Wrap it Barceloneta

If you are going to the beach and want something fresh and tasty, Wrap it is a good option. It's located 50meters from the beach Barceloneta on a small street. It's a perfect option if you want to eat on the beach or walk along the beach with a refreshing smoothie. 

Hompage: https://www.facebook.com/wrapitbcn

Address: C/ Sevilla 80

Segrada Familia is not the same as the Cathedral

Just like the title says this is Segrada familia and the Cathedral in Ghotico are not the same building.
Many tourists have asked me if they stand in front of Segrada familja when in fact it is a 30-40minuter (walking) distance from there.

Cathedral (pictured) is called Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia and is not designed by Gaudi. It is finished. The cathedral is located in the Gotico areaa, the metro station Jaume 1 is the closest but placa Catalunya is also a good option. It is very beautiful but not nearly as cool as Segrada Familia, at least on the outside. The inside is very interesting and the areas around it as well. Free. Check opening times> here <.

Segrada familia is absolutely incredible! I've never seen anything like it. It is always a long queue so buy tickets online and come early if you want to enter. <Here> you can buy tickets!

See how Segrada Familia will look like when completed:

Atlantida beach club

This weekend I was at Atlantida beach club. Sometimes really good DJs (according to me) playes there and then it's worth going a bit outside the city to a nightclub with a pool. Atlantida beach club is not ON the beach but next to it. You can not even see the beach! Anyway, it's really nice and you can swim in the pool(!).
If you like summer nights and electronic music / techno, check their line-up and take a taxi. You can go by tram to the end station but a taxi costs about 12euro from the city center so it's worth it.


More info: http://www.clubatlantida.com/webapp/home
Open: Wed - Sat: 23:45 to 6:00 (they will at most 02)
Tram: Sant Adria (switching from Metro Glories)
Train: RENFE to Sant Adria) from the plaza Cataluna or Arc de Truimf. Line 1.

Surf House Barceloneta

Surf house is located in Barceloneta, on the beach. They have amazing cocktails and smoothies. Try their Sangria de cava and the nachos! Everything I've tried in this place is really tasty and I truly recommend this chic, californian, bohemian bar on the beach. The prices are OK, 7-8 euro for a cocktail and the nachos 7 euro aprox.

 They also organize events and surf lessons aswell. My friend went to surf in the night the other day! 

Check out their really cool and inspiring website: http://www.surfhousebarcelona.com/

     Surf House

     Av. almirall aixada, 22

     Metro: Barceloneta

     monday - thursday: 11am - 1.30am

     friday - saturday: 11am - 3am

     sunday: 11am - 1am

Cocktails inspired by surfplaces

There was a private event yesterday so the nicest chairs where occupied!

2 of many doors

Friends enjoying

Me and my friend 

The best nachos in Barceloneta, no doubt!

Club sandwich

Look out over Barcelona

Salt

Sometimes it's so nice to just look out over the city, you get a bit of distance to all noise and movement. Barcelona has a beautiful contrast between mountains, sea and city. Here are my five favorite spots with a nice view:

Montjuic

There is a fantastic view on top of this little mountain and there's a lot to do on Montjuic. There is an old castle on the very top, a huge cemetery, parks, old and new stadiums and amazing architecture. If you want some peace and quiet but still want to feel that you are in Barcelona, Montjuic is a great place! You have to take the subway to the paralell and then change it to "funicular" directly inside the subway! This café has an amazing view: http://www.club-miramar.es/

Salt

You can not see the city from above but from the side. If you look out over the water, on the other side you see the beach, the houses and the harbor. It's a great place for those who want to be among trendy people, not so far from the crowd and get some kind of ibiza feeling! It is located below the hotel W, the large, sail-shaped hotel at the beach.
Click here to view pictures and addresses. http://www.saltbeachclub.com/en/

Terraza 360

If you're in town and not able to get far I would recommend the hotel Barcelo Raval. Their terrace is 360 degrees and you can both eat and drink in the bar. The bar is open May to October. On the streets below, one can find good second hand and crazy shops.
Link: http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/es_ES/hoteles/Espana/Barcelona/hotel-barcelo-raval/terraza-360.aspx

views from Tibidabo

Tibidabo

The best and highest lookout of them all - Tibidabo! It's located on the top of the mountain behind Barcelona. There is a huge cathedral and a theme park with both views over Barcelona and the opposite side. Truly magical! You have to take the train from plaza Catalunya and switch to funicular at Peu del Funicular. Use Google directions tool to check the timetable. Once you're on the top of the mountain, you can walk or take the bus directly to the Cathedral! You may, if you want to exercise, walk all the way up! I did.

