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.

Is There A Gay Cinema in Barcelona ?

Is there a Gay cinema in Barcelona? Let's find out! What do the movies "Brokeback Mountain", "In and Out" and "The Bird Cage" have in common? Yes, they're gay-themed! They are also Hollywood blockbusters screened in theatres around the globe. These successful gay movies are nothing but the exception, freaks of nature that happen every so often, with many collecting dust in their filmmaker's closet. There are many cities that love showing these movies on the big screen. Amsterdam and New York are well known for doing this! These cities have either a cinema to screen new gay premieres or scheduled showings a couple of times a month. It was really exciting; though it shouldn't have come as a surprise, that we found a Gay Cinema in Barcelona as well. This one broadcasts movies specifically targeted to the gay community. This week we will continue our exploration of Gay life in Barcelona. We started last week with our article on how to find a Gay book store in Barcelona.

Gay Cinema in Barcelona

Unfortunately and quite surprisingly, Barcelona isn't as far along when it comes to Gay cinema like our Dutch and American brothers. Like in our previous post on Gay Book Stores, it surprised me to find out that there is only one Gay Cinema in Barcelona (gasp!)... and it is the Arenas Gay Cinema. How is that even possible that there's only one? Especially since Barcelona has one of the most important Gay Film Festivals in the world since 2001 which attracts some of the best films from around the world highlighting aspects of the LGBTI experience! The fact is, I don't know why there is only one. A Colorful History
Arenas Gay Cinema is located close to the Barcelona Bull Ring and Placa Espanya. It opened its doors in 1928, making it one of the oldest cinemas in Barcelona. The first movies they premiered were 'The Blue Danube,' 'Amores de Ninos' (Loves of Children or Children of Love?) with Laura La Plante and 'Sombras en la Noche' (Secrets of the Night-1924) with Madge Bellsamy. The cinema was used for a bunch of variety shows. One of them was the 1930 Festival of Opera with an artist from the Theatre de L'Opera in Paris. In 1943, the cinema was renovated before it was taken over by the Balana chain. Over the years, the programming of the theatre changed and in 1960's it turned towards sexploitation films until 1990. At that time, a fire caused by the heating system damaged the building and brought the cinema to a temporary close until late 90's.

Arenas Gay Cinema

Arenas continues screening gay porn movies. However, you can also enjoy independent 'fiction' films  in their 392 seats auditorium located in what was the front orchestra seating and stage of the original theatre. The seats are quite new and there are double ‘love’ seats in the back rows. Internally, there is nothing remaining of its decorative details. Unlike traditional cinemas, the Arenas Cine Gay has its own licenced bar and games room making it a very popular hotspot for gay moviegoers. You can find all their info on their website. Enjoy! ~Argenis

Cheap Bars in Barcelona: More Drunkenness for Your Euro

There are some great cheap bars in Barcelona, in a sea of mostly expensive ones.  At SuiteLife, we like to drink on the cheap, and so we have curated for you some of the Barcelona's best cheap bars.

Ambar

As far as cheap bars in Barcelona goes, this is a lively little dive bar in the Raval, which perfectly personifies the area.  It has a very retro and relaxing feel and is a very popular place to hang out or drink a few beers before a night out.  The bar is very Catalan and attracts a good mix of locals and expats who are in the know.  You can get Beer/wine for €2.50; Cocktails for €6; Mixed Drinks €5 and Shots €2 Map

Blondie

Filled with neon lights and retro 80’s decor, this place is for the young and hipsters.  It’s a cool 80’s punk bar that plays music ranging from 50’s to modern electro and serves up some of the best original cocktails in the city.  One of the more hip cheap bars in Barcelona for sure! Website Map

Ryans

Ryans is the cheapest Irish pub in Barcelona and is always very popular.  The drinks are especially cheap if you get a Ryans loyalty card. Drinks: Bottled Beer (with card) €1, Shots (with Card) €1. Read more about it on our blog dedicated for the Irish Pubs in Barcelona. Website Map

