Barcelona for Students - cheapest places in the city!

Hello SuiteLifers! Today, we're gonna talk about Barcelona for students and what you can do on a student budget! I'm a student myself and most of the time I'm just as broke as all the rest! I've done the research so you don't have to and I've found the best tips on what to do, where to eat, or places to go in Barcelona for students! And all for a reasonable price. Trust me and you'll soon be having the time of your life in Barcelona for half the cost.

Where to go out?

Thankfully, there are loads of bars in Barcelona that are really cheap. You just need to escape from the more touristic places in which a mojito will cost you 8€! The absolute two best bars in my opinion are The Lime House and The Rubi. A normal mojito costs 3.5€, a strawberry or raspberry one costs 5€. But trust me the amount of alcohol is well worth it! Then you can have the famous Gin Tonic (I hope you've noticed that it's the absolute favorite drink of the locals) ! They have around 70 different kinds of Gin Tonic and it does cost €7 which is maybe a little pricey but its worth it.
Rubi bar : Carrer dels Banys Vells, 6 The Lime House : Carrer dels Carders, 31 When it comes to clubs, most of them are free until 2 am, you just have to put yourself on a guest list online. Just register on Shaz Guest List and you're good to go. All of the beach clubs are free until 2am and some others until 1 or 1.30 like Jamboree or Otto Zutts. When you do it right you'll never have to pay to enter a club (except if there is a special guest DJ).

Where to eat ?

There actually are a lot of places to eat in Barcelona for students if you know where to look. You might be interested in checking out our blog Free Tapas in Barcelona to start with. If you're looking for random food to eat for lunch you might fall in love with "Nostrum". There are a lot of them all around the city and they make really good food for 1 or 2€ a meal. Then if you're looking for real restaurants you might want to go try Tacos Tacos. They have different kind of promotions depending on the day of the week (1€ beer, 1€ tacos etc). It is located on Calle Tamarit, 85. And if you want to eat pinchos you should definitely go to Lizarran! Once again, there are plenty of them in Barcelona, and it's really cheap!
If you want to brunch in Barcelona for cheap, you should either go to Sor Rita (Carrer de la Mercè, 27) or To Be (Carrer del Consell de Cent, 90). Those 2 restaurants offer a FREE buffet if you buy drinks for 5€. Isn't that amazing!?

Others

The life in Barcelona for students isn't all parties and eating out though. You'll have to think about the everyday life. In terms of groceries you can find cheap supermarkets to do your grocery shopping, or to go to low cost gym clubs. Actually the cheapest supermarkets of Barcelona are Mercadona and Consum. You'll find everything you want at the lowest prices possible ! If you'd like to do sport, you can go jogging on the beach or subscribe to one of the lowcost gym clubs in Barcelona (check out our blog to learn more about it).
Don't forget that if you're under 25, the metro card for 3 months is only 105€ ! Don't buy 10 trips cards you'll spend more money that you need to. That's it for today guys, I hope my blog was helpful to all of the broke people in Barcelona like me! If you have any other tips that you would like us to mention, just let us know in the comment section below! Mathilde

Swimming Pools in Barcelona - Men overboard!

Beaches are a must during summertime and Barcelona has some really nice ones. But summer in Barcelona means lots and lots of tourists and sometimes we just don't want to deal with loud and cramped spaces when all we want is to just lay back and relax while bronzing our skin under the beautiful Mediterranean sun. So today I am giving you, my SuiteLife gang, an alternative. Public swimming pools in Barcelona!

Parc de la Creueta del Coll

Not your everyday boring community pool.
Parc de la Creueta del Coll is not just one of the regular swimming pools in Barcelona. The whole area was initially decided to be used to build flats, however later on it was decided that it would be better to turn it into a recreational space for the neighbors in Gracia. The park consists of ping-pong tables, picnic and children's play areas and most importantly a big bathing pool. What makes this swimming pool different than others is it's decor and the nature surrounding it, which makes you feel as if you are on an exotic holiday somewhere in the Caribbean. The water in the pools is relatively shallow which makes it perfect young and old alike to enjoy a refreshing day at Parc de la Creueta del Coll. Admission fees are from 3€ to 6€. Children under 3 years old are let in for free. I know, right?!

Piscines Bernat Picornell

This one is for the sport-oriented swimmers.
Piscines Bernat Picornell located on Montjuic hill are three swimming pools created almost solely for competitions and sport's events. The sport center opened doors in 1970 but it was almost entirely renovated in 1992 for the Olympic games in Barcelona. The Bernat Picornell pools are at the top in the list of swimming pools in Barcelona. The swimming center has three swimming pools in total - one heated indoor pool, one competition pool and one diving pool which is temporarily closed. During summertime, the outdoor competition pool is open for the public, however, occasionally there are movies played as part of the Grec festival by the pool. So you'll need to call the center beforehand and establish which days the pool will be open. After all, you don't want to go all the way up to Montjuic and be disappointed at the end, unless you enjoy walking uphill just for the sake of it. Yeah.. me neither.

Llac de Can Dragó

'The lake'
Llac de Can Dragó is of the best swimming pools in Barcelona. People refer to it as 'the lake' because of its enormous surface area - 2.960 m². It is the biggest swimming pool in Barcelona and is part of a sports complex that stretches over 15, 000 m². The water is shallow and the pool's maximum depth is 1.30m which is perfect you have children or if you just don't know how  swim :(. The pool has a grassy area surrounding it so pack those sandwiches in the picnic basket and have a great day at Llac de Can Dragó. Oh.. you forgot to pack lunch? No worries, there is a cafe with tables and chair waiting to cater to you. That concludes my blog for this week. I hope you found it helpful if you were wondering where to have a relaxing day to sunbathe away from the noisy beach. If you liked this post feel free to share it with your friends or leave as a sweet comment below. Or both! Weekly joke: Q: Why do squirrels swim on their back? A: To keep their nuts dry! Sincerely, Chris

Barcelona for Kids - nicest kids' activities in the city!

Hey everyone! Wondering what to do with children in Barcelona? Or if there are any activities in Barcelona for kids in Barcelona that you could plan with your family this summer? If you are the proud parents of some little excited kids eager to get their say in what your schedule will be like during your stay in paradise, we've written this blog with you in mind. Besides, if you're lucky enough to live in Barcelona permanently then that's even better because you'll have all the time in the world to do everything on our list. If you're just on holidays, pick from the list of activities in Barcelona for kids that we've created for you below and have the greatest time in here with your family!

