Good Food and Views are Worth the Journey
We only had two days in Barcelona - so what should we see while leaving time for good tapas? Luckily, Barcelona is generally an easy city to get around in and we were happy to walk. The first landmarks that came to mind were La Sagrada Familia and the Barri Gotic (gothic quarter) but we also added in a couple more Gaudi buildings and a visit to the beach.
I've not been back to Barcelona in some time and when I found out that it would be the first trip to this city for my travel...
If you're looking for good traditional paella in Barcelona, then Xiringito Escriba is it. Situated on the beach north of Port Olimpic, this was definitely a place to come for gazing and grazing. Nothing beats looking out at the sea while tucking into some fresh seafood.
We came here for lunch on a Saturday, which was all the more fun because this beach side eatery was filled with locals out to enjoy the weekend. The paella was definitely the most popular item here and you can...
La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's ongoing labour of love, is all the more stunning now as completion is in sight in 12 years time. As probably the last grand cathedral project in the world, it simply is a must visit. Even though Gaudi's design was mooted more than 100 years ago, the interior of the cathedral looks timeless, even other worldly. The stained glass windows, installed over the past ten years have fill the basilica with colour.
I visited La Sagrada Familia in 1989,...
Casa Batlo is the most popular Antoni Gaudi designed landmark to visit in Barcelona after La Sagrada Familia. This house is an undersea fantasy with walls, colours and motifs that evoke the feeling of being under water or in a whale (sort of like Jonah). Being on the luxury shopping end of Passeig de Gracia, Casa Batlo is a convenient place to visit if you've got plans to do a bit of shopping.
When the Batlo family appointed Gaudi to build their home in 1904, he was already...
If you want a simple meal in Barcelona that lifts your spirit, Bar Canete is a great place to go. This is a buzzy tapas bar that has no gimmicks - just good food, drinks and a fun atmosphere helped by an enthusiastic team. In a nutshell, it's the ideal spot to come after a long day walking around.
We had a great time here, helped in large part by a our waiter David - great smile and jovial - reminding me a bit of Robin Williams. He makes good gin & tonics as...