Déu n’hi do, com parla català!

To learn or not to learn Catalan? If you are an expat in Catalonia, you might be in this common dilemma as you constantly hear different opinions about the topic.

In this article I’ll share with you the difficulties, the benefits and insight into Catalan culture and society that has come from knowing it, the reception I’ve received from local people and more.

I moved to Catalonia 3½ years ago and decided to study Catalan after finishing my course in the Spanish language. Obviously, as an expat I also had the same questions and doubts: should I learn the Catalan language, do I really need it, is it practical, will I get into society? In my Spanish school, I heard from many international students that Catalan people are very closed and even if you learn the language, that’s not the way to get into the society and make local friends. Well, that depends. 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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My fellow artists at Arte Bar Barcelona

This blog is just a hobby, I certainly don’t make any money from it. So it’s always nice to be invited on a food tour or to the odd restaurant now and again. But a painting evening, even with wine, I wasn’t sure about at all. And to be frank, I was a little nervous. But I needn’t be. This was without doubt one of the most fun evenings I’ve had in Barcelona. Read the rest of this article…

Everyone knows the beauty of Barcelona, it’s history, its architecture, its people. It is true that walking through the streets and alleyways of the various neighbourhoods can sometimes feel like you’ve been taken back in time, back to a period of imperialism and decadence. However Barcelona is just as beautiful from afar, if you want to step back and take it all in there are a number of great viewpoints in Barcelona that give you a unique view and perspective of the city.

View of the Collserola from Turó de la Rovira

They all give you a different sense of what the city is about. Whether it’s a waterside vantage point overlooking Port Vell and the luxury yachts cruising into their mooring spots, or the mountain top views from the old Spanish Civil War military bunkers that make the city below look like a cluster of toy houses all piled up on top of each other, there’s something for everyone. Read the rest of this article…

This post has been updated from the original to reflect the latest (pretty) charts available.

Profile of foreign residents

I’m fascinated by data. Well not so much data, as the informative ways it can be displayed. One of my favourite coffee table books is called Information is Beautiful (link at the end).

There’s a page on the Ajuntament de Barcelona website called Studies on Immigration that contains some great information about Barcelona immigration statistics. I spent far too long poring over these demographics when I should have been working. I thought you might find some of them interesting too!

Below are some snapshots from the Població Estrangera a Barcelona (Foreign Population in Barcelona) PDF about some of the demographics in Barcelona. Unless you happen to be a bird of prey click on any of the thumbnails to scroll through larger versions. Read the rest of this article…

Get the lowdown on where to play football in Barcelona and meet the locals. And maybe even share a few beers afterwards!

Where to play football in Barcelona

Recently, the conflict between tourists and locals has become a bigger topic in Barcelona. Locals are tired of so many tourists visiting the vibrant city and are not afraid to show their displeasure. Signs saying ‘tourists go home’ are all over the city especially in neighbourhoods such as Barceloneta. The negative sides of mass tourism are all over the news but the combination of locals and tourists can also be a great thing!

Both parties share a lot of passions that bring them together. Take the most popular sport in Barcelona for example, football. This sport is so much more than just the fan base of FC Barcelona that unites locals and tourists. Football has always been a sport that connects people from different backgrounds. And the startup company CeleBreak enables tourists, locals and expats to play football together on a fun basis in Barcelona on the best fields the city has to offer. Read the rest of this article…

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…