As a fully fledged sun worshiper and mad outdoor fitness enthusiast, my perfect day out in Barcelona would fall in late spring/early summer. With idyllic weather and infrastructure perfectly suited to outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of ways to keep fit and healthy in Barcelona.
Martin Ebner
As my work week revolves around structure and set appointments, I like to indulge in spontaneity come the weekend. I love the relaxed culture here and it blends perfectly with my weekend persona. Read the rest of this article…
My perfect day would be a spring day, between late May and early June. But we are in February, and Barcelona is also beautiful in winter.
Your only objective for a day of leisure in Barcelona is to abandon yourself to the pleasures that the city has to offer.
First, as a good foodie, I need to think about where to get the best breakfast. A relaxed place where I can read the newspaper and eat the best croissant in town. Hofmann La Seca (Carrer dels Flassaders, 40) in the Born district is definitely my choice. In addition to a latte I order a croissant filled with raspberry or maybe mascarpone, it is difficult to choose, I will order both. Reading newspapers or a good book while time goes by without being noticed is a basic principle of pleasure.
Nuria’s favourite breakfast at Hofmann La Seca, Carrer dels Flassaders, 40
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Coffee in Parc de la Ciutadella
There was this bakery that I absolutely had to try while I was on holiday last September in Barcelona. It was on my “list” before we even landed in Barcelona. Yes, I am a “list” person. So we planned our day’s itinerary around Hofmann Bakery on Carrer dels Flassaders in El Born – even though our accommodation wasn’t so close. We were so glad we did though, because our day turned out to be awesome!
T (my beau) and I hopped on the metro in the morning at around 9am since we knew Hofmann wouldn’t be open before then. Why does the city sleep until 9?! The bakery is so inviting, and filled with tempting delights. Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked sweet treats in the morning? Read the rest of this article…
It’s 10:30. I’ve just arrived home after a busy day around the city. I take my shoes off, I pour myself a glass of white wine, then I sit down on my couch. It’s been a perfect day, actually it’s Friday and the icing on the cake would be this cold, fruity and just a little bit alcoholic juice. Ups! My cell is ringing so I dig in my purse to find it. Let’s see… I have a cactus… a ring… no sign of my cell (although I can hear the music)… a chocolate bar… a red and white bandana… finally my cell!
After my weekly conversation with my mother, I look at all the stuff I had in my purse. Those are just fantastic memories of my great day rediscovering Barcelona. Why rediscovering? Because this is my hometown where I work as a tour guide showing this exciting city to visitors. What do I do when I’m not working? I search for new charming spots, new delicious restaurants as well as new original shops. As a matter of fact, that’s what I have done today.
I’ve woken up at 7:30am, after a quick shower (quick in my standards, I am a very slow person in the morning) and a coffee I was on my way towards the Poblenou neighbourhood.
District 22@, Poblenou
Nowadays this is a constantly changing area, which houses the technological district: the 22@. Modern buildings coexist with façades of old factories and the neighbourhood life that tries to keep a traditional and family spirit. As a result, this is the trendiest area in Barcelona where you can still appreciate the different periods just by looking at its buildings. Read the rest of this article…
“Ice is forming on the tips of my wings
Unheeded warnings I thought I thought of everything
No navigator to guide my way home
Unladened, empty and turned to stone”
— Pink Floyd —
An unusual calmness reigns at El Prat Airport at midnight. A few people staring at you make you understand that you should leave the premises soon so everyone can make it back home to enjoy the Barcelona sunrise, accompanied by a good cup of coffee and xuixos.
El Prat Airport at midnight
I make my way back home as fast as I can. The taxi driver brings me up to date with the latest weekly developments in the City of Counts. This is still Barcelona, part of Spain. Quietly I open my apartment’s door as the two ladies are asleep. I check that the plants have enough water to survive next day, and I jump into bed. It’s already: Friday I am in love! Read the rest of this article…
Yoga in Parc de La Ciutadella
With just a week or so since one of my favourite yoga festivals in Europe, I took a moment to dedicate my morning meditation practise to reflect on my journey to Barcelona. And what a bumpy unexpected ride it was!
After years of travelling, I had been to Spain many times. The funny thing was I never really had any interest or curiosity in visiting Barcelona – even after all the good reviews and photos that my friends would share with me. The unexpected thing was that it wasn’t the sunshine, the good food or the beaches that finally brought me here (although I adore them too!), it was the wonderful yoga community that sparked my inspiration to finally come. Read the rest of this article…
My perfect day in Barcelona, assuming it’s a weekend, as I am lucky in that I love my job, inevitably begins with an early morning wake-up call from my apricot Shar Pei, Coco, whose mission in life is to make sure that I never sleep in. She is efficient in achieving her goal, due mainly to an irresistible combination of a very sweet, yet persuasive personality and an adorable, smushy little face.
Coco, Charlotte’s Shar Pei, with her ‘smushy little face’
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