If there’s one place I’ve been that has made me want to stay indefinitely, it’s Barcelona. Everything about it is just so… cool. The food is incredible, the beach is right there, the streets are full of character, the sun shines and the people are gorgeous! They’ve also completely mastered the relaxed-but-at-the-same-time-impressive interiors which I’m down with. It’s a hard task to fit in because the Catalan’s are just so… dare I say the word ‘cool’ again without seeming like a creep? but one can definitely try. And when trying involves bike riding, replacing water with sangria and eating enough fresh fish to fill a small boat? Then so be it.
Once again you guys furnished me with enough recommendations to keep me going for months, and with intel from my cousin who’s lived there and another friend of ours who’s a local, we were pretty well equipped for this amazing city. Just sad it was only 4 days!
You must (MUST!) hire a bike and ride the entire city, ending the day with Paella and a swim!
Barcelona Travel Guide
Stay
In the barrios of El Born or Eixample. We stayed at the gorgeous Casa Bonay which I very much recommend, it was somewhat reasonably priced and was saaaaaa hip, kinda Ace Hotelesque, a vibe which I am unapologetically into. The only thing I would be careful of is that I think some of the inner facing rooms may not have many windows, which is a pet hate of mine, so maybe check if you are going for the cheaper ones. I also liked the look of the two Praktik locations and also Margot House.
See & Do
Hire a bike and explore the city, you’ll find bike shops everywhere although we loved the guys at Vespa Soul (the bikes are cute without any crazy ‘please rob me I am tourist’ branding and they gave me a basket!)
Visit the gorgeous cactus gardens at Jardins Mossèn Costa i Llobera, and then have a drink at the top of the hill overlooking the city.
Wander the different neighbourhoods of Barcelona, my favourite being Barceloneta (quaint beachy vibe), El Born (gothic quarter) and Gracia (design/artsy quarter).
Tour Gaudi‘s works, my favourite being Parc Gruell and La Sagrada De Familia.
Shop at La Manual (read more about our visit here), StudioStore and La Clinique.
Get to know the Gothic quarter, start early and wander the quiet streets.
Eat & Drink
Have delicious fresh seafood by the beach at either Gallito, Pez Vela (both right on the beach) or Barraca (across the road overlooking the beach). This was obviously my favourite spot to spend hours and hours.
Have an Aussie style breakfast at Federal cafe.
Eat incredible mexican at Hoja Santa (not cheap so good for a more fancy evening).
Have a drink at El Nacionale.
Have a drink and some delicious tapas at Quinmet & Quinmet.
Drop in for lunch at Boqueria, the main food market. Or even just ride by to pick up some frutas for your beach afternoon. Touristy yes, but so worth it!
At one of the restaurants in our Hotel – Libertine, Elephant Crocodile Monkey, Mother or Satan’s Coffee Corner.
Grab a coffee at Nomad.
Good to know
The best thing to do is to live like the gorgeous Barcelonean people – wake up late, ride around on a bike, have paella by the beach and then spend the afternoon in a sangria haze on a towel. A late dinner tops it all off!
Drinks and shoefies at El Nacionale
A visit up the hill to the cactus garden (wearing Paddo to Palmy top, vintage levis, Springcourt sneakers)
Plants & Coffee
My fave plants and coffee place in Poblenau.
More plants (sorry guys!). Wearing Cecelie Copenhagen top, Cotton On tank, The Simple Sandal and Coach bag.
Gorgeous gothic architecture.
Bought this record in a little shop.
Frutas! At Boqueria
My usual view… Ben on his bike.
Exploring the gothic quarter
La Manual Espadrille Shop
Sweets in El Borne
I loved the Example neighbourhood, with the chamfered buildings (the corners of the blocks cut out).
Shopping in El Born
The Catalans just totally get how beachside interiors should look.
Up close and personal with cacti.
All about the greens.
A few little personal snaps – the yummiest fish at Gallito and Ben and I in the cactus garden.
Just booked my flights back to spain in a few months, this time it’s Sierra Navada, Granada, Cordoba and Seville! xxxx
