Top 10 local recommendations Barcelona

Planning your trip to Barcelona:

Top 10 local recommendations!

It’s great going abroad. We all know that. The excitement of packing,                       finding things to do and flying, it’s all good fun. But, how about some                           information from the locals in Barcelona to make your trip super                     authentic? We’ve got 10 recommendations from them, the people who                   know Barcelona better than anyone!   

1. Take yourself off the beaten path   It’s so common that when we travel we end up going to where the guidebooks tell us to go.                                     That’s normal. But, there’s a lot more to Barcelona than the beach and Las Ramblas, the city                                 has so much to offer in other unknown neighborhoods. Take the ‘Horta’ neighborhood. It’s                           tucked away at the back of the city near the bottom of the mountains which surround                               Barcelona and has many hidden treasures, including a renaissance labyrinth garden that only                         the locals really know about. Or there’s the Sants district which has lots of interesting cafés –                                 the perfect spot to sit on a terrace and watch the city pass by with a fresh coffee.   Suggested local activity: Discover Barcelona's neighborhoods on a vintage bike    

 2. Make friends in Gràcia   Gràcia, Barcelona’s untapped district, has very few tourists and it’s a stone’s throw away from                             the center, just a short 20 minute walk. The neighbourhood has a lot of character and feels                                 very much like its own little town outside of the city centre (in fact it used to be). Plaça del Sol,                                         one of it’s most popular squares, translates to ‘Sun Square’ which makes it a perfect place to                                 grab a beer, catch some rays and make friends, at least thats what all the locals do! It’s the                                     perfect place to make friends with locals. Don’t be afraid, asking a local one question will                               probably give you a friend for the rest of your evening. A great way to meet some cool,                                   laid­back locals.   Suggested local activity: Food lovers tapas & cava tour in bohemian Gràcia    

3. Discover el Carmel Neighborhood & ‘The Bunkers’   Widely considered as Barcelona’s best kept secret, el Carmel neighborhood is situated on the                           top of a small residential mountain/hill. You won’t find any mention of it in guidebooks,                             because, on paper, there’s nothing much to see up there. But little do the travel writers know                                 that at the top of this mountain sits an abandoned World War Two bunker. This amounts to                                 around 20 concrete slabs, and despite how un­glamourous that sounds, these slabs have                         become a hotspot for your Barcelonians to take in the best views of the city, 360*. It’s a great                                     place to go during the sunset, with a few beers, a guitar and maybe a date you want to                                     impress. Please note that the Bunkers are under maintenance until March 2015 but don’t                           worry ­ there’s still good spots to see the entire city!   Suggested local activity: Somewhere above Barcelona   

 4. Go partying to Jamboree, Pipa Club, Sidecar 

  Jamboree is a great little find in Plaça Reial, the centre for Barcelona’s manic nightlife. It’s a                                 club that plays a unique mix of hip­hop downstairs and fun, pop­rock music upstairs, so                             something for everyone. It should also be mentioned that Barcelona has a big jazz scene and                               Jamboree is also home to some of the best jazz music in Barcelona so it’s great if you’re                                   eager to hear some saxophone on your trip. We can’t forget fun­loving, dressed­down Sidecar                           which has an eclectic range of music either! After a good dance you can just move a few                                   doors along in Plaça Reial to Pipa Club for a late night tipple in this hidden speakeasy. You’ll                                   have to ring the bell!   Suggested local activity: Enjoy the most authentic nightlife in Barcelona    

5. Enjoy the Gin & Tonic   The locals of Barcelona have really embraced gin, adapting & adopted the gin & tonic as their                                 own. In fact, you’re probably more likely to find a better G&T in Barcelona than you are in                                   London! The city has countless bars dotted everywhere serving this bitter concoction. Beware                         however, not all of them do it well. Take yourself down to Bobby Gin or Dry Martini if you’re                                     looking for a cool atmosphere and a BIG gin and tonic. And when we say big, we mean                                   fish­bowl big! You can even get tipsy with a local as you learn to prepare a gin and tonic with                                       them.   Suggested local activity: Gin Tonic experience with a cocktail master    

6. Take a day Trip to Sitges   If you’re one for topping up your tan then you’re in the right city. Whilst Barcelona has some                                   really awesome beaches, they can get pretty busy during summer. So, if you’re looking for a                               little peace and tranquility on your trip then take the train to Sitges. It only takes 30 minutes                                   and before you know it you’ll be sitting on the golden sands watching the Mediterranean Sea                               do its thing. A bonus is that Sitges has its own range of cute restaurants and boutiques so you                                     can add even more pleasure to your trip.  Suggested local activity: Day trip to Sitges (for both LGBT and non LGBT)      

7. Take a run or walk in Collserola Natural Park   

Sports are big in Barcelona, the beaches are fitted with outdoor gyms, the city is incredibly flat                                 which makes it great for cycling, running, skateboarding and the sea makes it even easier to                               go for a refreshing morning swim. Collserola Natural Park is a great green space planted at                               the top of the city and makes for a really good running or walking spot. It’s really high up so                                       you get fantastic panoramic views of the city as you run around these mountainous trails full                               of wildlife and Catalan vistas!  Suggested local activity: Guided trips to the Natural Parks of Barcelona    

8. Go for Beer and Bravas   

Barcelona is going through a beer revival with new variations popping up from local breweries                             all the time. However, the classic combination of beer and patatas bravas (roasted potatoes                           with a secret delicious sauce) shouldn’t be missed. Some of the city’s best can be found at                                 the Fabrica Moritz in Sant Antoni. It’s a beautifully designed bar with many beers to choose                               from as well as one of the best places to get some bravas – whether you want them Catalan                                     style or Madrid style, they’ve got the bravas for you. If you’re looking for something a little less                                   mainstream, visit Mingus Bar in downtown for all the city’s latest craft beers and a great                               relaxed Barcelona skater­vibe.   Suggested local activity: Tapas & Beer in el Born, the coolest neighborhood   

9. Try a Conesa sandwich while visiting the Gothic Quarter   Conesa is an institution – it’s a tiny little sandwich place located near in the Gothic area. Here                                   you can get your sandwich to order with really fresh and tasty ingredients. Great if you’re                               looking for a beach snack. Sometimes there’s a queue out the door but don’t let this put you                                   off. Once you have one of the sandwiches here, you’ll be going back the next day for round                                   two!  Suggested local activity: Gothic Quarter tour        

10. Go to the beach  No matter what season it is, Barcelona in general has an extremely mild climate and a trip to                                   the beach, be it a walk or a bathe, is always worth it. During the summer months Barceloneta                                   and the city’s most central beaches are extremely crowded (and the temperatures reach                         +30*), so make sure you jump on the metro to Poblenou or even out of the city to Castell de                                       Fells for a refreshing dip along less crowded and much cleaner beaches. But that doesn’t                             mean you can’t enjoy them In winter. Barceloneta, the Olympic Marina and Badalona are all                             great destinations for a beautiful stroll along the coast. You’ll appreciate just how fantastic a                             city built along the coast can be and find more than one excuse for a cheeky little drink or                                     lunch.   Suggested local activity: Barcelona Beach bike tour