Barcelona, Spain
A seriously authentic hole on the wall frequented by local fishermen. Breakfast (think beer and the freshest sardines you can imagine) or lunch. Don’t tell anyone else about it though.
- More about your Oliver Guide: Susan Moody
- Trip type: Adult, City
- Activity level: moderate
- Ideal length of trip: 4-5 DAYS
to & from
Nonstop flights to BCN from the USA originate from: NYC, Miami, Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington DC, and Atlanta. Once you’re there, taxis are easy to hail.
Where to Stay
The W is just cool. Better location than the Hotel Arts and has a slew of great restaurants and beach clubs right there.
Soho House (they have a sister beach club/hotel just 30 mins south too, but you need to be a Soho member)
To rent an apartment and live like a local, check out Apartment Barcelona.
Where to Eat and Drink
** Disclaimer- Cal Pep was quietly bought by myself, my husband and our dear friends– with the intention of maintaining what Pep had created over the last 30 years.
Paco Meralgo. For Lunch/Dinner. Simple decor but incredible tapas.
Gallito. Underneath The W Hotel, right by the beach. Take a dip in the ocean (or if the surfs up, rent a board), towel off and let your hair wind-dry as you sip one of their amazing G&Ts on the terrace.
Pinotxo. In the Boquería market. No reservations. Breakfast or lunch and be ready to eat something that you don’t know what it is. So fun.
La Cova Fumada. A seriously authentic hole on the wall frequented by local fishermen. Breakfast (think beer and the freshest sardines you can imagine) or lunch. Don’t tell anyone else about it though.
Cal Pep. ** Thomas Keller’s “favorite restaurant in Europe”. If you eat at the bar, sip some cava while you wait in the (chatty) line. Or you can reserve for parties of 4 or more in the back room.
Bar Mut. Chaotic and fun- get ressie for either of the two dinner seatings. Don’t hesitate to dine at the piano.
Boca Chica. Great cocktails. You might even see a Barça player or two!
Xavier Pellicer. Healthy and delicious
Canete . Great tapas
Taktika Berri. Incredible food from the Basque region
What to Do
To whet your appetite- take a second to see this video. https://vimeo.com/98123388
Fun strolls: Las Ramblas de Catalunya, Parc de la Ciutadella, the beach in from of the W Hotel.
Stop in the Boquería market on Las Ramblas.
Get your Gaudi fix: Sagrada Família (maybe from the outside), Parc Guell and La Pedrera (from the inside).
Inside Scoop
Cuqui Mila. Her grandfather commissioned Gaudi to do La Pedrera! Contact her at valcarcelmaria@hotmail.com.
The Spanish Queen loves the delicate dresses by Cortana (Carrer de Provença, 290). Make sure you pop into a Uterqüe (high end jewelry/clothes from Zara’s parent company). Lydia Delgado has adorable clothes. Bimba and Lola– love.
Catalans pamper themselves, so you should too. For high end: a massage at The W Hotel or in the Mandarin.
The FC Barcelona Museum is the most visited museum in Barcelona. Like– more than Picasso. It’s worth it to just feel the sheer global magnitude of the Blaugrana.
Jamón – You can never have too much!
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