Eclipse

DJ's are always playing in the evening and this bar serves perhaps the city's best cocktails. Trendy, glamorous and good quality. The only negative thing is that you can not go out on any terrace, but during winter it really does not matter. Eclipse is located inside the hotel W.
Link: http://www.w-barcelona.es/bar-eclipse

Gastronomic "pub crawl" in Poble Sec

Tapas/pinxo + beer/wine for only 2 euro

Every thursday in the neighborhood Poble Sec from 19 until 23 See you there next time!

Read more on their oficial Facebook page here >>

Summer sale Barcelona 2014

Hi all shoppers! I can not wait to dive into the sales ocean of clothes! It's kind of a hobby of mine, I am a price hunter! Is that even a word? 

I already knew that the sales where about to begin but I haven't seen the red price tags yet so I made a research. To all my shopping friends - See you on the shopping streets in 2 weeks! Official sales in Barcelona: 1 July to 31 August 

Do you want tips on good shopping? Check this out!

Cava-bar Can Paixano

Welcome to Catalonia! This cava-bar is a must when you come to Barcelona. Tourists crowd with catalans and hang over each other to order cava for 1 €. They also serve hams and cheeses from catalunya and grilled meet served in bread. It's a bit messy but that's why I love it. The bar is located near Barceloneta metro station, just before Born.


Can Paixano
Carrer de la Reina Cristina, 7
Web: http://www.canpaixano.com/

Divided Barcelona

 I found this interesting video on internet. Barcelona has turned into a theme park for tourists according to Catalans. I can agree somehow, even though I don't know how life was in Barcelona 30 years ago. I avoid la Rambla and everything close to it cause it's so crowded and most of the shops and restaurants are bad (read crap). If I really have to cross it I almost close my eyes and feel sorry about the old couple sitting in the restaurant waiting for their paella to arrive. I know they will have a horrible experience.

Thats why I have this blog people! To show you my experience and give you advices. I came to Barcelona 2011 and have been to all the touristic places already but quite soon I got to know locals and they brought me to genuine Catalan restaurants, bars and neighbourhoods. The introduced me to a new lifestyle.

I live in the old part of the city but just at the border, close to Arc de Truimf. Tourists walk on my street 24/7 but out of 10 people, only 2 are tourists. Compare that with la Rambla where 8 out of 10 are tourists. I have great restaurants around the corner, beautiful buildings, shops and cozy squares. This is where I want to take you!

Anyway, In my opinion, Catalans tend to dislike everything that is not Catalan. Not everyone of course but the majority. There is this big debate going on in Cataluna, Catalans want to liberate themselves from Spain and become an independent state.

I remember when I moved in to my current flat. I went up the stairwells and our neighbour walked by without greeting. He almost didn't look at me. Next day, my boyfriend told me that he met the same neighbour and they started to chat for a while, actually they had a great talk. I thought it sounded weird but my boyfriend thought the neighbour acted like that cause I look like a tourist. I don't look spanish but my boyfriend. I felt akward and a bit shoked, could that be the truth?

After all, tourism makes Barcelona alive. Tourism is good for Barcelona's economy and tourism made Barcelona rich. That is an argument for why Cataluna wants to become an independent state, their economy will improve if they stop charing with the whole country. Kind of egoistic in my opinion. There are of course many other arguements to list but not now, It's not my point to argue about politics. I just wanted to share my thoughts about the splitted Barcelona and the locals thoughts.

Vietnamese restaurant in Barcelona

Bun Bo is a vietnamese restaurant close to the Cathedral (don't confuse it with Segrada familia). It's located on a hidden square. They have affordable lunch menus on weekdays including a starter, main course and dessert.

I love their asian soup as starter, spring rolls, chicken curry with coconut milk, fresh salads with mango and shrimps for example. The prices are good. A main dish costs about 7-8 euro and a starters 3-4 euro.

If you're going to Bun Bo in the evening, try their cheap and tasty mojito for 3,5 euro!

Bun Bo
Calle Sagristans, 3
Webpage: http://www.bunbovietnam.com/
Metro: Jaume 1 or Urquinaona

Mojitos

Spring rolls

I lent this picture from Bun Bo's homepage

La Luna - romantic, delicious and cheap

Looking for a romantic place or a really cozy place with lovely and cheap tapas? La Luna is located in the heart of Borne, on a hidden street. They have a restaurant section and a bar section. A prefer the bar section cause the food is cheaper and nice enough. They have tables for couples aswell as for groups.