Barcelona for Kids: Attractions

• Sagrada Familia

Even though going to church while on vacations might not sound that appealing for your kids, the architectural beauty of this piece of art will blow their minds anyway. Going on a sunny morning is the best moment to enjoy all the colours created by the stained-glass windows and well, who doesn't like a rainbow? Your kids will love it for sure. Get your tickets in advance on the website and check out our blog on how to beat the queue at Sagrada Familia

• Aquarium

Both fun and culturally rewarding, going to the aquarium is one of the best ways to keep your kids busy and entertained during your holidays in Barcelona. Besides, let's not forget that any activity which allows you and your family to spend some time out of the sun's reach is a blessing that I greatly encourage. Just one warning, I know it's hot in here during the summer and I know its tempting but try not to dive in with the sharks when you go to the Aquarium of Barcelona! Check out the website right here.

• Montjuic Castle

Hosting various events such as exhibitions, feasts and even outdoor screenings, the Montjuic Castle is the ideal place to go with your kids to enjoy the beauty of this medieval castle and the atmosphere from a time of knights and princesses. Located on the fabulous Montjuic hill of Barcelona, get the chance to appreciate a wonderful view of the city and a travel back through time. Have a look at the website and order your tickets in advance.

• Zoo of Barcelona

Situated in the city centre and more specifically in the heart of the beautiful Ciutadella Park, the zoo is definitely a must in terms of activities to do with kids. If you're in Barcelona this summer, don't miss the show "Magic at the Zoo: Unbelievable Animals" by Edouard Juanola that will amaze your whole family! Order your tickets and check out the latest events at the zoo of Barcelona right here.

• Poble Espanyol

Poble Espanyol is located near the Palace next to Plaça d'Espanya. This is one of the best attractions to go when staying in Barcelona and enjoy a great day with your children. It is a typical little Spanish village which brings together buildings made according to each architectural style from all around Spain and they offer activities for families and children such as clues games and shows. Plan your visit on Poble Espanyol's website.

• Catalunya en Miniatura

Located 13km outside of Barcelona, in the municipality of Torelles de Llobregat, this amusement park offers you a large range of miniature sculptures to make you discover the wonders of Catalunya. Get to know this amazing region and the art of scale model replica. Purchase your tickets online on Catalunya en Miniatura's website.

Barcelona for Kids: Museums

Barcelona is a very cultural city which offers many activities for you and your children to get the chance to learn while having fun! Here's a list of museums which are either made for kids or extremely kid-friendly. It's not because your on holidays that you should stop learn people, especially since Barcelona has so many cool museums to go to and have a great time.

• Science Museums

- Museu Blau - Museum of Ideas & Inventions - Holographic Museum

• Historical Museums

- Archaeological museum - Mammoth Museum - Egyptian Museum - Maritime Museum - Museu Etnològic - Barcelona Museum of History

• Art Museum

- MEAM: European Museum of Modern Art - Fundació Joan Miro - MNAC: Museum of Art - Picasso Museum of Barcelona - Casa Ametller

• Diverse

- Chocolate Museum - Wax Museum - Magic Museum - Railway Museum of Catalunya - Barcelona Olympic and Sports Museum - Frederic Mares Museum For more information on the museums, check out the amazing website of kidsinbarcelona.com which gathers all the activities you can do with your children in the city.

Barcelona for Kids: Fun Stuff

So, cultural and grown-up activities are cool for your kids to learn but let's be honest, they will definitely have more fun by doing some outdoor exercises and preferably those who involve water and slides!

• SphereMania

Now that is something seriously funny that I need to try and that I am offering you right now for you to enjoy with your kids. It might look dangerous for some of you but it is very safe and most of all, it looks AMAZING! If you're into "extreme" sports, just try the Sphere. Check out the UK website here for further information and the Facebook page of the company's Barcelona branch right there.

• Bubbleparc

Want to keep in shape while on holidays? Go to the mini amusement park located right in the port of Barcelona where you'll enjoy a Sci-Fi-like obstacle course to do with your kids and enjoy a good day of exercising. Check out Bubbleparc's website to see what it is all about.

• Waterparks

WATERPARKS! I mean no words needed here, right? Actually there is. All of them are located outside of Barcelona and mostly in other cities of the Catalonian coast. The closest waterpark from Barcelona is Illa Fantasia but you'll still need to plan your trip there by getting a train ticket or renting a car. The fun is worth it guys! - Waterworld - Aquadiver water park - Aquopolis water park - Aquabrava - MarineLand - Aqualeon - Costa Caribe water park of Port Aventura - Illa Fantasia

• Beaches

Barcelona has plenty of beaches for you to go and the further you go, the calmer and family friendly the beaches get. Good thing is that even though it's gonna require a little bit of walking you can get there with the Line 4 of the Metro that get you to all the beaches along the city. - Barceloneta - New Icària - Mar Bella (nudist beach, be careful) Moreover, the city of Sitges, which is located 30min away from Barcelona and very easily accessible by train, has many beaches that are very cherished by Barcelona's population and that you should try out if you want to spend your whole day on the beach. Plus, you get to visit the nice city of Sitges.

Barcelona for Kids: Parks

If you're feeling like going to a park because it is one of the best way to spend time with your kids, Barcelona is a very flourished city and it has many green spaces and great parks. - Ciutadella Park - Park Guëll (the outskirt of the park where you don't risk to break any piece of art. Plus, there is a great view!) - Jardin de la Maternitat And so many more! There are squares for kids to play in almost every corner of the city, you'll find what you're looking for for sure.

Barcelona for Kids: Adventures

Feeling adventurous? You need to try those amazing activities to do around Barcelona!

• Port Aventura

The famous amusement park is waiting for you! Located near Tarragona (South of Barcelona), you'll need to plan your trip there but don't worry the park did it all for you! Check out the website and how to get there and purchase your tickets.

• Tibidabo Theme Park

Located on one of the highest hills surrounding Barcelona, Tibidabo offers you the best view on the city. There is a beautiful Cathedral for you to visit but most of all there is an amazing amusement park. Just be careful, it is pretty expensive and you'll need to take the metro, the bus and a funicular railway and your way there but it's worth it! Check out the website and how to get there.

• Natupark
• Activ Natura Adventure Park
• La Selva de l'Aventura

If you like tree climbing and outdoor activities, check out those three aventure parks and spend the day believing that you and your kids too can be Tarzan. Active Natura Park also offers horse riding and other funny stuff such as archery or laser combat. Yay! Further information: Natupark, Activ Natura and La Selva de l'Aventura Alright so, I wish you the best moments with your kids and I really hope you all have fun in Barcelona. See ya! - Aurélien

American Restaurants in Barcelona - the taste of freedom!

