My Barcelona Tips
After 9 years of living in the city and visiting Barcelona for the last 24 years I have plenty to say about this magical place.
Here are just a sample of some tips (less known bars or areas that tourist guide may not mention)
- The Café Vienes at Hotel Casa Fuster at Paseo de Gracia, 132. Stop by to have cake and coffee in the afternoon. Wonderful red velvet chairs give a 1930´s Barcelona atmosphere.
- Get pampered at Pink Peony offering a New York style beauty salon, facials, manicures and waxing. They are on Paseo de Gracia and have another place in Gracia neighbourhood too.
- Desserts at Bubó on Caputxes 6, quite close to Sta Maria del Mar church. Offering amazing cakes, chocolates and desserts to enjoy after dinner or for a sweet snack.You can choose coffees, teas, champagne, sweet wines, and hot chocolate to accompany your cake. Wonderful selection, all beautifully presented. They even have macaroons. (I had a violet flavoured one, as pictured)
[slideshow] - Casa Alfonso (photo above) A traditional tapas restaurant close to Plaza Urquinoana. The Spanish ham is wonderful here, as well as the fried artichoke and selection of croquettes. Look at the old photos along the bar with famous Spanish guests over the years. Closed Sundays & Bank holidays. Find them at C/Roger de Llúria 6
- Agua A great place on Paseo Maritimo along the beach at Vila Olimpica. Make sure you book a table as it gets busy. Meditteranean food, good selection of fish too. telf: 932 25 12 72
- Thai Gardens on Diputacion just off Paseo de Gracia. I especially love the traditional tables, gives a different twist to the evening. Fragrant thai food for a special night out. They are at Carrer de la Diputació, 273 telf: 934 87 98 98
- Bun Bo at Sagristans 3, Barcelona) they don´t take reservations so it´s best to arrive early. (around 9pm) They have menus in Catalan, Spanish, English & French Price range is around 20 euros per person for 3 courses.
- La Cremeria Toscana, serves the best ice creams in the whole city. They are at Calle Muntaner 208 in the Eixample, the closest Metro stop is Hospital Clinic. Serving seasonal flavours according to the fruit available at the time.
- Get even more Barcelona tips in this article for Maiden Voyage travel blog
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The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (2005)
Set in post civil war Barcelona, at a time when the city is under Franco´s regime, a dramatic historic backdrop for the novel, is a carefully woven tale with intrigue, mystery and romantic themes throughout it 544 pages. Don´t let the huge tome put your off, from the first page you will be hooked.
The gothic scenery of Barcelona´s winding shadowy streets in the story are beautifully described. Having lived for over 9 years in Barcelona I know the city well. My favourite spot in the old part of city is the Square which appears in a scene of the book, Plaza San Felip Neri.
This square was once a medieval cemetery, not a closed off square as it now stands. Executions during the civil
war took place here and still you can see the bullets holes in the wall of the
baroque church of San Felip Neri. The square is a shady and tranquil spot with a fountain the centre and gothic style
street lamps hung on the walls.
The magic of Ruiz Zafon´s novel is at that at anytime, the reader can visit Barcelona and retrace the steps of Daniel
Sampere, the main character in the story. The eloquent descriptive style bringsto life the winding labyrinthine streets of the Barri Gotic of Barcelona.
For Spain lovers this really is a must read!
