Barcelona Neighborhoods: An Amazing Mix !

Each one of the many Barcelona neighborhoods, or "barrios", is unique and special. This amazing mix of different districts is definitely one of Barcelona's strenght! Here you will find the SuiteLife crew's hand picked top 5 Barcelona areas:

#1 Gracia

Gran de Gracia - Major Street in Gracia SuiteLife's favourite and most recommended of the Barcelona neighborhoods. Picture, if you will, a tiny town dropped right in the middle of a city and that's Gracia. More accurately, Gracia was once (about 100 years ago) an autonomous town outside of BCN until the city expanded and swallowed it. It's one of the Barcelona zones with the best general ambience because it still retains its historical charm, architecture, and often pedestrian tiny streets. The residents are an eclectic cross between elderly Catalán people who've been there their whole lives, young mostly-Catalán bohemian and politically conscious artsy types, and then a large international crowd attracted by the area's trendy bars, boutique shopping, superior plazas and a general 'je ne sais quoi' feel. Of all the 'barrios de Barcelona', Gracia gets our top vote. You can also check our video of the Gracia neighbourhood!

#2 El Born

Paseo del Borne The Borne is probably the trendiest and coolest of the Barcelona Areas. Occupying the space between Via Laeitana and Ciutadella Park, it is a labyrinth of narrow winding streets and hidden plazas giving way to the hippest boutiques, poshest restaurants and most cutting-edge fashion houses in the city. As far as Barcelona neighborhoods go, this one is close to the top. Cost of living is generally higher, but if you have the money it's an excellent option. Walking distance to the port and beach, Barcelona's best park, the famous Santa Maria del Mar Cathedral, and a gastronomical offering that would make Anthony Bourdain drool, its charm can be felt as soon as you hit its streets. El Born must make all the other Barcelona neighborhoods jealous! Learn more about El Borne Neighbourhood!

#3 Gotico

Gotico 'El Gotico', or the Gothic Quarter, is the underground well from where the city draws it's magic and is certainly one of the most popular and tourist-centric of the Barcelona neighborhoods. The narrow streets, bustling vibe, and excellent bars and shopping have the ability to lead you around a corner, and then another one, and then lose you completely. Home to the über-famous "Las Ramblas" (which in the near future will get its own dedicated post on the SuiteLife site) the gothic quarter is the oldest and most historically rich of all the Barcelona zones.

#4 Raval

Skateboarders @ the MACBA Museum Easily summed up by the Spanish word 'chungo', or the English word 'dodgy', the Raval is dirty, smelly, badly lit, easy to get lost in and hard to escape from. Saying that it's not one of the most popular Barcelona areas to live in would be an understatement. HOWEVER, in our opinion, it's the most 'real' and certainly most multicultural neighborhood, and hides some of the city's best jewels. Of all the Barcelona neighborhoods, this one is the black sheep. We plead with you though, our beloved SuiteLife reader, to see past its unfairly tarnished reputation and venture in to explore. Safe by day, mostly safe by night. Check out more about Raval Neighbourhood!

#5 Eixample

Arial Shot of the Eixample from the SL Helicopter Literally meaning 'The Extension", the largest of all the Barcelona zones was drawn out in 1859 as a deliberate plan to expand the cramped city. Its perfectly grid-lined streets now cover half of the entire city. A very safe neighbourhood with large avenues and monstrous buildings the Eixample hosts some wonderful shopping (Paseo de Gracia is the 5th Ave. of BCN), great restaurants and clubs, and some of Gaudí's most famous architectural feats.

#6 Bonus - Poblenou!

Arial View of Poblenou Poblenou is one of the Barcelona areas that's often overlooked and underrated. Starting from the Vila Olimpica and stretching all the way to Diagonal Mar, Poblenou is an up and coming (if slowly) barrio. It used to house most of the city's manufacturing and industrial plants. Today the 22@ government project is bringing new life to the area. It's a spacious district with lots of light, tons of room to run and rollerblade, and just a ten minute walk to the city's finer beaches. So if you're looking for the best Barcelona neighborhoods, or the best Barcelona "neighbourhoods" (for our English and Canadian friends), Poblenou is a great underdog choice. So there you have it folks! SuiteLife's Top 5 Best Barcelona Barrios! Hope you enjoy and really explore some of them. If you want more details about each and everyone of Barcelona neighborhoods, then check out our Barcelona Neighborhood Guide! And if you or a friend is looking for a great long term flat rental in Barcelona, please check out our website suitelife.com and get in touch for excellent service! Cheers, Benny

Models Barcelona: What Barcelona Modelling Has to Offer?