Hi there SuiteLifers! Today's blog post will be about where to find American restaurants in Barcelona. If you are from the US or abroad, and have been in Barcelona for as long as I have, you grow an insatiable hunger for your home comfort food. There are many places around the city that serve American style food, but there are few restaurants that can make it feel authentic. Hope you’re hungry!

Bernie’s Diner

Bernie’s Diner is one of the retro styled American restaurants in Barcelona located in the El Born neighborhood of Barcelona. Founded with simplicity and genuine quality in mind, Bernie’s Diner aims to provide a down to earth atmosphere where one can socialize with friends at any time of the day. Opening at 9:00 a.m., Bernie’s breakfast menu offers an American Breakfast that includes two grilled or scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, and toast, among other great classics.  Though their breakfasts are amazing, their 100% beef burgers and specials are second to none. Everyday Bernie’s uses fresh meat from the Girona region of northern Spain and fresh baked bread made at a local bakery. Whatever meal you pick, it is safe to say you cannot go wrong at Bernie’s Diner. http://www.berniesdiner.com/en/

Bacoa

Founded in 2010, Bacoa has built its reputation for making one of the best hamburgers in Barcelona in just a few short years. Though the hamburger has been a staple of the Spanish menu for many years, Bacoa strives to provide its customers with the highest quality, fresh cooked burgers daily. Offering beef, lamb, and chicken patties, Bacoa uses  the best meats in Spain in their burgers. If a teriyaki glazed Japonesa burger or stuffed pork San Jacobo doesn’t do it for you, you can finish your meal off with Bacoa’s artisan ice cream. Bacoa has 5 locations around the city, so you are never far from that burger you so desire! http://www.bacoa.es/en/

Napa

Napa Restaurant was founded to bring together the unique  flavors of Catalonia, the Mediterranean and California. Known especially for its tapas menu, Napa also offers spectacular full size meals as well as desserts. On the menu you will find items like grilled salmon with potatoes confit, and tapas like calamari with citrus mayonnaise. The service staff are pleasant and helpful, and short wait times are common but it is also possible to make reservations online if you prefer. Located just 20 minutes from Plaça Catalunya in the Eixample neighborhood, Napa has a friendly and intimate setting perfect for any night of the week. http://naparestaurant.es/#napa

Can Dende

Another American restaurant in Barcelona, Can Dende is an American, Brazilian, and Asian fusion brunch and eatery. Located in Poblenou, Can Dende offers a menu full of simple yet delicious brunch and lunch items. Their Eggs Benedict are to die for and pancakes for dessert only make a great meal even better. Wait times are normally short during the week but expect them to be a little longer on the weekends. Make sure to try their pink lemonade and also get aquatinted with Dende, the restaurants resident dog. http://www.candende.com/

Milk

Milk Bar & Bistro was opened in 2005 by an Irish couple with years of experience in the food industry. Milk’s menu is diverse, creative, and changes seasonally based on what ingredients are offered in local markets. Milks signature is their noodle buns for their hamburgers. If you are not in the mood for a hamburger, you can also try items like a steak sandwich or buffalo chicken wings and finish with a banana split with Hershey’s chocolate syrup. Located in the Gothic Quarter, Milk is a perfect place for a birthday dinner, drink after work, or a night out on the town. http://www.milkbarcelona.com/

Nice People BB

Nice People Bread and Burger is a hamburger joint located in Example. Using 100% beef that is prepared daily, Nice People BB is know for its quality and taste. Their special bread buns are baked daily and allow for the perfect fusion between bread and burger. Their ketchup, wasabi mayonnaise, mustard, and garlic aioli are home-made and prepared in the kitchen everyday. Nice People Bread & Burger is relatively new to the burger scene here in the list of American restaurants in Barcelona but is a can’t miss if you’re in the mood for a delicious, high quality meal. http://www.nicepeoplebb.com/#_=_

Taste of America

Though not a restaurant, Taste of America cannot be left off the list. If you miss your Hershey’s Chocolate or Campbell's Soup, this is your place. Taste of America is an American Supermarket located in the heart of Barcelona. Founded almost 20 years ago by a group of Spanish and American friends, Taste of America has grown from a single store in Madrid to 20 stores around Spain. With over 2,000 quality products on its shelves, Taste of American knows that sometimes its the little things that matter in life. Bringing brands like Pepperidge Farm Cookies, Arizona Ice Tea, and Snyder’s Pretzels to it's stores stores makes it an ideal place to go if you are missing your American snacks. Taste of America is definitely a place worth checking out if you are going to be staying in Barcelona for any extended period of time. http://www.tasteofamerica.es/ Thanks guys! Are there any other great American restaurants in Barcelona that you know about? Let us know in the comments!

What to do in Barcelona with 25€ (or less) a day - spend smart!

Ladies and gents, welcome to the revolutionary brand new blog from SuiteLife about what to do in Barcelona with 25€ (or less) a day! Get ready for some really valuable insider tips for people just like you, but just with a little more experience in BCN :P! For that matter, don't be shy, feel free to share your tips in the comment section below. But for now, enough with the chit-chat, and lets get the party started!

BREAKFAST

All nutritionists recommend a big and nutritious breakfast and who are we to go against that? And since we're in Spain  you should start the day with a Spanish bocadillo (aka baguette with filling, usually ham and/or cheese). And since we know you want only the best, we highly recommend Panaderias 365. They are all over the city and for approximately 3€, you can get a huge bocadillo that is also tasty! And obviously a great day starts with an awesome coffee, they serve lattes for only 1,25€! THAT IS: 4,2€ (so far).

YOU CAN NOW HIT THE BEACH...

