Modern Art in Barcelona: Some Hidden Galleries in Barcelona

Barcelona is one of those cities where you can find art galleries all over the place. This city has inspired so many Spanish and foreign artists over the years thanks to the city's Gaudi heritage and its creative environment. There's art around every corner here, from the smallest streets to the  the main streets and the cool thing about Barcelona is that artists have plenty of space to host their own exhibitions with all different art styles coming together to join the Barcelona art scene. Of course, there are many art museums in Barcelona such as the Picasso, Gaudi and Dali museums which are full of these master artists' work but if you're looking for something a little more edgy and unique, you just have to walk around Barcelona to find something that suits you. I'm going to share some of my favourites with you but the art galleries in this city are best discovered by getting out there and discovering them yourself! Carrer Consell de Cent is the main street where you can find the best art galleries in Barcelona. There are lots of those on both sides of the street from Passeig de Gracia to Carrer Aribau. If you're looking for a classic piece of art to add to your collection, just go there!

Ikara Gallery and Shop

Ikara Gallery in Eixample is a typical skateshop/gallery in Barcelona where local artists exhibit their art. Opening up just a few years ago, this skateshop is also a gallery with different kinds of art especially linked to skateboarding. If you're a skater and looking for some stuff, go to this gallery/shop to find whatever you're looking for! This is one of my absolute favourites and its worth stopping by just to chat to the owner - such a nice guy! Where: C/ Urgell, 82 bajos. 08011 Barcelona. For more information: Ikara Gallery website. [caption id="attachment_16233" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Ikara Gallery[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16234" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Ikara piano[/caption]

Artevistas Gallery

Artevistas Gallery is a hidden gallery in Barcelona located in the Gotico, in the Passatge del Credit. An interesting thing about this building is that it's where the famous Catalan artist Joan Miro was born. This art gallery is composed of two parts: The first is for the permanent collection and the second is for the VIP section. Different artists exhibit their work every month in this VIP section so you're sure to find something new every time you visit. This art gallery promotes local artists by exhibiting their paintings, drawings and sculptures. Where: Passatge del Crèdit nº4. 08002 Barcelona. For more information go to: Artevistas Gallery Website. [caption id="attachment_16235" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Sculpture at Artevistas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16236" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Artevistas in Barcelona[/caption]

The Disseny Hub Barcelona: DHUB

The Disseny Hub Barcelona is a museum which occasionally features exhibitions mainly focusing on conceptual and modern art. This place is divided into 4 areas: a museum; a scene, which holds conferences and workshops; a research part, which aims to foster discussion and debate; and the action section which attempts to fuse the work, products and services with the world of business. The main activity of the DHUB, however, is concentrated on design. Indeed, their main focus is on its different aspects such as product, visual communication, architecture, and fashion design. Where: C/ Montcada, 12. 08003 Barcelona For more information: The Disseny Hub Barcelona DHUB. [caption id="attachment_16237" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
DHUB Disseny Hub Barcelona[/caption]

Miscelanea

In Raval you can find the multidisciplinary arts space Miscelanea which is an art gallery/bar/place to hang out with friends and where different exhibitions are presented. There are around 10 or 15 exhibitions each year from small barcelonese artists to international artists. Where: C/ Guàdia, 10. 08001 Barcelona.

For more information: Miscelanea Website.

[caption id="attachment_16259" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Miscelanea Gallery in Barcelona[/caption] Opened last year, The MUTT is an art gallery located in El Borne in Carrer Commerç. This art gallery is a balance between art and design. This gallery is also a bookstore with a pretty amazing choice of art books that are more relevant and intriguing than those at FNAC. Go to visit MUTT and become one of the MUTTERS (The United Association Of People Who Love Mutt). Where: C/ Comerç, 15. 08003. Barcelona For more information: The MUTT Facebook page. [caption id="attachment_16253" align="aligncenter" width="590"]
Mutt Art Gallery in Barcelona[/caption] Open your mind and visit these galleries. Maybe you will find a piece of art which could light up your place or find the perfect investment piece. Maybe you'll buy something from an unknown artist which could one day be worth millions! -by Kok Natha HEN.

Brunch in Barcelona is amazing! So, where is a good place to eat in Barcelona? Get ready, it’s time for a picnic!