Everyone knows that Barcelona is one of that most fashionable cities in the world! Modelling in Barcelona gives you the opportunity to be the next "Top Model" or just to start a new and exciting hobby or to earn some extra cash - there is a lot of reasons to start and nothing to lose! This blog with take you step by step toward the modeling scene in Barcelona and will tell you about top Barcelona models - it is time to start the journey of a lifetime!

Modelling in Barcelona… what is the industry like in this city?!

That's the question! The industry is vibrant and crazy with a lot of to offer! Events, castings, modelling schools, the best photographers and a lot more is waiting for you in Barcelona!

Let’s start BIG!

Barcelona’s fashions shows are not only BIG but they are AMAZING! Modelling in Barcelona is a never ending story, there is something going on all year round! Barcelona Fashion Weeks and Fashion Shows bring together the best spanish celebrities, reach people from different countries, the most popular bloggers, and people in love with fashion! The experience is unforgettable for models and for the audience! Dressing up, getting hair styled, putting lots of make-up to finally spend a few minutes on runway wearing clothes from the best designers and the most well-known brands! This is what a lot of models would've to experience and this is what Barcelona can offer you!

Modelling in Barcelona! What else…. EVENTS! A lot of them, what means a lot of possibilities!

Have you ever heard of Fresh Faces? It is annual modelling contest where people from over 150 countries compete to be named Fresh Face of the year! The Fresh Faces contest final last year took place in BARCELONA. Modelling in Barcelona is just like this competition: exciting, with a lot of things happening!
Some of the annual fashion shows in Barcelona:

• Denim by Premiere Vision  19-20.11.2014 place Montjuïc - Fira Barcelona (THIS YEAR)
• Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week - a three day event of wedding bliss. Official days of the event 05-10,2015, GranVia – Fira Barcelona
• Barcelona Fashion Week Spring Summer 2015
• Barcelona Fashion Week Fall Winter 2014-2015
• Mango’s ‘Rock it Up’ Collection Show
• Barcelona Fashion Week Spring Summer 2014
• Celia Vela at 080 Barcelona Fashion – more information available on the website, but sorry still no dates (http://www.080barcelonafashion.cat/en)

(If modelling in Barcelona is something what you are interested in, you should check our free ebook about fashion in the city! )

Ok… but what next…? Is there anything else! Yes, a lot of castings!

You can find some every week! Because of castings, models' lives are crazy busy. Some of the castings are huge, with hundreds of people come just to try to get a whisper of a job. It is an exciting place to be, to find out what the modelling world is about,  to make new friends in the industry, to find out about the latest news from the modelling world... and this is the best occasion to learn confidence!  Wanna know how to start your career in modeling in Barcelona? Read on!

Do you know any famous models from Barcelona????

That’s a good question, so… do you? Yes, you’ve seen their faces a lot of times, just you didn’t realised that one day they decided to start their carriers in modeling in Barcelona!
Judit Masco – model, television host and writer from Barcelona She has been hired for a lot of high-profile campaigns in the past and she is the only Spanish model who has appeared on the cover of US Vogue. She was a face of a variety of advertising campaigns. Featured in most major fashion magazines around the globe, like: Elle, Cleo, Glamour, Marie Claire. As a catwalk model she appeared in shows of designers such as Armani, Dolce& Gabbana, Valentino and more. The best Spanish model of the 1990s.
Vanessa Lorenzo – model and actor from Barcelona She has been featured in a lot of magazines like: Vogue, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Glamour and covered some of the best: Neo, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Vogue. Worked for the most famous companies and known designers: Pepe Jeans, Escada, Giorgio Armani, L’Oreal, Saint Laurent, Gap, Victoria’s Secret, Christian Dior. At this moment she is in a relationship with FC Barcelona captain, Carlos Puyol with whom she has one child.
Oriol Elcacho – Spanish male model from Barcelona

Japanese Barcelona: Culture to Discover

Japanese culture in Barcelona is multifaceted and fascinating. It is steeped in the deepest traditions but constantly interacting with the new technologies the country creates and pushes boundaries with everyday. Japan has brought many amazing things to global culture like sushi, Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Karate and more. But the idea of the Samurai spirit and fascinating traditions have captured the imagination of people across the world when it comes to Japan. So, we want to introduce you to the best of Japanese culture in Barcelona: Manga Fair, Matcha, and Japanese style shops.

MANGA FAIR BARCELONA

In late October/early November each year, Japanese comic fans from all over the world gather together in one of the most exciting Manga fairs in Europe: Manga Fair Barcelona, or Salón del Manga de Barcelona in Spanish. This fair is held at the Fira de Barcelona at Montjuic near Plaza Espanya and attracts around 100,000 participants, all in love with Japanese culture , comics and cartoons. The fair offers various activities from cosplay contests, karaoke, musical concerts and manga workshops to Japanese cuisine and other activities about Japanese culture. Manga Fair Barcelona is also often visited by notable guests from the Manga world. This year it will be from 12th-15th April 2018.

