What to Do,
Where to Go in Barcelona
While we've been enjoying all Barcelona has to offer
for three years, at the hostel we're constantly challenged
to pack the best of the city into very short itineraries
for guests on a schedule. Being the foodies that we
are, the biggest constraint is that there are only three
meals in a day! We've managed to put together our recommendations
of the best of Barcelona to highlight the beautiful
and diverse offerings of the Mediterranean gem we call
home.
To get the day off to a proper start, stop in a local
café for a caffeinated fuel-up like the locals.
The traditional Catalan bakery
shop/cafeteria, Forn de Sant Jaume (Rambla Catalunya
50, +(34) 93 216 02 29), is the perfect place
to sit outside and enjoy a cafe con leche. You
can choose to go the local route and select a mini-meat
sandwich or some other savory fare to start the day
or give in to the temptation of their baked goods. Our
favorite is the apple croissant.
Given that you're in the heart of the Eixample
neighborhood, known for its revolutionary Modernista
(Art Nouveau) architecture, take some time to wander
around and keep your chin up to enjoy the ornate
façades on the otherwise most ordinary
of buildings. Make your way to Antoni
Gaudí's work-in-progress, the Sagrada
Familia, to see a church unlike any other.
It's been underway for more than a century and won't
be finished anytime soon, but Gaudí's vision
is inspirational nonetheless.
After working up an appetite, head to Tapaç24
(Diputació 269, +(34) 93 488 09 77) to
sample the traditional Spanish small-plates, or tapas.
While there might be a line, the food here is worth
the wait. Our favorites are the bikini (a grilled ham
sandwich with jamón iberico, fresh mozzarella,
and truffles) and the patatas bravas (french
fries with garlic mayonnaise and spicy sauce.)
After your foray into Spanish cuisine, it's time to
see where it all came from at the Boqueria
market. Halfway down the famed Las
Ramblas sits a large open-air
food market whose roots trace back to the
year 1200. Wander around the stalls and enjoy the vibrant
colors on offer by the fruit vendors and the stranger
species available at the fish and game stalls. From
there, make your way across the Gothic
and Roman neighborhood to the Museu
de Picasso (Carrer de Montcada 15-23, +(34) 93 256 30
00). While the museum doesn't include the
most famous of Picasso's oeuvre, the chronological format
gives you a good idea of his progression as an artist.
Near the Picasso Museum
are some of our favorite souvenir shops in the city.
First, you'll come across Casa
Gispert (Carrer de Sombrerers, +(34) 93 319 75 35) which
boasts some of the most delicious chocolates, coffees,
and jams in the city. Around the corner, The
Cha Chá Original Shop (Carrer de Sant Antoni
dels Sombrerers 7, +(34) 93 319 37 79) sells
some of the most quirky Spanish-themed gifts available.
You won't find any ceramic bulls or red and yellow shot
glasses here. After taking care of your friends, wander
around the Santa María
del Mar church and wet your whistle at Vinya
del Senyor (Plaza Santa María 5, +(34) 93 310
33 79). Try to score a table outside to accompany
their extensive list of Spanish wines by the glass with
a side of people-watching.
For dinner, our absolute favorite place in the city
is Restaurante Me (Carrer de
París 192, +(34) 93 419 49 33). The
owners make you feel at home, and their menu will surprise
you with its interesting fusion of Catalan, Vietnamese,
and Cajun cuisine. After an early dinner on Thursdays,
finish the night off at Hotel
Casa Fuster's Café Viennese (Passeig de Gracia
132, +(34) 932 55 30 00) for a live jazz
session in one of the city's landmark modernist hotels.
If it looks familiar, you might recognize the café
from Woody Allen's Vicky Christina Barcelona.
While your trip was hopefully less drama-filled than
that of title characters, you will definitely be able
to reflect over some of the more beautiful things this
dynamic city has to offer as you enjoy the music.
Contact Information:
Lee & Lauren Gonzalez
Somnio Hostels
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