Sports in Barcelona : Let's try something new!

Are you looking for some different sports in Barcelona? Dark room ... electro music ... and ... sweating people ... What am I talking about? Razzmatazz or Catwalk? No, not any of those or other clubs in Barcelona. I am talking about La Sala Magali - in other words  a new way to work out in Barcelona! Strict trainer and (just) 30 minutes of INTENSIVE training! If you are tired of running in Citaudella Park, swimming or just a gym and you are open to try new things - you shouldn't stop reading.
My co-worker Sarit told me about her addictions, which is besides coffee also La Sala Magali! She has been a member of La Sala Magali for over a year and she loves it! Sarit also told me about the trainers and how even an easy class can still feel like being in army sometimes... It was like a bell going off in my head - I HAVE TO TRY IT!
We went there! I was pretty nervous, mainly because Sarit told me about the trainers. I could feel an energy from people even before the lesson! Everybody was on time! (Wooow, I was thinking, am I still in Spain? :) ). Everyone was so highly motivated and I felt like I was in the middle of a pack of Jack Russell Terriers! Seriously! :D
"Located in the heart of Barcelona, the Sala is a space designed with a very New York spirit, inspired by the monasteries inhabited by the Shaolin monks, who live with minimal comfort and train daily." We went to the dark room - just mirrors, me and other 15 people and ... trainer Catherine! She was very sweet to me because she knew I was a newbie. Anyway, she wasn't so sweet to others, sometimes I could hear shouting in Spanish or English, so I knew I better n0t stop although I was practically dying from the beginning of the class! Catherine walked between people so she could also show us how to work out properly!
After 30 minutes (it seemed to me like 10 minutes) I felt like I wouldn't even make it to metro station :D But I mean, I felt GREAT! I have never had such an intensive workout in such a short time. The concept is just awesome! They have different types of training sessions, so everybody can choose the level and people are very cool and friendly! At least, go to try it, it's worthy experience! ;) Check their website here! Do you know about other unusual work out/sports in Barcelona?? Give us feedback in comments below! Cu there! :) ~ Ivet

CATALAN CUISINE: THE TOP 5 CATALAN RESTAURANTS IN BARCELONA

When coming to Barcelona you will definitely want to try some Spanish tapas, paella and tortilla de patatas. Did you know, though, that these meals are not from Barcelona, or even Catalonia? Well, I highly recommend you to try them, but you should not miss some typical Catalan dishes either. Fortunately, there is a great deal of traditional Catalan restaurants in Barcelona. I think that you absolutely should add trying at least one of my top 5 Catalan restaurants in Barcelona to your To-Do-List!

1. 7 Portes

“Practice makes perfect”, right? Well, that is why the traditional restaurant 7 Portes, in the El Born district, is regarded as one of the best traditional restaurants in Barcelona: It was founded in 1836! That means... well, wait a second … ok, I have it: 178 years of existence!  In case you are not convinced yet, here are some of their Catalan dishes: fideuà, canelons, Esqueixada de bacallà and much more. Great service, a special atmosphere with live piano music and the most important: great dishes are guaranteed! It will be an unforgettable experience! You won’t regret it, that’s for sure!

• Address: Passeig d'Isabel II, 14
• Phone: 0034 933 193 033/ 0034 933 192 950
• Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 13 pm – 1 am
• Email for reservations: reserves@7portes.com
• Price: From 30-45 Euros

2. Senyor Parelleda

Another must-try, for those who are willing to taste a typical Catalan dish, is the traditional restaurant Senyor Parelleda, also situated in the beautiful El Born quarter. It is always well patronized, which is, not surprisingly because with the divine food they serve. My advice therefore is definitely to reserve a table! Let’s have a look at some meals they offer, OK? Let’s get started: Esqueixada con escalivada, Bacalao gratinado con alioli de pera y salsa vizcaína and of course the typical pan amb tomate. In case you can still resist, watch out: apart from their delicious kitchen, the special traditional decoration of the place is something you should not miss! What are you waiting for?

• Address: Carrer Argenteria, 37
• Phone: 0034 933 105 094
• Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 13:00 – 15:45 and 20:30 – 23:30
• Email for reservations: reservas@senyorparellada.com
• Price for Menu: 19-39 Euro

3. Taverna el Glop

You are looking for something traditional, right? And you finally want to try that dish called "calçots", true? Well, then you should undoubtedly try the rustic, informal restaurant El Glop, which is for sure one of the best traditional restaurants in Barcelona. Aside from calçots, they serve as well botifarra Catalana amb mongetes, escalivada amb anchovies and crema catalana, just a few of their mind-blowing dishes. It is situated in the beautiful Gracia district and appropriate for everybody, even for big groups, as they do have three big private rooms and special offers for groups. You see? You can’t miss this, can you?

• Address: Carrer Sant Lluís, 24
• Phone: 0034 932 137 058
• Opening hours: Monday-Sunday, 13 pm – 1 am
• Email for reservations: info@tavernaelglop.com
• Price for Menu: 20,25 - 40,65 Euros

4.  Can Culleretes

Can Culleretes is one of the oldest traditional restaurants in Barcelona, situated in the Gothic quarter and one of the most charming places I have ever been to. The food was a dream, well, you might have assumed that. But that food in combination with the old photos and paintings on the walls made me feel indeed comfortable and so special. The friendly staff contributed to this in great part. Thus, in my opinion it is a MUST during your stay in Barcelona. After that description I’m pretty sure you are dying to get to know what they serve… Well, here we go: escudella, butifarra, asador catalan and much much more. I’m just going to say: Get ready to feel like you're in heaven and bon profit!