MATCHA, JAPANESE TEA AND DESSERTS

When it comes to Japanese food, Sushi is probably the most famous.  However, in recent years, Matcha (Japanese green tea powder) has become a new star. Matcha is premium bright green tea powder from Japan used for drinking as tea or as ingredients in recipes. Complex, addicting, pleasantly bitter and sweet are the words used to describe Matcha. There are more and more people becoming Matcha enthusiasts. You can easily notice Matcha coffee, ice creams, tiramisu, macarons, cookies and more in menus at many coffee or gelato shops around Barcelona. The big name Starbucks has already updated the trend and added Matcha in their Frappuccino, Latte, Smoothies and Tea products.
There are so many choices on where to drink and relax in Barcelona. But if you want to find a place to chill after strolling around and feel the unique Japanese atmosphere  as well as try the "real" matcha taste you should try these amazing two: Caj Chai tea room and Takashi Ochiai bakery shop. Listed as one of the best tea rooms in town, Caj Chai offers extensive high quality tea menus which will surprise any tea lover. This tea shop serves tea imported from Asian countries such as Japan, China, Vietnam and more. Seeing Asian tea pots and bamboo chairs in this tea room, you'll feel as though you've ended up in a tiny Japanese town. With its cozy atmosphere, Caj Chai is a relaxing oasis of peace in the middle of Barcelona's Gothic area as well as an ideal place to take the first date. If you want to know which kind of tea they offer, you can check Caj Chai's menu here. Address: Carrer de Sant Domènec del Call, 12 Opening hours: Monday: 15:00 - 22:00; Tuesday - Sunday: 10:30 - 22:00
Takashi Ochiai is another perfect option for dessert lovers. In this bakery shop, you can find exclusive Japanese desserts which have become very popular amongst the locals. Takashi Ochiai also provides dessert menus in most of the best Japanese restaurants in Barcelona. Although Takashi Ochiai has a big selection of Japanese desserts, I suggest you try Daifuku (rice cake with sweet filling) and Dorayaki (red bean pancake). Daifuku is a very popular dessert in Japan. Dorayaki is very famous among manga readers because they are also called "Doraemon cakes". Doraemon is the name of a best-selling manga which was a big part of many Asian people's childhood. And finally, Matcha Kastera (or Castella) absolutely should not be forgotten. Kastera sponge cake is originally from Castilla, Spain. But the Portuguese merchants brought it to Japan and now Kastera is well-known as one of the Japanese specialties. Address: Carrer del Comte d'Urgell, 110. Opening hours: From Tuesday to Friday: 8:00 - 14:00 and 17:00 - 21:00, Saturday: 8:00 - 15:00 and 17:00 - 21:00; Sunday: closed

JAPANESE STORES

While Japonisme is a more famous typical Japanese store in Gracia area,  in the heart of the old Jewish quarter of Gothic Quarter, there is a small independent shop called "Momo" (meaning "Peach") which is a little Japanese house full of traditional Japanese ceramics, chopsticks and silk lanterns. Peaceful and quiet, Momo shop is a place for little escape from crowded tourist attractions,  a place to find comfort and admire the subtle Japanese design. Many of the lovely ceramics here are hand made by the Japanese community in Barcelona. It is the perfect to pick up gifts for your friends as the shop features  origami cranes, eyeless "Daruma" figures, silk kimonos, lanterns and to waving cats Maneki-neko which bring luck and encourage optimism for the future. Address: Carrer Arc de St.Ramon del Call, 6 Opening hours:  Monday 16:30 pm-20:00pm, on Tuesday-Sunday 11:00am-14:00pm, 16:30pm-20:00pm.
So, if you have not had a chance to visit Japan, you still have the chance to experience the Japanese atmosphere in Barcelona! Have any other great suggestions we haven't mentioned? Let us know in the comments! ~Trang

Montjuic Fountain, a Museum, and a Castle in Barcelona!

Montjuic, or the mountain of Jews as it translates, has so much to offer; The Palau Nacional is a beautiful  and imposing neo-baroque style building which offers some of the greatest views over Barcelona and houses The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC). The Barcelona Magic Montjuic Fountain Show is every bit as special as it sounds and the Venetian towers stand proud at the foot of Avinguda de la Reina María Christina which leads elegantly and symmetrically up to Montjuic. Of course, any trip to Montjuic would be incomplete without taking the funicular (or walking as I would suggest) up to Montjuic Castle which is one of the highest view points of Barcelona.

What is Montjuic?

Montjuic is a relatively green area of Barcelona. Montjuic is spread over a small hill/mountain (max height of 173m) which offers many cultural attractions and fantastic views of Barcelona.