With no exaggeration, summer is definitely claiming its rights here in Barcelona (35° C today at 5PM :O ), so there's no friggin' way of being in Barcelona and not going to one of the beaches! So, time to get some tan lines on that skin and let everyone know what an amazing time you are having in this fantastic city (P.S. no beach leg selfies though, that is so 2014 :P )! Obviously the beach is free, but in order for the fun to be complete, here's what you are gonna need:

• a public transportation ticket (either metro or bus should be fine): 2,15€
• a 6-pack of beer cans : 3€
• some snacks: 2€

THAT IS: 7,15€

...OR YOU CAN GO HIKING IN THE HILL OF TIBIDABO

The Tibidabo Cathedral is an amazing part of the Catalan culture on Barcelona, but the way to get there is even more awesome! Why? Because if you are more of a hiker than a 'bather', this is the place to be for you, as you will find yourself in the middle of nature breathing fresh air away from the city pollution? The pathway up to the Cathedral slithers round the hill and takes approximately 1 1/2 h to reach the top, so we would like to make some suggestions on what you would need:

• first of all - public transportation ticket: 2,15€
• bottle of water: 0,50€
• protein bar: 1€

THAT IS: 3,65€

LUNCH

After all these extremely physically draining activities, clearly it's time for some well-deserved lunch! SuiteLife Barcelona recommendation: TENTO! Wondering why? Well because you can also find them pretty much everywhere within the city and they sell healthy cooked dishes that are only 2 mins away from touching your mouth, due to the fact that they have a lot of microwave ovens where you can heat your stuff up! Not to mention they have a very wide range of meals with which you can customise your own menu for just 6,95€!!! The menus include 2 main courses, bread, a small bottle of water and a dessert! You can also go with the 1/2 menu (with only one main course) for 4,95€, but trust us, spending 2€ more for another plate of food is worth it here! THAT IS: 6,95€

SIESTA? NAH, THAT S**T IS FOR LOSERS!!!

You haven't come to Barcelona to sleep now, have you? It's sightseeing time, because sleep is for the weak! So, after lunch, you have to burn those calories for good! And thank God, Barcelona has a bazillion places for you to see and admire! If you click here, you will see the SuiteLife recommendation for the MUST-SEE sites here in Barcleona, so why not check our blog for more info ;)? Costs:

• walking: FREE!!!
• water bottle: 0,50€
• some snacks: 1€

THAT IS: 1,50€

DINNER

Dinner should be the lightest meal of the day, so after you're done with all your plans we suggest you hit Cerveceria Montaditos! Most of their tapas are  1€ (!!), and believe us - they are reeaally good! Plus you can choose from a lot of varieties, which is awesome because you get to experience the real Spanish food! Prices:

• 4 tapas * 1€ = 4 €
• beer = 1€

THAT IS: 5 € TOTAL: 24,85€ And that's it, SuiteLifers! Feeling more enlightened now? Thought so! That's what happens when you know what to do in Barcelona with 25€  (or less) a day! Now it is yours to take! Till next time, peace out! Muchisimas gracias, Dragosh (El Dragon)

Barcelona Photo Blog – Barcelona neighbourhoods in photos!

After many blogs about eating, shopping, traveling… the Suitelife team have come up with the idea of Barcelona photo blog in which we show you the beauty of all Barcelona neighbourhoods with some aspects of artistic expression such as Barcelona sculpture, Barcelona architecture, Barcelona street art and daily life of residents there. Let’s travel to Barcelona and explore art, architecture, people and tradition through our interns’s lens!

1. Barri Gòtic

Street performer in Plaça Reial, popular meeting place Located in the old city, Gothic area with many attractions is always crowded by tourists, but in the evening you will find out that locals are attracted to many restaurants and bars.  Old, narrow, but beautiful streets, interesting bars, nice coffee shops and restaurants or clothing stores, you can find them all and do anything you want in this famous neighbourhood.

2. Raval 

MACBA, housing the city's main collection of modern art and popular skate spot El Raval is part of the second development stage of historic Barcelona. Even it was an unsafe and  no-go area for tourists in the past, the Raval is being transformed into a lively and multi-cultural neighbourhood with a variety of attractive cafes, restaurants and bars.

3. El Born

One of El Born's characteristic narrow streets One of my favourite neighbourhoods with the best pizza in town - only 1.50 euro a slice :) ! Here you can find nice restaurants, bars, trendy but pricey boutiques, shoe shops and one of the most amazing modernist buildings: the Palau de la Musica.  Ciutadella Park (also home toBarcelona Zoo) is such a perfect place for picnic weekend!

4. Barceloneta

Passeig Don Joan Borbó Comte Barcelona where you'll find some of the city's best seafood restaurants. Of course Barceloneta is one of the city's most visited and popular districts with its perfect location near Barcelona's Port Vell and sandy beaches. What should I say about this neighbourhood? In my mind, Barceloneta's images are: rows of restaurants and bars, sound of guitar from street performers on the sand, locals sitting in their chairs in the street and narrow balconies displaying clothes drying in the sun!

5. L'Eixample

Beautiful park near Sagrada Família Central and quiet from the chaos of Plaza Catalunya or Espanya, L'Eixample is a nice place to stay in terms of safety and convenience. The area is packed with buildings in art-nouveau style, some of the best and most expensive restaurants in town and most of Barcelona's international designer shops! Rambla de Catalunya is my favourite place to sit and people-watching from one of the many beautiful terrace cafes!

6. Gràcia

One of the nicest streets in Gràcia Gràcia is one of the most popular and vibrant district in the city! You can't think of Gràcia without imagining the modernist Casa Fuster and Gaudi's Cava Vicens! Plaza del Sol is the most renowned area of this neighbourhood (with terrace cafes), being a place for people to convene to drink and be merry at night!

7. Diagonal Mar

The yellow flowering trees in a park in Diagonal Mar, Barcelona With the broadest and most important avenues, modernist architectures, international schools and many large and modern shopping malls with supermarkets,  restaurants, cinemas and various services such as massage spas or hair salons, Diagonal  Mar is the deifnitely a city hotspot!

8. Poble Nou

In Poble Nou, you can sit and enjoy the old part of district with elegant buildings and pavement cafes, see the locals and the kids playing in the park, Barcelonians going about in their business. There is a local Rambla street there and I love it more than the famous one! Furthermore, just a few minutes walking and you can see the beach which is quieter and non-touristy. Its the perfect place to escape to once you're tired of Barceloneta beach.

9. Poble Sec

Street art and graffiti wall in Poble Sec. Between the city centre and Montjuic, Poble Sec is sufficiently away from the main tourist areas. Therefore, it is fairly quiet except when your place is near the Camp Nou stadium or in Carrer de Blai - the ideal location for  many local bars and restaurants with authentic Catalan cuisine with very reasonable price!

10. Villa Olimpica

Student gathering in a park near thePompeu Fabra University campus In this area, Bogatell is an ideal place to sit and relax after a long day at the beach! With old looks of small cafes and narrow streets, the Olympic village also has many clubs, bars and restaurants where you will meet all of your entertainment needs! There are many famous architectures in this area such as The Port Olímpic de Barcelona, Golden fish and Torre Mapfre! This is a photo collection taken by people who fall in love with Barcelona, the town you never want to leave! Hope you enjoyed our very own Barcelona photo blog and now let's discover more information about all neighbourhoods in Barcelona through more of our blogs below! Top 5 Barcelona neighbourhoods EL Born Raval Gracia Eixample Gothic Villa Olympica Diagonal Poble Sec Poble Nou

Calle Aribau Barcelona - a world of fun, all on one street, does it get any better than Calle Aribau Barcelona?