• Address: Carrer Quintana, 5
• Phone: 0034 933 173 022 / 0034 933 176 485
• Opening hours:  Tuesday – Saturday 9:00-16:00 and 21:00- 23:00, Sunday 9:00-16:00
• Email: info@culleretes.com
• Price for Menu: 20-30 Euros

5. Cal Boter

Last but not least (actually to the contrary) the number one traditional restaurant in Barcelona of my top 5 list is the restaurant Cal Boter, situated in the Gracia neighborhood. You should not miss it if you fancy something classic, unique and absolutely delicious. Founded in 1986, they please their guests with typical Catalan delicacies, such as xatonada, botifarra, cargols picants and many more. If you're up for some wine, you will love that place even more. Why? The wine of the house is served in a “porrón”, which is a traditional Catalan bottle with a long spout, enabling you to drink from it. Curious what this looks like? I guess so. Don’t forget to reserve, though, it is always packed! Good luck.

• Address: Carrer Tordera 62
• Phone: 0034 934 588 462
• Opening hours: Monday - Friday Breakfast: 9:00 am- 12:00 pm, Monday - Sunday Lunch: 13:00-16:00 pm, Tuesday - Saturday Dinner: 21:00 - 12:00 am
• Price for Menu: 20-30 Euros

Is there any even better Catalan restaurant in Barcelona? Did you like my selection? I’m looking forward to reading your feedback in the comments section. :) Enjoy! Melina

How to get a Spanish NIE Number in 2018

What is a Spanish NIE number anyways?

The Spanish NIE number, short for Número de Identificación de Extranjero, is a Foreigner Identification Number issued by the Administración General del Estado  (General Administration of the State) as a fiscal identification number for foreigners who want to stay more than 3 months in Spain, or in oder to be able to process certain transactions in Spain like buying a property. The equivalent of NIE for Spaniards is the NIF (Número de Identificación Fiscal). The NIE number is different from the Empadronamiento or Padron Municipal which is about getting registered in your living community. The Spanish NIE number starts with a letter, followed by seven numbers and another letter in the end (example Y - 1234567 - B). Each NIE number is dedicated to one person and it is neither transferable nor does it expire.
It is worth remembering that a Spanish NIE is not the same as a TIE. EU citizens will need the NIE number only and can use their passport as identification whereas non-EU citizens will need a TIE (Tarjeta de Identificación de Extranjero) which is both a NIE and a form of identification.

Why it is important?

The Spanish NIE number is basically used as a code to serve people who don’t have Spanish Nationality. It is of essential for virtually every activity that requires your identification. Many people are not aware of the real importance of the NIE number. For example, your very first steps after moving to Barcelona, like opening a bank account and getting internet/phone contracts, will require a NIE.
A quick anecdote: One of our colleagues here at SuiteLife had just arrived to BCN and wanted to get Internet installed in his apartment. He spoke to most of the Internet companies and there was one that told him he could sign up without having a NIE. To make a long story short, after weeks of talking back and forth with the company, it turned out they were misinformed and he did indeed need a NIE number. Moral of the story is just get the thing! It'll make your life a lot easier. The Spanish NIE number is important for those who have a professional or economic interest in Spain, because for certain they must have a NIE in order to:

• Study in Spain
• Buy, sell or insure a property in Spain or purchase any asset over € 3,000
• Buy a vehicle in Spain
• Inheritance of assets in Spain
• Setup a company, start a business or simply work in Spain
• Pay Spanish taxes
• Apply for a mortgage or other loan in Spain
• Register for national Social Security Health plan
• Register with social services and arrange receipt of social security benefits
• Apply for a driving license

You can pay an agency to sort out all of your NIE documents for you but remember that, even if you give them power of attorney, you must be present on the day.

How to get a NIE number – Step by Step

Step 1: Fill in the application form

EU citizens: the Spanish NIE number application form you need to fill out is called EX - 18 Solicitud de inscripción en el Registro Central de Extranjeros_Residencia Ciudadano de la UE which you can download here Non-EU citizens: you need the EX-15 Solicitud de Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) y Certificados which you can download here. Both forms are in Spanish, but don't worry because you've reached the right place. We have the EX-15 document with the most essential fields translated to English so you can refer to it (the EX-18 has the same vocabulary so you can easily compare the two).
This is sample image of our translation. For higher quality one, download the pdf version here If you are en EU citizen you should only need to fill out the EX-18, however, it is best to have both this form and the EX-15 ready and filled out as the documentation asked for can vary greatly. Likewise non-EU residents should bring both just to be safe. EU citizens you will also need the Modelo 790-012 which in 2017 MUST be filled in online, printed and brought to the appointment. You will then have to pay for the NIE at a nearby bank. Non-EU citizens will also have to pay but should be given a receipt at their appointment which you then take to a bank to pay.

Step 2: Make an appointment online

You have to make an appointment online first before coming in person; otherwise you will not be served. To do that, click on this link and choose “Acceder al Procedimiento” at the bottom.