Montjuic Castle

The Montjuïc castle was one of the first places I visited when I arrived in Barcelona. In my mind, it is still one of the coolest places here! Dating from the 17th century, the HUGE and clearly very powerful guns at Montjuic Castle are a strong reminder of its historical role played in the Spanish civil War, where both nationalists and republicans were executed. Castell de Montjuïc also served as a prison for a period of time, before General Franco used it for more sinister and violent purposes. Signs and written articles are situated around Montjuïc castle, telling the story of Catalan Nationalist leader Lluis Companys i Jover, who was executed there in 1940 after being extradited to the Franco government by the Nazis. Without doubt, Montjuic Castle is one of my biggest recommendations! And for photography lovers, it won't get much better than this! Also, be sure to go into the courtyard situated in the Castle itself, there is a great little cafe which offers hot and cold food and a seriously good selection of pastries, at very very reasonable prices.

Montjuic Fountain

Barcelona's Montjuic fountain and light show are located in the center of Plaza Espanya at the foot of  The Palau Nacional. It is a spectacle not to be missed. Originally the magic montjuic fountain was built in 1929 for the Universal Exhibition by engineer Carles Buïgas i Sans. The Barcelona Magic Montjuic Fountain show was originally intended to show the possibilities of  filtered electrical light and as incredible as it is to see now, you can only imagine how amazed the spectators were back in 1929! The Magic MontjuicFountain Show has around 2.5 million visitors per year and the operation times vary through-out the year. Barcelona Magic Montjuic Fountain Show Winter Times: (October to end March): Fountains are operational on Fridays and Saturdays from 19.00 to 21.00 Light and music shows at 19.00, 19.30, 20.00 & 20.30 Magic Montjuic Fountain Show Summer times: (April to end September): Thursday to Sunday from 20.00 to 23.00. Light and music show every 30 minutes from 21.00, 21.30, 22.00, 22.30 & 23.00

The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) and The Palau Nacional

MNAC is a truly impressive neo-baroque structure, easily accessible despite it's high elevation. The terrace located at the top of the steps, just in front of the MNAC is higher than you may imagine from ground level and offers a truly impressive and comfortable way to view Barcelona. What I really love about The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, is that there is normally a musician or two at the top performing their stuff, adding to the already uber-cool atmosphere. Coupled with the comfy chairs and a coffee from the cafe, it's not hard to see why I spend most Sundays chilling out at the MNAC, taking in the Barcelona views. The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya or MNAC for short, is housed in The Palau Nacional. Considered to be one of the most important centres for Romanesque Art in the world and is also the biggest art museum in Barcelona. Art fans will find exciting pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries,  the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque Periods, it's all here!

Montjuïc Communications Tower (Torre Telefónica)

The Montjuic Communications Tower, known better as the Torre Calatrava or the "spaceship building" as my friends and I call it, is one of Barcelona's most modern architectural designs and you will notice it features in most Barcelona guide books. The Montjuic Communications Tower is a truly interesting piece of Barcelona architecture, construction was completed in 1992 for telefonica to transmit TV coverage of the 1992 Summer Olympics Games in Barcelona. Montjuic Communications Tower stands at 136m and is said to represent an athlete holding the Olympic flame. Interestingly, because of the location and orientation of the Montjuic Communications Tower, it also acts as a huge sundial, using the Europa square to tell the time.

Montjuic Palau Sant Jordi

Montjuic is also home to Palau Sant Jordi which was one of the main venues for the 1992 Summer Olympics. Nowadays, as our frequent readers will know, it's mainly used for music concerts, indoor sporting events and other cultural activities. Artists coming to the Palau Sant Jordi this year include Shakira and Harry Styles. Basically, if there are any important or big scale gigs or events in Barcelona, this is where it's going to be.

Piscina Municipal de Montjuïc

The amazing outdoor Olympic diving & swimming pool is also located at Montjuic and is open to the public from the end of June to the  start of September, however, the diving section is not open to the public. It's a truly impressive site and was chosen by Kylie Minogue for the location of her 2003 music video "Slow".
 Also built for the 1992 Olympic Games, there are two outdoor Olympic swimming pools on Montjuic mountain as well as a private sports club with an outdoor pool. The Bernat Picornell swimming pool is the main pool at Montjuic with seating capacity for 4.100 spectators and panoramic views of Barcelona city. It's worth mentioning that the changing rooms have not really been maintained since the 1992 Olympics Games and are now pretty run-down. So, next time you are in Barcelona, and can't think what to do, get to Montjuic for endless fun and seriously cool stuff to see and do! Ben H - SuiteLifer and Montjuic local

Day Trips from Barcelona: What you Can't Miss...

Day trips from Barcelona are so refreshing! Sometimes you just need to get away from it all. So SuiteLife has carefully put together the ultimate guide to getting out of the city. Explore the best of Barcelona's surroundings!

