After having spent almost six weeks in Barcelona, I thought it was appropriate and credible to make a Barcelona city guide where my favorite spots of the city are stated. Even though I have worked a lot with my modeling and been to Spanish courses twice a week I have had bunch of time to explore the city. First the one thing I like the most about the city, which is also one of the things that makes the city stand out the most, is the combination of beach and city. Not many cities can brag with having both fashionable shopping and beach (and tasty food) - well, Barcelona CAN!
Standing in front of Federal café before heading in for brunch.
Federal Café is a cosy café with chilled and sweet employees who serve great coffee and amazing breakfast and lunch. The kitchen has a trendy but healthy menu with both quinoa - and beetroot salads as well as several different burgers to choose from at the lunch menu. During my stay I have been here around once a week...
Boca Grande and Boca Chica is my all time favorite restaurant!!! It is like a physical sensation when entering the restaurant. All your senses get stimulated! They serve mazing catalan food and are most famous for their tasty seafood.
They also make creative drinks serving from their cocktail bar, Boca Chica.
Another great restaurant is, Flax and Kale. This place is a modern healthy restaurant who serves amazing organic for breakfast and lunch. They also have funky combinations of cold pressed juices and smoothies. This is definitely a worth a visit!
Brunch: Acai bowl, quinoa pancakes, green juices, and (of course) coffee. Bon
appetite!
Another healthy restaurant, is the world famous chain, Le Pain Quotidien who has made their territory all over the world including Barcelona. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner - everything very tasty. They usually make great quinoa salads, and have great pastries!!
Working and studying with a morning coffee and scone.
OKAY, where to start!!!?? This place, I mean THIS PLACE, Hoja Santa was marvelous! I went with two lovely friends who are what I would call "true foodies". This restaurant are owned by the famous brothers Albert and Ferran Adrià. They have five different restaurants in the same area and all of them are suppose to be amazing. One of them is Tickets, which has a 3-6 months waiting list for table. All of the five restaurants are in elBarri. My friends and I were lucky to get a table at the Mexican restaurant, Hoja Santa.
We started out with some different starters and every bite was literally melting on the tongue. I can highly recommend this place, especially if you want to make an extraordinary restaurant visit. The vibe is very relaxed and nobody is really dressed up. The place is very honest and familiarly. If you are to sweets like me, this is the place to visit. Chök is a small cute bakery who makes cronuts in all colors and flavors you can imagine, from oreo to caramel-rasperry... Here is my proof!!
Barcelona is famous for their architecture, Gaudi building are all over Barcelona. And if you are more interested in Spanish art, the Picasso museum is worth a visit. I went their this time and for three years ago and I admire his talent and creativity!
If you want to chill at a pool or check-in at a nice hotel, W hotel in Barcelona is the one to be at. The hotel is located on the beach and has an amazing view. Also they do a pool party every Sunday which is quite fun. Further they have three restaurants at the W hotel, a nice spa and gym. I stayed here with two friends and we enjoyed it very much; tanning, the eclipse bar on the 26th floor, the pool party, and the cool vibe!
And remember sun protection!!
Shopping? Of course... Barcelona have great shopping. All high street brands and the luxury brands are all located on the main street, Passeig de Gracia. But I have also found this cool store, Be, which is on Avenida Diagonal. It is a concept store and has cool mix og brands from, LoveStoriesIntimates, to a coffee shop in the end of the store, a manicurist/pedicurist who will make your new nails etc.
The coffee shop in BE Concept store.
The food market, La Boqueria on la Ramblas has fresh juices, catalan tapas, fruits, vegetables, meat, etc etc.
Saint Laurent store on Passeig De Gracia.
If you want a massage, facial, pedicure, or manicure the pink peony is the place to go. The have several spas but I go to the one on Passeig de Gracia. They do a really great job and it is not expensive, compared to Copenhagen and London.
My way around in Barcelona to all my model castings, jobs, and Spanish classes was on my rented bike or scooter. I love to explore the city with speed and not in bus or subway where you cannot see and feel the city. Therefore I rented a bike for the first weeks and then a scooter for the last weeks so I got to try both and it was lots of fun!! I hope you are eager to go to Barcelona. I already want to go back. xx Julie