• In PROVINCIAS DISPONIBLES choose Barcelona.
• In TRÁMITES DISPONIBLES PARA LA PROVINCIA SELECCIONADA choose Certificados UE (if you are from the European Union), or Expedicion de tarjeta de identidad de extranjero (heulla) if you are from overseas
• Click Aceptar
• Click Entrar
• Fill in your information:
  • Choose PASAPORTE and enter your passport number below
  • Nombre y apellidos = name and surname
  • País de nacionalidad = your nationality
  • In Caracteres enter what you see on the picture above
  • Click Aceptar

You MUST bring your printed appointment confirmation with you on the day. It can be a bit of  nightmare trying to get an appointment in the first place so we highly recommend looking to book an appointment as soon as possible - it took me nearly 3 months to get mine! TIP: try looking a little further afield if you can't find an appointment in the centre of Barcelona. I got mine in Sant Adria de Besós which is about 30 minutes on the metro from station Jaume I.

Step 3: Prepare all the necessary documents (checklist)

For EU citizens:

• Passport and copy
• Proof of address in Spain - your rental contract (in your name) would be sufficient
• Completed EX-18 form
• Completed Modelo 790
• Proof of health insurance - this can be private health insurance or an EHIC card
• Document* proving why you need a Spanish NIE number, which differs depending on your intentions. In most cases it is:
  • a contract showing that you’re going to buy a property in Spain like real estate, car, etc.
  • employed:  job contract from the Spanish company
  • self-employed: a company ownership certificate
  • persons with sufficient funds: proof that you can live in Spain without working
  • students: acceptance letter from the school plus proof of payment to the school
  • job seekers: you can go only with passport, but you will be issued a temporary NIE number valid only for 3 months
• Enough to pay the NIE fee (€10.71 at the time of writing)

*Any documents must be translated into Spanish or Catalán (unless they are official EU documents) and you must bring the original

For Non-EU citizens:

• Passport, Visa and copies
• Completed EX-15 form
• Empadronamiento - you will need to go to the town hall and register yourself as living in the area
• Non-EU citizens will need the additional proof of legal entry into Spain (for instance a landing card, known in Spanish as a declaración de entrada)
• Proof of health insurance
• Two passport size photos (check as this can vary from country to country - the Spanish size is called carnet)
• Document* proving why you need a Spanish NIE number which differs depending on your intentions. In most cases it is:
  • a contract showing that you're going to buy a property in Spain like real estate, car, etc.
  • employed:  job contract from the Spanish company
  • self-employed: a company ownership certificate
  • persons with sufficient funds: proof that you have enough funds to live in Spain without working
  • students: acceptance letter from the school plus proof of payment to the school
  • job seekers: you can go only with passport, but you will be issued a temporary NIE number valid only for 3 months

*Any documents must be translated into Spanish or Catalán and you must bring the original You can apply for NIE number at police stations with a Oficina de Extranjeros (Foreigners Office). In Barcelona they are located on:

• Carrer de Balmes 192,  08006 Barcelona
• Rambla de Guipúscoa 74,  08020 Barcelona
• Carrer de Múrcia 42,  08027 Barcelona
• Passeig de Sant Joan 189,  08037 Barcelona

Opening hours:

• Monday to Thursday from 9h to 17h30
• Friday 9h to 14h
• Summer (June 16^th to September 15^th) from 9h to 14h

TIP: it is possible you will have to wait in queue hours until your turn at the office, so bring something that can keep you occupied for example a book or a magazine.

Step 5: Useful Spanish terms

Some simple Spanish phrases that you might need: Hello! I would like to apply for NIE number = Hola ! Me gustaría obtener mi número de identidad de extranjero (NIE) . Where can submit my NIE application? = ¿Dónde puedo inscribirme? I have an appointment to get my NIE = Tengo una cita para obtener mi número de identidad de extranjero (NIE).

Step 6: Keep calm and wait for it

All you lucky EU citizens will receive your NIE immediately however, non-EU citizens will have to wait. After submitting all the documents, a photocopy of the application, a paper indicating when the card is available (keep it safe, you will need to show it to them later when you pick up your NIE card) and your passport will be returned to you. Usually after two weeks the NIE card should be available to pick up, but the process can sometimes take as long as 6 weeks. So stay patient!

Apply for NIE number before you come to Barcelona

It is also possible to apply for Spanish NIE number before coming to Spain by contacting the Spanish consulate in your country. ------------------------------ Getting the NIE is no easy feat but with our guide you should be good to go! Remember, if you are applying outside of Barcelona, the required documents can vary so it is best to have copies of everything as well as the originals. And they can even vary inside Barcelona so don't be surprised if they ask you for other documents or only ask you for half of the documents above. I only needed my passport, a copy of my passport, the EX-18 and proof of my reason for needing a NIE but I know people who have been turned away for not having their proof of insurance! But its best to just bring copies and originals of everything you could possibly need rather than get turned away at the last moment; better safe than sorry! Beside this we also have many other helpful tips to make moving to Barcelona a piece of cake. Check it out Is there any other problem you have in Barcelona? Do tell us in the comments below, we would love to help! Peace! T.Vu

Where to Celebrate St Patricks Day in Barcelona

St Patricks day in Barcelona is on the 17^th of March, just like in Dublin of course! If you want to celebrate it as Irish people do, take a look at the following places and at the promotions that they will offer for this particular day. Even if there is no parade for this special St Patricks day in Barcelona, Barcelona is full of Irish pubs where you can celebrate it. So put your green tights on, find a four-leaf clover and let’s have a beer! By the way, you can check this post about the best Irish pubs in Barcelona…

Kitty’s Pub – SPECIAL EVENT

It seems like Kitty’s has been the first Irish pub opened in Barcelona, 18 years ago. For St Patrick’s Day, they transform the area of Carrer de Numancia into an Irish district! There will be different activities organized, even for children, all day long. Come by, watch Irish dancing and listen to Irish music. The all programming is just here. And what can be best than watching England Vs Ireland to close your St Patrick’s Day in Barna?! Address: Carrer de la Nau Santa Maria, 5, Barcelona 08017 Website

Barcelona Sights - One Of The Greatest Things to Do in Barcelona !

