My perfect day in Barcelona is perfectly simple. It consists solely of wandering around, stopping only to eat and drink.

I’ve lived in Barcelona for 8 months now after moving here in September 2014 and my favourite thing to do at the weekend is to wander around my local neighbourhood (barrio) whilst stopping off at bars, cafes and restaurants along the way.

The majority of my ‘perfect day’ would be spent locally in the areas of Born, Barceloneta and the Gothic quarter. I love exploring everything this great city has to offer, but I’ll stay close by for the purpose of this article, otherwise I could write for days.

Every day must start with a beautiful breakfast and at the weekend I treat myself by eating out. I’d start at a nearby square, Plaça de Sant Cugat, and sit outside one of my favourite places, Alsur Café. The menu is wonderfully varied. You can opt for the traditional café con leche with a pastry or try something a bit more adventurous like something from their diverse tea range.

Alsur Café, Plaça de Sant Cugat, 1

After some morning fuel, I’d take a stroll down to Barceloneta for a walk along the beach. I love having the sea close by, there’s something very liberating about being able to walk along the seaside whenever you want. I love the winding streets of El Born but sometimes I crave space and openness with the beach being the ideal remedy.

I’d walk in a big circle, taking me back towards El Born and up to Santa Caterina market. This place makes me so happy. I love the colours, smell and atmosphere, there’s an indescribable buzz about it. I try to do my weekend ‘food shop’ here, buying some fresh fish and meat. After stocking up on some freshly caught mussels, I’ll go home to cook my boyfriend and I a late lunch before relaxing on our private terrace in our apartment.

Mercat de Santa Caterina

If it’s a sunny day, a great place for a pit stop is Café Catalina (c/ Giralt el Pellisser, 8), next to the market. This café is a genuine sun trap during the day and a fantastic place for people watching. They have a great deal of €5 for any drink and two tapas, ideal for a light lunch or afternoon snack.

Café Catalina, c/ Giralt el Pellisser, 8

When evening approaches, we’d head back round to Santa Caterina to eat at my favourite tapas restaurant, Cuines Santa Caterina. We love to sit at the bar drinking wine whilst ordering a range of delicious tapas which is all cooked with fresh ingredients sourced directly from the market itself. One of the most endearing things about the restaurant is the intimate atmosphere which I’ve yet to experience replicated in Barcelona. The menu is far from limited with traditional Catalan/Spanish cuisine with even a Thai chicken curry thrown into the mix, so there’s really something for everyone.

Cuines Santa Caterina, Avinguda de Francesc Cambó, 16

Every great day has to be rounded off with a nightcap. One of our special spots is the Sky Bar on the roof of the Grand Central Hotel on Via Laietana. This bar has a panoramic view of the city and a cool, chilled-out vibe. Drinks will cost you a few euros more but it’s worth every penny.

Sky Bar, Grand Central Hotel, Via Laietana

Good food, nice wine and pretty places make me a happy girl so that’s why my perfect day in Barcelona consists of the above.