El Nus

This is one of Barcelona’s oldest bars and it is certainly obvious when you walk in.  They have great stonewalls, dusty chandeliers and rustic wood furniture.  If you’re looking for an old-fashioned place to relax and a few cheap drinks in Barcelona then El Nus is the place for you, perfect for escaping from the crowd and enjoying some calming jazz music. Map

Maumau Underground

This Bar is a little off the beaten track in Poble Sec but it is a very cool and slightly clandestine joint and quite cheap too!  You will find a group of hip well-dressed artists, students and young professionals here sipping on one of the 25 different gins or a vintage cocktail.  The bar certainly looks the part, with low white sofas surrounded by pop art and bamboo sticks.  At first Glance this may not appear to be cheap but once you invest in their loyalty card for €12 annually you get great discounts and it is definitely worth it. Website Map

Yakuta Bar

This is a fun international bar at the bottom of Las Ramblas that attracts a diverse crowd that enjoy good music and interesting art.  If you buy a cocktail here you get a free shot (chupito) just to give you an extra kick.  You can also watch the biggest sports matches here and take advantage of their free wi-fi. Map

Dow Jones

At SuiteLife we love this bar, its great fun, has great food and if you don’t mind what you are drinking, you can get cheap drinks.  The pricing for drinks in Dow Jones is governed by stock market principals, if a drink is in demand then it is expensive and if not then it is cheap.  So if you know anything about economics you would know that once a drink gets cheaper it becomes more popular and the price goes up.  Read more about Dow Jones on our Dow Jones Bar blog. Website Map

Chupitos

If you like shots and choosing from more than 200 different types, then Chupitos is what you are looking for.  There are two Chupitos bars in Barcelona and they are both great fun.  The shots are €2 each.  Read more about Chupitos Here. Website Map

The Ovella Negra Taverna (The Black Sheep Tavern)

Cheap bars in Barcelona don't get much better than this. The Ovella Negra is a great place to go with friends and drink lots of cheap beer.    They serve ½ a litre of San Miguel for €3 and they also serve giant chilled pitchers of beer for sharing with your friends.  If you buy the big pitcher it works out to be quite the bargain, and you will have lots of fun guaranteed.  Read more about The Ovella Negra here. Website Map

Pippermint

This is another great Barcelona bar that is cheap when you go with friends.  This is because you can buy huge 13 litre pitchers of mixed drinks to share between your friends.  Pippermint is a pretty famous in Barcelona and usually very popular.  It’s a great place for a party. Website Map

Nevermind

The first bar I went to after arriving in Barcelona was "Nevermind". The thing I liked about it is that it's different from American bars which I am used to. The majority of the crowd in Nevermind consists of "skaters" and "hipsters". They come here for the Alternative and Hard Rock music which can always be heard in the bar. One of the most amazing features of this bar is their mini-ramp which is located in the back of the bar. I do not fit either of the stereo types which are attracted to this bar but what does attract me is the reasonably priced beer. For about 3,50 you can get yourself two Heineken and look at the skaters showing off their skills.
Barcelona is definitely one of the easiest cities in the world to have a great time but its also really easy to spend tons of money on alcohol and fall into one of the many tourist traps. But have no fear! The bars I just mentioned and talked about are great places to go to have a great time and not having to spend lots of money on small quantities of alcohol. I hope you have a great time at the best cheap bars in Barcelona! I hoped you have all enjoyed reading this Blog and have gathered all the information to have an amazing cheap night in Barcelona. If you know about any other cheap bars in Barcelona that should be in this list let us know and we will add it too our list! If you know of any other cool cheap bars in Barcelona we would to love to hear about them. Cheers Matthew and Ryan

Where to find the best Crepes in Barcelona?

Crepes can be found all over Barcelona, from street vendors on las Ramblas to ice cream shops and cafes all over the city.  The trouble with buying crepes here is that they usually only serve sweet Crepes and they are by no means the best Crepes in Barcelona.  The best Crepes in Barcelona can be found in the Creperie’s (Crepe restaurants).  Here is SuiteLife’s list of the best Creperie’s in Barcelona.