There are an endlessly fascinating amount of Barcelona sights that will appeal to people with a whole range of passions and interests. There are so moany ways to experience Barcelona sights ranging from simple walking tours to Segway tours and even more. Whatever floats your boat, there are almost certainly tours in Barcelona that can help you indulge in your interests. Stuck for ideas on what to do in Barcelona? Check out our guide to some of the best tours in Barcelona which range from the unusual to the 'little bit different' to the outright cool specifically handpicked by us! Enjoy!

Bicycle tours

Not the most riveting tour on the list, but nonetheless a really nice way to see Barcelona sights. Most of the tours tend to last around 3 to 4 hours and their are plenty of companies who offer bike tours around the city. Surprisingly, you cover a lot of the city in such a short time and bike tours prove to be a lot more relaxing than you'd expect (less strenuous than walking tours for sure!). Tours on average cost around the 20 Euro mark which is good value for what you get (as with everything it does depend on the company!). Our favourite bike tour in the city is with the aptly named Barcelona Bike Tours or 'Un Cotxe Menys-Bicicletes' (as they're known in Catalan), who offer bike tours all year round (everyday from 11am to 4.30pm) at Plaça Jaume. The company offers a daily tour in English for anyone to join but also offers tours for groups (private and for businesses) which can be delivered in a variety of languages and tailored individually to the group. Being one of the organisations instrumental in transforming Barcelona into the bicycle haven that it is today, their commitment to making their city more environmentally friendly is obvious and they are also a founding member of the Associació BiciTours Barcelona. Even today, they play an active role in the tourist scene in Barcelona and continue to promote cycling initiatives in the city.

Go Car Tours

For someone who is not from the most tourist orientated city, this is one tour that most certainly surprised me when I came to Barcelona! In a nutshell, Go Car Tours are small yellow open-top cars with a built in navigation system which talks to you and teaches you about the Barcelona sights as you drive past them. The Go Cars don't just offer a standardised tour and are not remote controlled. You actually drive them yourself! The tours offer a variety of themed tours from a Camp Nou tour, Olympic Barcelona, Barcelona Highlights and an All Day Tour to name but a few. The tours are also available in a range of languages and also offer tours for individuals and groups. Prices start at around 19 Euros per hour, but they also offer regular promotions too. The only thing prerequisites are that you have a full driving licence. Give it a go!

Cooking Tours

There is simply no better souvenir to take back home with you than knowing how to cook typical food from the place where you've visited. It's a gift that will not only impress your friends and family, but will also remind you of your trip forevermore. Thankfully, you're in Barcelona, which is renowned for it's culinary offerings. If you're a cooking amateur there are some top quality cooking schools in Barcelona who typically offer a really great selection of classes to unlock the inner chef within you and get you acquainted with just how amazing Spanish cuisine really is! One such school is Barcelona Cooking located on the Ramblas. Taught by professional chefs, a variety of classes are on offer from a half day cooking class with the option of getting a tour of the Mercat de la Boqueria, a tapas class, a tour of some of the best Spanish/Catalan food shops in Barcelona and more. They also offer customised classes for corporate events and groups. Even better is the fact that all the ingredients are local and organic and support the producers, so you'll have the opportunity to taste and create authentic Spanish/Catalan food. As a guide, a half day class costs around 78 Euros. ¡Buen Provecho!

Barcelona by..........speedboat!

Once in the middle of Barcelona, it's easy to forget that you're near the sea. But an excellent way to not forget is to hop on a speedboat and tour the length of the coastline and take in the skyline of the city. Although you won't hit the big sights, it's still a pretty cool way to see the city. Xmax Speed Boat Tours offers these tours and each tour takes around 50 minutes starting at Port Vell up through the Port Olimpic and to the Port Forum where they spin around and come back. Prices are 12.50 Euros and less for children and run only from April/May to November For something a little more slower paced, Las Golondrinas offers slower paced boat tours along the Barcelona coast. They are undeniably the experts in boat tours in Barcelona and have been involved in Barcelona boat tours since 1888 and explores the history and sights of the Barcelona coast. They offer two different tours - one of the Port Vell area and a 1 hour, 30 minute tour which covers 18 miles of coastline and gives you amazing views of some Barcelona sights! Prices are around 12/14 Euros depending on the tour you take and tours start from the Colom Statue at the bottom of the Ramblas or at Port Forum. Naturally, some trips cannot take place due to the weather so it's worthwhile checking beforehand!

Hot air balloon tours

Ok, this isn't technically in Barcelona and you probably won't see any Barcelona sights but this is still an amazing thing to do while you're here! Ballooning offer a number of trips even including some which even cross the Pyrenees mountains into France! But a trip in a hot air balloon comes at a price - an average of 150 Euros per person! If you're out to impress and money is no object, then this is a perfect way to see the Catalan countryside surrounding Barcelona.

And the list goes on!