Finding the best brunch in Barcelona can be a tricky task on a lazy Sunday morning. Therefore, we at SuiteLife are here to help you!  Read this article and I can promise you that your Sunday afternoon and your Sunday Barcelona brunch will be perfect! Sunday – the end of the weekend, but this doesn’t mean the end of fun, especially if you have the luxury of going for Brunch in Barcelona. I mean, you can wake up at noon and still get breakfast with extras (and yes, by extras I domean cocktails!) In fact, one of my favorite parts of the weekend is the Sunday brunch in Barcelona and my favorite part of the city is El Born so I thought, why not combine the two? From living in Los Angeles, I am used to gathering all my friends together, dressing up (even though it might be the day after a big night...) and spending Sunday afternoon updating each other over brunch and a couple of cosmopolitans. That’s why I got really excited when my best friend here in Barcelona told me about this new and chic place in El Born called Picnic. “They have the best brunch in Barcelona and amazing cocktails” she said, adding “and the menu is great!” “However, it’s supposed to be very popular so fingers crossed we’ll get a table.” “Let’s go there” I said with excitement. And so we did!
We walked a few blocks down from my friend’s apartment and in a corner between the beginning of Comerç and Ciutadella Park we finally found the cute little restaurant Picnic. Weekend brunch in Barcelona is definitely the part of the week when this cosy restaurant gets busiest and it was crowded as in c-r-o-w-d-e-d!  “Popular huh?” I said to the waiter at the door who smiled and nodded “ I am sorry but we are full, Sundays are really busy but call this week and make reservations for the next weekend! You girls would love our Strawberry mojitos and Bloody Marys”. Although we didn’t make it this time, I got a glimpse of this chic and hip Barcelona brunch restaurant. I was very impressed with the menu in which different kinds of pancakes, smoothies, fruit-plates and scrambled eggs were just a few of the options. The menu even featured smoked mussels, olive toast, a special recipe for fried green tomatoes as well as a kangaroo fillet. Furthermore, I noticed how the kitchen was open and not divided from where you sit and eat. In other words, the atmosphere was amazing and very friendly! People by the bar were chit-chatting with the chef and outside, people were having conversations with some of the waiters.
Unfortunately, this Sunday we ended up having a picnic in the park with some salad and snacks. Not as good as the real Picnic itself but we got our Sunday picnic after all. This week, me and my friend will definitely make our reservations for Picnic and make sure we have a table for this coming Sunday. Will I see you there? What's your favourite spot for brunch in Barcelona?
If you already have been or looking for more brunch options, don't look any further. Try Milk, famous for it's Eggs Fry up & The Eggs Benedict. Que Aproveche! Charlotte Giver

Barcelona Activities - Never get bored during the Summer

Football in Barcelona is definitely one of the most popular Barcelona activities - The famous team, coached by Josep Guardiola, won the Champions League and National Championship this year and delighted millions of fans all over the world. Unfortunately the season is over - but why don't we go out and play ourselves? Also, there are tons of other Barcelona activities to do! Read on and you won't miss any cool activities in Barcelona.

Barcelona Activities - Football

As already mentioned, more or less everything is about football in Barcelona. What a lot of people don't know is that there's another pretty successful team in Barcelona apart from FC Barcelona called Espanyol Barcelona. They're absolutely crazy about football here and, being a passionate football player myself, the first thing for me to do in Barcelona was to find a spot to play. It can be difficult to find one, especially if you're trying to join a game rather than set one up. After a few hours of research I found this pitch in "Parque Joan Miró"
This pitch is public and accessable for everybody as long as nobody rents it. I went there yesterday and I asked two groups if I could join them. They told me that they rent it every Tuesday at the same time and that I could of course play with them. The surface of the court is pretty slippery but it's still really cool to play there. As the court is surrounded by a high fence, you don't have to hunt for the ball all the time - which is definitely a big plus. Also, they didn't play with a normal size football but with a smaller one which is useful considering the pitch is much smaller than usual. If you are not in the same situation as I am and already have a bunch of buddies around you, you might also want rent this or another pitch. There are plenty of different ones to rent in BCN. Usually it's a 7-a-side pitch but you can also rent the entire football pitch. I never rented one in Barcelona, but this site seems to be good. Let me know if you are planning on renting a pitch. I'm totally in to it ;)

Barcelona Activities - Basketball

Right next to the football pitch in "Parque Miró", there is a basketball court which is the same size as the football pitch. I guess there are a few more courts in Barcelona, but this is definitely a good one.

