1. The Gardens Mossèn Costa i Llobera
It is also called the BarcelLeone Cactus Garden, it is a large thematic garden located on Montjuic Hill. The entrance is free, it can be reached by car or metro, for that you have to go down to the metro Paral-lel and walk about twenty minutes.
You can spend two hours there, it’s beautiful, it’s like a little in the Mojave Desert in the west of the US. So in the middle of summer do not go at noon, it’s all over! You will see many varieties of cactus from the desert, tropical and high mountain areas as well as a beautiful collection of tropical plants from Australia, Arizona, Mexico, Morocco, etc. The garden covers 3.16 hectares and was inaugurated in 1970. In 1987 the New York Times voted him one of the top 10 gardens in the world!
2. The Cervantes Park
It is located in the district of Pedralbes in the north of Barcelona and is home all year long a magnificent collection of roses of all colors and in all its forms: miniatures, climbing roses, roses with large flowers … On the 9 hectares that account the Park, 4 ha are dedicated to roses with more than 240 varieties of flowers and 10,000 roses! For 2 days in May, when flowering is at its peak, the park welcomes the International Competition of new roses in a space designed for this purpose.
There are about a hundred new varieties of roses participating in the contest that will enrich the park’s collection. It’s the Barcelona City Council that oversees all of this. Visitors are invited to elect “the most beautiful city rose” (Rosa Ciudadana). Some have funny names, there is the Louis de Funes, the Charles de Gaulle, the rose Eddy Mitchell … and yes France is rather well represented! But it’s not just roses in this beautiful park, it’s a great place for a walk, a picnic or a picnic all year round!
3. Palo Alto Market
This market, which is very popular with Barcelona boosters, takes place on the first weekend of the month in Barcelona’s Poble Nou district. Flea markets with food trucks, sale of clothes and all the tourism, there is plenty in Barcelona, even the French community is going to tell you (with pancake stand lol) but the Palo Alto market, I assure you, it’s the cream of the crop hipster markets. What differentiates it from all other “street markets” is already the place, indeed the Palo Alto takes up its quarters once a month in an old tannery rehabilitated which has a lot of charm with this industrial and vintage touch that goes good right now.
It is also very green, with the Poblenou garden next door, arbours have been installed and it is nice to land. And then there is a lot of food trucks, so you should not hang around for half an hour to eat a piece or drink a good beer (2 € la caña). Inside you will also find super trendy stands of vintage furniture, decoration, local designers … I like to go there to draw inspiration from the decor, an artichoke cone in hand, a beer or a piece of chocolate cake!
The atmosphere is festive, there is good music with little concerts and DJ’s. It’s an increasingly popular market! a beer or a piece of chocolate cake! The atmosphere is festive, there is good music with little concerts and DJ’s. It’s an increasingly popular market! a beer or a piece of chocolate cake! The atmosphere is festive, there is good music with little concerts and DJ’s. It’s an increasingly popular market!
4. The Torre Bellesguard (or Casa Figueras)
This is one of Gaudí’s most confidential works in Barcelona. We naively believe that we all know the great Catalan architect, but he continues to surprise us. La Torre Bellesguard opened to the public in 2013 only! It is still inhabited by the owners who have finally decided to share it with everyone. The Torre Bellesguard (in Catalan “beautiful look”) was therefore developed by Antonio Gaudí from 1900 to 1909, on the ruins of a medieval castle of the fifteenth century.
In 1900, the family Figueras, owner of the land, has a good idea to appeal to Gaudí (the reputation already well established) to take everything back in hand and build a house “which deposits” (yes, they have said like this: “Antonio, you make us a house that deposits, that sends heavy, do you play it’s us we pay everything “). The architect is delighted and decides to let go of his creativity. He builds a palace halfway between Catalan and Gothic art nouveau. The gardens are also beautiful, as well as the stables room, you can easily spend 2 hours on the site, there is even a bar/restaurant for you to eat next door, and concerts are organized on summer nights.
5. The Montjuic Cemetery
In Barcelona, life is not only tapas, beach and mojitos, the city also has its dark side. Know that we learn a lot about a city by visiting its cemeteries, the history of great local families, characters who have had a certain influence on the city (politicians, painters ..). It’s a treat for anyone who loves art. Some funerary sculptures are fascinating. The walk is also worth a look for who is interested in botany. And it’s free and silent! The Montjuic cemetery is definitely in my top list of unusual things to do in Barcelona.
This cemetery, inaugurated in 1883, is just huge (it covers 56 hectares), and you can easily get lost (in a cemetery, it’s a nerd) and it has more than 150,000 burials! We can follow the 2 main tours, the “Ruta histórica” and “the cultural Ruta” that will take you to the discovery of burials worthy of interest, mausoleums created by renowned architects like Lluis Domenech, tombs of famous people (painters, politicians, writers …) magnificent sculptures by famous artists, simpler tombs of illustrious strangers who catch the eye with their profusion of flowers and sometimes kitsch decor! Joan Miró and Ramon Casas are buried there. All this along winding paths, often embellished with impressive tropical plants.
In some places, large stone burials will remind the connoisseurs Park Guell. tombs of famous people (painters, politicians, writers …) magnificent sculptures of famous artists, simpler tombs of famous unknowns who catch the eye with their profusion of flowers and decor sometimes kitsch! Joan Miró and Ramon Casas are buried there. All this along winding paths, often embellished with impressive tropical plants. In some places, large stone burials will remind the connoisseurs Park Guell.
And then, some tombs compete of megalomania, it’s really a place to discover! And then up there, what a calm, and what a view of the sea and Montjuic hill.
