© ForeverBarcelona.com – Memorable private tours© ForeverBarcelona.com – Memorable private tours 4 ATTRACTIONS hy do you visit a city, if it isn’t to explore its architecture,

© ForeverBarcelona.com – Memorable private tours 1


CONTENT

WELCOME TO BARCELONA! 3

ATTRACTIONS 4

RESTAURANTS 7

LOCAL FOOD 10

SHOPPING 13

NIGHTIME 16


WELCOME TO BARCELONA! As a private tour guide, my clients always ask me plenty of questions to help them planning their stay: Where can we go eating? What can we see? What else do you suggest we do in our free time? I have reunited in this book my 25 favorite recommendations, with the hope that they’ll also help YOU organizing your trip and taking the most out of our beautiful city. Remember that you can find even more hotel recommendations: http://www.foreverbarcelona.com/travel-blog/

Disclamer No restaurant, shop nor attraction has paid or otherwise rewarded the author to be included in this guide book or influence its content whatsoever.


ATTRACTIONS

hy do you visit a city, if it isn’t to explore its architecture, landscapes and sites? Barcelona has a wealth of places worth visiting, but if your time is short you will need to be selective. I’ve choosen here 5 top

attractions that together will give you the best overview of what Barcelona is about.

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SAGRADA FAMILIA CHURCH Area: Eixample District Website: sagradafamilia.cat

If there was only one site you’d be visiting in Barcelona, this would be it! Gaudí’s Masterpiece, a church that doesn’t look like any other church you’ve seen before. No excuses such as “Oh, I’ve already seen too many churches in this trip to Europe”: if you miss it, you’ll regret it forever. Since the inside was completed in 2010 and the scaffolding that filled the naves was removed, it has become the most amazing space you’ve ever been too. In the next 15 years 10 more towers will be added on top. The estimated completion year is

2026, when we’ll be celebrating the 100 anniversary of Gaudi’s death.

CLOISTER OF THE BARCELONA CATHEDRAL Area: Gothic Quarter Website: catedralbcn.org

There is another church worth visiting in Barcelona, and in this case if you aren’t too fond of churches I’ll allow you to skip the inside (as gorgeous as it is with its Gothic architecture, a magnificent choir and the tomb of Saint Eulàlia), provided you have a look at the cloister. This medieval courtyard is special: or do you often see animals inside churches? Here 13 geese protect the church and remind us of the first patron saint of Barcelona, Saint Eulàlia, tortured 13 times by the Romans when she was only 13yo.

CITY VIEWS FROM THE HILL OF MONTJUÏC Area: Montjuïc Hill Website: -

There is something fascinating about watching city views. You feel awed at the size of a city and you have fun trying to locate the sites you’ve already visited (or want to go to). In Barcelona, one of the best places to see the views is the Hill of Montjuïc. The most impressive are those that you get from the cablecar taking you to the Castle, but there are other great vantage points such as Miramar, the Mirador de l’Alcalde and the entrance of the MNAC museum.


BOQUERIA MARKET Area: La Rambla Website: boqueria.info

How fun it is to explore food markets? They give you the opportunity to see how the locals eat, what is grown in the area, and you see real people in action. In Barcelona we have one that is possibly one of the best food markets in the world: La Boqueria. The combination of local and exotic fruits, and the colorful displays make it a photographers’ paradise. And of course, foodies will be amazed at the variety of products and the possibility of having lunch in one of its popular tapas bars.

PICASSO MUSEUM Area: El Born Website: museupicasso.bcn.es

If you are going to visit only one museum, this is probably the best choice not just because it’s after all a Picasso Museum, but also because of its great location in an area full of shopping and eating opportunities after the visit. There is really a story behind every painting, but the information inside the rooms is quite poor. So make sure to take a tour or get the audioguides to fully enjoy the visit and understand the less known periods of the life of the artist and his works.


RESTAURANTS

ood is not just a necessity, but also a pleasure. When you are home, you feel comfortable eating out because you know your area, have heard plenty of comments about the different venues… but when you are travelling it’s not that easy to choose where to go. Here are 5

unique restaurants, very different one from the other, that are always a great choice.

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CASA CALVET Area: Eixample Website: casacalvet.es

Barcelona is famous for its Modernist architecture and specially by the works of the architect Antoni Gaudi. Foodies and architecture lovers will find here a great place to combinate their passions. Located inside a building built by a young Antoni Gaudí, you’ll enjoy your fine Catalan meal surrounded by the furniture designed by the architect that transformed Barcelona. Check out my blog to discover other great modernist restaurants.