Barcelona Activities - Water sports

As we already know, Barcelona is surrounded by the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. This means that there are tons of activities to do in the water. If it's sailing, boat trips, swimming or diving Barcelona has everything to offer when it comes to water sports. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure - you have to avoid crowded beaches to really enjoy water sports in BCN.

Sailing:

There are different sailing and boat clubs in Barcelona. They offer a rental service and sailing courses. In order to get all the information concerning courses, races, rentals and local conditions, you should contact the closest marina. Port Masnou Tel: (+34) 935 403 000 Port Olímpic de Barcelona Tel: (+34) 932 259 220 Base Nautica Municipal Av. Litoral s/n (not numbered) Platja Mar Bella Metro:  Poblenou Tel: (+34) 932 210 432

Surfing / Kite Surfing

The lastest in-sport is Kite Surfing. It's pretty hard to learn, but once you get it, it is super fun. Just drive a little further north of Barcelona and you will find perfect conditions for Surfing.

Diving

If you want to discover Barcelona under water, seek for old boats or beautiful reefs, you should go diving. I found this professional company which offers everything around diving. Check out their site for further info.

Barcelona Activities - Tennis

Although it's really hot during the summer, a decent tennis match in the evening can be very fun. I found this really informative website, which brings together tennis players in Barcelona who seek for someone to play with. The site is non-profit and organises everything around the match. They offer tennis courts all over Barcelona. Sign up, edit your profile and you will find someone who is in the same situation. Tennis Barcelona: check out there site!

Barcelona Activities - Running

Barcelona is a beautiful city so you can find great places to go running. Sad enough I didn't really get the chance to go running yet.  However, I can think of a lot of places in Barcelona to do so. You can go to the Citaduella Park, Montjuic, or Parc Güell. Simply check out our great blog about where to run in Barcelona and you'll find out everything you need to know.

Barcelona Activities - Biking

Biking in Barcelona can be very fun. To use bicing in Barcelona, you have to be a permanent resident. Anyways, bicing is not really biking and can't be considered as a sport ;) If you want to do real biking, you either buy a bike or simply rent one. The conditions to do biking in Barcelona can't be any better. Being surrounded by mountains, Barcelona has so much to offer for the off-road cyclist. Also, if you don't like the mountains too much, you can go biking through Barcelona which is quite flat. If you aren't familiar with Barcelona and it's surroundings, I'd suggest a guided tour. There are different guided tours, for instance around the Gothic Quarter. Now that you've read this blog, you know everything what there's to do when it comes to sport- activities in Barcelona. I am pretty sure that there are tons of more things to do. You can play golf, go climbing or simply throw frisbee in a park. For now, you should know enough to never end up in front of your computer watching movies with such nice weather outside. What are your favourite Barcelona activities ? Do you know other cool spots to play? Let me know and I'll add them. ~ Alexander Kolb

Shopping in Barcelona: The hidden store that the tourists have not yet discovered

I remember, three years ago, when I was a "tourist" in Barcelona. Coming here with my family, I remember going shopping around Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas. When letting our maps guide us to El Born in order to continue our shopping spree I started to feel a little bit lost so we decided to do some last-minute shopping in the Born neighborhood and then hit the beach in order to avoid the nausea. Little did I know what I was missing because after living in Barcelona for almost half a year now, I can tell you one thing: the best shopping is not to be found in the touristy-areas. No, the opposite! The best shopping is to be found on the hidden streets of Barcelona! Therefore, when I  saw a chic newly-open store while walking home from grocery shopping in Raval the other day, I thought: if I don't blog about this shop, how will people coming from outside of Barcelona ever find out about it?

Bulala On Ramelleres 24 in Raval

To the left: Marcos Lowy, owner of Bulala. Therefore, I decided to visit Bulala this week in order to get some fab pictures, talk to the owner and...do some shopping! The store is called  Bulala and is located at Ramelleres 24 in Raval. Just go down Las Ramblas from Plaza Catalunya. Make your first right and you are on Carrer Tallers (the street where I live..) then keep walking until you see a big palmtree and make a left. On that street, to your left hand side, is where  you will find this amazing store. Carrying beautiful summer-dresses for no more than 35 Euros, cropped tops with matching cute skirts, outstanding jewelry and hats, blazers and  champange-colored jackets that you won't caught anyone else wearing.


