Best of Barcelona

This guide to the Best of Barcelona is meant to be a subjective listing of all the best architecture, amusement facilities,dining, accommodation, nightlife, shopping etc. in this vibrant city. If you are new to the city or a relative newcomer this should be a city map of ideas on what to do and see. My ears are pressed firmly to the ground, and there is a what's going on section dedicated to the most interesting current events in Barcelona in 2012. You'll also find info on accommodation vacancies coinciding with some of the larger events. I'll keep adding categories and reviews. Feel free to comment and suggest additions!

These are some personal recommendations of cool events in the city this winter/spring. If you attend one and feel disappointed, you know where to drop a complaint!

Events and Concerts in Barcelona 2012:

Barcelona Events:

• 27-29 Jan- The Brandery Fashion Trade Show of urban, contemporary fashion.
• 26-29 Mar - Alimentaria Trade fair for all things edible.

Barcelona Concerts and Festivals:

• 28.01 - Arctic Monkeys Palau Sant Jordi
• 30.05 - 03.06 - Primavera Sound
• 14.06 - 16.06 - Sonar
• 20.07 - The Stone Roses

Barcelona Exhibitions info coming!

More Barcelona events.

The funfair that dates back to 1889 (!) may not be offering the most high-tech of rides, but it boasts an unbeatable setting, literally hovering over the city at the Tibidabo mountain! Today historical gems like the world's first "flight simulator" (1928) stand along side newer acquisitions like the free-fall thrill of "the Pendulum". Kids (and grown-up kids) will love it!

The Barcelona TV Tower on top of the Collserola ridge offers stunning views of the city, into Catalonia - and on a clear day all the way to the Balearic islands. Designed by Norman Foster it was built for the -92 Olympics to broadcast images of sweaty men and women fighting for glory, and of a city asserting itself through design, architecture and innovative urban planning.

The best place to book Barcelona holiday apartments is at the self catering apartment Barcelona site www.acomodis.com. There are apartments located all over central Barcelona. It is a family-run business with personal and professional service and rates that tend to be on the lower end of the market prices for accommodation of a high standard.

The legendary world-renowned "La Boqueria" steals the price for best market in Barcelona - a city with a more than high number of quality markets. The construction of the "Mercat St.Josep" started in 1840, but there have been markets recorded at the site as far back as 1217. Today one goes there to marvel at the spectacle of colors and exotic and local produce, and to rub shoulders with some of the famous Catalan chefs who go there to hand pick what they serve up in the city's prestigious restaurants. Music from field-recordings of the sounds of the market here.

Jean Nouvel's Torre Agbar has quickly (2005) been established as a Barcelona landmark. It was, according to the architect, inspired by another great Catalan landmark; the Montserrat mountain. The most stand-out element is probably not its height (144 m) nor its phallic shape, similar to Norman Foster's  "St.Mary Axe" in London, but rather its 4500 LED devices that deliver a spectacular "light-show" when the tower illuminates the Poble Nou area at night.

If you are looking for more independent local (and Spanish) designers the El Born neighborhood in the Old City is the place. But for shopping on a grand-scale, the Passeig de Grácia avenue can't be beat. All the big-shots have stores here, Armani, Boss, Gucci etc. But, the avenue itself is just as much of an attraction as high-class shopping. It's a thrill to walk underneath the amazingly designed (by Gaudí) lamp posts at dusk and just enjoy the splendor of the avenue that also includes architectural masterpieces such as Gaudí's Casa Mila and Casa Batlló, and Domenench's Lleó Morera and Cadalfach's Casa Amatller. Warning! May cause irreparable damage to your bank account. But, the stroll is free!

What started originally as a housing development (initiated by the architect Antoni Gaudí's patron Eusebi Güell) is today one of the city's main attractions. Now we count our blessings that the bourgeois of Barcelona (in 1904) didn't want to leave their comfortable apartments in Eixample for a more rural alternative! Only two houses were built, and the only individual who ended up actually living in the park was the architect himself. Locals and tourists alike flock to the park for the excellent city views, to picnic, to explore the web of paths and to admire the entrance structure and the exceptional craftmanship of the tile work.

Perhaps the idea of visiting a cemetery as a stop along a route of attractions thorough Barcelona might appear slightly morbid. The Igualada cemetery is nevertheless well worth a detour. Catalan architects Enric Miralles and Carme Pinós designed the unusual and thought-provoking "Necropolis". The result is in line with a long line of thinking in Catalan architecture, that of adapting architectural structure to the natural structure of the environment. Situated at the foot of the Montjuïc hill at the southern limits of the city.

Bar with a view:

Mirablau - Situated at the C/Manuel Arnús high up on the Tibidabo hillside you have the city at your feet! You do pay for the view, but the cocktails are not bad at all. Best visited at night on a weekday.

Old School Bar:

Boadas - Pretty hard to detect despite its very central location at the corner of Las Ramblas and C/Tallers. The discrete front is a hint to what's inside, this is not your typical hip Barcelona joint with cocktails flying as the DJ rocks the house. The clientele is mature (often 40 plus) who come here for the quality booze, and to stand around and shoot the breeze.

Wine Bar:

Vinya del Senyor - perfect setting in front of the marvelous church of Santa María del Mar. Here you get excellent cava by the glass and some tapas to accompany the drinks.

Best Absinthe Bar:

Bar Marsella - As befitting a genuine absinthe bar it is situated in a slightly dodgy area in El Raval - C/Sant Pau. This ramshackle old modernisme haunt evidently used to be frequented by the likes of Hemingway. But, where did that man not go to drink? In any case, the atmosphere is exactly as rowdy and bohemian as it should be. Not for everyone!