Barcelona Day Trips: Life's a Beach!

Day trips from Barcelona come in all shapes and sizes. Beach themed trips are by far the most popular. Here are some of the best beaches around Barcelona that are worth a visit!
Sitges:  The small beautiful town of Sitges (pronounced 'See-chez') is one of the best day trips from Barcelona.  Located just a 1/2 hour train ride down the coast, its short commute will leave you with lots of time to enjoy yourself.  If you're trying to escape the tourists, then this is not the place.  However, the beaches are nicer than in Barcelona and there is abundant nightlife.  Sitges has a bustling gay community and during Carnival it's off the hook! How to get there: The fastest way is to jump on the RENFE train (leaves every 30 minutes) from Passeig de Gracia station.  It shouldn't cost more than about 5-8 euros roundtrip.  For rates and schedules check out their website.
Tossa de Mar: Tossa is truly a gem of the Costa Brava and is one of our favourites of all the day trips from Barcelona.  This tiny romantic town is host to a gorgeous beach, excellent restaurants, and even ancient ruins.  Try the Pandora's Box walking tour, or just lay out in the sun and sip a cocktail.  Either way, you'll be glad you got away from BCN, even if it's just for a day.  Tons of info here How to get there: Go to Estación del Nord (North Station).  The closest metro is Arc de Triumf L1  .  Hop on a bus from the company SARFA, which will take you directly there.
Sant Pol de Mar: Between Tossa and Barcelona you'll find Sant Pol de Mar, a  golden choice between all the day trips from Barcelona.  The town has a beautiful beach surrounded by its typical white houses that cover the surrounding hills.  The old Benedictine monastery gave rise to this town and; on the outskirts, you can check out the ruins of the Iberian-Roman town of El Farell. How to get there: Take the RENFE Line 1 train from Clot (Metro L1 "Clot").

Barcelona Day Trips: Can't Miss Towns

If you're allergic to the sun, or around in the winter, then some of the best day trips from Barcelona are to the following nearby towns:
Figueres:  This one is highly recommended ! The highlight of this quaint town is the Salvador Dali Museum, which is the permanent home to the largest collection of Dali's works in the world.  This über-creative man was a visionary and a visit to the museum will leave you with your jaw on the floor. It is definitely one of the most culturally rich day trips from Barcelona out there. How to get there: Take the RENFE train from Passeig de Gracia station.  They leave every 1/2 hour to an hour and the ride takes under 2 hours.
Tarragona: Sure, they have a great beach but if you're a history buff, you'll absolutely love this place! The modern city is built around some of the oldest Roman ruins on the Iberian Peninsula. Work on your tan and check out the Roman Amphitheatre at the same time! How to get there:  RENFE trains from Passeig de Gracia run the 100km south to Tarragona frequently.  Round trip will cost you about 7 Euros.  Another of the great day trips from Barcelona and again, only a train ride away!
Girona:  Although you could easily spend a couple of days in Girona, you can get a great taste of it in one full day.  It's a complete mélange of Roman and Gothic building and ruins of old military fortresses.  There's also a Jewish district worth checking out.  Overall a very pleasant experience and one of the most popular day trips from Barcelona. How to get there:  The RENFE train is your saviour again.  Cost is about 7 Euros round trip.

Barcelona Day Trips: The Mountains are Alive with the Sound of Music!

Barcelona day trips come in all shapes and sizes and some folks love to head to the mountains!
Pyrenees / Vall de Nuria:  The Pyrenees is the vast mountain range that acts as a natural border between Spain and France. If you’re a skier or snowboarder this is your dream location! Only an hour and a half from the city and you’ll be rewarded with some great powder skiing. In the summer, the area’s exquisite nature offers wonderful hiking, climbing, and camping opportunities. Vall de Nuria is the western part of the Pyrenees and if you’re looking for outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and climbing, then these types of Barcelona day trips are for you. How to get there: Take the RENFE to Ribes de Freser. Then jump the rack railway up to Vall de Nuria.
Montseny: Nature at its best folks! Montseny has some titillating legends with one involving beautiful water maidens. The legend says they only appear on warm nights to bathe in the ‘black pool’. This is the place to come to hike and see some incredible Roman ruins as well as natural treasures. These day trips from Barcelona just keep getting better and better! Tons of info here: www.turisme-montseny.com How to get there: Gonna have to rent a car for this one. Check out the directions on the site listed above.
Mont Serrat:  Just 40 kms from BCN, you probably won’t find a Catalan person who hasn’t visited this site. Literally meaning “sawed mountain”, it’s a unique geological form of tremendous beauty. This is where Richard Wagner wrote his famous opera "Parsifal". There’s a beautiful monastery where monks held secret services in Catalan, while the language was outlawed by Franco. How to get there: Take the train from Plaza Catalunya, runs every two hours from 9:11am. We'll be adding new and exciting ideas for day trips from Barcelona soon!  Do you have any favourites that are not listed above?  As always, we'd love to hear from you in the comments below! Cheers, Benny

