Four years ago, Irina Andreeva and her family moved to Barcelona. Today she shares her favorite places and useful notes about this magic city – the source of inspiration of the talented Antonio Gaudi, where the sun warms up even in winter, the streets are blown by a fresh sea wind, and in restaurants and cafes they serve fragrant Paeli.
I want in Barcelona!
In which area to stop
The city is divided into 10 main areas, each of which has its own advantages. Here are three central areas, which are most often chosen by tourists for living in Barcelona:
- The area of Eshample (Upper City) is the largest district of the city, it is it that is divided into blocks in the form of a grid. If your passion is shopping, then choose a hotel in this area. Here, on Paseo de Gracia Street, all the most famous boutiques are located. There are also a magnificent sagraada surname and two other creations of the work of Antonio Gaudi – the house of La Pedrera (or Kas Mila) and Kas Batlho. Every summer on the roofs of these houses there are concerts, tickets for which can be purchased on official sites Lapedrera.com and www.casabatllo.es.
Hotels: Majestic Hotel, Hotel OMM
- Barcelonet – the Central District located on the seashore. It’s a stone’s throw to the beach here, there are always a lot of people (especially in the season). Discos, bars and restaurants work almost around the clock. This area is suitable for those who love party and spend time on the beach.
Hotels: W Barcelona, Arts
- Well, if you want to feel the atmosphere of the old Barcelona, settled in one of the hotels of the village of El Born. In addition to designer shops, art galleries, atmospheric bars and restaurants, there are also a Picasso museum, Santa Katerina’s market-the second most important market of Barcelona, the Palace of Catalan music and the Gothic cathedral of the 15th century Santa Maria del Maria.
Hotels: Catalonia Catedral, Olivia Plaza Hotel
What to do
The unconditional tourist center of the city is the Catalonia Square. Seven streets, two railway lines and three metro lines intersect here. In the north-eastern part of the square there is the famous El Corte Inglés shopping center, where a central tourist office is located on the zero floor, and an observation deck with a magnificent panoramic look is equipped on the roof. It is from here that the famous Street Rambla originates, where street musicians act and show the ideas of living statues.
Interesting excursions from local residents in Barcelona
Rambla’s pearl is rightfully considered the Gaul Palace, built by Gaudi – I advise you not to be too lazy and find time to visit it.
Photo: @zuckerandspice / @joy.teng / instagram.com
Here is the famous Bokeria market (La Boqueria) striking in its scope and assortment of products. Small cafes are located on the market, where it is very tasty (for example, in a cafe that is in the nearest left -wing corner of the market, an absolutely amazing mix of mushrooms is prepared).
Not far from the market is the Liseu Theater, which give opera and various performances and concerts. Not so long ago, for example, there was an opera “Demon” in Russian. In general, it is worth going to this theater, if only for the sake of the interior – it amazes with its decoration. And this is one of the few places where the Barcelonians really dress up.
Photo: @toni_rubio_gir / @xopet1969 / instagram.com
The famous street in the port ends, where the monument to Columbus is located. Having reached the port, I really advise you to take a walk on a boat along the Barcelona coastline and see the city from the water. In the summer season, choose a catamaran on which you can enjoy a glass of wine to the sounds of a living saxophone.
The equally famous Barcelona Square is Spain. Here is the former Arena for Corrida, converted to a shopping center. A panoramic elevator leads to the roof where the observation deck is equipped, it costs 1 euro. However, you can get upstairs along the escalators inside the arena – completely free. In addition to a great view, the roof will delight with good network restaurants, the kitchen in which works without a break. There are also singing fountains, the Spanish village (where different regions of Spain are represented by typical houses. If you like hand-made, you are here for souvenirs. And of course, for beautiful photographs).
Where will go for breakfast/lunch/dinner
Photo: @barcelonababygo / Instagram.com
Barcelona has a huge number of cafes and restaurants for every taste and wallet.