The all organic Bakery BarcelonaReykjavik situated in El Raval (c/Doctor Dou 12) now also has a branch in Grácia (c/Asturies). The organic craze arrived late to Barcelona, and this bakery was among the first to offer quality organic baked goods, and it is still the best. Granted it is not cheap, but it takes time to produce bread of this quality!

Choosing Bread in Barcelona has traditionally been a pretty dismal affair, a choice between white, tasteless barrasor white, tasteless pan. Thankfully this has now changed as a couple of long-time favorites have been joined by several others offering both quality and variety. Besides our favorite Barcelona Reykjavik (in El Raval and in Grácia) we recommend:

• Baluard, C/Baluar 38 in Barceloneta
• Bopan, C/Muntaner 536
• Turris, C/Aribau 158
• Leckerwahl, C/Mandri 22
  

Sala Apolo - C/Nou de la Rambla 113 is one of the old "war-horses" of Barcelona clubbing, but is carrying its years well.What makes the place stand-out is the classic dance-hall interior and eclectic booking policy. Like the now sadly closed La Paloma the building, located in Poble Sec has a history as a music hall dating back to a bygone era when the Barcelonins dressed in tails and feathers to go dance to the latest orchestra sounds. Today, anything from punk concerts to hip djs nights and "anti-karaoke" evenings keep the building "bumping".

La Palau de la Música Catalana was built between 1905-08 and is the creation of "the other" great modernisme architect, Lluís Domènech i Montaner. It is a breathtaking space to experience music, in particular smaller ensemble classical music but these days there is an eclectic mic of sounds to be heard underneath that awe-inspiring chandelier. During the 2009 Jazz Festival in Barcelona the "palace" also hosted jazz legends like Keith Jarrett and Chick Corea.

Caj Chai c/Sant Doménenc del Call 12

Located in the quiet el Call - the old Jewish quarter of Barri Gotic. This is a couple of blocks that,fortunately, are easily missed by tourists.This is a charming little spot with quality tea and an assortment of Arabic pastry to satisfy the sweetest of teeth. Recommended: Chai tea w. honey and rum from the Canary islands. But, please keep it to yourself! Let's keep this the quiet refuge it is today.

Every Barcelona native knows that the best deal to be had for meals in this town is the "Menú del día". Even top restaurants offer a set menu for lunch, and great meals can set you back no more than 35-45 € a head. Most restaurants do, however, have a price around 10€. Our choice is therefore in this segment. Close by the Santa Caterina market crossing Vía Laietana from the Barcelona cathedral is Doble Zer00. We paid 10.50€ for an excellent 3 course meal of Japanese fusion courses and an appetizer. Probably the best value for money experience we've had so far in Barcelona!

RA - Pl.De Gardunya

Just behind the Boquería market is this nice little "bar & terrassa" offering an international breakfast including home-made cereal.

El Magnifico

This is not a café, but vendors of excellent coffee from just about every coffee producing part of the planet. Besides stocking up on quality beans for your home brew they also have coffee-to-go, so you can sample some of that invigorating stuff! Two locations: C/Argentería by the Santa Maria del Mar in El Born, and Av. Diagonal 520 in Eixample.

The streets (and the "plazas") are center stage during the yearly La Mercé festival in Barcelona. This may be why it is such an incredibly popular party. Besides all the street activities, the parades, the correfocs (fire-runs) etc. a highlight is the festival-within-the festival, the BAM (Barcelona Acció Musical) music festival. This year's roster includes more than 70 artists in all types of genres performing in all types of venues. Starting 23.09.10.

More on La Mercé 2010

Ok, so you are torn, visit Barcelona or visit Madrid? We suggest both, but if you can only choose one, our unbiased, unofficial and unpretentious "valuation" should be of help!

1. Lay of the Land. Winner: Barcelona No contest, located by the Mediterranean with mild winters and breezy summers (except August) against cold winters and too stuffy summers (Madrid).

2. Architecture. Winner: Barcelona. Both cities have a lot of interesting gems to show off, Barcelona simply has more and more special, ancient (Gothic), not so ancient (Gaudí) and Modern (Gehry).

3. Nightlife. Winner: Madrid. Again, no contest. Barcelona is a fun city to go out in, no shortage of interesting spaces, but for no-holds-barrel party action and attitude Madrid can't be beat. Besides a regulation happy city government is trying to quench all excessive noise and fun in central Barcelona.

4. Traffic. Winner: Madrid. Traffic in Madrid is a bit more intense than in Barcelona but drivers seem to have a slightly different attitude to pedestrians than the Barcelonins who don't seem to mind risking maiming or killing you at crossings so that they can get home before their butifarras get cold.

5. Restaurants. Winner: Barcelona. Dining in Madrid can be a treat, but Catalan superstar chef Ferran Adriá has kept educating new star chefs in his food "wonderland" i El Bullí (in Roses) and "sent them south" to keep the restaurant scene in Barcelona incredibly innovative.

6. Museums. Winner: Madrid. Again, no contest - Barcelona has several brilliant cultural institutions like the Picasso Museum, CCCB, MACBA etc. but nothing that can compare to the Prado or Reina Sofia in Madrid.

7. FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid. Winner: Barcelona. Barça does have the best player (Messi), the best team and (by far) the best image. After a tight season Barça came out on top and Real crashed out of the Champions League before the semis whereas Barça was stopped in the semi-finals by horrendous refereeing in Milano - so there!

Result: Barcelona - Madrid 4-3

Have a great vacation!