See you soon in Barcelona
Barcelona is one of those cities that make it easy to fall in love with them. Beach, culture, parks, boutiques, tapas, wine bars – it's all there, and here's the best part: almost in walking distance. And with the metro day ticket you can easily get to the more distant corners of the city. Barcelona is the perfect city quickie. Still, so much time must be:
Strolling along the Passeig de GrAcia
Climbing on the roof of the Pedrera (Casa MilA). And admire GaudI's eccentric architecture: wacky turrets, playful stair railings, no load-bearing walls. Instead, natural ventilation that makes air conditioning unnecessary. Or daylight in almost every room. Not natural more than a hundred years ago when Casa MilA was built. In general, the Passeig de GrAcia is brimming with buildings that make you gape in amazement.
Casa MilA, Passeig de GrAcia Nr. 92, www.lapedrera.com
Try tapas
I love the tapas culture in Barcelona. Go in, grab a plate and load up on the most delicious bites. Jamon Iberico with pimientos and egg, stuffed "piquillo" peppers, homemade "Euskal Etxea" croquettes, black sausage with "piperrada," salted stockfish omelet … and a felt 200 other tapas temptations are available at Euskal Etxea, a Basque bar. No one is guaranteed to leave here without grabbing a bite. You pay at the end by showing the wooden skewers that are in each tapa to the cashier.
Euskal Etxea, Placeta de Montcada, 1, 08003 Barcelona, www.euskaletxeataberna.com
At the trendy tapas bar Cal Pep, the first thing to do is stand in line. To get one of the 20 or so seats you should be there at least half an hour before opening time. But it's worth it, the food is sensational. Unfortunately also not quite cheap. No need to search the menu. "Fish, meat, sausage, vegetables, dessert … anything on there you don't like?", asks the waiter. No. Great, let's get started – and bring five plates of the house tapas creations, one after the other. You just have to ignore the little assembly line atmosphere. After all, at least 50 people are envying you right now, waiting for a seat in front of the door.
Cal Pep, Placa des les olles, www.calpep.com
Sipping Cava
Across from the church of Santa Maria del Mar in El Born at the wine bar Vinya del Senyor. With a little luck, a few talented guitar artists will be playing at the moment. If not, there is still the beautiful sight of the facade. And you can get fine tapas here as well.
Be sure to leave room for a dessert at the Bubo. Or two. Not ten meters away I found the best patisserie in town. Multiple award winning. Simply irresistible.
Vinya del Senhor, Plaza Santa Maria 5 and Bubo, Carrer de les Caputxes 10
Park Guell
The garden city planned by Gaudi, but failed for lack of money, has long since turned into a tourist magnet. I didn't feel like queuing up and paying the steep entrance fee for the houses, so I just walked a bit in the park. Outside I find it anyway nicer than being pushed in a chord through any room.
Park Guell, Carrer d'Olot
Beach life in Barceloneta
The beach district is maybe 20, 30 minutes walk from the old town along the promenade with views of Montjuic and the harbor cable car. But the main reason not to take the bus is in a side street: La Cova Fumada. Of all the tapas bars I've tried my way through in Barcelona, this was the most quaint. Sure, tourists were there too, but the mix of guests different than usual. Residents in suits as well as street vendors, regulars and strangers. And everyone is treated equally friendly. Definitely try: La Bomba, a large potato croquette with aioli and spicy dip.
La Cova Fumada, carrer Baluard 56
So, now you have at least five more reasons to go to Barcelona (again). And believe me, no matter how well you know this city, you will always discover something new.