Next week, thousands of affiliates will be attending Affiliate World Europe in beautiful Barcelona, Spain – a first time host city for the affiliate marketing mega-conference.

If you’re an affiliate who’s attending Affiliate World, you’ll be spending a significant portion of your time inside the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (Barcelona International Convention Centre) walking the floor and undoubtedly talking to the MaxBounty team.

However, you’re in Barcelona. Once the Affiliate World conference floor clears out at the end of each afternoon you have a responsibility to unwind and seize the day.

To assist you with that task, we’ve created a thorough travel guide comprised of must-see landmarks, must-eat & drink restaurants and bars, must-spend shopping centres, as well as some useful transportation tips.

Welcome to Barcelona.

Landmarks & Attractions

La Sagrada Familia

Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 401, 08013

We might as well get it out of the way first.

La Sagrada Familia is the definitive landmark of Barcelona. It’s what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, the Buckingham Palace is to London, and what regret-filled hangovers are to Las Vegas – It’s simply a must.

The church is a 40+ years in-the-making (and still making) masterpiece by architectural demi-god Antoni Gaudi. It’s one of the most-visited Barcelona landmarks, and for good reason: it features some of the most impressive architecture you’ll find anywhere on the planet.

The outside of the building will undoubtedly drop your jaw but it’s on the inside where you’ll be picking it up off the ground.

The stained-glass and stone work is unworldly and we mean that quite literally – you’ll feel like you’ve teleported to the worship grounds of an alien planet.

Why you should go: You’ll be heavily scrutinized when someone asks you: “Did you go to Sagrada Familia?” after you tell them you went to Barcelona, and your answer is: “No. I love missed opportunities.”.

What you should do right now: Visit their website to buy fast-track entry tickets before hand, as regular lines can have long waiting times.

Parc Güell

Address: 08024

Another Gaudi creation, Parc Güell offers more architectural eye candy across a larger landscape but back-dropped by stunning views of the city. This needs to be a mandatory stop if you’re looking to do some exploration.

Considered a commercial failure in the early 1900s’, this stone and ceramic utopia has since become one of the biggest tourist attractions in all of Spain due to its one-of-a-kind roads, buildings, and everything in between.

Tip: Make sure your phone battery is fully charged before coming here because you’re going to be burning up your Instagram with a barrage of posts with “#nofilterneeded” hashtags.

Why you should go: There may not be a better photo-op in the entire city than Parc Güell at sunset.

What you should do right now: Visit ParkGuell.cat to buy tickets and learn more about its specific sections.

The Magic Fountain of Montjuïc

Address: Plaça de Carles Buïgas, 1, 08038

Built in 1928, the magic fountain is a truly spectacular display of colour, music, and motion, and it’s a nice and quick attraction that you can check out after the sun goes down.

The fountain was restored in 1992 as part of city-wide renovations for the Summer Olympics, and it has now become one of the most eye-catching sights in the city.

The Castell de Montjuïc and the Teleferic de Montjuïc are also both close by, offering you two very different experiences: You can gaze at another architectural masterpiece, or float hundreds of feet above the city in a gondola. Round trips will only cost you 12 Euros.

Why you should go: You can embrace your love for magic while conquering your fear of heights all at once.

What you should do right now: Go Here to buy tickets for the gondola ahead of time.

Camp Nou

Address: C. d’Aristides Maillol, 12, 08028

If you’re a soccer fan (or a football fanatic for those outside of America) then checking out the home venue of FC Barcelona – Camp Nou Stadium – is a must during your visit.

You can easily purchase tour and museum packages that will allow you to explore the venue and its internal museum, inside and out.

This will include special access to:

• Trophy and memorabilia galleries from past teams
• The playing field from pitch level
• The players’ tunnel
• Pressroom and commentary boxes

Why you should go: It’s likely that your dreams of becoming a professional athlete and walking into a stadium packed with rabid fans who are all chanting your name were crushed long ago. This is is the next best thing.

What you should do right now: Visit FCBarcelona.com to buy tour and/or museum tickets.

La Rambla

Address: Just, La Rambla

If you’re the type of person who can’t get enough of the fast-paced environment of a conference like Affiliate World, head to La Rambla once the venue doors have closed to keep your extroverted endorphins flowing strong.

This is a 1.2 km strip jam-packed with restaurants, shops, great architecture (it’s truly endless here), art galleries, theatres, museums and street performers. You can do a lot here in a short amount of time at affordable prices.

This is also a great place to rent a street bike to speed up the navigation of the area if you’re crunched for time.

Why you should go: You can purchase quality bottles of wine there for just a few Euros. You like wine.

What you should do right now: Determine if you’re mature enough to visit the Erotica Museum. 

Food & Drink

Mirablau Bar

Address: Plaça del Doctor Andreu, s/n, 08035

Breath-taking views. Excellent tapas. What more are you really looking for in a restaurant/bar in Barcelona?

