mood for dinner with someone special. The best part is that you eat and watch real flamenco at the same time, danced and played live by strong performers.

The show runs one hour. In that time you see artists of a very high level. There are three ticket types, each at a different distance from the stage. 

The building has been restored to feel modern without losing the character of the original. Service is good, and there is a broad selection of traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes to try. 

An adrenaline rush

You can push the adrenaline right up in Barcelona too, either at Windoor or with a skydive. 

Windoor is a vertical wind tunnel. It copies the feeling of free fall, so you get something close to skydiving in a controlled space. 

With a real skydive, you jump from a plane thousands of meters up and float back down to solid ground. It's a big rush, and the feeling stays with you for days.

Spa day

Give a day of rest at one of the better spas in Barcelona. We like 1850 Urban Spa, a quiet place to escape the noise of the city. It has a wide range of treatments, from relaxing massages to facials. They also sell gift cards with different service packages, so you can hand over a full day of reset for body and mind.

Another suggestion is Muad Tai Spa, a good place to relax with traditional Thai massage. The techniques focus on releasing muscle tension and helping you feel better overall. They also offer couples massages, massage plus a meal, beauty treatments and more. 

Sailing along the Barcelona coast

Another solid gift is a sailing trip along the Barcelona coast. EOS Nautic rents out good sailboats with a guide so you can see the coastline properly. Whatever you have in mind, they have the boat for a romantic trip or a family day out. They also run sailing classes and team-building days for people who want more action. 

Hot-air balloon ride with lunch for two

A balloon ride with lunch is hard to beat. You eat a dish you picked in advance while you look down at the Barcelona area from the air.

The flight lasts one hour and 15 minutes over Manresa, about an hour inland from Barcelona. It includes lunch for two, a glass of cava (the local Catalan sparkling wine) for two, a photo report and one printed photo. It's a rare way to see the region from a different angle.

Catalan cooking class

A Catalan cooking workshop is a good gift for anyone who likes to cook. 

In the class you learn classic Catalan dishes: paella, fideuá (paella made with short noodles instead of rice), escalivada (roasted vegetables), romesco sauce and the famous seafood stew, suquet de peix. Plus the typical Mediterranean desserts and a good wine to go with them.

Chocolate tasting

This is the Barcelona gift for chocolate fans. If that's your person, it's an easy call. You taste several kinds of chocolate and also learn where cacao comes from, how it's grown and how it's harvested.

The tasting runs one hour and 45 minutes and covers several craft chocolate formats, among them bars with a touch of salt and filled bonbons with fruit flavors. 

Have you picked the gift yet? Whatever you choose, base it on what the other person actually likes — and here are more ideas for original gifts in Barcelona. We hope these Barcelona experience gifts give you a good start for that special day. 

We'll see you at our YOULO and Wonderstory photo studios.