Clubbing in Barcelona: Chasing the Party#3 - RAZZMATAZZ

The search for the best clubs to go clubbing in Barcelona never stops. Two weeks after hitting Sutton, our next stop was something tooooootally different (and better, I might add). The place: Razzmatazz. The promise: "One Club, five rooms". If you're one of those people who loves huge clubs, with different kind of music and people not caring about their appearances, there's no better choice than Razzmatazz! As our 'Chasing the Party' crew is in love with good places to dance the night away and eclectic music, we couldn't stay away from one of the biggest places to party in Barcelona! As usual, the night began at some bar near the party for some pre-drinks, the chosen one this time was Taberna Sonora! The stylish american sports decoration adds to a very good and cozy atmosphere, that is even better when we consider the music: only classic rock n' roll mixed with modern rock! Neither the beer nor the shots were expensive, and it's only 3 minutes walking distance from Razzmatazz! So it was perfect for the warm-up! So, it was around 1am when we left to go the club! The queue wasn't a problem at that time, but people say that if you get there around 2am, you better not mind waiting for a bit. To enter, the usual: Bouncers, ID and tickets. The doormen were ok, they don't check anything but your ID and your mental health, so three important things to remember!
1. Don't forget your ID. 2. Don't be so drunk you can't even stand still and talk, they might kick you out. Jack

Halal Restaurants in Barcelona - Halal goodies and delis!

Hi Guys! Todays blog is about Halal Restaurants and where to find them in Barcelona. As someone who only eats Halal meat, this was a quite a big deal for me as for when I first arrived in Barcelona I didn't have the faintest clue where to find any sort of halal meat. But now I know, so what are we waiting for, lets take a trip down the halal meat lane! (p.s. there is no actual halal meat lane) The ideal place to find all your halal meat is El Raval! Famous today for its huge cultural diversity El Raval is your best choice for trying delicious Halal cuisine. Literally, walking around the area for 5 minutes is totally enough for you to find a nice and cozy Halal restaurant.

Maharaja Restaurante

This restaurant opened its doors in 2001. Running for nearly a decade and a half, Maharaja has built its fine reputation as being one of the 'big' players in traditional Halal cuisine making it one of the finest Halal restaurants in Barcelona. Maharaja offers typical Indian dishes prepared with typical Indian techniques. Expect nothing less than brilliant food with rich flavors and textures. What's famous about this restaurant is their fine selection of Indian spices. Having more than 40 types of spices in the chef's disposal you can be assured that your meal at Maharaja will be the most aromatic and flavoursome thing you have tasted all day. This restaurant just wows its visitors with its brilliant decor. Typically colorful draperies and table cloths, walls full of great Indian art and an atmosphere to die for is what this restaurant is all about. This is my personal favorite of all the Halal restaurants in Barcelona.

Askadinya

If that doesn't pickle your fancy ... get it pickle ... okay maybe not. Well Askadinya is another top Halal Restaurant in Barcelona.  This restaurant specialises in both Arabic and Palestinian food! Askadinya is all homemade food and provides a Mediterranean diet! I'm not even sure what a Mediterranean diet consists of but I'm having it! Located in the heart of Gracia, Askadinya offers a range of food, all Halal! They also do special menu deals for both weekdays and weekends which is ideal if you love 3/4 courses like myself! This is a perfect restaurant for someone who eats Halal food but also wants to eat healthy. The restaurant itself provides a great atmosphere and friendly service from its staff.  Askadinya is most certainly one of my top Halal Restaurants in Barcelona.

Bombay Spicy

One of the Halal restaurants in Barcelona where value for money meets quality. The offered food is simply amazing. What's better than enjoying an exquisite meal in a friendly restaurant that makes you feel like home for a very reasonable price? Well, nothing! A great bonus that Bombay Spicy has to offer is delivery. For the times when you are just feeling too comfortable at home enjoying a good movie but craving some delicious Indian food, all you have to do is just dial the number, place your order and soon enough the delivery guy will be outside your door handing you your delicious food. But honestly, why waste the opportunity and not go to the restaurant to have a perfect dining experience? In summary, this is one of the best choices when it comes to Halal restaurants in Barcelona.