Aribau Barcelona, known as Carrer Aribau in Catalan or Calle Aribau in Spanish, is one of the coolest streets in Barcelona, full of Barcelona bars, Barcelona Restaurants and of course,  home to the SuiteLife office, Carrer Aribau Barcelona is possibly the coolest places for Barcelona nightlife.

WHERE IS CALLE ARIBAU?

Carrer Aribau is a long street running for about 2km's from Via Augusta down to Gran Via, Placa Universitat. It's more or less a straight road, downhill or uphill -depending of course on which direction you are going in!

WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT IT?

I lived in Barcelona for over a year and never even knew about Calle Aribau in Barcelona. Although central, Carrer Aribau is located a little way out of the centre of Barcelona city. Only after working in the SuiteLife office did I realise the secret world of fun I had been missing out on. It's a beautiful old, dramatic street with strong bold architecture and sums up the "Eixample barrio". I would say that Calle Aribau has two distinct characteristics. By day, it's all business, and home to many of Barcelona's upmarket offices. You will see business men walking around in their smart suits, and notice some swanky cars driving up and down the road. By night, it's party central and offers some of Barcelona's finest bars, cocktail bars and Whisky bars. You will find the same crowd in the bars having their after work drinks.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO ON CALLE ARIBAU?

There are countless bars, restaurants and clubs on Calle Ariabau, here are a few hand selected "extra special" places we think you NEED to check out!

La Flauta Restaurant - Tapas Not Just for the Tourists!

The businessmen who work on Carrer Aribau queue up for a table here at lunch time, it's one of the most popular restaurants in Barcelona, but not only with tourists. Catalan locals love this place and it's authenticity shines through, from it's classical Catalan tapas menu, to it's simple but handsome interior. (Click here for a more in-depth look at La Flauta) Aribau 23 | Eixample | Barcelona |+34933237038 Mon – Sat 08:00 – 01:00

Le Cyrano - A bar where you "pour your own drink" Be careful though!

Have you ever been to a bar, where you get to pur your own drink? NO? Well you need to get to Le Cyrano, a Barcelona bar like no other. If you want for example, a Gintonic (Gin & Tonic), they will give you the bottle of Gin and a bottle of tonic and a glass, it's up to you to decide how strong you want your drink. All this, and it's only €4.  As you can imagine, this is one of the most popular bars in Barcelona and attracts tourists and locals alike. (Click here for a more details). NOTE!*!*!*! - Friends of mine have gone to check out Le Cyrano only to find it's closed. In reality, they were just to early, Le Cyrano doesn't open until 11pm! Don't forget this is Barcelona and the party doesn't get going until much later than usual! Aribau 154 | Eixample | Barcelona| 08036

Espit Chupitos Bar - The widest selection of "shots" in Barcelona!

In Barcelona, we have "Chupitos" which translates to "shots". This bar which is basically called "shots" has some of the craziest and most creative shots you are likely to ever try, apparently over 500 varieties. The "Harry Potter shot" is a flaming hot experience not for the faint hearted, and is also the reason you will see fire extinguishers hanging up behind the bar.

"Be sure to let the flames go out before drinking!"

Located directly opposite the SuiteLife office, this bar is typically full of Americans but also locals looking for something fun to do on the weekend! Espit Chupitos | Aribau 77 | Eixample | Barcelona

“DONTELL” - Barcelona's secret restaurant..shhhhhh!

When I say this Barcelona restaurant is a "secret restaurant", I don't mean it's secret because only the locals know about it, I literally mean it's a secret. Disguised as a laundrette, Dontell restaurant looks like a typical Barcelona laundrette, complete with a "dry cleaning" price list in the window. You cannot walk into this Dontell restaurant off the street, you NEED to book a table first. Confirmation of your table will read as "Your dry cleaning is ready for you to pick up!" Once inside, you'll be given a secret number to dial into the "vault" style door, leading into the restaurant area. Dontell is the ideal Barcelona restaurant to take your friends and family to, but "Dontell" them in advance and remember to take a camera for those confused/shocked family photos! Dontell Tintoreria (Restaurant) | Aribau  55| Eixample | Barcelona | +34934520720

The SuiteLife Office

Located smack bang in the middle of Calle Aribau, we at SuiteLife are proud to have our office here, right in the thick of it. With all this fun stuff to do, right on our doorstep, it's a wonder we ever get anything done! So if you are looking for flats in Barcelona or simply want some advice about moving to Barcelona, pop in for a coffee and and hang out on the SuiteLife terrace with views of across the city! The SuiteLife Office | Sobre Atico 2 | Ariabau 80 | Eixample | Barcelona | +34934514118 Experienced, written and loved by Ben Holbrook - SuiteLifer and Aribau Adventurer :)

Salsa Barcelona - Where to Shake That Booty!

Do you like Salsa? Do you like Barcelona? Well boys and girls, please read on! Because this blog is going to be all about Salsa in Barcelona. What to do, how to do it, and, most importantly, where to do it! When we're talking about 'shaking that booty', we are obviously not talking about our lovely Miley Cyrus trying to twerk, because no, just no, we don't want that. No, we're going to shake our booties with the lovely (originally) cuban dance; Salsa! Yeah, that's right, it's from Cuba. So we don't only owe the Cubans for creating the delicious Mojito, but also this enormously sensual dance. Oh, speaking of Mojito's, check out our blog about amazing cocktails!

What to do?

Did I get you hyped yet? No? My bad. Am I not enthusiastic enough? Okay, let me just tell you one thing. When you want to practise Salsa in Barcelona, you get extremely flexible in the hips, and we all know what they say about people who have flexible hips... they're great dancers! Either with a partner or on your own, mastering  Salsa boosts your self-esteem by a huge amount. It might sound weird, but it does. Being confident about your moves makes you confident about yourself. If you don't believe me, try it and see for yourself. So what should you do? Think about heading to one of these classes and giving it a shot:

How to do it - Schools

Well obviously I can't make you a Salsa-expert instantly. Because this is a blog. These are just words, no classes. Lame, right? Yeah I know, so to help you become an expert, I'll be telling you where you should go to take classes! (For some of them you might want to improve your spanish skills).