After walking around the store I got a sense of what type of style(s) the owner was focusing on selling to his customers. Romance and laces, 70s styles, stripes and Paris chic type of clothes were all to be found. However, I was curious and I wanted to know more. I asked the owner ,Marcos Lowy, what he considered to be the trends for this summer. "I am trying to push exaggerated colorful clothes." he told me "neon is the big thing for this summer and it is all about being brave and having the courage to stand out from the crowd" "I like clothes with stripes and prints." he continues "as well as everything-cropped. These styles are all very happening this summer!" Walking around the store however, I didn't find that much neon but what I did found was a lot of cropped tops (love love cropped tops! Wear the cropped beauties with some high-waisted pants or skirts and you are all set!)
Neon colors for the brave.
Happy Shopping! (Sidenote!)  These are the open hours: Monday - Saturday 12-15 h / 17-21 h - Charlotte Giver

Pictures of Barcelona: Don't Miss the Barceloneta!

"Give me a camera, let me walk around and I will show you what you're missing in Barceloneta." - Kok Natha Hen, SuiteLifer When I first came to Barcelona, the main thing that I knew about this city is the fact that Barcelona is one of the best places to party and of course I knew about the omnipresence of Gaudi work. But the first day I came here, I discovered something more exciting : the city has some seriously atypical architecture. Indeed, Barcelona is the paradise for the camera addict and the camera lover. My favorite part of the city so far is the Gotic and El Born district where you can feel the history and the mix between the modern and the old Barcelona. You just have to walk around Barcelona to fall in love with this city, when I say walking around I mean get lost. Indeed for me every time I'm walking around this city I always choose to take all the small streets without a map so I discover some little places that are less touristic and for sure like that you will have beautiful pictures of Barcelona. So don't be afraid of getting lost in this city, you will make lots of amazing discoveries!!! For my first Barcelona photoblog, I went to Barceloneta (the most famous and touristic beach of Barcelona). I only spent2 hours over there but I succeeded in taking more than 600 pictures so I had to make a choice between all those to show you this beach that you have to see at least one time in your life. [caption id="attachment_15910" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Barceloneta Beach[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15909" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Barceloneta Sidewalk[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15907" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Longboard on the Barceloneta[/caption] Popular mean of transport in Barcelona, especially on Barceloneta Beach : the longboard. [caption id="attachment_15906" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Sculpture on the beach[/caption] One of the numerous sculptures that you can see at Barceloneta beach. [caption id="attachment_15904" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Bike or piece of art ?[/caption] Bike or piece of art ? [caption id="attachment_15903" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Spanish lifeguard on the beach[/caption] Don't worry, the Spanish Lifeguards are there to save and help you. [caption id="attachment_15902" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Windsurfer on the Barceloneta[/caption] Trendy hat. [caption id="attachment_15901" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Bicing Station on the Barceloneta[/caption] Go to Barceloneta by bike; you will find a Bicing Station over there. A beautiful graffiti on a surf shop. [caption id="attachment_15898" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Graffiti 1 on the Barceloneta[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15896" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Graffiti 3 on the Barceloneta[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_15895" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Another Barceloneta behind the wall[/caption] Behind the wall, there is another Barceloneta. [caption id="attachment_15894" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Sidewalk tree on the Barceloneta[/caption] [caption id="attachment_15893" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Barceloneta sidewalk[/caption] Maybe you will be lucky enough to see Shakira roller skating on the Barceloneta sidewalk. [caption id="attachment_15892" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Bikes on the Barceloneta[/caption] You can do that too! Your pictures of Barcelona won't come by themselves. Just grab your camera (reflex or compact), take a bottle of water, wear very confortable shoes and go walk around Barceloneta for a "photo hiking"! ;-) -by Kok Natha HEN (pictures included).

Passeig Del Born: Another Barcelona Between Via Laietana and the Arc of Triomf

When I was asked to take pictures of the Passeig Del Born, I was really thrilled as this part of the city is my favourite! You can find many different types of restaurant from Mexican to Organic or Italian in little plazas. There is also a variety of little stores with clothes from designers like Isabel Marant or Paul Smith. You can also find the Aro Store on Carrer del Rec. Before it became one of the most popular areas of Barcelona with restaurants and cocktail bars, El Born was once home to jousts and celebrations during medieval times. Now it is known for the Palau de la Musica Catalana, the Picasso Museum and the Pre-columbian art Museum. But there are lots of other things that you have to see and try in the small streets of El Born. So, as I said previously in my first Barcelona photoblog about Barceloneta, you just have to walk around this city with your camera. Don't hesitate to go into the smallest streets that you can find! [caption id="attachment_16633" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Plaça in El Born[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16634" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Palau de la Musica Catalana in El Born[/caption] The Palau de la Musica Catalana is one of the museums that you can't miss here, in Barcelona. In 1997 it was classified  by UNESCO as a Unesco World Heritage Site. [caption id="attachment_16635" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Passage in El Born[/caption]

Small Streets Often Hide Gems in Passeig Del Borne...