Creperie Bretonne Annaick Barcelona

This is perhaps the most famous and popular place to get good Crepes in Barcelona. It is located just off the Barceloneta Beach, which puts the restaurant in a great location to be noticed and receive lots of customers (which unfortunately means it can get very busy).  That being said, its location is not the only reason Creperie Bretonne Annaick is popular, they also happen to have a great selection of some of the best sweet and savoury Crepes in Barcelona. The restaurant itself has a great interior, with a cool rustic design and a double-decker bus parked up inside. As I said before this restaurant in very popular, especially on the weekends so don’t be surprised if you have to wait a little while before you get a seat. Website Map – Unfortunately google maps places this restaurant in the wrong place.  You can find it next to the big metal fish sculpture (Peix) near Barceloneta beach.

Creps Barcelona

The restaurant chain is my personal favourite place to go for Crepes in Barcelona.  They serve all kinds of different crepes, sweet and savoury for reasonable prices.  They also serve cocktails here and make the most amazing hot chocolate.  For those who don’t know, Spanish hot chocolate is thicker than your average cocoa drink, and at creps Barcelona, they sure can make it well.  If you go here be sure to try the Hazelnut and chocolate Crepe, it is to die for.  You can find Creps Barcelona restaurants all over Barcelona, so be sure to check their webpage to know where. Website

Creps a Barcelona

This is another great place to get Crepes in Barcelona and not bad for a good cocktail too.  Creps a Barcelona has more of a modern feel to it with a stylish and sleek interior.  This place is less serious about crepes as the other restaurants, but it is definitely a fun place to go and eat a couple of good crepes and drink a few good cocktails. Website Map

Belgious

Ok so this place is more of an ice-cream shop that serves crepes like the ones I mentioned at the start.  But Belgious is different, not only do they have a great selection of crazy ice-cream flavours but many people would say they also make some of the best Crepes in Barcelona. Website Map
For more great restaurants and food in Barcelona check out our Barcelona Eating blog If you know of any other good places to get Crepes in Barcelona we would love to hear about them.  Send us a mail or drop a comment below. Cheers Matthew Rutter+

Chupitos Bar Barcelona - Are you looking for a fun time in Barcelona?

There are tons of bars in Barcelona but Chupitos is definitely one of the more "creative" ones! When I went to Chupitos for the first time, I was amazed by the variety of shots. I don't know what I expected but they sure suprised me! They offer more than 200 different shots, I will guarantee you that they most definitely have something that fits your taste! There are shots served with tiramisu, creme, cucumber, anything you could possibly imagine. The creativity of the owners is truly unique!
During the weekend this bar is literally packed. Since it's a really small one, it's hard to find a place to sit. I went there on a Monday and there were still a lot of people. Most of them were American students.

The Monika Lewinski "Shot"

One of the specialties chupitos so kindly has to offer you is called the "Monika Lewinksy Shot". The waiter blindfolds you and then....ok this might not be G-rated and I don't want to be a spoiler. You should try it out yourselves. I saw a girl doing it and it was hilarous. Well, at least for her friends.

General Information

- Price of one shot: 2€ - Location: C/Aribau 77 in Eixample (this is where I went), there is another one on Passeig de Colón, 8. - Nearest metro: Universitat (for the one on Aribau), Jaume I (for the one on Passeig de Colón,8) Both chupitos bars are owned by the same person, which means that they offer more or less the same. Even if these bars are specialised in serving shots, you can order a beer among other things as well. Thus, it's a really cool international place to have fun with friends, absolutly worth a visit!
Wanna drink on the cheap ? Check out our Barcelona's Best Cheap Bars Blog Do you know other good bars in Barcelona for having shots? Please feel free to drop a comment below!

Have You Ever Seen Barcelona From Above? Have a Look at The City From a Different Perspective!