Escuela Salsa Barcelona

The first one on our Salsa Barcelona  list is a spanish one. For just 19 euros you can get 4 seminars, 1 hour each. You'll have free entrance on fridays and the bar (open hours), and you can subscribe on your own or with your partner! Please have a look yourself on their website.

Shangó

Shangó is a small, sweet club, and gives free(!) salsa classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:30. (And a happy hour from 21:30 - 23:00, in case you need a little liquid courage when it comes to dancing). It is located in the Gothic neighbourhood, carrer d'En Groch 2.

Dance School Antilla

Another school where you can go to practise Salsa is Dance School Antilla. They have professional dance classes, and you'll be mastering the dance in no-time! You can also get private classes, or just drop by for one week to see how it's like. This school is really, really flexible. Try it out! They are located at Carrer d'Aragó 141, and please feel free to do some of your own research on their website!

Where to dance?

There are sooo many clubs where you can do the Salsa in Barcelona. I mean, you can do it anywhere, anytime, but of course we prefer do it in clubs where they have the right music, don't we? Well here is a list with some of the best clubs (it's so hard to pick the best ones, but I'll do my best, just for you)!

Antilla Salsa Barcelona

If I had to pick a number one club to go for salsa dancing in Barcelona, it'd be Antilla Salsa Barcelona. (It's also where you could get classes I mentioned earlier.) This club has a lot of performances of a lot of music bands with so many different kinds of music, with a mix of latin and fusion music. The club has a lovely atmosphere and is divided into two spaces (sala 1 y sala 2), which offer (sometimes free) dance lessons, workshops, performances and delicious Caribbean cocktails. Please do not miss out on this club- its definitely worth a visit!

Mojito Club

If there's another club worth mentioning it'd definitely be the Mojito club. It's not a HUGE club, but the atmosphere is definitely caliente! It's so worth it to visit this club. People line up and dance together, and every now and then the DJ comes down to teach everybody some dance moves! It's located at C/ Rosellón, no. 217. If  you drop by, could you drop a comment below and tell me how amazing your night was?

La Clave

Another great club is La Clave. As soon as you enter this club you realize you've made a great decision entering the room. Because honestly, the music, the people, everything is just so nice. It gives that amazing Cuban taste while you're going out. Yes, this is a great place to Salsa. La Clave is located at Passeig del Rengle – Torre d’Ara. Oh, and you can also take salsa classes here (Like, amazing classes). They have party nights fridays - sundays, and on the other weekdays it's an extremely professional dancing school.

Habana Barcelona

The last one for our Salsa Barcelona blog would be Habana Barcelona. You can start your evening by having dinner here, and about 1-2 am they will clear the tables, and everything just turns into this one big Salsa club. This is another must-see! Grab a bite and end the evening with a lovely salsa swing. Yeah, I love it, do you? Oh, and from Thursday - Sunday they offer free classes where you can just walk in and join the fun!
So this is it for today guys. Hope you found our blog useful for your Barcelona Salsa desires! So put on those boots, grab your partner, and let's salsa to it! Untill next time, ~Tjeerd

Catalan Recipes - Open Your Eyes to Catalan Cuisine and its best dishes!

Barcelona, symbol of the Mediterranean cuisine, has been a must-visit location for food lovers for many years. Catalan recipes are infused with geography, history and culture here.  Catalan cuisine has constantly absorbed influences that have helped to shape the country’s rich and diverse culinary traditions. Cooking here has great character influenced by Greek, Roman, Italian and French culture, which have left their mark on this complex cuisine by taking the best of each country and creating a culinary package of the region. Catalonia is also made up of coast, mountains and fields and this is why a lot of typical Catalan recipes use concepts revolving around fish and meat. Many fresh products are used thanks to local farmers who are developing work on the land and bringing the tastes and traditions of Catalan gastronomy to the people and positioning it as a symbol of Mediterranean cuisine.
Behind the cuisine of Catalonia today, lies the story of a country, a way of being and of doing things.

Catalan eating habits – leisure activity!

Food is a huge part of life in Barcelona and all Catalonia and because of this  it really dictates the schedule of the day here. Catalan people tend to eat their meals later in the day than is usual in other parts of Europe. To get the best culinary experience here you have to know the habits of local people and know the best Catalan recipes.

Breakfast! El Desayuno!

A lot of Catalan and Spanish people skip this meal and don't put much importance on it at all. People tend to start breakfast here between 8 and 10, or just don't eat at all much passed their coffee and cigarette. Usually it consists of a coffee, juice, hot chocolate or tea + a croissant, toast with butter or toast with olives & tomato, or a slice of Spanish Omlette. At this early hour you will find special deals in the cafes and bars giving you opportunity to buy coffee and pastry at a great price.

Coffee time! El Café!

Time for a little snack or just a coffee, is normally after sitting in the office for an one or two, between 10.30am and 12.00pm. You can order different kinds of coffees but here are the most popular orders in Spanish:

• Café solo – a shot of espresso
• Café cortado – like espresso macchiato
• Café con leche – coffee with milk, a little closer to a latte than a flat white
• Café Americano – American style blackcoffee

You can be lucky and find special offers to buy a mini entrepa (a small filled baguette) with your beverage.

Lunch/ La comida

Time for the main meal – the largest and the most important during the day in Catalonia. It takes place between 2pm and 4pm. In the restaurants you can ask for “menu del dia” which changes every day and allows you to choose from various options at a reasonable price. A lot of places are closed during lunch time: like small shops, businesses, public places and ect. so keep this in mind coming to Catalonia.

Afternoon Snack/ La merienda

Since in Catalonia dinner is eaten late, you can have a light afternoon snack between 5pm and 6:30pm to keep you going. You can get at this time of the day typically some pastries, hot drinks, or small sandwiches. Its the ideal time to try chocolate and churros. (Gran Viader churros place is one of the most famous in Barcelona!)

Dinner/La cena

So let’s start from this that you are eating dinner quite late in Catalonia - between 9pm and 11:30pm. It’s a much lighter meal than many foreigners think and it’s typically smaller than lunch. At this time of the day you can try tapas, which are not as popular in Catalonia like in other parts of Spain, but still without any problems you can find many places which are serving them, although we think that you should try dishes made by following Catalan recipes. As well, you have to know, that the last meal can last several hours. The most enjoyable part would be sobretaula (post meal chat) and in typical Mediterranean style by sharing a fusion of dishes with friends and family by the table.

We are warmly inviting you to enjoy Catalan food and we are giving you few simple catalan recipes which you can try by yourself at home!