Why not wander through the small streets where you can discover some really interesting bars, shops, and some hidden gems. [caption id="attachment_16636" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Painting in El Born[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16638" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Passage in El Born[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16639" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Santiags in El Born[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16640" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Coques in El Born[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16642" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Family Bar in El Born[/caption] One of the most typical old Spanish bars. [caption id="attachment_16644" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Passage del Born[/caption] If you want to have a drink with friends or eat quickly, the Passeig del Born is the place to go. Here you can have the cheapest and best pizza in Barcelona. A slice of pizza for 1.50€ ! [caption id="attachment_16650" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Best Burger in Barcelona "Pim Pam Burger" in El Born[/caption] For me Pim Pam Plats have one of the best burgers in Barcelona. For 3,90€ you can have a pretty amazing Pim Pam Burger. [caption id="attachment_16673" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Little Paco - the only retailer of TOMS Shoes in Barcelona[/caption] In El Born you will also find Little Paco, the only TOMS Shoes retailer in Barcelona. [caption id="attachment_16656" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Stores and bike in El Born[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16652" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Stores in El Born[/caption] On Carrer del Rec, fashionistas and fashionistos will find happiness in one of the little trendy stores. [caption id="attachment_16654" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Atypical convenience store in El Born[/caption] This convenience store is so atypical. [caption id="attachment_16658" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Old guys playing chess in El Born[/caption] Chess players in front of the Arc of Triumf. [caption id="attachment_16659" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
Museum of zoology in El Born[/caption] Castell Dels Tres Dragons in the Cuitadella Park is where you can find the Natural Sciences Museum of Barcelona. [caption id="attachment_16660" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
Bowl in El Born[/caption] Go walk around the Passeig Del Born, you will find some funny and unusual things! Don't forget to take your camera! - by Kok Natha HEN (pictures included).

Barcelona to Mallorca: Visit Mallorca on a Beautiful Weekend!

A beautiful weekend from Barcelona to Mallorca is one of the best things to plan while you are in Catalunya. Barcelona is one of the most amazing cities in Europe and, I know, its hard to imagine ever getting bored here or wanting to visit somewhere else... But we all need to escape the city sometimes and visiting Mallorca is a great way to spend a weekend, or even a whole week! For me, as a German, Mallorca is one of my favourite destinations for spending summer holidays. Some German's joke that Mallorca is a German island as it is such a popular tourist destination for them but Mallorca hasn't lost its Spanish charm and is worth a visit for sure!

Basic Information About Mallorca:

Mallorca is one of the Balaric Islands and is located 170 km from Barcelona, in the Mediterranean Sea. The main languages are Spanish and Catalan, though the Majorcans speak a slightly different dialect, called Mallorquí, than the Catalan spoken in Catalonia. The beautiful island is a popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. Palma, the capital of Mallorca, has much more to offer than just beaches, restaurants and other leisure activities. Besides all these things, there is a beautiful palace, which is the summer residence of the Spanish King,  and Palma also has a beautiful old town, cathedral, art and shopping.

How to Get There:

Just in case you don't have your own yacht, there are two ways to get there. The first one is to catch a plane, the second is to take the ferry.

Cheap flights from Barcelona to Mallorca:

First of all you should read our blog about airports in Barcelona. If you are lucky, you can find flights for 30€ return. You should check Vueling and RyanAir. Those are the cheapest.

Ferry from Barcelona to Mallorca:

There are two different companies which run from Barcelona to Mallorca. The ride takes 7 hours and prices are rather variable. Usually the flight is way cheaper, but since you can take your car with you, the ferry has advantages too!

Party Places:

Mallorca is full of nice restaurants, beautiful beaches and parties. I have been to two places where everything is about partying.