PASSADÍS DEL PEP Area: El Born Website: passadis.com

Hidden at the end of a corridor (the entrance doesn’t even have a sign), in this restaurant there is no menu: you seat down and they just keep bringing you food until you can’t eat anything else! Trust them and enjoy their tapas (they are some of the first in town to get the freshly cought fish at the Barcelona fishmongers every day!), but if you are too full to keep eating when after all those platters they ask you what would you like as main course (really???), just tell them you’ll go straight to dessert. More fish restaurants here.

ABAC Area: Up-Town (Tibidabo) Website: abacbarcelona.com

From time to time, it’s great to treat yourself with very fine dinning. Barcelona is actually famous for its internationally renowned chefs, so the opportunities are many. If you want to go high end and have a magnificent culinary experience, Abac was the first restaurant in town to be awarded 2 Michelin Stars. You can’t go wrong! Check out the other top Michelin restaurants in Barcelona.


TICKETS Area: Paral·lel Website: ticketsbar.es

Talking about top chefs, Ferran Adrià was for many years considered the best chef in the world. The good news is that now you can actually taste his creations at an affordable price in his vibrant tapas bar. Just remember to make your online reservation 3 months before your trip (their online booking calendar unblocks one more day, every midnight – Spanish time). In this blog post I share other great tapas bars.

TORRE DE ALTAMAR Area: Barceloneta Website: torredealtamar.com

Isn’t it cool to have dinner or lunch while enjoying the city views? It gives a special touch to the meal and adds more pleasure to the experience. However, there aren’t too many restaurants in town with really good views… Torre de Altamar is one of the exceptions: the prices aren’t cheap, but from the top of the port cablecar you’ll get the best views over the city. Just avoid windy days, as the gentle rocking of the tower might get you seasick… Want other ideas for restaurants with a view? Check out this.


LOCAL FOOD

ut now that you have chosen a restaurant… what should you try? Of course you can play safe and order things that might be similar to what you eat at home, but isn’t it more fun to be a bit adventurous and try

new things? Here are 5 local foods that you need to try while you are in Barcelona, and where to find my favorite ones!

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HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CHURROS Area: Gothic Quarter / Ramblas Website: -

Hot chocolate and churros are probably one of the most traditional Spanish breakfasts and late afternoon pick-me-ups, and if you like chocolate you can’t leave the country without trying it. Our chocolate is so thick, you’ll need a spoon to eat it. That’s why we dip churros on it. Or croissants, or other such as melidros or ensaïmada.

My two favorite places are La Pallaresa, in the chocolaty Petritxol street, and Viader in nearby Xuclà street.

PAELLA Area: Barceloneta Website: restaurantkaiku.cat

Paella is the signature rice dish of Spain: either a seafood paella, or a vegetable paella, or a mixed paella (with chicken, pork and seafood), you’ll find one that matches your taste. My favorite is the one at Kaiku. But attention! This restaurant is only open for lunch! Anyway, rice is usually a too heavy dish to have for dinner (locals wouldn’t do it). Despite being located in the Barceloneta district., tourist don’t seem to have found it yet (so keep it a secret between you and me). For other paella restaurants in Barcelona check out my blog post.

SPANISH OMELET AND CATALAN TOMATO BREAD Area: El Born Website: -

Spanish omelet is one of the most typical Spanish and Catalan dishes: a staple in any local home, made with eggs, fried potatoes and caramelized onion. We eat it probably at least once a week! And in Catalonia we always serve it with tomato bread aside (ripe tomato rubbed against toast and sprinkled with olive oil). I find that at Xampanyet, near the Picasso museum, they make it just as good as my mom does.


WHITE BEANS WITH BABY CALAMARI Area: La Rambla Website: pinotxobar.com

Eating in a market is a superfun experience: seated on a stool, watching the waiters hurry behind the bar while they shout dish names to the cooks who share a tiny working space with them. It’s hard to pick a bar in La Boqueria, but today I’ll recommend lunch at Pinotxo, probably the most famous bar of the market. The owner Juanito will make sure you order his specialty: their star mountain&sea dish combining delicate baby beans with fried small calamari.

XABINA Area: El Born Website: bubo.es

And now it’s time for dessert! There are a lot of cake and chocolate stores in Barcelona, but I do have a total favorite. Head to the Born district and near Santa Maria del Mar church you’ll find Bubo, a cake shop that almost looks like a jewelry store. There, order a Xabina: This tempting chocolate creation was awarded the prize to the Best Chocolate Cake in the world in 2005. We always go there on our food tours!


SHOPPING

ho doesn’t love shopping? Ok, maybe not everyone “loves” shopping, but everyone likes to treat themselves with some unique gift that will help them remember their trip forever. Or you might want to get

something for your loved ones. Here are 5 cool shops you need to check out.