#1 Pan Con Tomate (Pa Amb Tomaquet)

Sometimes called Pan a la Catalana in other parts of Spain, it is one of the simplest, most well-loved, and most widely eaten dishes from Cataluña.
Ingredients

• Baguette
• 2 juicy, ripe tomatoes, peeled
• 1 clove garlic
• 3-4 tbs olive oil
• Salt to taste

Preparation

1. Cut the baguette lengh-wise and then in the smaller pieces. Toast the cut sides under a grill, or in a toaster oven.
2. Peel tomatoes and garlic, place in food processor and crush and thoroughly mix. This mixture you can pour into a small bowl to serve.
3. Drizzle olive oil over the toasted sides of baguette. Sprinkle salt on top. Spoon tomato mixture on bread and spread evenly.

Optional If you wish, add thinly slices Spanish cheese, chorizo or ham.

#2 Escalivada

Catalonians eat this dish as a first course or as an accompaniment to meats.
Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 4 small eggplants
• 4 spring onions or large scallions
• 4 red bell peppers
• 2 tomatoes
• Extra virgin olive oil for brushing, plus 1/3 cup
• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• Salt

Preparation

1. Prepare an oven - 260 C
2. Brush the eggplants, onion, bell pappers, and tomatoes with olive oil. Arrange the vegetables on a rimmed baking sheet or in a roasting pan and roast, turning every 10 min, for 20 minutes, or until the skins blacke and the vegetables are tender.
3. Remove the vegetables from the oven and slip into one or more plastic bags, and let cool for about hour.
4. Unwrap the vegetables. Peel the eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes and peel away outer layer of the onions. Split the bell peppers in half, discard the seeds and stems, and cut lengthwise into strips. Transfer to a bowl. Trim the stems from the eggplants and core the tomatoes, and then cut them into strips of the same size as the papper strips and add to the bowl. Trim the onions, cut into rings, and add to the bowl along with the garlic.
5. Add the 1/3 cup olive oil, season with salt, and toss to mix well. Serve at room temperature.

Optional You can use seasoning of minced garlic.

#3 Esqueixada

This is a traditional Catalan recipe. Cod fish is used in many different ways in Catalan cuisine and this one is in my opinion the one that accentuates the flavor of the fish the most.
Ingredients (Serves 4)

• 1 pound salt cod (previously soaked in water at least 6 hours, rinsed, then patted dry
• 1 small green pepper
• 1 small red pepper
• 4 firm yet ripe tomatoes
• About 15 black olives
• One onion
• 1 cloves garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper
• Red wine vinegar

Preparation

1. Shred the cod into pieces with your fingers and place it in a serving dish.
2. Finely chop onion and bell peppers. Cut the tomatoes in half, then, with a cheese grater, grate the tomato pulp (some prefer the tomatoes chopped rather than grated, you can try this way as well) Mince the garlic.
3. Throw all of the previously prepared ingredients onto the plate of fish and toss. Top with the olives, then dress with olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste. Toss once more and you’re done.

#4 Suquet de Peix

“Fish stew” in the Catalan language, and it is a traditional dish from the region. Like all traditional dishes, there are many variations of this fish stew.
Ingredients (4-6 Servings)

• Picada Sauce:
• 50 gr peeled whole almonds
• 2 slices stale bread
• 3-4 Tbsp flat leaf parsley (stems removed)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1-2 Tbsp vinegar
• 2-4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Stew:
• 1 onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 3 large, ripe tomatoes
• 1 lb potatoes
• 2 lbs (1 kg) pieces solid white fish (such as halibut or gilt-head bream)
• 8 shrimp
• 1/2 to 1 liter seafood broth
• salt to taste

Cook Time: 30 minutes Preparation

1. First prepare the picada sauce:
2. Toast the blanched almonds under the broiler or in a frying pan. Chop the parsley leaves. Peel and finely chop the garlic.
3. Place the almonds, parsley, garlic into a food processor. Crumble the stale bread and add to the rest of the ingredients.
4. Mash or process the ingredients as you slowly add oil and vinegar, forming a paste. Set aside for later.
5. Now:
6. Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Cut the tomatoes into small cubes. Peel and slice the potatoes into rounds about 1/4 inch thick.
7. Pour a few tablespoons of olive oil into a large frying pan and heat on medium. Sauté the onion for 2 minutes, then add tomatoes and garlic, and continue to cook. Add the potatoes and stir to coat.
8. Mix a few tablespoons of seafood broth with the picada, then add to pan and simmer.
9. When potatoes are almost cooked, add fish to pan and simmer. If liquid evaporates, add seafood broth as needed. Sauce will thicken. As soon as potatoes and fish are cooked, add shrimp. Cook until shrimp is done. Adjust salt to taste.
10. Serve hot in open soup bowls.

#5 Romesco

A sauce made from almonds, roasted garlic, olive oil and dried red peppers.
Ingredients (1 ¾ cups around 8-10 serves)

• ½ cup of roasted almonds
• 1/2cup grated Parmesan
• 1 Garlic clove
• 45 grams jar roasted red peppers (drained)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• salt

Cook Time: 10 min Preparation

• In a food processor pulse almonds, parmesan and garlic clove.
• Add roasted red peppers, olive oil, vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon salt and blend until smooth.
• Serve wth bread and vegetables.

#6 Crema Catalana

Version of the French dessert, crème brulee, but we are giving you Catalan recipe of it ;)
Ingredients

• 500 ml whole milk
• Colored part of ½ orange peel
• Colored part of 1/5 lemon peel
• ½ cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla pod, split lengthways
• 7 egg yolks
• 95g sugar, plus 6tbsp extra, to serve
• 10g cornflour

Preparation

1. Put the milk, orange and lemon zests, cinnamon and vanilla pod in a saucepan and gently bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and allow to infuse for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk the egg yolks with the suger and cornflour until pale and creamy. Pass the milk through a sieve and discard everything else. Return the milk to the pan over a medium heat. Just before it reaches boiling point, slowly add the egg mixture, whisking continuously until it begins to thicken, about 7 minutes.
3. When the mixture is think anough to coat the back of a wooden spoon, remove it from the heat and pour into individual dishes or remekins. Cover each serving with a disc of greaseproof paper to prevent a skin from forming, and let it cool before placing in the fridge.
4. To serve, remove the greaseproof paper, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar on top of each crema and caramelise using a blowtorch. Alternatively, place te sugared cremas on a tray under a preheated gas grill for a few minutes, until the sugar turns dark brown. Allow the sugar to harden, the serve immediately.

