Over the holidays my friends and I were discussing where we had been in Europe and what places were still on our bucket list of places to see and explore. As it turns out none of us had ever been to Barcelona, mainly due to the press and it’s reporting of how along with Venice and Dubrovnik the city was just overrun with tourists.

After having looked into it in more detail it turns out that the overcrowding is due to the massive cruise ships that pull into port during the summer months and unload their thousands of passengers onto Barcelona’s streets for a day of sightseeing.

Having decided that this should not be a problem in the middle of May, my friends and I decided that Barcelona would be a great place to go for a short trip.

With our tickets in hand, we left work early on Friday and headed straight to Luton Airport for our 17:05 easyJet flight to the Catalonian capital.

OD Hotel Barcelona

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Yes, yes, I know it’s winter. I’m a bit late with this one (apologies Jamie). But we still get those sunny autumn days in January. It’s just a tad colder. Enjoy Jamie’s autumn day and reminisce.

Back in Scotland, autumn would usually set in around the end of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The beginning of September brought with it plummeting temperatures, bidding farewell to summer and ushering in the winter wardrobe.

It’s been 3 years since I made the move to Barcelona and autumn here is very different. Whilst it gets cooler in October, you can still squeeze in the occasional beach day and the only additional layering you’ll need is a light evening jacket on the breezier nights.

View of Barcelona from the Collserola

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Close your eyes. Picture your favourite city in the whole world. Imagine moving there. That’s my life in Barcelona.

Well, I guess it wasn’t that easy. I’m actually doing my Erasmus year abroad from Leeds University, I just got lucky with my placement.

Although I’m spending my days working in Eixample, I’m living in Gràcia. And I absolutely love it. I cannot tell you how nice it is to leave the hustle and bustle of the centre and relax in a neighbourhood which feels more like a village than a city.

Now is the Moment – Street art in Gràcia

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Prior to moving to Barcelona, two years ago now, I had a three-day trip to cram in as many flat viewings as possible and visit as many areas as possible. Looking back, I was insane to think I could get a feel for the city’s residential areas in just a few days.

Luckily, I chose Gràcia to live and work, which is an amazing area, originally established in 1626 as an independent municipality of Gràcia. The road which joined Gràcia with Barcelona is Passeig de Gràcia, a beautiful wide street running from Plaça de Catalunya up to the centre of Gracia. It is uniquely home to shops reminiscent of New York’s 5th Avenue, but also dotted with some of the best architectural designs of the city. There’s some stunning hotels and rooftops, but the price tag can be pretty hefty.

Further north, at the top of Passeig de Gràcia, the “real” Gràcia starts. To me Gràcia combines the residential bliss with close proximity of the attractions as well as some of the best bars and restaurants in town. Read the rest of this article…

Barcelona is a city that should be written with capital letters, a place where every single day deserves to be enjoyed. Barcelona is my favorite city to spend my days off, when I do not have to work.

For me, an ideal Saturday in Barcelona is to enjoy the city and visit my favorite places, those where I feel at home and make me feel fulfilled. These places do not always appear in the tourist guides, but they are equally worth it and that is why I want to share them with you.

The best way to start the morning is with a good coffee and a full breakfast on the terrace of my house, with the heat of the first rays of sun and overlooking the streets of Gràcia. I enjoy this even in winter.

Then, in my sports clothes, I start my routine running session in a privileged place: the Park Güell and its surroundings. I’m crazy? No! Early in the morning these gardens are free of tourists and this is the perfect place to practice some sport in the nature, near home and overlooking the whole city.

Views from El Carmel

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Barcelona in a word for me would be: lifestyle. The city’s history, cosmopolitan approach, fantastic weather and terrific food are a great combination that would make any of your days perfect! So, in that sense I compiled the best elements of different days into a single one, and I must say I am amazed about the result!

Barcelona cafes

Early morning yoga and my favourite energy boost

A few years ago, I started attending yoga classes at Sincronia in Gràcia (c/ Pere Serafí, 7), and because of some logistical aspects of my life I couldn’t continue, so then one of the owners, offered to send one of their teachers to my place. And now I am an avid yogi. At least twice a week at 6.30am Ferran knocks at the door of my apartment and we start saluting the sun.

But a good day, needs a healthy boost, and I love having my breakfast at Lo&Lo Juicing (c/ Breton de los Herreros, 4), it is always nice to talk to Lea or Alberto about life and day-to-day issues. I start checking some emails and making some phone calls so things get settled with work. While I am writing these lines, I am planning to become a “mobile-entrepreneur”. Read the rest of this article…

For me, one of the words that defines Barcelona is beauty. I have been living here for almost 19 years and there is not a day that I don’t surprise myself with beautiful buildings, streets, art, sounds, light and food, just to name some of the many sources of beauty the city offers. In fact, describing a perfect day in Barcelona is quite difficult because there are so many options and combinations of things to do and see that make it hard to choose just a few. But I will try!

Carrer d’Enric Granados – photo by Hatty Copeman

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