When you come in to land in Barcelona by plane you can see the city in all its glory but you may wonder where you can also have this point of view. So I took one full day to cover some parts of the highest points of Barcelona in order to bring you the Top 5 Views of Barcelona from above.

Plaza Espanya

From the rooftop of the Arenas de Barcelona built in 1929 for the International Exhibition we can see the roundabout in Plaza Espanya which is the main junction of different streets in Barcelona: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, Avinguda del Paral-lel, Carrer de la Creu Coberta and Carrer de Taragonna. This particular roundabout is inspired by the Versailles fountains. On the middle ground, we can see the two Venetian towers of Barcelona and in the background the Palau Nacional MNAC which is now the Museum Nacional D'Art de Catalunya. The first selection of pictures was taken in top of the Arenas de Barcelona, you can go on the roof of this mall for free. [caption id="attachment_16834" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View from the rooftop of Arenas de Barcelona - Plaza Espanya[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16890" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
View of Barcelona from Arenas de Barcelona - Palau Nacional and La Fida[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16837" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View from the rooftop of the Arenas of Barcelona on Plaza Espanya[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16838" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View from the rooftop of the Arenas of Barcelona on Plaza Espanya[/caption]

Palau Nacional MNAC

For the second set of pictures, I went to the Palau Nacional MNAC which is just in front of the Arenas, to go up to the top you can use the escalators.  If you've ever been in Las Vegas it will remind you of the Strip. When you're at the top of the stairs you can take time to appreciate the views of Barcelona just in front of you. [caption id="attachment_16869" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View from the Palau Nacional MNAC in Barcelona[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16871" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View of the Sagrada Familia from the Palau Nacional MNAC[/caption]

Montjuic Park

For the 3rd photoshoot, I went to the top of Montjuic - to the Castell de Montjuic walking. The teleferic was kind of expensive and it's much better to go there on foot. You can see lots of things like some stuff from the Olympic Games of 1992, some sculptures or even the old olympic pool. So this set of pictures will be from different views of the parc. [caption id="attachment_16874" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View of the Port of Barcelona from the Parc of Montjuic[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16859" align="aligncenter" width="380"]
View of the Port of Barcelona from Montjuic Park[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16875" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
View of the Monument a Colom from the Parc of Montjuic[/caption]

Castell de Montjuic: The Place to Be to See Barcelona From Above

For the 4th photoshot, I took photos of Montjuic from Castell de Montjuic. This Castle is pretty big and really interesting to visit and you can have one of the best views of the city from the top of it. You can see all the city from the beach to the mountain of Tibidabo. [caption id="attachment_16877" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View of Barcelona from the Castell of Montjuic[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16880" align="aligncenter" width="576"]
View of the Port of Barcelona from the Castell of Montjuic[/caption]

Colon Monument

At the bottom of the Ramblas, the Monumento a Colon is raised to welcome boats which are coming to the Port of Barcelona. For 4€ and at least a 20 minute wait you can go to the top of it to see the whole city. If you're claustrophobic I wouldn't recommend going there as it is really small and the elevator is so small that you can only have a maximum of 4 people  in it. When you're at the top you will see the city through small windows that you can open but if you want to take beautiful pictures this is not the best place. This place is pretty touristy and if you don't go you won't miss much. The pictures taken in this monument are not the best photoshoot photos I have taken at least you get a different point of view of the city. [caption id="attachment_16864" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
View from the Monument a Colom - Las Ramblas[/caption] [caption id="attachment_16865" align="aligncenter" width="383"]
View from the Monument a Colom in Barcelona[/caption] Barcelona is a city surrounded by mountains, so there are plenty of other high points of view that you can discover too! Feel free to travel outside the city to see another beautiful side of Barcelona. Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! -by Kok Natha HEN. (pictures included)

Starting a business in Barcelona - 10 simple steps to success!

Good day entrepreneurs all over the world, feeling a bit creative today? In that case, I guess it's time for some informative yet necessary stuff if you want to know the steps of starting a business in Barcelona. Spain is one of the most beautiful countries and has a lot to offer so, as knowledge is power, this blog will be providing you with all the info that needs to be considered in order to have your magical $$$ making pond here (oh and we've made it so that starting a business in Barcelona is easy).