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VINÇON Area: Eixample Website: vincon.com

This store located at the top of Passeig de Gràcia is the Mecca of design lovers in Barcelona. It’s an amazing design store where you’ll find the most original gifts, and you’ll wish you could ship half the shop to redecorate your home. Don’t miss the vintage decoration of the second floor and the view of the back of La Pedrera.

LA BASILICA GALERIA Area: Gothic Quarter Website: labasilicagaleria.com/

This unique jewelry featuring local designers won’t leave you indifferent. You’ll find here all kind of earrings, bracelets and necklaces with styles that range from the most hilarious ideas (fried-egg earrings!) to the most delicate and elegant ones, such as the silver-covered flowers that I bought for my own wedding. It is located between the Cathedral and the Jewish section, so anytime you are exploring the Gothic Quarter, make sure to check it out!

TORRADORS GISPERT Area: El Born Website: casagispert.com

There are many shops in Barcelona that are over 100 years old. A lot of them are pharmacies, and quite a few are food stores. This is a beautiful gourmet grocery where they still preserve and use a 160 year old wood oven where nuts are roasted. Make sure to buy some almonds and hazelnuts: they are the best!


MANUAL ALPARGATERA Area: Gothic Quarter Website: lamanualalpargatera.es

No, Barcelona isn’t really well known for its leather (go to Madrid for that). However, we do have quite interesting shoe shops instead. Some of them are fancy and modern, but if you are into shoes you can’t miss this traditional shop either. An artisan espadrilles workshop that has provided this kind of shoes to dozens of celebrities, including popes and Hollywood actors and actresses. They have lots of sizes, colors and models. A great gift idea!

CAELUM Area: Gothic Quarter Website: caelumbarcelona.com

You’ve already guessed that I’m into food, don’t you? So of course I have to recommend you a food shop, too! This venue is both a café and a store selling cakes and sweets made by monks and nuns. Don’t miss their cozy medieval basement where you can enjoy a bite and a drink, too (open from 3pm, most days).


NIGHTIME ou have planned your day activities, but what about the evening? Are you just going to head back to your hotel right after dinner? I find that choosing what to do at night is one of the hardest things when you are

tràveling, and that if you can’t find anything to do, you go to bed feeling you must be missing out something. But that won’t happen to you if you follow my advice and listen to my 5 evening plan ideas.

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ECLIPSE BAR Area: Barceloneta Website: eclipse-barcelona.com

Locals don’t start showing up to dance clubs until 1am, but that’s because we go have a drink first! There are plenty of great cocktail places in town, but there is only one with spectacular views: Have a drink overlooking the city from this trendy and exclusive bar at the top of the W Hotel.

MAGIC FOUNTAIN Area: Montjuïc Website: -

In 1929 Barcelona celebrated its 2nd World Fair, and this fountain was one of its main attractions. It’s machinery has been modernized and the music updated, but the show continues to be fascinating. Watch the water dance to the music and change colors: the Font Màgica in Montjuic is not just for kids! Every day in the summer, only Friday and Saturday during the winter.

CONCERT AT PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA Area: El Born Website: palaumusica.cat

Music lovers have a nice selection of concert halls and jazz clubs to go to. But there is one that combines the emotion of music with the beauty of architecture: Palau de la Música Catalana, by Domènech I Muntaner. Attending a concert in this gorgeous modernist concert hall is one of those experiences you’ll never forget. There are shows almost every evening.


FLAMENCO SHOW Area: Various Website: foreverbarcelona.com/flamenco

Ok, Flamenco isn’t really a big thing in Barcelona: it’s not a Catalan tradition and locals don’t go. HOWEVER, we do have an active community of Andalusian immigrants and gypsies that keep their own culture and they have created a local Flamenco scene that is one of the best in Spain. Contradictory, isn’t it? So if you aren’t visiting other areas of Spain in your trip, don’t be shy and just take the opportunity to go to a Flamenco show while in Barcelona. In our blog we tell you the best venues.

GO ON A TAPAS TOUR Area: Barceloneta Website: foreverbarcelona.com/tapas

Eating can be a cool evening plan just by itself. While ordering tapas can sometimes be confusing and you won’t always make the right choices unless you are very familiar with the Spanish specialties, having a local taking you around bar hoping can be an awesome way to get introduced to them. Take a tapas tour to discover the way locals eat and the authentic places where they hang out.


This is a ForeverBarcelona ebook by private tour guide Marta Laurent Veciana. We hope you have enjoyed it.

If you want more ideas for things to do in Barcelona, check out our Barcelona blog: http://www.foreverbarcelona.com/travel-blog/


BARCELONA, 2014 All rights are reserved. No parts of this book can be reproduced without the author’s written consent.

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© ForeverBarcelona.com – Memorable private tours© ForeverBarcelona.com – Memorable private tours 4 ATTRACTIONS hy do you visit a city, if it isn’t to explore its architecture,