6. The Carmel Bunkers
The view from up there is breathtaking! It is the evening, before the sunset, that I advise you to go, bring your picnic and enjoy the 360º panorama, it’s free and open 24/24. To get there, take the V17 bus from Urquinaona Square, and get off at the last stop “Gran Vista – Pl. Mitja Lluna” (25 minutes). Túro de la Rovira belvedere is 10 minutes up the hill. The bunkers were built during the Spanish Civil War and were used as an anti-aircraft battery to defend the city from bombing. The place was rehabilitated and established historical space in 2011.
The word of mouth is still its effect but there are still a lot of Catalans who have never heard of! So what can we see from the famous mirador? You will recognize in front of you the Sagrada Familia, in the far right the Hotel W in the form of a sail that borders the sea, the two great towers of Mapfre and the Hotel Arts, then on the left the Torre Agbar (in shape suppository!) by Jean Nouvel, but also Montjuic Hill further east and Collserola tower. In 2015 the music video of the song, not Nobody (Felix Jaehn ft. Jasmine Thompson)was shot there. It’s also a pretty romantic place… Enjoy the view and do not forget your camera.
7. Fantastik Bazar
Souls sensitive to colors, in love with purified objects and Scandinavian furniture, watch out for the eyes. At Fantastik Bazar (shop located at 62 Joaquim Costa street, metro Universitat) we like to mix genres and we have a sense of humor. This is not the simple oriental bazaar selling all kinds of cochoncetés to 2 francs if under … the Fantastik is the king of the Bazaar, the real one, the paradise of the international finds, the authentic cave of Ali Baba.
You will find (on-site or on their online store) all kinds of objects that will necessarily remind you of a trip or a souvenir … from the plastic doll made in Poland, to the candle Frida Kahlo, through the plate to the effigy of Mao, Mexican skulls, alpine thermometer, Bollywood postcards, Spanish gypsy set, but also toys and funny stationery (I bought a frog-shaped pencil sharpener ^^) … you will find your happiness among these happy concentrated objects of all countries, found elsewhere.
They have a nice selection of tablecloths Mexican style, a classic of Barcelona decor, we find them in many restaurants to give an exotic touch and festive tables.
8. The Chocolaterie of Oriol Balaguer
Oriol Balaguer is a Catalan cook-pastry chef from Tarragona who revolutionized and dusted the pastry. Passionate about chocolate since childhood, culinary architect as he defines himself, he is one of the most respected chocolate masters in the world. In Barcelona, it has 4 shops. That of Calle Fusina at No. 5 in Born is dedicated solely to chocolate. It is beautiful, spacious and bathed in light.
Basically, a room welcomes people coming to take cooking classes and various workshops, always on the theme of chocolate! At the counter, in front of so many temptations, it is normal to hesitate … maybe a hot chocolate? (you can choose the percentage of cocoa) or a pancake? ice cream with a variety of toppings (more than 60! )? a piruleta? a poked crust? Or create your own chocolate bar? Why not simply be tempted by the Catalan specialty seen by Mr. Oriol, chocolate con churros? This one is good, divine, delicious, chocolate thick as it should, we enjoy!
9. Paddle surf
Paddle surfing or SUP (Stand Up Paddle) is a trendy sport in Barcelona. A revelation for many Catalans, and activity more and more popular among visitors! Personally, I do not see it as a sport, but rather as a moment of relaxation that allows me to recharge my batteries and recharge my batteries. Being connected to the sea and enjoying the view of the city from the sea, it is also a way to enjoy Barcelona, a city turned to its many beaches.
And then nothing works one works his balance, one muscle, one curves his silhouette, while spending an excellent moment. In Barcelona, you can do all year round. From June to November, the swimsuit is enough (water is good until November) and from January to April a full neoprene suit is essential, or a semi-integral combi for the inter-season. There are several centers offering paddle surfing in Barcelona, all, of course, are located in Barceloneta, by the sea. Count 15 € for one-hour rental.
10. El Nacional
It is one of the most emblematic places of Barcelona. It is a large gastronomic area located on Paseo de Gracia Avenue, in the heart of the city. Inside you will find several restaurants and bars. There is even an oyster bar at the bottom. There are 4 restaurants: the Braseria (specialized in meats), the Llotja (fish), the Taperia (cold tapas, hot, paella ..) and the Parade (sandwiches, salads, juice).
There are also 4 bars: beer bar, cocktail bar, oyster bar and finally the last area dedicated to wines and cold cuts. El Nacional is 2.600 m2 and a total capacity of 700 guests. The building dates from 1889, just after the Universal Exhibition in Barcelona and has already housed a theater cafe, a dealer during the Civil War, a garage. It is interesting to take a look for the beauty of the place and the decor. It is a beautiful space, do not be impressed by the majestic entrance, come back and take some pictures.
Forget about 2016 and make a leap in time, at the beginning of the great industrial era of the city. With its large bay windows, large metal pillars, the presence of wrought iron and the small garden at the entrance, El Nacional recalls another emblematic building of Barcelona dating from the same era, the Mercat de la Concepció located a few streets of the. It’s a place that has a soul and reflects the cultural life of Barcelona! at the beginning of the great industrial era of the city.
With its large bay windows, large metal pillars, the presence of wrought iron and the small garden at the entrance, El Nacional recalls another emblematic building of Barcelona dating from the same era, the Mercat de la Concepció located a few streets of the. It’s a place that has a soul and reflects the cultural life of Barcelona! at the beginning of the great industrial era of the city.
With its large bay windows, large metal pillars, the presence of wrought iron and the small garden at the entrance, El Nacional recalls another emblematic building of Barcelona dating from the same era, the Mercat de la Concepció located a few streets of the. It’s a place that has a soul and reflects the cultural life of Barcelona!