These are just the tip of the iceberg on what to do in Barcelona in terms of tours. There are tours for almost any interest. A great company who offer tours tailored to almost any theme are My Favourite Tours. You may just think twice about taking a walking tour now! Have you been on any tours in Barcelona or experienced a really unique way of seeing the city? A Spiderman web-swinging style tour would be pretty cool! If you're coming to Barcelona, then you may want to check out our short term apartments page which offer you a different experience of staying in Barcelona and are usually better value than hotels.
Thanks for reading! - Chris

A Taste of Home - A British Haven in Barcelona!

Being an international city and having a huge expat community, Barcelona has no shortage of shops, restaurants and other amenities to serve the various nationalities living particularly those from the US, Latin American and various countries in Europe to name but a few. But what about us Brits? Is there a 'British Barcelona?' Thankfully, amongst the grid-like streets of the Eixample is a very special shop who specialise in all things British. Aptly named 'A Taste of Home', this is a shop to visit for any Brit living here in Barcelona either for Erasmus or for those here living more long term. Intrigued to find out what treasures are inside? Read our exclusive interview with the owner below!

The Interview

A Taste of Home has been serving the people of Barcelona since 2008 and was started by Inge Barker, an expat from the UK. She also owns another branch of the shop in Sitges which has been open for 11 years. This shop is the real deal and that's not just my opinion. In 2011, A Taste of Home was awarded the accolade of 'Commended British Shop in the World' as part of the 'Best of British Awards' which are sponsored by the Telegraph (newspaper) and John Lewis (one of the biggest retailers in the UK).  Upon walking in, your British blogger here found the staff busy showing some new customers around, but I managed to grab a couple of minutes to ask some questions...... Suitelife - Hi Inge. I really like your shop! Could you briefly tell me a bit about 'A Taste of Home'? Inge - Of course! I started the shop mainly because there isn't really anywhere else in Barcelona that serves the specifically British products. A lot of the small shops and supermarkets offer some basic stuff such as teabags, but nothing compared to what we offer here. SuiteLife - Yes, I noticed that too. It's quite nice to see something which is actually British for a change! Inge - Thanks! We do lots of different things. Obviously, we sell specifically British products such as Marmite, Cadbury's chocolate, different brands of English tea, jams, pies and loads more. We also sell books, greeting cards and do a lot of fundraising for charities particularly animal charities. The vast majority of things we sell are British but we also have food from other countries too notably ingredients for making Indian food as well as some American and Dutch products too. Naturally, we can't provide everything, but we are happy to take requests. If you come in for something and we don't have it, you can go on our Facebook page to request it and we'll do our best to get it for you!
SuiteLife - Wow! Sounds really good and I'm pretty sure I'll be making use of that! Inge - We've also recently started the IPTV service which lets people from the UK who live here in Spain access British channels legally. For years now, we've been using the Freesat channels. This has changed lately and could be really expensive for people who want to continue to access British TV this way which is why we've started offering the IPTV service which streams to your TV from the Internet. We are the sole distributor of this in Catalonia and it's completely legal! You get all the main channels plus even more. It's a great deal. SuiteLife - One thing I definitely miss about the UK is British TV. How much does this service cost? Inge - It costs about 30 Euros per month, but if you sign up for it via our Facebook page, then we will give you a discount on this.
SuiteLife - Excellent. What would you say are your most popular products here, at "A Taste of Home"? Inge - Our baking section is really popular and we sell a lot of British cookbooks too! SuiteLife - Do you get a lot of British people coming to the shop? Inge - Yes, we get a fair amount of people who have heard about us and like to come to see just how British we are. It's fair to say, that people are left pleasantly surprised by the sheer variety we have. We also get a lot of Spanish people come into the shop too and they are pretty curious to see what we're about. SuiteLife - I can vouch for that! Before we round the interview up, is there any advice you'd have for any aspiring Brits reading this? Inge - Check out our Facebook page. We have a lot going on such as competitions and offers. We also publish recipes too! Don't forget that you can also get exclusive discounts and can request those home comforts too. SuiteLife - Thanks a lot for your time!

This is amazing! Where is this gem of a shop!?

Intrigued? You can find A Taste of Home on Carrer Floridablanca 78 in Eixample. You can get there on L1 Rocafort near Plaça Espanya (I'd recommend taking the C/Calabria exit, it's quicker!). The best way to get in touch with them is on their Facebook page or by calling 933 251 797. They're open from 10am - 9pm on Monday through to Saturday, so there's plenty of time to rush and get a box of tea when the worse happens! Looking for more shops for expats living in Barcelona? We've got a list of some of the best in the city for you to check out! Thanks, Chris

Barcelona Night Bus

It's always great to not have to fuss about the time while you're out in Barcelona partying, and Barcelona night buses are here to simplify your life. The night buses are easy to figure out. You can check their routes as well as their hours right at the bus stops (look for the blue board). If you live further away or out of the city, the night bus can be a real savior when the metro is closed and your wallet can't withstand a more expensive taxi ride. Barcelona night bus runs from 10.30pm to 5.00am (depends on the lines). You can recognize them easily thanks to the ‘N’ before the number on the bus. They all pass through plaza Catalunya and this is really convenient if you want to end up partying the night away and not having to worry about how you'll get your tired drunken body home at the end of the evening. The price for Barcelona night bus' tickets is pretty reasonable and is the same as any other bus or metro ride: 2€ for one ticket or 9.25€ for 10 tickets. Their website is also available in English and they seem to be keeping up with the times! You can now download ipad/mobile apps which are hugely helpful for determining routes and times based on your current position. Website in English For the more courageous, there is an other way to move during the night: Bicing. It's working 24h a day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. During the week, you can't use it from 2am to 5am. Click here to get  more information about Cycling in Barcelona.

