Barcelona Street Profile: Passeig de Gràcia
Passeig de Gràcia - Immerse yourself in chic Barcelona
Passeig de Gracia, also known as Paseo de Gracia is one of the streets in Barcelona that I don’t find myself visiting that often. But when I do, I barely feel like I am in Barcelona anymore. Correction. I realize that I am actually in a big city that offers everything that a shopoholic, a museum and restaurant – lover, could possibly want and need. Because when you find yourself walking around in El Born for Eixample (which I do almost everyday…) or along the beach, I often feel that I am at a summer resort rather than in a big city. But that’s not the case. I am in a big city, I Just don’t go to those typical big-city-parts of Barcelona that often. However, when my friends come to visit me, I often hear myself saying: Hey, let’s go to Passeig De Gracia. And let me just tell you one thing: all my friends that have been here love love love Passeig de Gracia Barcelona! In other words, there is something magical about this street.
Street Profile: Passeig de Gracia – the most exclusive Barcelona street, bringing you a little bit closer to Audrey-ism with stores that carry clothes that you almost would give up your vision to have in your closet. Get all the information you could possibly need to know about the most exclusive shops, fabulous restaurants and museums. Read and take notes my friends.
Passeig de Gracia by day
Passeig de Gracia is one of the major avenues in Barcelona and also one of it’s most important shopping and business areas, containing several of the city’s most celebrated pieces of architecture. Furthermore, this street is the home of heavy brand shops and boutiques such as Jimmy Choo, Tiffanys in Barcelona, Chanel, Gucci and Valentino, separated with cute coffee shops and trendy restaurants. However, this street is not always aimed at the ones with a big wallet. Shops such as Stradivarious, H&M, Bershka and Blanco are all to be found here.
Passeig de Gracia is located in the central part of Eixample, stretching from Placa Catalunya to Carrer Gran de Gracia. In terms of cost of renting or buying property anywhere in this avenue, Passeig de Gracia is nowadays regarded as the most expensive street in Barcelona and also in Spain – even ahead of Calle Serrano in Madrid.
When living in Gracia (I now live by Plaza de Catalunya), I went to DIR – one of Barcelona’s most famous gyms, located on Gran de Gracia. After my one hour – or so of training, I was not ready to go home just yet. Many times, I found myself strolling down Passeig de Gracia in order to do some sightseeing or shopping. One day, for example, I found myself passing by the park and boutanic garden of Jardines del Palau Robert, located on Passeig de Gracia 107. After one quick look through the big glass doors, I could not not go inside in order to look further. A shame that I didn’t bring my camera, I thought as I was walking through the beautiful garden where I also visited small art and history museums.
When it comes to sightseeing, I would recommend you go and visit one of Gaudi’s works. When in Barcelona, this is something you just have to do. Gaudi’s work is admired by architects around the world as being one of the most unique and distinctive architectural styles. His work has greatly influenced the face of Barcelona Architecture and you will see his work all over the city – for example on Passeig de Gracia.
Casa Battlo, located at 43 Passeig de Gracia – is a building restored by Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1904-1906. The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones) and it does indeedhave a skeletal organic quality. This building looks very remarkable – like everything Gaudi designed. The ground floor in particular, is rather astonishing with tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work.
Passeig de Gracia by night
Passeig de Gracia is famous for its chic and trendy restaurants. One of these is Parco Sushi Sashimi, located on Paseo de Gracia 119. I don’t know about you, but I am a big fan of sushi – and sushi restaurants. I love everything about it. I mean, after all, this is where you will find the best cocktails and service, the perfect atmosphere on that Saturday night and hip people from all over the world. On Passeig De Gracia, you will find this sushi restaurant, famous for its amazing food and drinks. The dress code is a little bit nicer than other typical Spanish restaurants, so start scanning your closet right now for that little black dress. This restaurant is unquestinably one of the best and most exclusive Japanese restaurants in the city with a stylish atmosphere. Average cost per person: 60 Euros. Reservations highly recommended.
Other Barcelona restaurants, located on Passeig de Gracia, that I recommend you to go visit are the following:
- Restaurant Bilbao. C/ Perill 33 One of the best restaurants serving Catalan cuisine in the city. Very friendly service. Average cost per person: €35. Reservations highly recommended. Tel: 93 458 96 24
- Botafumeiro marisqueria Gran de Gràcia, 81. One of Barcelona’s famous seafood restaurants only 5 minutes away from the apartments. Average cost per person: €70. Meals served non-stop from 1 pm to 1 am www.botafumeiro.es Tele: 93 218 42 30
Passeig de Gracia living – The home of the exclusive hotels
If you want to enjoy this summer on top of one of the best terraces of Barcelona, don’t miss ALAIRE Terrace of Hotel Condes de Barcelona, located on Passeig de Gracia 73-75. This is the perfect place to stay during your visit in the city or for that Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch (wow, that rhymed!) The other weekend, I was having lunch with some friends at this 4 Star Hotel, located in an emblematic corner of the city where you can contemplate the spectacular sights, surrounded by other beautiful hotels (all with rooftops and pool areas!).
From the ALAIRE hotel terrace, you have an amazing view over the famous Gaudi building on Passeig de Gracia. I suggest you bring a camera and make a visit!
The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is one of the newest Mandarin Orientals. The hotel is situated in an elegant mid 20th century building near the Casa Battlo by Gaudi with its fabulous facade. The rooms have great view over the city and some even has terraces. The hotel design takes inspiration from its original Spanish heritage and mixes it with modern Spanish design. There are s one can love about this hotel. The fact that each room has a free standing bath, the white mediterranean brasserie Blanc serving up Catalan specialities and the modern Bankers Bar with outdoor terrace. But my favorite part of the hotel has to be the roof top sun deck with plunge pool and views over the city. For more information or to make reservations please visit www.mandarinoriental.com or call 0080028283838
Charlotte Giver
SuiteLife is…