On the menu you can find a lot of HUGE tapas but not just the typical ones like patatas bravas or nachos. You can enjoy chicken curry with rice, chicken quesadillas served with guacamole, meet skewers and muuuch more for only 5,5 EURO! It's really worth it. Check out the complete TAPAS menu here! Normally I can have just one tapa for dinner, the portions are so big.

The only thing that I don't like (as I've tried almost the complete tapas menu) are the prawns as they come with shell and the cava sangria cause it tastes too artificial.

LA LUNA
calle Abaixadores 10,  Barcelona 
Check the website: http://www.lalunabcn.com/
Metro: Jaume 1

I took these photos last time I went to La Luna. I'm sorry for the poor quality.

Quesadilla de pollo 

Curry con pollo y arroz

La Luna 

Beware of unreliable landlords

Be careful when you rent an apartment or room in Barcelona. You have to be egoistic and not trust anyone. I found my first room through a friend and my first flat with an agency. The agency gave me a contract and I read through it many times before signing. But you never know who is reliable. Once I worked for a guy who rented rooms but one day he just disappeared and never payed me. You can imagine what happend with the clients arriving to the airport that same day. They had payed reservation fee and where left on the street without anywhere to stay.

So be careful and rent through good friends or sign a contract before paying and entering the flat.
Make sure you understand the contract, ask a friend to join you when signing if you don't understand spanish.

Yessica rented a room, check her story here!

Best second hand markets in the city

Riera Baixa

There are many second hand shops in the city, especially on the street Riera Baixa in Raval. You will get to it if you walk the street "Carrer del Hospital" from La Rambla. On Saturdays, the shops put out clothes on the street and the atmosphere becomes amazing. People socialize and shop at the same time.
There are a few other shops in both Gracia and Gothico but they are more spread out and not as close as on Riera Baixa.

Markets are more my kind of second-hand shopping. Here are my top ones:

Flea market

This is a market that takes place once a month if not more often. They sell everything from secondhand clothing (cool vintage stuff and just somebody’s plain, gently used tees) to books to jewelry to videos to random household electronics. It is centrally located by the Metro Drassanes.

More info about dates: http://www.fleamarketbcn.com/

 Lost and Found

Lost & Found is a bit trendier than Flea market and the prices are a little higher. The venue is a really nice train station "Estacio Franca" by Cuitadella Park and the district Born. The market is very big and you will find mostly clothes but a couple of weeks ago I bought a pair of skis. For dates see their website: http://lostfoundmarket.com/

On the Garage

One of my favorites is On the Garage(bogatell) which is cheaper and you can find both clothes and stuff. I bought a very nice dress that I use a lot for only 5 euro and it was handmade by the girl who sold it! The venue is an old factory building. They sell food and drinks. The only disadvantage is that i'ts indoor, not nice in the summer! Metro: Bogatell

See dates and places on their website: http://www.twomarket.es/

Encants

Encants is a flea market where you can find everything from paintings to toys and clothes. There are also small shops that offers handmade things. Most of the items sold on Encants are rubbish but if you are patient you can really find gold. Bargain! You should never pay more than half of the price, but usually you can bargain even more! Open every two days. Metro: Glories.

Info: http://www.encantsbcn.com/#&panel1-1

3 cheap and amazing paellas in Barcelona

I find the average standard of paella in Barcelona to be really low! Many restaurants serve bland brown coloured half cooked rice with minimal effort. But there are some good restaurants that you have to try.

Salamanca

This is the answer I get If I ask people who live here where I can eat the best paella. I want cheap prices and good food. This one is not the cheapest but you really get what you pay for. Located on a square infront of the beach. It is a fish restaurant but you can have 100 other dishes aswell.

Calle L'almirall Cervera, 34,
08003 Barcelona
Call: 932 21 50 33
Web: http://www.gruposilvestre.com/index.php/es/

Bilbao Berria

I know this place very good. I used to work there. But I keep coming back for their paella served in the restaurant. Lunch time och dinner. The price is aprox 13euro/per paella. The chefs are so experienced and they loooove to make a paella. Fideua, is paella but with noodles, you have to try it! The bad thing is that they only have seafood paella.

