Eight pals from all over the world select Barcelona as a spot to get collectively. Uncover how this cosmopolitan European metropolis received us over and why we’re coming again to the identical place on the similar time subsequent yr!
© Kerry McCarthy
Why Barcelona?
I imply, it’s a nice metropolis, however there are many nice cities to select from when persons are coming from all over the world to satisfy up. It simply so occurred that Barcelona was the place that had direct flights from all the proper locations within the UK and is only a stone’s-throw from Palma by boat!
- Who went – 8 pals from all over the world to have fun an enormous birthday!
- The place we flew from – Gatwick, Stansted, and Bristol (UK) and one boat journey from Palma (Mallorca)
- After we travelled – 14th to seventeenth March
The place we stayed in Barcelona
A penthouse house (full with a turret), which boasted six bedrooms and 4 bogs, plus views of Sagrada Familia. This rental was situated on Pg. de St. Joan, simply half hour drive from the airport, and slap bang within the centre of Barcelona. We loved a really spacious keep, it made for an amazing place to socialize, and we significantly loved the rooftop terrace.
Issues to do in Barcelona
Stroll!
Get your comfiest trainers on as a result of Barcelona is a BIG metropolis, and it’s best to discover it on foot. On the primary full day we every clocked round 30,000 steps. This was all as a mild meander from eatery to attraction, by the town, by the parks, all the way down to the seashore, and again to our house situated in central Barcelona. Highlights have been:
© Kerry McCarthy
- Jardins Fontserè i Mestre – a pure botanical delight, luscious vegetation, delightfully ornate structure and a really nice strategy to spend a while, with out costing a penny!
- Park Guielle – an impressive feat of creativity and an impressive feast for the eyes! This surreal delight mixes modernist structure with the completely absurd aesthetics of Gaudi’s creativeness. Reserving upfront is a should otherwise you received’t get previous the “gingerbread” home entrance, and be warned, it isn’t low cost – but it surely IS effectively value it!
- Sagrada Familia – in the event you haven’t had your fill of Gaudi on the park, get your self all the way down to the longest constructing mission in Barcelona! The Sagrada Familia is the height of bonkers structure. Viewing from outdoors is perhaps sufficient for many, pay a payment to enter and also you’ll be handled to a much more minimalist expertise, however packed to the rafters with guests.
- Ciutadella Park – a proper backyard with road performers, stunning palm bushes and the pleasant Cascada Monumental, a wonderful fountain, with Venus springing forth from a clam shell underneath an enormous archway that’s topped with a golden chariot and 4 golden horses carrying Aurora, the goddess of the daybreak.
© Kerry McCarthy
Eat!
It’s very onerous to go flawed consuming out in Barcelona, the delicacies is just divine. Our favorite finds have been:
Billy Brunch – A easy menu that hits all the proper spots and is freshly made to order. We tucked into avocado toast, eggs benedict, chakchouka, and pancakes alongside superfood smoothies.
Casa Vall – It’s been a go-to place for locals since 1920, serving up scrumptious tapas alongside the likes of sandwiches, salads and burgers. We tucked into oxtail soup, Spanish tortilla, English breakfast sandwich, and ribs with patatas bravas sitting out within the solar.
© Kerry McCarthy
Las Sorrentinas – What a gem this discover was! A small and welcoming eatery serving up a fusion of Peruvian and Italian selfmade meals! The deep fried aubergine with pineapple jam was a agency favorite as a starter, and all of us loved a special dish stuffed with selfmade pasta.
Pastisseria! – If consuming pastries and truffles is your thought of heaven, then Barcelona would possibly carry you barely nearer to feeling divine. There’s someplace to seize freshly baked items each few shopfronts, and I swear that each single factor we tried was out of this world!
© Kerry McCarthy
Artwork!
Town simply oozes creativity and inspiration. Not solely is the structure of each constructing a visible delight, however the streets are filled with impartial galleries alongside larger artwork museums. And we will’t neglect the road artwork tradition right here – graffiti is plentiful, and in lots of locations inspired. I extremely advocate you get out and go see the artists in motion!
© Kerry McCarthy
The Barcelona Marathon!
We have been lucky sufficient to remain the weekend of the marathon, and our house was proper on the route! Watching 30,000 individuals go by added a degree of emotion we weren’t anticipating, and impressed a few of our celebration a lot that they’ve signed up to participate subsequent yr! Therefore, we’ll be again!
What to like (and to not love) about Barcelona
It’s CHEAP! A spherical of drinks (2 beers, 3 wines, and a few glowing water) got here to €15. Consuming out got here to between €20 and €30 per head, together with drinks, and whereas we didn’t bask in a lot retail remedy (apart from a fast dip right into a classic market) garments, jewelry and equipment appeared fairly cheap too.
© Kerry McCarthy
So what didn’t we love?
Not that we encountered any animosity, however it’s clear that there’s some disdain for vacationers descending upon the town. We noticed some “vacationers go residence” stickers and road tags, however in all honesty everybody was very nice to us throughout our time there.
© Kerry McCarthy
Would I am going to Barcelona once more?
This wasn’t my first time, and it received’t be my final! I is probably not signing up for the marathon subsequent yr, however I’ll positively be there to cheer the remainder of the celebration alongside!
Journey Author Bio
Kerry McCarthy is a Author, Editor, Artist & Breathwork Teacher who likes to journey. You will discover out extra about her adventures over on instagram at @kerrymccarthystars
Kerry and Buddies in Barcelona © Kerry McCarthy
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