Starting a Business in Barcelona Step#1: Getting the famous NIE

NIE, or Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero (Foreigner Identification Number) is a document without which you cannot undertake any commercial action in Spain. The whole procedure on how to get it can be found here. The NIE can be used for other purposes as well, such as paying taxes or buying a property.

Starting a Business in Barcelona Step#2: Other preliminary documentation

Make sure you have the following paperwork ready and valid: passport and Certificado de Empadronamiento (Community Registration Certificate), details for which you can find by clicking here. You will need these in order to proceed to Starting a business in Barcelona Step #3.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#3: Certificacion negativa de la denominación social

Certificacion negativa de la denominacion social means certifying the uniqueness of the proposed company name, which will officially provide you with complete rights on the actual name of the company and will be reserved for 6 months after you've chosen it. In order to obtain it you will have to go to the Central Commercial Registry (Registro Mercantil which can be found here), it costs 16.25€, and usually takes around 2 days.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#4: Pay the Impuesto de Actividades Económicas

Next step is to pay the Impuesto de Actividades Economicas, which literally translates into Tax for Economic Activities. Practically it's the tax that you have to pay to the Government to let you undergo a commercial action. It can be done in the Delegacion Especial de Economia y Hacienda, map right here. It is different, depending on the business. After you've done that, you will get the Codigo the Identificacion Fiscal (CIF) - tax identification code. This tax ranges from 150€ to 300€, depending on the amount of share capital deposited.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#5: Open a corporate bank account

Why do you need a corporate bank account? Well, for several reasons. Firstly, it's the place where your income will go when people make payments in exchange of your goods or services. Secondly, this where the government will be deducting the taxes from, so it's kind of mandatory for you to have one. It takes about one day to create one and it's free of charge. Note that you have to be pretty much a morning person, as banks here only work from 9am until 2pm (with an exception on Thursdays when they work 9am-8pm). Also bear in mind that you need to make deposit of a minimum 3005.06€ representing your intial start-up capital.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#6: Make an appointment with a notary

You're almost done with the paperwork. With the documents mentioned above you will now have to schedule a meeting with a notary in order to get them officially signed and stamped with the purpose of being presented to the Starting a business in Barcelona Step #6. Brace yourselves, as you're going to be paying a little high price for couple of stamps - around 500€, depending on the operation complexity.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#7: Find your operating site

The next logical step is to know where your operations will be taking place. Accordingly, you will need the documents that prove that you either own or are using a rented office, restaurant, warehouse etc. (obviously depending on the area of your business). With these, you will then proceed to Starting a business in Barcelona Step#8.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#8: Obtain the Licencia Municipal de Apertura from the Ayuntamiento

Now it's time for you to register your place of operations with the Ayuntamiento (City Hall) - here - with the papers mentioned above and apply for the Licencia Municipal de Apertura (Municipal Opening License) from the City Hall's Departamento de Urbanismo (City Planning Department), which basically means that you let the City Hall know you are starting your commercial activity in that specified site. Charges -> 350€.

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#9: Register for the social services

For 240€ a month worth of tax, you will be registered for the welfare and health social services, meaning that you are pretty much covered by the social insurance in case something bad happens while at work. You can benefit from some more options if you extra (around €25 a month).

Starting a business in Barcelona Step#10: Register your people

Unless you are a one man business, you are going to need some more human resources to run your thingy. Consequently every person you take on has to be registered at the Tesoreria General de la Seguridad Social (Social Security General Treasury) and then within 10 days time at the Instituto Nacional de Empleo (National Employment Institute).
And that's it! That's all you need to know about the process of starting a business in Barcelona. Now the hard part begins - the actual money making. From us here, we wish you the best of luck with everything involving your business and we are happy to have helped you! So...
Muchisimas gracias, Dragosh (El Dragon).