Palma

The famous beach promenade, located in "El Arenal", is a real party mile. Mostly German people start drinking at the beach, continue in one of the bars and then end up in a club. The level is pretty low, people are wasted and it's all about the alcohol and so. It's not the place to go for everybody, but you can have a great deal of fun there anyways. I went there with my football team and we had an awesome time! However, you should not stay longer than 4-5 days.

Cala Ratjada

Cala Ratjada, located in the north-east of Mallorca, is a small town with a lot of bars, clubs, restaurant but also nice beaches. The level in Cala Ratjada is way higher than in El Arenal. Me and my best friend use to rent a huge apartment every summer and had the time of our lifes. You have everything you need over there. Perfect wheater, nice people, beaches, restaurants and good clubs. It's definetelely a good option for you to check out.

Other Cool Things to Do on Mallorca:

Where do I begin? Mallorca is a paradise for golf players. Even though the island is pretty small, it has tons of golf courses. One of the most spectacular is in Andratx (golf de andratx - camp de mar). Check out their website. Once you are on Mallorca, you should go to Cap de Formentor. Drive all the way up to Fumart, which is located 384m above the sea level. Cap de Formentor is in the very north of Mallorca.
I think Mallorca is a beautiful island. Some poeple might say you can have the same in Barcelona but it's different. Mallorca's so varied! You can relax for a couple of days, or really go wild. Mallorca has everything to offer. As you may have already guessed, I'm a big fan of Mallorca. What about you guys? Have you ever been there? Alex

Catalan Cuisine - What you need to eat while in Barcelona!

When you're in Barcelona, you want to see, do and try as much as is humanly possible. An important part of that is getting to know the local specialties, and Catalan cuisine has plenty of those to offer! Certain menus can even be a bit overwhelming, especially when you don't understand a word of Catalan. So to get you started, here's our top 5 of food to try when in Barcelona!

1. Catalan Cuisine - Tapas

This seems quite unoriginal but you simply cannot get around tapas in Barcelona. It's something you must eat when you're here, simple as that! Tapas come in all forms and sizes, but these are some very typical ones: (The fun is of course to randomly pick something from the menu, a great way to discover new things!) - Pa amb tomàquet: slice of bread rubbed with tomato, and topped with olive oil and garlic. Very basic, but oh so good. It is usually given as a side dish, but is also a popular breakfast. - Patates braves: potatoes with a special, spicy sauce - Xipirons: fried squids - Truita de patates: kind of omelette with potatoes - Formatge manchego: Manchego cheese - Pernil iberic: Spanish ham - Olives - Gambes a la planxa: grilled shrimps with garlic - Croquetes de pollastre i pernil: croquettes of chicken and ham Though they are in overabundance, it can be quite trick to find the right tapas bar. Have a look at our previous articles to get an idea of where to go.

2. Catalan Cuisine - Paella / Fideuà

Paella is also a very famous Spanish dish. You will find a lot of restaurants in Barcelona offering paella, though it is actually more of a Valencian dish. But that shouldn't stop you from trying it, of course! It is also very easy to make yourself, just follow our Paella recipe. A Barcelona variant of paella is fideuà, which is with thin noodles instead of rice.

3. Catalan Cuisine - Allioli

Allioli is a typical Catalan sauce quite similar to mayonaise. It is traditionally made with only garlic, olive oil and salt. There are many variations, though. It is eaten with bread, potatoes, fish, meat or vegetables ... so basically anything. I am personally quite fond of cod (bacalla) with allioli. The picture on the right shows the one I had in Els quatre gats.

4. Catalan Cusine - Escalivada

A salad of aubergine (eggplant), peppers, tomatoes, onions, salt, olive oil and vinegar. The vegetables are roasted in a little olive oil beforehand. Trust me, it's delicious !

5. Catalan Cuisine - Crema Catalana

The classic Catalan dessert, very similar to crème brûlée. The difference is that the cream is bit smoother (it is flavored with lemon zest and cinnamon) and the sugar on top is caramelized with a broiler instead of with a flame.
All this is of course accompanied by some glasses of cava, wine or beer and great friends! And you ? What are your favorite things to eat in Barcelona ? Leave a comment and let us know! Cheers

The Metro in Barcelona: A method to its madness

Here is some useful information and tips for newcomers to Barcelona - the metro in Barcelona, tickets and operating hours! Barcelona's modern public transport system will take you from its beaches both near and far, to all its important sites and neighbourhoods. Having lived and visited several of Europe's major cities, I am familiar with that problem we have all faced before - standing in front of a ticketing machine in bustling station, pressing an unresponsive screen, and wondering which ticket to buy while a queue of impatient locals look over your shoulder.... Hopefully this post can make that daunting situation all the more comfortable.