Plaça Nova, 3
08002 Barcelona,
T: 93 317 01 24
reservas.plazanova@groupbilbaoberria.com

Restaurant Catamaran

They have a good paella, not the best but very good. The price is aprox 12euro/pp and the place is located on the beach. I go here often cause I love the view and you never have to wait to long for anything.

Avinguda del Litoral, 44 
08005 Barcelona
Call: 932 21 01 75

Do you know a cheap and good place? Comment please!

How to make mojitos

Mojitos is so easy to prepare and fresh to drink. I don't really need to know how the original mojito is done cause my recipe is awesome! For 2 mojitos use:

• 8 Mint leaves 
• 1 Lime 
• Rum 
• 2 tablespoons of Brown Sugar
• Club Soda or Sparkling water
• Ice (preferably crushed)

Cut the limes into smaller pieces. Grind the limes, sugar and the mint leaves carefully in the glass. Add the ice. Some people like to shake it. I never do, too much work. Add the rum and a dash of soda or sparkling water. I like it less sweet so I use sparkling water. Top the drink with some fresh mint leaves. Serve with a straw!

Running races in Barcelona

Sign up for one of the city's race. Select the month and start preparing!

Click on the links to get more information from their respective homepages.

Barcelona Half-marathon

When: February 15, 2015

http://www.mitjabarcelona.com/

Barcelona Marathon

When: March 15, 2015

http://www.zurichmaratobarcelona.com/

Cursa Bombers 10k run

When: April

http://www.nike.com/es/es_es/c/running/we-run-barcelona/

Barcelona Night Race - 10k run

When: June 14, 2014

http://cursadelportdebarcelona.com/

The Cursa Merce 10k run

When: September

http://www.bcn.cat/cursamerce/

Garmin Barcelona Triathlon 2014

When: 5th October 2014

http://www.garminbarcelonatriathlon.com/

Jean Bouin 2014 - 10k run

When: 23rd November 2014

http://www.jeanbouin.cat/

New Years 10k run

When: Late December

http://www.bcn.cat/cursanassos/ca/

How to prepare for Sónar 2014

I'm trying to plan the sonar weekend. It's a big festival that takes place in a week here in Barcelona. The whole city turns into a festival venue to be honest. Every club, beach, bar and everything inbetween is going to be packed with known DJ's and party people.

It's almost impossible to make a plan cause many of the concerts are announced just some hours before they begin! Last year, Richie Hawtin showed up in the Ciutadella park daytime, for free. These ones are the best concerts. So make sure you follow your favorite DJs on facebook/twitter if you know they will be in town.

The Pop-up concerts are mainly day time so it's good to have a plan for the night cause many concerts will be sold out or very expensive. Some coast a lot allready and some are for free. Luciano is playing on Atlantida for about 35 euro on Saturday but he also plays the next day on the beach for 8 euro including a beer. Some difference, right?

A good webpage to check out all the events is resident advisor.

It's gonna be sooooooo much fuuuun!!! CAN'T WAIT!!! See you at Sonar 2014!

Best cupcakes in Borne - Lolita Bakery

      

To be honest, I never thought I would like cupcakes but then - Lolita Bakery came into my life and I fell in love. It's a small bakery in Borne, close to where I live (horrible I know). They bake everything there and the service is nice. It's just next to the park so bring some cupcakes and a book and enjoy the afternoon in cuitadella.


Carrer de Portal Nou, 20
Phone: 933103676
Web: Facebook page

If you live in eixample: this is a popular cupcake bakery: Cupcakes barcelona

Homemade ice cream without lactose and gluten

May be the best ice-cream parlor in Barcelona. Homemade Italian ice cream! There are 2 shops right next to each other, a regular one and one with ice cream without lactose and gluten. 2 flavors cost about 2.70 and 3 flavors 3.70 and it's worth it!

 Gocce di latte 
 Pla de Palau, 4
 Espaseria, 14 (without lactose and gluten)
 Barcelona, ​​Spain

 Metro: Barceloneta or Jaume 1

Cuitat comtal - best tapas in Barcelona

Can't get enough of this restaurant. YOU MUST GO THERE! But preferably not between 20-22 Fridays and Saturdays for then you will have to wait hours for a table. Cheap.
They also serve in the bar and on the terrace.
Try brochetas de langostino, fried camembert, tapita de pulpo and everything else on the menu ;) Drink a bottle of white wine or cava (11euro aprox)

Rambla de Catalunya, 18
08007 Barcelona 
Call: 933 18 19 97