I'd been in Barcelona for about 5 days before making the trek.

At around 30 minutes, it wasn't the hardest climb. But it was just enough to make you feel like you earned it.

What I got at the top of the Bunkers del Carmel was more than a stunning 360˚ view of the Barcelona sunset.

It was a creeping feeling that brought with it both excitement and disbelief.

"This might be the greatest city in the world."

I Didn't Think it was Possible

I thought nothing would top Athens, Greece.

Between the amazing culture, food, and people, and the sentimental value it holds in my heart as the first city I traveled to as an adult, I was confident.

Athens is the best city in the world.

Well, to me at least, Athens was the best city in the world. But that was before I visited Barcelona.

What makes a city "the best," at least to me?

It's something you can't quantify with words. But the best cities I've visited (Athens, Seoul, and now Barcelona) all have this characteristic, while other world-renowned cities (Paris, Tokyo, and Dubai) that are supposed to be "better" cities just don't.

They have the right vibe.

It's that feeling you get immediately when you set foot in the city center.

It's the energy you receive from the people in small interactions while wandering around.

It's the delicate balance between hustle and bustle and feeling like you're on top of the world.

And at the Bunkers, I was literally on top of the world.

Barcelona Sightseeing

I spent 10 days in Barcelona but only explored the city for about 3 days. I saw all the classics: La Sagrada Familia, the Barcelona Cathedral, and Casa Battlo.

Those are amazing, but they weren't the things that made Barcelona great.

It was the little things instead. Working out at an outdoor beach gym with the other macho men. Getting lost in new neighborhoods. Meeting a fellow Ironman on a run.

It's as if the city had a bottomless reserve of excitement you could draw on for anything. The energy was in the air.

The Best Weeklong Job Ever

I already wrote extensively about my job as the hostel party guy for a week. No doubt having a job in Barcelona contributed to my love for the city.

Some of my favorite cities in the world hold sentimental value, but that doesn't mean they'd hold significance to someone else.

• Phnom Penh, Cambodia was a memorable first solo travel experience
• Amman, Jordan opened my eyes to the Israel-Palestine conflict in a way I never before considered
• Cebu, Philippines led me to locals who let me crash their vacation plans in an act of kindness that I didn't know existed

In the case of Barcelona, I got to work a kickass job serving other travelers and partying almost every night. I was surprised at how this helped me feel intimately connected with the city. But, if other cities with sentimental value have taught me anything, it's that places and reasons for a place feeling special to you are usually serendipitous and unassuming.

That's why I travel with no expectations. I'm always surprised by the places that impact me the most!

The Nightlife

Partying is a great way to get a pulse on a place and in Barcelona, it is available in abundance.

My Friday party shift was defined by a free-flowing clubbing experience that I thought couldn't be conjured up.

It was one of those moments where everyone forgets about drinking, forgets about trying to impress the cute girl/guy next to them, and just lets loose.

The DJ played banger after banger, and a personal favorite of mine was when I and another guy went bar for bar on Empire State of Mind by Jay Z in the middle of a dance circle.

It was the purest, most authentic fun I’ve ever had.

My last night, a Sunday, I remember searching the club to tell a friend I was heading home. The vibes were just okay and I was tired.

My goodbye turned into a 45-minute dance circle (featuring the Captain’s hat) that garnered the attention of the entire club and, once again, had me in disbelief about how nights that were 1x per year rarities in the US could happen every other day in Barcelona.

The People

make the place.

That much has always been clear.

Barcelona is a global city like New York City, Singapore, or Paris. The populations in these places come from all over the world, creating a vibrant culture with pockets of international flare.

It also makes it hard to meet true "locals."

Despite being French-American, I've always struggled to meet people born and raised in Paris and New York. But, some of my best friends have moved to these cities and I consider them part of the local community when I visit.

Likewise, in Barcelona, the people were amazing. My coworkers, who had been living in Barcelona for a few weeks to over a year, were a defining part of my experience.

They were from the Netherlands, Italy, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, and the US. Despite that, their vibes defined my time in Barcelona. They reflected the energy of the city, a go-between between locals and travelers.

My perception of Barcelona being amazing was not just because I met them. But my perception of Barcelona would not have been as amazing had I not met them.

No Weaknesses

At the Bunkers, I looked out onto the city and processed.

I connected with amazing people. I experienced unforgettable nightlife. I fell in love with the architecture of a city that felt both lived in and cared for.

Somehow, I haven't even mentioned the food which, besides what I cooked for my party shifts, was to die for.

I hardly addressed the beach which, even in the dead of "winter," was lively and welcoming.

I neglected the seamless public transport, the pleasant weather, and the surprising affordability for a European metropolis.

When a city has that unquantifiable vibe, its other amazing qualities just become the backdrop for the center-stage energy.

Despite having stayed only 5 days so far, it felt like a home away from home.

At that moment, it became clear to me that Barcelona had no weaknesses. For me, it was the place to be.

And my new favorite city in the entire world :)