#7 Panellets

Traditional sweet which you can find in Cataluna. Very popular at “Dia de Todos los Santos” or All Saints Day and served with “cava”, Spanish sparkling wine. Ingredients (for around 32 cookies)

• 500g ground raw almonds
• 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 -1 cup water
• 1 small potato
• grated peel of 1 lemon
• 3-4 drops lemon juice

Toppings:

• pine nuts
• sweetened cocoa powder
• candied fruit
• Flavorings:
• instant coffee powder
• coconut flakes
• Preparation

Preparation

1. Blanch almonds, then grin in food processor until almonds are a fine dust.
2. Peel the potatoes and cut into quarters. Boil potatoes in a saucepan until cooked. Drain water and mash with a fork.
3. Place sugar in a medium saucepan. Pour ½ cup water into the pan and stir to dissolve sugar. Add moe water to completely dissolve sugar if necessary. Place on medium heat on stovetop and bring to a boil, stirring often. Add 3-4 drops of lemon juice. Reduce heat and simmer until mixture is a thick syrup.
4. Remove saucepan from heat. Using a large wooden spoon, gradually stir in ground almonds, potato and grated lemon peel. Allow to cool to room temperature. Then, cover tightly and refrigerate overnight.
5. Pre-heat oven to 190C degrees. Grease cookie sheets. Spoon out dough with a teaspoon. Roll dough into small balls in your palms. Then roll the balls in powdered cocoa or pine nuts. If using pine nuts, brush each with a bit of egg white.
6. If you want to flavor the cookies, separate a portion of the dough and with your hands, work in a bit of instant coffee flakes, candied fruit or cinnamon. Then make individual balls.
7. Bake cookies just long enough to brown the pine nuts - about 4 minutes. Using a spatula, remove immediately before cookies cool.

Bonne Appétit, or as they say here in Catalonia 'Bon Profit'!

Enjoy our Catalan Recipes!

~Natalia

[caption id="attachment_2703" align="aligncenter" width="600"]
PortAventura: Family Amusement Park in Barcelona[/caption]

PortAventura Barcelona: What A Great Park!

Last Saturday, I went to the biggest theme park in Barcelona; PortAventura. PortAventura Barcelona is a major family amusement park that covers around 34.000m2 and 33 attractions. Though it’s not very close to Barcelona, people refer to it as the amusement park of Barcelona. The train from Sants Estació will take you there in 1 hour and 15 minutes for about 9 € roundtrip. My roommate was smart enough to buy our entrance tickets online, so we could sneak past the immense queue and enter the park immediately. Just to give you a tip: if you plan on going for a one-day trip or a weekend away and want to skip the queue for buying your entrance ticket, check the Spanish version of the website (.es) since there are no one-day or two-day tickets available on the English website (.com). So, there we were; 10 a.m. on a Saturday, with I don’t know how many other kids, teenagers, adolescents, parents and even grandparents, all standing at the very beginning of the park and not knowing which way was the best to go and avoid long queues for the roller coasters. We just made peace with the fact that we were going to be in long lines for certain roller coasters and we'd just enjoy PortAventura Barcelona including the queues. The map, which you can get right at the entrance, showed four intense roller coasters, marked with a black diamond behind the name of the ride. Now, two things you need to know about me: 1) I get carsick very easily and 2) I always try to push my boundaries. That being said, it might not be a surprise that of course I had to try all the four intense roller coasters, no matter the consequences.

"Furius Baco": A Fully Deserved Name

The first ride we did was called “Furius Baco”. I now know why it’s called that. It’s the fastest rollercoaster in Europe at 135 km/h or 83.9 mph, which the ride reaches in a brisk 3.5 seconds. As you might think, my stomach was left behind as we took off. Nothing is farther from the truth, though! This roller coaster actually went too fast for me to even get sick. Think about it, only 55 seconds later from when we took off, we were back at the start again. You barely have time to even blink!

"The Stampida": A Wooden Madness

We then gradually walked through the park to the second rollercoaster on our list, which was the “Stampida”. This is a dueling wooden rollercoaster and makes a lot of noise. Excited as we were, we walked across the park to get to the ride, only to find out that the waiting line began just a few metres after the entrance. This meant waiting in line for at least 2 hours, so we skipped this attraction and decided to come back later when it hopefully wasn’t as busy.

"Hurakan Condor": On Top of The World!

The third roller coaster we did was called “Hurakan Condor”. What a name and what a ride! The ride consists of four cars that are all able to fit four people around a giant central tower. A giant magnet pulls the riders up to the top of the tower, where a picture is taken just before it releases the car. Then, there’s a freefall of 86 meters (282 feet) at a speed of 115 km/h (71.46 mph). Again, I had to wait a couple of seconds for my stomach to catch up with me. But even this roller coaster didn’t do the trick of making me nauseous.

"Dragon Khan": Am I Drunk?!

After having a drink, we walked over to the fourth and last intense ride of our list: “Dragon Khan”. As we approached the rollercoaster, I had to stop and think for a second. This rollercoaster has eight inversions. EIGHT! Just one is enough to turn my stomach, imagine the damage that eight could do. But, as you may know by now, I would regret it if I didn’t take my chances. So, there we went. After having waited in line for about an hour and a thousand doubts later, it was our turn to go. Apparently there are these “Express” tickets that you can buy so you can skip the queue, but when we found out, it was already too late for us. I was quite confident when I got into the car, but when the safety bars came down I started to wish I hadn't gone through with it. I became less and less excited and more and more frightened as we started climbing the lift hill. The first loop was fine, the second as well as were numbers three, four, and five. But at inversion number six I started to feel a little light-headed and by the time we got off, I could barely walk a straight line. But still, no sign of nausea! When we stepped out of the car, we had to sit down for a couple of minutes, waiting for the light-headed feeling to pass. After a while, we decided that Dragon Khan was the last of the roller coasters and that we would just walk around the park and go see some of the shows instead. PortAventura Barcelona is more than just roller coasters and wild attractions.
Besides the wild attractions, PortAventura Barcelona also has many roller coasters and other rides for children and families. There’s a whole children's area built in the middle of the park and there are attractions like those found at a fair as well. In addition, if you prefer shows instead of roller coasters, then you’re at the right place. PortAventura Barcelona truly is very appropriate for a nice one-day trip or weekend away from Barcelona and provides activities for the whole family! --- If you're looking for medium and long-term apartment rentals in Barcelona, Spain, SuiteLife Barcelona has you covered! Please check out our site, www.SuiteLife.es, for great Barcelona Apartments, Insider City Info, and Tons of Great Services! Cheers ! - Lindsay