Eight mates from world wide 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 identical time subsequent yr!
© Kerry McCarthy
Why Barcelona?
I imply, it’s a nice metropolis, however there are many nice cities to select from when individuals are coming from world wide to satisfy up. It simply so occurred that Barcelona was the place that had direct flights from all the suitable locations within the UK and is only a stone’s-throw from Palma by boat!
- Who went – 8 mates from world wide to rejoice 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 a fantastic place to socialize, and we notably 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 delicate meander from eatery to attraction, by way of town, by way of the parks, right down to the seashore, and again to our house situated in central Barcelona. Highlights had been:
© Kerry McCarthy
- Jardins Fontserè i Mestre – a pure botanical delight, luscious crops, delightfully ornate structure and a really nice technique to spend a while, with out costing a penny!
- Park Guielle – a powerful feat of creativity and a powerful feast for the eyes! This surreal delight mixes modernist structure with the totally absurd aesthetics of Gaudi’s creativeness. Reserving prematurely is a should otherwise you received’t get previous the “gingerbread” home entrance, and be warned, it isn’t low cost – however it IS nicely price it!
- Sagrada Familia – in case you haven’t had your fill of Gaudi on the park, get your self right down to the longest constructing mission in Barcelona! The Sagrada Familia is the height of bonkers structure. Viewing from exterior is likely to be sufficient for many, pay a price 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 timber and the pleasant Cascada Monumental, a wonderful fountain, with Venus springing forth from a clam shell below 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 incorrect consuming out in Barcelona, the delicacies is solely divine. Our favorite finds had been:
Billy Brunch – A easy menu that hits all the suitable 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 distinct dish full of selfmade pasta.
Pastisseria! – If consuming pastries and desserts is your concept of heaven, then Barcelona may 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!
The town simply oozes creativity and inspiration. Not solely is the structure of each constructing a visible delight, however the streets are full of unbiased 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 suggest you get out and go see the artists in motion!
© Kerry McCarthy
The Barcelona Marathon!
We had been lucky sufficient to remain the weekend of the marathon, and our house was proper on the route! Watching 30,000 individuals cross by added a stage of emotion we weren’t anticipating, and impressed a few of our occasion 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 seemed 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 town. We noticed some “vacationers go house” 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 will not be signing up for the marathon subsequent yr, however I’ll positively be there to cheer the remainder of the occasion 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 Mates in Barcelona © Kerry McCarthy
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