How to behave in the city?
“She has power, she has power. Barcelona is powerful, Barcelona has power” . Peret already said it, who always sang rumbas to him, that Barcelona had a lot of power, but sometimes it overflows with so much power.
Our beloved great cities are dying of fame, or rather, we kill them of success. ** Barcelona we love you, we love you so much that we want to take care of you.** Keep you clean, less crowded and more pampered. Really yes.
That is why we dedicate this epistle to those who will come to see you. You, readers and travelers, can improve your predecessors on your next visit to the city. Do you want to know how?
RECOVERING OLD (AND GOOD) CUSTOMS
The main problems facing the city and its neighbors are incivility and tourist flats . Especially in the neighborhoods of ** Eixample and Ciutat Vella**.
These types of rentals are driving residents out of their neighborhoods because they make their homes more expensive. The reason for visiting a city is know its essence , what makes it unique. What is a neighborhood without its neighbors? what is the point of visiting it if the locals no longer live in it?
“If you visit our city, we need your commitment and collaboration so that this submerged offer and that promotes a type of tourism that is not very responsible , economically unsustainable and disrespectful of the environment, do not impose and take root in Barcelona”, they point out to Traveler.es from the Barcelona City Council, which has launched a campaign to denounce those illegal tourist flats, with which you (new traveler responsible) you can also collaborate.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
There was a time when there were no tourist flats and we survive, even in times of war. So why not go back to the good old ways. You can stay in the wonderful hotels and hostels in the city. This may be your ideal search engine to find them.
Catalan cream, a double portion, please.
LOVING CATALAN CUISINE
The local product is a delicacy anywhere in the world and if you are in Barcelona it is a capital sin that you settle for a plate of pasta in any large restaurant chain. Please do not do it.
What does Barcelona have that your palate will be interested in? Catalan cuisine it is a compendium of sea, mountains, orchards and forests; it is avant-garde united with tradition . It is a pà amb tomàquet, some mandonguilles, an escalivada, a bacallà esqueixat, a fricandó, a sausage with mongetes tendres , a bowl and a Catalan cream . We already know that you have not understood anything, but what does it sound good? In fact, it is the perfect excuse for you to come and try it.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
Barcelona is a city of markets , that is why we propose a route through the best so that you can see and eat the freshest product, do not stay alone in the Boquería , there are many more lesser known markets that will surprise you, not only for their product but for their architecture.
We also have an exquisite taste for wines , they cannot be missed on a route through the best wine bars in the city. And what about our rice dishes! It's wildly popular eat rice on sundays . In Barceloneta you will find very suggestive proposals (with the permission of the Valencians).
We Barcelonans have always loved bars (many of them are modernist jewels, don't forget) and go for beers. Don't leave here without trying an **Epidor or a Moritz at the Moritz Factory **. always accompanied by a good tapas , the queens of any silly afternoon.
Above all, remember that vermouth will always win brunch first do it in Sant Antoni , and the second, in the Passeig de Sant Joan either Parliament Street.
It is also a city of the world, cosmopolitan and open. Therefore, you will surely leave here thinking that you have tasted a little bit of many cultures at the same time . Do not miss the news of the moment.
The vegetarian and vegan community is very strong in Barcelona, being one of the largest in Europe. Vegetarians, vegans and celiacs They have GREAT restaurants to eat at. Attention, because carnivores will also fall at their feet.
Meet picturesque and unknown corners.
LEAVING BARCELONETA
Barceloneta is drowning in the overcrowding of tourists, the beaches and the bottle ,... we could continue but we are going to stop because this is a love letter and not a hate letter.
Not many years ago you could walk on Sundays looking at the sea without bumping into a skater, a bicycle, a bachelor party group, hundreds of half-naked tourists, etc. Let's say that now Barceloneta loves everyone too much.
It is an emblematic place (formerly a fishing district), one of the most beautiful in the city and its beach at sunset is unique. **But there is more life outside this arena**, mostly in summer.
If you want to choose a good month to come visit it, it could be September , also between December and January.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
you can discover the beauty of the Mediterranean a few kilometers away, for example in Sitges, Platja D'Aro, Port de la Selva, Begur, Llafranc...
If your visit is in summer, we suggest you enjoy the Gold Coast , of Maresme wave Costa Brava . We promise it will be unforgettable.
The Sagrada Familia is second to none.
LOOKING FOR LIFE BEYOND THE RAMBLA
La Rambla is Barcelona. You must visit it, of course. It is the main artery of the city that connects with neighborhoods such as Raval, Eixample, Gothic Quarter, Ciutat Vella... but don't stay here forever and ever.
walk, Barcelona is perfectly visitable on foot In addition, the City Council has put the Hola Barcelona Travel Card into operation, which you can book before your arrival in the city and pick it up at any metro station. It allows you unlimited travel on the metro lines, bus (TMB), railway (FGC, zone 1), Montjuïc funicular, tram and suburban trains (zone 1), up to 5 consecutive days.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
They say that Barcelona is like a trencadís , a mosaic made of colored tiles. A city organized into 10 districts and 73 neighborhoods , in which it will be easy for you to move. Why not meet them on your visit?
We suggest you visit Grace , but not at their parties at the end of August, a weekday would be great; don't lose sight of creativity in Poblenou either, Horta-Guinardo with the Hospital of Sant Pau as host, Carmel with its bunkers (even if you don't just stay in them) .
Of course, Pedralbes with its Royal Palace and its facades full of bougainvillea in spring; and why not New Barris , with the beautiful Passatge de l'Esperança , one of the jewels Noucentists more unknown.
If your stay is going to last more than two days, open your perimeter and don't miss the magical mountain of Tibidabo, Montserrat , the Colony Guell or the Dali Museum in Figueres.
Magic at Tibidabo.
KNOWING THE LOCAL TRADE
Passeig de Gràcia, Puerta del Ángel and Rambla de Catalunya are wonderful, what's more, among all the fast fashion you will find vintage shops. But there is such a powerful creative universe in Barcelona that it would be a shame not to know it.
It is a city of artists, painters, designers, jewelers, artisans that you will like to discover, with a restless culture that always has something new to show.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
If you like fashion, the best week to get to know the city is during 080 Barcelona Fashion Week. They always choose an emblematic place to bring together the best emerging designers in the city, who have been trained in great design schools such as BAU, IDEP, ELISAVA or the Llotja . To take into account if you are a fashion victim.
Also take advantage of markets that are held during the weekends in the city to get to know local producers up close, or stroll through neighborhoods such as el Born, el Raval or Sant Gervasi where you will come across small charming shops.
In this guide created by the City Council you will find emblematic, century-old and alternative shops in the city. And we suggest that you get to know the numerous art Galeries contemporary through the activities organized by Art Barcelona.
Montserrat, a getaway a stone's throw away.
STAY ALONE ON ITS FACADES
48 hours in Barcelona? There is no need to run, you can invest your visit in getting to know a space carefully and in detail. The facades are inspiring, especially if we talk about the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló or La Pedrera , but they multiply by a thousand if you visit them inside and know how they came to be built.
HOW TO MAKE IT BETTER:
Barcelona has numerous themed routes to get to know it in detail. For example? The modernist route, the Roman route, the medieval route, the contemporary route, that of Gaudí, that of Picasso, that of Miró, that of Lluís Domènech i Montaner or that of Josep Puig i Cadafalch. Of course, each building has its own guided tours.
There are also to know the Gothic, the Palau de la Música or the Cathedral of the Sea. With which of all are you going to stay?
Modernist Barcelona.