The Metro System:

The metro in Barcelona is composed of several underground lines managed by Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) and is divided into 6 zones. Zone 1 includes Barcelona's city centre. Whether you are coming to Barcelona for travel, study, or work, this should be sufficient. I personally stick to zone 1, and buy a separate ticket when traveling beyond the boundaries of Zone 1.

Frequency and Operating Hours:

The trains for the metro in Barcelona consistently call at stations every 2/3 minutes on week days, and every 10 minutes on week-ends. The estimated calling times are even posted to the second! From Monday to Thursday, the metro in Barcelona (specifically the L1, L2, L3, L4, L5, L11 lines) starts at 5am and stops at 12 am (supposedly, its a good way to prevent people from going out during the week). On Fridays, the metro in Barcelona runs from 5am to 2am, and on Saturdays they run non-stop! Be mindful of public and festive holidays: on New Year’s Eve and the eve of June 24th, August 15th, September 9th , the lines run non-stop. On the eve of other holidays, it runs from 5am to 2am. However, on Christmas Eve (December 24th), the metro in Barcelona stops at 11pm.

Prices and Tickets:

Currently, single tickets for the metro in Barcelona  (TMB system) and for Barcelona Busses cost €1.15 per journey. They’re handy if you’re just dropping by Barcelona as they are cost effective for up to 3 trips. If you're fortunate enough to be staying longer in Barcelona, then I would urge you to consider the following alternatives:

• T-10 Ticket: For all means of public transport. Price ranges from 9.95€ for zone 1 (each journey is valid for 1h15 after validation), to 42.05€ for all 6 zones (each journey is valid for 2h30 after validation)
• Multi-Day Travel Cards: Tourism ticket. This ticket gives you an unlimited number of journeys over a certain number of days. This includes metro and bus (TMB), local train (FGC), tram (TRAM) and regional train (Rodalies de Catalunya). You can use it on the Rodalies train to and from the airport too! Prices range from 14€ for the 2-day travel card, to 32€ for the 5 day travel card.
• T-Dia Ticket: Unlimited number of journeys on all forms of transportation. The price ranges 7.60€ for 1 Zone, to 21.70€ for 6 Zones.
• T-4 Travel Card: If you are moving to Barcelona, obtain residency, and are older than 60 years or have a recognised disability, you may be eligible for this ticket after obtaining a reduced-fare "Targeta rosa metropolitana", or a reduced-fare "Carnet rosa metropolità". This travel card also includes 10 journeys, valid on the TMB bus and metro network (except special services and Barcelona's Bus Turístic), the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) bus network, Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC) and Tram (zone 1 only).
• T-Mes: An individual travel card valid on all forms of public transport for an unlimited number of journeys in 30 consecutive days from the first validation. The price for 1 Zone is 52.75€. Note that T-Mes cards must be accompanied by a valid ID. The number of the ID document used must be printed on the travel card.
• T-Trimestre: Valid on all forms of public transport for an unlimited number of journeys over 90 consecutive days from the first validation. The conditions for this card are the same as those for the T-Mes.

For more information on TMB's wide range of ticketing options, please see the Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona website.

Where to find tickets:

The easiest way purchase your respective ticket is at one of the automatic vending machines located in each Barcelona metro station. The vending machines have several language settings, and if you require any help there is an assistant in most stations. Additionally, some tickets can be purchased online. Please, check out . For more information on purchasing your ticket, check out:

• the TMB website;
• or on ServiCaixa website specialized in selling tickets for all kinds of events in different Spanish cities;
• go to Barcelona Tourist Information Offices;
• FGC railway stations; or
• TMB customer service stations.