This gem is located on the hillside of Mount Tibidabo and may have THE best panoramic views of Barcelona in the entire city. The Mediterranean-inspired menu features various meat and fish dishes, risottos, and pastas, ensuring your taste buds stay just as stimulated as your irises.

The bar also transforms into a nightclub later in the evening, so get a few drinks into you and entertain the other tourists and locals alike by tearing up that dance floor.

Why you should go: Breath-taking views. Excellent tapas.

What you should do right now: It can be difficult to get to, so visit here to determine the best travel route.

Can Solé

Address: Carrer de Sant Carles, 4, 08003

Since 1903, this restaurant has been pumping out some of the best seafood in the city. In fact, whenever you come across the words:“The best paella in Barcelona” it’s often preceded by: “Can Solé has”.

it’s been run by the same family for four generations, and their dedication to serving food that’s emblematic of the city may be unprecedented.

Plates can cost up to 40 Euros, but providing your taste buds and stomach with this level of satisfaction is priceless.

Why you should go: You’ll be able to pretend you’re an expert on paella for the rest of your life.

What you should do right now: Visit their website to make a reservation.

Bambú Beach Bar

Address: Ronda Litoral, s/n, 08005

Located directly on one of the city’s finest beaches, this is the perfect resto-bar to unwind after an over-stimulating 8-hour day at an affiliate marketing conference.

All dishes are handmade daily, and they even offer breakfasts on the beach each morning starting at 9 am. This is ideal when you find yourself waking up on the beach after a night of too many una cañas.

The bar also features free wi-fi, TVs for sporting events, and truly friendly service to compliment the laid back atmosphere.

Why you should go: “I once had breakfast on a barcelona beach while the sun rose and the waves of the mediterranean sea crescendoed in front of me.”

What you should do right now: Explore their menu here and then lather yourself up with some SPF 30.

BierCaB Brewery

Address: Carrer de Muntaner, 55, 08011

Do you consider yourself a craft beer connoisseur always on the hunt for an obscure brewery to brag to your inferior friends about?

If so, BierCaB was made for you.

With 30 craft beers from around the world on tap at all times, this brewery’s large selection of barley sandwiches ensures they have the right brew for you. Light pear or mango infused ales, hop-til-you-drop double IPAs and some feelin-it-when-I-stand-up 13% strong stouts are just some of the beers you can sample, or pound, at BierCaB.

Why you should go: The interior of the brewery is nearly as exquisite as some of the architecture across the city, including a couple of cool LED screens that display their full selection of beers.

What you should do right now: Take a look at their full beer selection here.

Shopping

Diagonal Mar

Address: Avinguda Diagonal, 3, 08019

This is your quintessential shopping mall but infused with some Barcelona flare.

If you’re looking for a casual shopping spot with some unique stores that aren’t going to shrink your wallet, Diagonal Mar is where you should go.

By go, we mean literally walk across the street.

This mall is conveniently located directly beside the International Barcelona Conference Centre where Affiliate World is taking place, so if you forgot to pack your socks, belts, pants, or deodorant, you can easily pick up some necessities next door before the show commences.

The mall also boasts one of the city’s finest American Fusion restaurants on its lower level – La McDonald’s. Order the succulent Big Mac special and we guarantee you’ll be saying “me encanta” by the time you’re finished your meal.

Why you should go: Until the end of July, there’s free live music, theatre, magic, and more in the mall’s Terassa Del Mar outdoor area.

What you should do right now: Visit the mall’s website to get a rundown of its stores

Passeig de Gràcia

Address: Passeig de Gràcia

If you’ve been stepping up your affiliate marketing game as of late and want to reward yourself by trying your hand (or wrist) at something a little more luxurious, go to Passeig de Gràcia.

In addition to great architecture and food, this street features various well-known high-end retailers likee Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. It’s a who’s who of luxury Italian and French fashion.

Once your exhausted from maxing out your credit card, you can have a rest at one of the various cocktail bars along the street and reflect on what you’ve just done.

Why you should go: Are you truly a super affiliate if you aren’t flaunting a $3,000 pair of Gucci Black Princetown Shearling mules?

What you should do right now: Take out a 2nd mortgage.

Transportation

Metro

Barcelona’s metro system can get you anywhere in the city quite efficiently. We recommend that you use it as your go-to transportation method if you want to explore Barcelona away from the area surrounding Affiliate World.

For 22 Euros you can purchase the Hola Barcelona 3-day pass which will give you unlimited metro travel for a 72-hour span.

You can look at longer and shorter pass options and purchase them online here. 

Taxi Cab

Uber announced a few months ago that they’re returning to Barcelona after pulling out of the city 3 years ago.

However, if you prefer your cabs the old-fashioned way, Taxi Class is probably the best taxi service the city has to offer.

To request a cab from them, just call 34 933 07 07 07.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has provided you with some ideas for how to play hard in Barcelona when you’re not working hard at Affiliate World Europe.

If you’d like to schedule a meeting with MaxBounty at the conference or find out where you can find our booth during show hours, please click here.