Barcelona Night Bus: Airport Destination and Other Routes

Every 20 minutes, a Barcelona night bus (N17) takes off to Barcelona airport (El Prat de Llobregat). You can catch it in plaza Catalunya near Ronda de la Universitat street. Obviously, the N17  bus is also going from the airport to plaza Catalunya. The price is the same as other Barcelona Night Bus and this is cheaper than the Aerobus which costs 5.30€. If you want to buy a T-10 ticket you can't buy it in the bus, so you should buy it before hand, in a metro station for example. The night bus goes to many other locations, mostly areas just outside of the city like San Cugat, San Just, Espluges, and even as far as Castelldefels and Santa Caloma. Even if you live up in the zona alta of Barcelona (Sarria/Sant Gervasi) the night bus can be useful for you. What about you? Do you have any tricks for moving during the night in Barcelona ? Cheers, Hugo

SuiteLife's Top 10 Barcelona Apps for your mobile

Coming to Barcelona with a smart phone in hand, your thinking, is there any Barcelona apps I need to make my life easier in this dynamic city? If you ever questioned that yourself, Suite Life has the answer you’re looking for. These 10 necessary Barcelona apps will be categorized by transportation, city guides, sports and shops. All of them are available for both iOS and Android operated phones.  To download the app, simply scan or click on the relevant QR code.

Transportation apps Barcelona

Whether you arrive to Barcelona by train, ship or airplane: the first question will always be: how to get to places? Grab your internet- connected smartphone and let the transportation mobile apps Barcelona do the rest for you.

TMB – Barcelona apps for Metro and other public transports

This is the official mobile app from TMB, the main public transport management company in the Barcelona metropolitan area. It provides information about metro, bus lines and stops around the city’s urban area. You can track any bus or metro stations around you with GPS. The most important feature is real-time search for travel directions from place to place by metro and bus. Each route will have estimated time of arrival, means of transport and designated station so you can plan the journey easily.
Small tip: check for service alert to see any change or cancellation of the lines. TMB apps Barcelona is available in English, Spanish and Catalan [caption id="attachment_43637" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Andoid[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43638" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption]

Renfe ticket

This is also official app created by Renfe, a middle and long distance train operator in Spain. The app also provides users with route planning, time table, and schedule change, however for middle and long distance trains, which is useful when you want to travel to Barcelona’s suburbs or other cities in Spain. Moreover you can conveniently buy your train ticket directly through your phone and show it to train conductor without having to print it out. The option of change or cancelation is also available within this app
Available languages at the moment are English and Spanish [caption id="attachment_43649" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43648" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption]

Bicing

Bicing is the bicycle sharing system in Barcelona introduced to help daily users cover the small and medium distance commutes within the city in a greener way. The main purpose of bicing app Barcelona is to give bicing users real-time information about station maps, which station is close to your location and number of available bikes at that time.
Although the available language is only Spanish and Catalan it is still easy to use for non-Spanish speaking users, with friendly interface and mostly graphic icons. My personal tips for you when using this app is to hit the refresh button frequently, as the number of bike in each station can change very fast, especially during rush hours. Once I was coming to get a bike, the mobile app showed only 2 bikes left at that station. When I arrived, I desperately watched a guy who arrived just a few seconds earlier than me took the last one. [caption id="attachment_43657" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43658" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption]

Local guide

Tripadvisor BCN

Fans of traveling probably know about Tripadvisor already. But do you know about their city guide app? Basically its purpose is to provide users with vast information about attractions, hotels, bars restaurants etc. of the specific city, just like its website, but in offline mode and there are only specific numbers of cities available. Luckily Barcelona is included. Tripadvisor’s city guide Barcelona app is one of the best city guide app in Barcelona. In my opinion it is the best.
The app is totally in English and very easy to use. You can either find the place by categories like Food & drink, Hotels, Attractions, and Shopping etc. or use the interactive map to locate yourself and find points of interest around you. Moreover you can find and book a tour around the city in Tickets/tours section. However the feature I find most useful is the offline self-guided tour, where you will find the direction to and read the general info of the most famous places in Barcelona, on your own and it’s totally free! As I mentioned above, this app is awesome and there are many other useful functions like check-in, review and so on, but I will leave it for you to explore on your own! [caption id="attachment_43662" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43663" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption]

BCN visual

You might wonder how Barcelona looked centuries ago. Check out this cool app. BCN Visual contains many photos of buildings and street in Barcelona decades or centuries ago. Each photo has its own description and is marked on the app’s interactive map.
The coolest feature IMO is Augmented Reality mode. Once arrived at the photo’s destination you can use Augmented Reality mode to “scan” the area and check for example how a building or a street has changed over time. Here are some of my results, the quality's not so good as it was taken by phone camera and i'm not a professional photographer, but it's fun to try out :)



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For iOS[/caption]

Ibeach

This app will let you enjoy the beautiful beaches in Barcelona even more. Ibeach offers list of beaches in Barcelona and allover Spain. After you choose one particular beach, iBeach will display information about temperature, waves, wind and other weather indicators. One thing I find very useful is the jellyfish alert function. When you come to the beach and see jellyfish you can put an alert to warn people, and other users would do the same so you can know. You wouldn’t want to go to the beach full of those squishy venomous animals, would you?
Besides that, in each beach you can find nearby restaurants/bars/supermarkets in case you need some refreshment during hot days, or some activities to do, or nearby public toilets and medical services. At the moment the restaurant lists isn’t complete, but developers are cooperating with local business and hopefully it will be filled up soon. [caption id="attachment_43680" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43681" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption] Also like swimming pool? Here you go

