My insider knowledge of this stunning city has been informed by thirty years of visiting my family who live in the Catalan capital. My brother-in-law, his Spanish wife and my niece always take us to the parts of the city only the locals know about. Barcelona has been immortalised in songs, staged spectacular Olympics and more recently it has become a magnet for stag and hen parties. For first time visitors the classic tourist hotspots are well worth a look: Las Ramblas (watch out for pickpockets), Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera – Casa Mila for Gaudi fans, Tibidabo overlooking the city and Park Güell. However, if you want to dig a bit deeper and live like the locals read on.
If you fancy a city break in this beautiful city, here are the places where the locals love to go:
- Shopping: Rambla de Catalunya – Close to the busy Las Ramblas, this tree lined street Is much quieter and it is packed with trendy shops. The Mercat del Ninot is the food market the locals use for fish and meat. It is much cheaper than the famous touristy Boqueria market.
- Museums: The Gothic Monastery of Pedralbes is a beautiful, peaceful garden that has been turned into a museum. It is a perfect antidote to the stunning but overcrowded Sagrada Familia. The Barcelona Maritime Museum in the former shipyards of Drassane is said to be the oldest naval shipyard in Europe and is well worth a visit.
- Restaurants: Take a stroll along the sea front and choose from Bestial where you can sit beneath palm trees or Restaurant Aqua for fantastic seafood with a beachfront terrace. For reasonably priced but delicious tapas head in to town to the Gula Bar.
Walks and views: The nicest area to stroll around is Montjuïc which is a green area on the hillside with stunning views across Barcelona. It has a castle, the CaixaForum cultural centre with fascinating exhibitions, a botanical garden and the Miro Museum full of abstract art.season as it will be cheaper and not too busy but the weather will still be mostly good (March, April / Nov, Oct)