Beautiful Barcelona

[ 0 ] November 7, 2019 | Contributor

Photo by: https://fshoq.com / CC BY 4.0

As much as I love spending my vacation time right here in Washington DC, sometimes I really do need to pack up the suitcase and head on a far-flung trip abroad. Of all the European destinations I’ve travelled to, Barcelona is my absolute favourite city to spend a vacation in. With its fascinating culture and history, stunning beaches, amazing architecture and of course, its incredible culinary scene, it has everything you need in one destination.

Stay

Room Mate Anna is one of five hotels in Barcelona from the Room Mate chain. These hotels feature cool designs and modern, boutique-style rooms at budget friendly prices. Anna can be found on Carrer Aragó and it is a perfect example of 21st century Barcelona design. The hotel has been decorated by the interior designer Lorenzo Castillo and each of the 81 rooms has a unique design, from lavender throws to grey and white cloud wallpaper.

Not that you’ll need it with all the delicious food on offer in the city, but room service is available from the nearby Coco Vail Beer Hall. Breakfast is available in the inhouse restaurant and you can even get WhatsApp guidance from the friendly hotel staff if you need restaurant recommendations.

Visit

There’s so much to see, do and experience in Barcelona that you’ll need to make multiple trips to truly do the city justice. If this is your first time visiting the city, here’s a summary of the places to go to get a glimpse of what this diverse Catalan city has to offer:

Take a Gaudí tour – Gaudí’s is one of Spain’s most influential and important architects and his creations have come to define Barcelona, from the iconic La Sagrada Familia cathedral to the otherworldly Park Güell. As well as these important and major pieces of work, Gaudí created many other buildings across the region in his unique Art Nouveau style. Casa Vicens is one of his earlier works, which dates back to the 1880s, as well as Casa Batllo and La Pedrera.

Head to the beach – La Barceloneta may be the most touristy beach in Barcelona, but it’s a must-do, especially if it’s your first trip here. As well as relaxing on the warm sand, or taking a dip in the crystalline Mediterranean, this particular beach has many lively activities on offer, from kite-surfing to windsurfing and watersports.

Enjoy the parc – Parc de la Ciutadella was, at one stage in the history of the city, the only green space in the area. Of course, things have changed a lot since then, but this park still holds a special place in the hearts of all who visit. You can get lost in your thoughts taking peaceful walks here, try your hand at rowing across the idyllic lake, or even visit the park’s museum and zoo if you’d like to add some culture to your day. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the stunning fountain; you’ll find both tourists and locals are in awe of its beauty.

Photo by: Hotcreation / CC BY-SA 3.0

Eat

The culinary scene here really is a treat for me. Traditional Catalan seafood dishes abound alongside tomato-based Spanish delights and international flavors. Barcelona is jam-packed with fantastic places to eat; restaurants as diverse as the beachside Arenal to Barcelona’s own ‘artisan’ chain of Italian restaurants, Ginos, often feature in travel guides to the city, but if you fancy something a bit more authentic here are my picks:

Can Recasens – located off the beaten track in the Poblenou district, which has its own Rambla that is just as beautiful (although much less crowded) than its more famous city centre counterpart, Can Recasens serves some truly delicious Catalan cheeses and cured meats. They’re generous with their portion sizes, too and also serve some fresh and crispy salads.

Cuines de Santa Caterina – Many of the restaurants in Barcelona close for siesta during lunch and dinner time, but this gem in the Santa Caterina market stays open all day and night. The menu is influenced by whatever’s available at the market, so the food is fresh and in season. There’s plenty of dishes to choose from, including Spanish and Catalan meals as well as more international options, so it’s a great place to visit if you’re travelling in a group.

Els Pescadors – Els Pescadors may be on the more expensive side compared to some of the more touristy restaurants in the city centre, but this restaurant is one of the locals’ most well-kept secrets. It’s the perfect spot for a late night dinner and is the best restaurant in Barcelona for traditional Catalan seafood dishes.