Sports

FCB World

If you are football fan or FC Barcelona in particular then you won’t want to miss this app. With this app you can get the latest results and league tables, view the player profiles and stats or the club’s history etc. Furthermore you can follow the match live with the photos and videos, when you cannot go to the stadium or watch it on TV.
This official app of Fútbol Club Barcelona is your direct communication channel with the club and the place to find all the latest information, photos, videos, news, live match commentaries, tweets, interactive games and other innovative services, all related to your favourite players. ~Description on Google Play~ [caption id="attachment_43683" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43684" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption]

Barcelona Corre

One of the best sport activities you can do in this magnificent city is running. Barcelona Corre offers you 23 exciting routes around Barcelona. Each route has its own information about length, terrain differences, difficulty and so on.
When you first logged in the app will ask your age, height and weight for the profile. It is said that everyone who finishes all 23 route will be rewarded with a digital medals. I really doubt my possibility to do that, but if you want to try and find out, I would love to see those “medals” in comments section! [caption id="attachment_43687" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43686" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] In case you need sport apparels and equipment, check out these stores.

Grocery shopping

In this section I will mention only the Barcelona mobile apps of grocery stores as they are pretty darn important. Beside Spanish fashion and apparel brands like ZARA or Bershka and their apps are already well known, it would be insignificant to bring up here. In case you are totally new here and don’t know yet about grocery stores in Barcelona, my advice is to check out these tips first

Folletos Carrefour

Folletos Carrefour provides its users current offers and brochures of all Carrefour supermarkets. Within those interactive brochures, you will be able to see each item’ details, image, price; share to friends or add to your shopping list. It is especially useful when your Spanish is not good enough to ask the staff where each items is located. Instead show them your shopping list and save time for both sides.
This app also offer interactive map to help you find nearest store by distance and by type of stores. The app is only available in Spanish, but with comprehensive pictures and symbols, good chance to learn Spanish then. [caption id="attachment_43706" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43707" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption]

Dia

Another big grocery chain in Barcelona is Dia. Their app's feature is pretty similar to the above Folletos Carrefour, but it requires you to login. In return it offers management of your discount coupons.
[caption id="attachment_43709" align="alignleft" width="200"]
For Android[/caption] [caption id="attachment_43710" align="alignright" width="200"]
For iOS[/caption] More  Barcelona mobile apps by the City Council can be found here. If you have other interesting Barcelona apps feel free to introduce it to us in comment Peace! T.Vu

Going for tapas in Barcelona and in Spain in general is a very popular way of sharing your late lunch or dinner with your friends.

Did you know that you can enjoy your free tapas in Barcelona ?

If you love finding free stuff as much as us, and you happen to be a Barcelona tapas lover too, you must read our blog on the Top 10 free things to do in Barcelona and checkout what else is free in Barcelona. For the real Barcelona tapas freaks, there is a great blog about Best tapas bars and restaurants and about Cerveceria Catalana: the best tapas restaurant in Barcelona. What is really awesome though, are all the free tapas in Barcelona and food you can find in certain bars, and all you need to do is order a drink! We give you a it of a laundry list of where to find succulent, and FREE, food in Barcelona.

Atrapatapa

With every drink here you get some free, and breathtaking, home-made Barcelona tapas, which makes this bar very popular. You can have a beer with a tapa for 1,20€, a glass of cava with a tapa for 1,95€, a glas of vine with a tapa for 1,50€ or just the tapa itself for 1€. Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, 77 08011 Barcelona

Ambiente del sur

The tradition of free tapas comes originally from Andalucía so this bar just gives you what it promises. The feeling of the south – the feeling of Andalucía. You can have a beer and a tapa for 1,80€. The chef offers you delicious paella on Tuesday, sardinas on Thursday and the famous tortilla de patatas the rest of the week. Carrer de Viladomat, 85 08015 Barcelona

Els tres

Enjoy your beer and a tapa for 1,60€ in the Eixample. Carrer de Muntaner, 55 08011 Barcelona

Ca'l Chusco

This little traditional bar in Barceloneta serves free tapas with every drink. Carrer de l'Almirall Aixada, 5 08003 Barcelona

Bagoa

Find the best jamón Serano in the city! And get a plate of olives or potatoes with every drink you order. Plaça del Doctor Letamendi Barcelona

Petit Jet Lag

You will find this place just in the heart of Gotico. It´s not a typical tapas-for-free bar, but you can enjoy a free buffet of Italian and Spanish food for 6€ every Thursday from 8 p.m. Carrer de la Dagueria, 12 08002 Barcelona

Caramba

If you want to have nice tapas to accompany your beer go to this bar on Monday. Carrer de la Cera, 57 08001 Barcelona

Mingus

Mingus doesn´t have just splendid Barcelona tapas, it has great wine and very friendly service too. As a warm tapa you can get “trinxat”, tortilla de patata or pizza. Carrer de la Comtessa de Sobradiel, 9 08002 Barcelona

DeDues

Great place to have fun on the first and the second Tuesday of the month. The first Tuesday there are always concerts to see and on the second thematic parties to attend. They have great cocktails and different tapas for free according to the day of week. Carrer del Torrent de l'Olla, 89 08012 Barcelona

