Barcelona
A character in the classic Spanish novel, “Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruis Zafon describes Barcelona as a city of ruins, in which people are simply struggling to exist. Now granted, the story is set early in the 1900s when poverty and political conflict were rampant in the area, but this simply could not be further from the truth. The Roman ruins do exist but they are spectacular, the architecture, galleries and museums could keep you busy for weeks, and the city is very much alive and kicking.It’s a glistening city upon the sea with a dark and Gothic underbelly, making it a place of opulent luxury with an edge. Its immense and unique character is part of the reason it was voted best European city several years ago. It isn’t particularly large, in fact relatively speaking some describe it as quite tiny, but this makes it easy to navigate and everything accessible no matter where you are staying.
A leader in modern interior design, one can stay in hotels that surpass all standards of luxury and indulgence. Bars and clubs loiter on every corner and in every underground stairwell so there is never a shortage of good places to drink and meet the locals. Being a stone’s throw from El Bulli, voted number one restaurant in the world, the local cuisine is enough to entice anyone interested in culinary trends, regional tastes or just a totally new and refreshing experience. The food here will literally blow you away and there is no end to the versatile and often theatrical restaurants to choose from.
Barcelona is a city that wakes late and parties until late. Spend enough time here and you’ll find yourself adapting to the siesta way of life. While tourism is key to the local economy here, one can often feel a resistance to “outsiders” coming in and enjoying the bars and restaurants that some residents don’t have the luxury to afford. The local language is Catalan rather than Spanish and, while no one would expect you to speak the former fluently, an attempt at the latter is more likely to make you friends. An expectation that locals speak English will be greeted with a Catalan scowl and, as a visitor, you’ll find yourself frustrated at the inability to communicate or navigate. But don’t be put of – if you try then they try back and you’ll find yourself diving head first into the beauty, sophistication, fun and overwhelming excitement that is Barcelona.
The attitude here is extremely relaxed so while opening hours and prices are given, this can only be approximate. People here are as laid back as they are patriotic. Shops may close for lunch with the intention of reopening in the afternoon but if owners don’t feel like it, the doors will remain closed. Restaurants may usually open on a certain night of the week but that doesn’t mean that when you go they will necessarily be open. Public holidays are very common (more so than anywhere else) so a saint’s birthday may leave you out in the cold while in pursuit of a cosy place to eat for lunch.
The city is divided up in many districts but a visitor can safely focus on just a few, a central hub for of great hotels, restaurants and bars. Place de Catalunya is the central square of the city. La Rambla is a long, avenued road that leads to that from the marina, upon which you’ll find an array of shops, open air food markets and the world famous street performers. Passeig de Gracia is the location for some of Gaudi’s most famous works as well as every designer boutique in the city. Port Olimpico rests on the beach and, while a little further out from the city centre, it’s close by and home to some of the finest hotels and clubs. The Gothic area and Barceloneta are also notable due to their stunning architecture and the fact that they are one of the better places to distance oneself from the tourist pulse and really get to know the living, breathing, everyday side of Barcelona.