Pita House

Do you love Pita? Do you love Houses? Look nowhere else !! Pita House is the place to be! Located on La Ramlas this place is meant to be one of the top Halal restaurants in Barcelona. Pita House caters all, whether its for lunch, dinner or just a snack. This place aims to satisfy all. Whether its quality food you want for certain fancy occasions or just take away food for a night in. Pita house is a must visit Halal restaurant in Barcelona. From Falafels to chicken pitas from Hummus to Durums this place oozes in Arab cuisine. So if you are drooling on your keyboard like I am then Pita house is a place you should dine!!! Pita house is a great Halal restaurant in Barcelona because not only are the food and the prices great but it also has a terrace you could eat on which has a capacity of 48 people!! Perfect for family and friends. It is also really easy to get to as all you need to do is get the L3 at LIceu. And your list of the best Halal restaurants in Barcelona is complete, folks! Or is it? If you know any other great restaurants offering Halal, please let us know is the comment section. Much of love to you guys and have a great week! Weekly joke: Q: What did one plate say to the other plate? A: Dinner is on me. Sincerely, Chris and Hasan

The Best Ice Cream in Barcelona : Homemade Is Always Better !

Summer is here! It is very hot in Barcelona and there is a constant influx of tourists. Why do tourists choose Barcelona for their holidays? Firstly, it has some of the best beaches in Europe where you can relax and enjoy the fresh air. There are tourist areas such as Barceloneta, Gracia, Las Ramblas that are well worth a visit. The impressive buildings designed by Gaudi are another incredible sight in Barcelona, one of his most famous being the Sagrada Familia. As in any other Spanish city, there are tapas bars not to be missed in Barcelona . Even if you only have one chance to go during your stay you must eat at one of them. What I like most in the city during this hot period, however, is its homemade ice cream. Here we share with you some of the best places to go to enjoy a homemade ice cream in Barcelona!

Gelateria Italiana (Placa de la Revolució 1)

This place is easy to find because there is always a queue in front of the store. There is also a terrace in a nice square where you can relax with an ice cream. They offer different flavours of ice cream that shouldn't be missed!

Arcobaleno (Calle Ferlandina 35)

This place is run by Italians and all the ice creams are made according to a traditional recipe. Many say it is the best place for ice cream in Barcelona. The reason is that there is more than a great ice cream, the staff are also amazing!

La Jijonenca (Av. Gaudí, 32)

It is located near the Sagrada Familia and they offer delicious ice creams. You will also find a queue here, but it's worth the wait!

Amorino (Calle Gran de Gracia 53)

It was first opened in Paris and due to its popularity, Amorino's ice cream has expanded to several European countries. You can find Amorino branches everywhere in Barcelona. Make sure you check it out, the price-quality ratio is amazing there!

Giangrossi (Av. Diagonal 545 to 565)

Giangrossi homemade ice cream offers a wide variety of flavours. Over 40 flavours are prepared daily with fresh milk and natural fruits. Don't miss it!
Between a visit of the Sagrada Familia and the Ramblas, nothing beats a good homemade ice cream! Each shop is unique and offer delicious varieties of homemade ice cream. Have you been to any good ice cream shop in Barcelona? Let us know in the comments below! ~ Diarra

This Is Our List Of Things Not To Do In Barcelona!

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON'T plan a relaxing day at the Barceloneta beach!

Barcelona is a touristic place, with a lot of people coming to enjoy the sun! Unfortunately, the Barceloneta beach - the central beach in the city, is NOT the cleanest one and is full of tourists. If you really want to lie down, get a tan, get in the water and have a good time check our ebook "The Barcelona Bible: Barcelona Beaches". You can always visit one of the neighboring towns, e.g. Castelldefels, which have lovely beaches and which you can get in around 20 min by train.

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON'T drink on the street and don’t buy from beer sellers!

It is forbidden to drink on the streets of the Barcelona, although t there are many street beer sellers everywhere and people buy  their 1 euro beer, which might seem like a good deal but if the police pick you up drinking in a public place you can be fined. It goes without saying that its better not to buy from people trying to sell you their beer on the street. Most of the time, they are offering warm beer which they carry in their bags... or hide in other unsavoury places. It can be just really unsanitary, and it is illegal to sell the beer this way and it hurts local businesses. You can find the beer sellers in all most popular touristic places in Barcelona, like: Plaza Catalunya or Las Ramblas. And if a guy comes up to you asking if you're looking for a good coffee shop...well, they're not trying to sell you coffee, let's put it that way.

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON'T think that SIESTA is just the myth!

Remember! "Siesta" time still exists in Barcelona!
Barcelona embraces the Latin lifestyle of leisurely mornings, mid-afternoon siestas, and late dinners. There are two periods of siesta in Spain - siesta for shops and businesses, during which many people go to a bar or restaurant, and then siesta for the restaurants, which obviously can't rest when everyone wants to come and eat. SO…! Shops might close during lunchtime (1:30-4pm) whereas restaurants might close after lunch and before dinner (5-8 pm). Small neighbourhood shops are quite often closed from 2pm till 5pm . It is better not to plan shopping during that specific hours or going out to eat in the restaurants, but you can find out that in the city canter of Barcelona, in the touristic areas, most places are open all day.