- For breakfast, choose small cafes located in inconspicuous alleys – it is there that the locals have breakfast. But do not wait for porridge or eggs in the morning. The Spaniards have breakfast bocadilla (sandwich) or croissant with coffee. And if the sandwiches are delicious everywhere, then the most delicious croissants in the confectionery store (Carrer Dels Flassaders, 44). A cafe is located through the house from it, where you can order baking from this confectionery with a cup of coffee or tea.
In general, the most important thing that you should know and remember about Barcelona restaurants is that the kitchen does not work all day, but opens for lunch and dinner (except for completely tourist places). The Spaniards eat quite late, a typical lunch begins at 14.00, and dinner at 21.00. Therefore, you can eat from 13.00 to 16.00 and from 20.00 to 24.00. The rest of the time you can be offered snacks and drinks, but not hot food.
- For lunch or dinner, go to the Carballeira restaurant (La Reina Cristina, 3),
It works without breaks, and here they offer, perhaps, the best black Pael in the city. The menu also has a large selection of the latest seafood and fish. Prices are slightly higher than average. Other seafood restaurants operating all year round and without interruptions are restaurants on the Port Olimpic embankment. All of them are approximately the same, we prefer the restaurant La Barca del Salamanca. But for delicious meat, you should go to the Assador de Aranda restaurant. This is a network of restaurants, one of which is located next to the Catalonia Square, behind the El Corte Inglés shopping center. But if you want to eat not just tasty, but also in a very atmospheric place, go to a restaurant located in the upper part of the city on Avenida Tibidabo.
Photo: @budnomatter.theroadislife / @galarino / instagram.com
- A place where you can eat inexpensively will be a Wok restaurant network. For 9-14 euros (drinks are paid separately), depending on the day of the week and time of the day, you get to the buffet, where in addition to ready-made dishes (mainly Chinese cuisine) and sushi, there is a good choice of fish and seafood that the cook will prepare right in front of you. Several times I even came across oysters (usually they do not happen). One of these restaurants is also behind El Corte Inglés, near the Catalonia Square.
Photo: @liolelala / @neumarc / instagram.com
- Adherents of a healthy lifestyle should pay attention to the restaurant Flax & Kale. Most dishes in this institution are vegetarian or vegan, but very tasty.
- Pizza lovers will please the Nap Antic pizzeria, located near the old Santa Katerina market on Avenida de Francesc Combó 30. In El Born, also look at the El Xampanyet bar on De Montcada Street, 22 – a very old, inexpensive, insanely atmospheric place where they serve home cava (local champagne). But keep in mind that in the evening there can be a lot of people.
If you find yourself in Barcelona in early June, do not miss the Street Food festivals Taste at Rambla (during which you can try mini versions of dishes of the most famous restaurants and eminent chefs) and Born Gourmet.
What else to see
Photo: @caldayes / @loic80l / instagram.com
If you like to explore the city yourself – be sure to look into the garden of cacti on Mount Montzhuik. Located next to the Miramar hotel, this park will please not only with a collection of 250 cacti and succulents, but also panoramic views of a port with cruise ships.
Photo: @dariovero_ / @ken4photo / instagram.com
And completely sophisticated travelers are suitable for a trip to Colonia Güell – trains come here from Spain Square (the same as Montserrat). Few tourists get to this village, built by Guel for employees of the weaving factory located here. Several buildings in the style of Catalan modernism have been preserved in the town. And also here is the crypt of Gaudi – it was here that the great architect tested various architectural solutions, such as for inclined columns, before proceeding with the construction of his main creation – the temple of Sagrada surname. It will be especially interesting to get into the Guel colony in mid -October, when the festival of modernism takes place here and the whole city is dressed in the clothes of the late XIX – early XX centuries, and scenes from the life of the city of the beginning of the century are played on the streets.
Photo: @naimasole / @lunalunera2014 / instagram.com
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