travel bites: Barcelona

eat / drink

Origen 99.9%

Local, modern and tasty tapas, a fresh ambiance and fantastic staff. Origin 99.9% promotes Catalonian cuisine – try the Bacalao (cod) with raisins and pine nuts.

Passeig Del Born, 4, 08003 Barcelona Tel. 93 295 6690 www.origen99.com

Copa Café

If you’re near La Sagreda Familia, turn and head up Avda Gaud to the Copa Café, a great place to catch your breath with a beer or coffee.

Avda. Gaud, 25, 08025 Barcelona Tel. 93 433 0908

ĀNIMA

If you’re a little over tapas, head to Ānima on Calle Angel (behind Las Ramblas). Serves modern Mediterranean cuisine with a local flavour.

Angel 6, El Raval, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona Tel. 93 342 4912 Metro. Liceu

Main courses 5€-14€ ($6-$16); fixed-price lunch 9€ ($10)

Sandwich & Friends

In the del Born area is Sandwich & Friends. Creative and delicious sandwiches and salads. Child friendly.

Passeig del Born 27, La Ribera, Ciutat Vella, Barcelona Tel. 93-310-07-86

Metro. Jaume I or Barceloneta. Sandwiches and salads 3.75€-7.35€

El Borne area

A myriad of intimate eating and drinking establishments – from tapas to cocktails.

sleep

Pension Casa Goya, basic but clean and adequate right in the heart of all the major tourist spots. Within a stone’s throw of Plaza Cataluña and Ramblas. Ignore the entrance, which looks and smells like a garage and use the buzzer to make yourself known. Once up on the second floor you’ll find a clean, recently renovated hostel. Comfortable beds, adequate linen and everything you need to rest your weary body after a day on the Barcelona streets. The staff are friendly and despite their lack of English everything you are after is provided.

Calle Sepulveda 187, Principal. Metro Universitat.

Casa Camper, house of the famed Camper Shoes, this hotel sums up the modern Barcelona vibe. A 25 room hotel in a converted 19^th century building - complete with vertical garden and roof terrace with views over the El Raval area.

Carrer Elisabets 11, Barcelona, Spain Tel. +34 933 426 280 http://www.camper.com/web/en/casacamper.asp

see

Parc Güell – Gaudi’s weird and wonderful landscaped park. Crazy Dr. Zuess-like mosaic sculptures abound amongst both desert dry and lush green surroundings. Worth a visit but be prepared for crowds and heat. Metro. Vallcarca

La Sagrada Familia – a beautiful monstrosity if ever there was one and another Gaudi inspiration. Not necessary to climb the claustrophobic spire, especially if it’s hot and the line is long, instead circumnavigate slowly, admiring all its crazy intricacies. Metro. Sagrada Familia

Parc de La Ciutadella – with its mirage-like fountain this park – designed in part by Gaudi – is a peaceful, colourful and cool place to relax with a picnic. Metro. Ciutella Villa Olympica. There’s a bit of a walk from the metro but it’s a pleasant one.

If you’re in Barcelona in June be sure to head to the Sonar Music Festival www.sonar.es – with musical acts both new and old you’re sure to find something to get down to.

Don’t miss the Passeig del Born area, authentic winding cobbled streets, hip vibe and full of fantastic restaurants, tapas and cocktail bars and shops.

shop

In the Passeig del Born area where you’ll discover one off local designers – from shoes to jewels.

Around El Raval district. Beware of the tourist price hikes.

Camper home to the ultimate ‘cool comfort’ shoe

Custo Creative glam t-shirts and more

link

For accommodation check out

Simple to use and you can check out ratings from people who have stayed before http://www.hostelbarcelona.com/findabed.php/ChosenCity.Barcelona/ChosenCountry.Spain

www.hostelsclub.com is the same set up – prices vary between these sites so it pays to check both.

Great for short apartment rentals - http://www.urban-flats.com/apartments/barcelona_apartments.html