BARCELONA Tips

Why Visit Barcelona?

Barcelona is a very rich city in many aspects. The easiest way for me to describe this would be through the senses.

Taste:

In this city you get to eat really good food overall. The catalan cuisine is quite exquisite, from main dishes to pastry shops. No matter what time of the year, they always have special delights for everyone. Definitely a place to come, eat and relax!

See:

Barcelona has incredible sightseeing routes. From Gaudi’s architecture to the naturalmediterranean landscape. There’s something for everyone here, for sports lovers the Camp Nou, for art lovers amazing museums, for budget travelers lots of free things all year round. It’s impossible not to enjoy Barcelona.

Casa Pedrera o Milá, by Antonio Gaudi

Smell:

Well, this might go in many ways, from cuisines all around town to the seaside afternoons. Each season offers something different and smells will definitely catch your way into curious experiences. I would suggest “just let go”.

Listen:

Street sounds and catalan language. Musicians all over the place makes my day every day. Inside the metro, on the streets, along the beach. To me is like being in a movie every time!

Not to mention spectacular concerts in the different theaters which can go from a budget to expensive prices. And catalan language: an interesting one to listen to within all the stories attached. They really want to teach it to those interested. Again, there’s something for everyone.

Feel:

Barcelona is definitely a place to feel things, to experience feelings. Just walk around, there’s magic hard to describe. There is friendly ambience. Safety too somehow, depends where you are coming from but still is a safe city to just enjoy day or night.

Barcelona is vibrant and intense, yet relaxing and welcoming.

Barcelona’s sea front view

Things to Do in Barcelona?

• Magic Montjuic Fountains, from friday to sunday (oct-apr) from 7pm to 9pm. Free outstanding show.

• Rent a bike and ride along the beach.

• Festes de Gracia in August is a must-sense!

• Local festivities such as Sant Jordi and La Merce are quite big parties around town, with beautiful unusual activities that can easily be enjoyed by travelers.

• Santa Lucia Christmas Market in front of the Cathedral.

Magic Montjuic Fountains     Photo credit:lets-go.com

Best Neighborhoods to Explore?

Gracia

The traditional old spanish kinda neighborhood. All filled with little plazas perfect for a coffee afternoon or some beer and tapas. Also known both for a nice night life and a family friendly place.

Gothic Quartier

Mystique area perfect for night life as well. All kind of bars, restaurants and international food makes of this neighborhood one of the best in Barcelona in my opinion. Cozy, alive and magical.

Raval

A unique and contrastant place. Deserves a good walk around into its authentic and ethnical streets, filled with an incredible mix of islamic and hindu cultures all around. Great for curious travelers into something beyond the city guides.

Eixample

The modernist heart of Barcelona. Ideal for long walks while getting delighted with its great architecture and buildings, including Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló and Casa Milá, as for the most known attractions in the city. Not to mention the endless number of nice places for eating, having coffee or just a nice chat.

Where to Eat in Barcelona?

Boqueria Market (yes, the touristy one but food here is quite something, worth the rush!)

Juicy Mercat de la Boqueria

Any other local markets such as Mercat de L’Abaceria and Mercat de la Barçeloneta.

Ciutat Comtal: great for dinner time, quality catalan food.

La Bodegueta: Really good tapas with the homemade feeling. Also nice to have some wine and relax on the inside. Very local.

Not very catalan but good food around if you go to Arepería La Taguara in El Born neighborhood,inside the gothic quartier, although it’s venezuelan traditional food, it’s definitely not on the city guides and for some reason I can’t explain, you’ll love it too! Haven’t found another like these on my
travels so worth a try.

You Can’t Visit Barcelona Without Eating?

Fideua! Like a paella but made up with little special noodles and served with a traditional sauce called “alioli”.

Calçots in winter season! Your fingers and palate will be grateful forever.

Where to Drink in Barcelona?

Any bar at Gracia Negihborhood is always good. Specially at Calle Verdi and Plaza del Sol.Also around the Passeig del Born street you can find lots of nice places to grab a drink.

Best Place for a Night on the Town?

Gothic quartier is the place to go bar-hopping! For everyone, all tastes and all ages too. Amazing little place full of night life.

Where to Stay in Barcelona?

Anywhere close to La Rambla and Paseo de Gracia are good spots, well communicated within transport system or just walking. Anywhere around the street called Passeig de Graciaand/or Plaza Cataluña-Las Ramblas will be perfect for anyone visiting.