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 (Passeig de gracia shops are as vary as possible), a museum and restaurant - lover, could possibly want and need. Because when you find yourself walking around in El Born or 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 asStradivarious, 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 onPasseig 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

Plaça de Catalunya

The first kind of art that we can find in Paseo de Gracia is -lower your eyes- the ground! With this orignal type of tile which was created by Antoni Gaudi.

Let's discover Paseo de Gracia more and more with the # street number.

At the very beginning of Paseo de Gracia, #1, there is a beautiful Apple store and #4 Catalana Occidente, an insurance company.
8# Then, on your right, there is Casa Antoni Rocamora designed in 1914 by two brothers, Joaquim and Bonaventura Bassegoda,  this building looks to renaissance gothic with lots of ornamentation.
#13 Comedia, a cinema with 5 auditoriums.
#16 Zara home, a nice furnishing store where you can smell a pleasant interior fragrance which creates a family atmosphere and provides a feeling of well-being. It helps you transform your ideas into reality to decorate your dream home. #19 Borsa de Barcelona, The Stock exchange of Barcelona has a privileged location but nowadays the street is more filled with tourists than with businessmen; times are changing.
#35 Casa Lleó Morera created by Lluis Domenech i Montaner.
#41-43 y #35 are  "Illa de la Discòrdia"  (Block of Discord). #35 La Casa Lleó Morera,  #41 La casa Amatller  designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and  #43 Casa Batlló designed by Antoni Gaudi, (part of the "World Heritage Site") constitute the Block of the Discord. The name "Illa de la Discòrdia" was given because the buildings are very closely constructed, all at the beginning of the 20th Century and designed by three of the most important architects of the Catalan Modernism whose styles were very different.
#66 Casa Vídua Marfà.
#68 Hotel Majestic 5 stars.
#96 Vinçon opened its doors to the public in 1941, founded by Enrique Leviand Hugo Vinçon. During this period the business’ main activity was the wholesale of porcelain, fine china and glassware. Between 1967 and 1990 they decided to venture and explore the emerging industry of the contemporary design of household objects. From this point onwards innovation happened at all levels and the foundation was laid for what eventually would become one of the most exclusive and representative stores in Barcelona. Today their brand enjoys international prestige.
#102 Hotel Paseo de Gracia 1 star.
Junction between Passeig de Gràcia and Avenida Diagonal.

Luxury shops, don't go too hard on the credit card !
#115 Cine Casablanca Kaplan with 3 auditoriums. The Cine Casablanca opened on 13th December 1980. The cinema was named Casablanca in homage to the 1942 Michael Curtiz film "Casablanca". Unfortunately  it was closed in 2011.
#132 Casa Fuster, a luxurious  5 star hotel classified as a monument hotel ends Passeig de Gràcia on a high note ! With 96 rooms and suites, gymnasium, panoramic terrace, etc., Casa Fuster proposes a distinguished service and is an excellent place for visitors or businessmen. It's also where Woody Allen always stays when in BCN.
Map:
Have you checked out all of these sites yet? What's your favourite part of Passeig de Gracia? Let us know in the comments! Charlotte Giver&Lucie