Additionally, ensure that you take one of the metro system maps which you can find near the automatic vending machines. These can also be found online here. [caption id="attachment_1959" align="aligncenter" width="438"]
Estació de França - Barcelona's most charming station[/caption]

Tips:

The metro in Barcelona has some unsaid rules that newcomers can easily pick-up: First of all, the metro in Barcelona has several lifts and escalators. During peak hours, they become very crowded and given how narrow they are, expect to be pushed passed during these crowded periods. So, it is best to keep to your right when on the escalator, so as to leave room for those in a hurry. Escalators will only take you to higher floors. To go down to a platform, all stations require you to take the staircase. Not a bad way to justify last night's tapas indulgences... A great thing about the metro in Barcelona is that you get phone service everywhere (if you have a working phone that is). This is mighty helpful if you get lost and need to find out which station to hop off at. Last but not least, given the number of people using the metro, PAY ATTENTION to who you are surrounded by and what is going on! Like in any public transportation system, the metro in Barcelona has its share of pickpockets.

Connections:

Given the number of lines operating, most journeys will require you to change line. This is when your metro map becomes most useful. Here are a few of Barcelona's biggest transfer hubs:

• Diagonal (L3, L5 and L6): this station leads to  Plaza Juan Carles I, intersecting with Avingunda Diagonal and Passeig de Gracia, two of the biggest axes crossing Barcelona. Diagonal Station is always crowded by busy people in a hurry.
• Passeig de Gracia (L2, L3 and L4): Located right under Passeig de Gracia, at the intersection with Gran Via les Corts Catalanes and is the second biggest hub of the metro in Barcelona with a very long tunnel to go from L2 to L3. Don’t walk there alone after 11pm: notwithstanding its all performing video system, it can be quite unsafe at this time. A tip if by any chance you have to haunt Barcelona's Metro alone late at night - walk along the walls and keep your bag on the wall side.

Other stations with great connections include: Drassanes for Las Ramblas, Gloriès, and Espanya. All are very good metro stops to then explore from. The metro in Barcelona is an experience in itself! Hopefully, you now have a method to its madness. If you or a friend is looking for a great long term flat rental in Barcelona please check out our website www.SuiteLife.es and get in touch for excellent service. Yours! A.

Gay Cafes in Barcelona : Not Quantity But Quality !

In continuation of our gay series 'Barcelona: From the Rear,' this week's topic will be about Gay Cafes in Barcelona and how to find one. If you read our earlier post in the series, the next statement won't come as a surprise by now: there aren't any particular 'gay' cafes per se - we know, we know - by now you are probably wondering how the hell Barcelona has managed to snatch the prestigious title of 'most gay-friendly city.' Just hear us out for a second and you'll understand where the Spaniards are coming from - at least the gay ones. The Barcelona gay scene target market segment are tourists and locals who prefers a wilder night out, here is where they make most of their profits and that's why most of the places found in the city are discotheques, bars, etc. This doesn't mean there aren't any places where you can enjoy a cup of coffee in a tranquil gay atmosphere because most of these bars are transformed during the day into coffeeshops - not many but some - so everything is not lost. So we'll discuss the best places you can find a nice, warm cup of coffee to sooth that hangover from the previous night.

1. Cafe San Telmo

We start off our list with Cafe San Telmo, a cafe/restaurant located along Carrer de Casanova near the Avinguda Diagonal. It is not particularly a Gay Cafe but a large number of the clientele are gay. You can go there in the morning and enjoy your coffee out on their open air terrace or in the early evening where you can ponder the evening ahead in a low-key place - after all, the key bars and clubs are just on the other side of the Avinguda Diagonal. Cafe San Telmo is one of those places that (because of their narrow bar) has an appealingly busy feel, with big windows that reveals the crowds and traffic of nearby Avinguda Diagonal. We would definitely recommend this locale for a coffee or a beer because its atmosphere is  friendly and familiar. These traits are the reasons why Cafe San Telmo made it on our list of gay cafes in Barcelona.

2. Libreria Antinous

Antinous makes our list once again but this time as a Gay Cafes in Barcelona rather than a gay bookstore (which is better known for). This, to our opinion, is the closest to a gay coffeeshop than any of the other. Like we mentioned in our 'Gay Bookstores in Barcelona' article earlier this month, Antinous is both a bookshop and a coffeeshop for gay men and women, it is a perfect spot for browsing the latest in gay leterature, enjoying a great cup of coffee and learning more about community events and organized gatherings. Even if you don't buy any of their books, you can still go and get a hit of that needed caffeine. As you can see from our article, there are very few Gay Cafes in Barcelona one can go to during the morning or afternoon but of course, one shouldn't limit themselves to these bars. Barcelona has an array of coffeeshops that are worth the visits. So what do you prefer? Your coffee in the mornings or evenings? Let us know.