El Moll de Rebaix

If you head down to Barceloneta don´t miss this little place. The owners are two brothers, Paco and Christian, and their fish with rice and famous “montaditos” attracts various types of guests. Carrer del Baluart, 84 08003 Barcelona

Cassette

Tapas for free are served just on Monday and Friday, but the huge menu of gin-tonic cocktails stays put all week long. If you are a gin lover don´t worry if you come a different day, you will admire this place. Carrer de l'Est, 11 08001 Barcelona

Raco del Pelat

If you are around Poble Sec on Monday or Friday evening, be sure to visit the bar Raco del Pelat. Another offer that makes this place special are the breakfast sandwiches for 0,90€. Carrer de Piquer, 12 08004 Barcelona

Marino

Again in Poble Sec, for 1,75€ you will get a beer and small tastings of their delicious specialties such as shrimp with dried tomato or tuna marinated with cheese. Carrer de Margarit, 54 08004 Barcelona

Cocktailbar Incognito

This modern bar with some funky tunes is perfect to enjoy music, cocktails and some small tapas to peck away at. Carrer Fusina, 6 08003 Barcelona

Club Solo

Another cool bar we have been to and have enjoyed their tapas for free while we were preparing ourselves for a big night out. For some reason, there isn´t any information about the free tapas in this bar on the bar´s web pages, but you know what? Check it out and let us know! It's on the Passatge de la Concepció, 7, 08008 Barcelona Did we forget to mention any bars with free tapas in Barcelona that you know of? Then let us know! Sharka "like the animal"

TOP 10 Barcelona Tips Before Departure !

Barcelona, a beautiful city with palmtrees everywhere, fresh sea air, a music on the streets, the smell of paella, incredible clubs... hmmm.... But it has something more. If you don't know Spanish and you don't know much about the city, Barcelona will slap you a couple times, before you settle down. I have selected the TOP 10 things you should be aware of before moving to Barcelona.

# 1 Cheap Train from the Airport

If you fly to Barcelona El Prat Airport, the cheapest way to get to the centre of the city is to use the train for € 2.

# 2 See the Flat Before Renting It

It's a cliche, isn't it? :) But it's a must. If you have never been in Barcelona/Spain, you will be VERY surprised. No, seriously. It's incredible how people can live in the 21st century in the EU. Don't rent anything before you see the flat.

# 3 Flatmates

If there are any, see them all too!

# 4 Go to See Flats During the Day

A lot of flats in Barcelona are spacey, sunny, and have beautiful views. But some of them can be very small and dark. If you are sun lover like I am, you should definitely see the flat during the day. I used to live in such a dark room in Barceloneta that even though I had exterior window, it wasn't possible to see almost anything with daylight and I had to use a light and a lamp.

# 5 The Utilities (water, gas, electricity, community, internet)

Make sure that the price is final. In Barcelona, it can easily be the case that you will have to pay for a second month for your room, for example, $400 instead of $350, because the owner "thought" that you were aware about an increase in price, because of utilities, "Gastos" en castellano.

# 6 The Contract

Alright, this is my favorite part. If you are moving to Barcelona to rent a flat you sign a contract with the owner of the flat. If you come here to rent a room you will soon discover that often there are no official contracts to sign with owner or the person who re-rents you the room. It's simply illegal to re-rent a room here, but nevertheless many people do it anyway. How to make it here then?? You just have to trust the person who rents you the room. :) Awesome, isn't it? Usually, you have to pay one month deposit (or two). So I wish you GOOD LUCK, because you will need it! And that is why so many foreigners end up with bad experiences here. Like I did. People try so many times to persuade me "We don't do any contracts here in Spain, no no" "Oh, I will give you the deposit back, sure!" or "I live just 2 minutes from here with my kids, I would never take your money" etc. People are can be tricky here, so what to do then? Sign a contract, but written on a computer and signed by hand. Don't sign a contract written by hand, because in case of problems, the local police will not consider it as a relevant agreement. Don't forget to include all detailed information including number of ID, passport or NIE in the contract.

# 7 Don't Shop in Small Stores in Centre

Try to avoid the small shops in central districts such as the Gotico or el Born.  The prices of products are two or three times higher than usual. As an example, a bottle of water (1,5 l) can cost 0,40€ in the supermarket , but in those shops it can be priced around 1,30€ ! So wherever you are in Barcelona, ask somebody, where a "normal" supermarket is check our blog How to find a cheap Barcelona supermarket and the best Spanish food.

# 8 Ask the Price before a Purchase

If you buy anything, anywhere in Barcelona, and the price is unclear, ask! It's very strange for me too, because I feel stupid asking for each item "Cuanto cuesta?", but it's crucial. It happened to me in a bar a week ago. I have been there a couple times ago and I knew, that a glass of wine costs 2,50€. However, the bartender tried to persuade me that it cost 5€. It's not just in bars, but it can happen in a lot of places.  So, pay attention, Mr(s). Foreigner!

# 9 Buy a Metro Ticket for 10 Fares

When I came here and was desperately looking for a flat so I didn't pay attention just how much money I wasted using the metro. I didn't know the city, thus I used the metro all the time. 1 individual fare costs 2€, but 10 fares are for 9,80€! That's a difference! ;)

# 10 Don't Use Transportation

If you don't really have to, don't use any transportation, because just walking through this city is great -it's incredibly beautiful!
So, follow these tips when moving to Barcelona and your beginnings in Barcelona will be much smoother :) Enjoy it here