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON’T expect everything to be in Spanish!

Catalan and Spanish are both official languages in Barcelona. The Catalan language is used by approximately 50-60% of the inhabitants of Barcelona whilst Spanish is spoken by 98% of people. However, a lot of people are more comfortable speaking the regional language and also feel their connection with Catalan culture and need for independence very strongly. You have to be ready for this: you will hear the Catalan language all the time in the city and that most signs, names, and menus are written in Catalan first and then in Spanish. But hey, that's not a bad thing at all! If you're going to live here especially, it's pretty nice to learn some Catalán and it shows the locals you actually care.

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON’T show too much of your body!

Barcelona is the hot city in which everyone is trying to wear the least amount of clothes as possible. You might be shocked by the topless girls with thong bikinis on the beach, however Catalan woman tend to be more conservative in the centre of the city, dressing smartly despite the heat and sun. Holidays seem to never end here, with mainly tourists being the ones wearing shorts/mini skirts with strappy tops/bikinis in the city centre. A lot of guys also  take off their T-shirts and just walk on the streets half naked, or leave the beach without any tops. This isn't really an acceptable thing to do unless you're very close to the beach. Boys, when you're on the streets of the city its best to keep your T-shirt on, as the police always react and stopthe men who are not dressed appropriately. So, if you don’t wanna be the one of them, remember, don’t show too much of your body – you have the beach for that in Barcelona! Check our blog to find out more about one of the beaches in Barcelona where you can enjoy sun wearing as little as possible, or simply, nothing at all! ;)

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON'T eat on Las Ramblas!

Las Ramblas is the main touristic spot in central Barcelona, where you can find a lot of restaurants, cafes and shops. It is over-rated, over-crowded, tacky, filled with tourists, and most importantly over priced. All that combined with the fact that the quality of the food isn't usually great. Don’t be silly and fall for posters with pictures of the dishes and overly eager ‘hosts’ trying to entice you in. This is not what you want from Barcelona. Better try food on the backstreets of the Old Town or go to beautiful Passieg De Gracia where food is usually really good or find some other great place to eat in Barcelona by reading some of our food blogs:

• Traditional Catalan Restaurants in Barcelona: Top 5
• Looking For The Best Barcelona Restaurant? - Top 10 Barcelona Restaurant Guide!
• Vegan Restaurants In Barcelona: Top 5

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON’T think that church in Spain is just a touristic attraction!

Not always, but it happens, that people have been turned away from the churches in Barcelona because of the bare shoulders, especially during Mass. You must cover your shoulders and legs in a traditional sign of respect in religious settings. On a hot days, toss a lightweight scarf in your bag which you would use to cover your shoulders or tie around your legs for entrance into churches and cathedrals.

Don't do in Barcelona!

DON'T take a sightseeing bus to see the city!

Barcelona is the amazing city with a lot of places to see, and because of this tourists are not too confident, thinking that the best way for them would be just take a sightseeing bus. But in reality this is the biggest mistake – the city transport is really easy to use, it is really cheap compared to another big European cities, and is gives a ton of possibilities for planning sightseeing days without losing too much time. You can spend  your money a lot better while experiencing real life in the city. The bus can be really packed, especially in August, and you might just end up waiting in the queue hours on end in the sunny hot day. At the end of the day you will feel that you didn’t see that much. Barcelona is a city hiding most of its beauty in the tiny streets where the buses can't go, and as it is not that big, it's better is to take a walk and enjoy the lazy day, stopping for a coffee and some tapas in nearby places (Check one of our Tapas Blog!).

Let's summarise our  top things which you should not do in Barcelona:

• DON'T plan a relaxing day at the Barceloneta beach
• DON'T drink on the street and don’t buy from beer sellers
• DON'T think that SIESTA is just the myth
• DON’T expect everything to be in Spanish!
• DON’T show too much of your body!
• DON'T eat on Las Ramblas
• DON’T think that church in Spain is just a touristic attraction.
• DON'T take a sightseeing bus to see the city.

If you would like to share with us any more tips about things which people should not do in Barcelona, then please leave us a  comment below ;) Or if you don't agree with one of our points we'd also love to hear from you! Cheers, ~Natalia

Why Rent A Holiday Apartment in Barcelona Instead of a Hotel ?

If you're wondering whether to book a hotel or rent a holiday apartment in Barcelona, here are some stellar reasons as to why self-catering Barcelona apartments are all the rage:

1. Live as a 'local':

We can't stress this enough: Barcelona is a weird and wonderfully eclectic and beautiful city. Each neighborhood (check out our Barcelona neighborhood guide) has it's own charm and by staying in a Barcelona vacation apartment you'll get a much better idea of what it's like to live in the city, just like a local! If authenticity and truly experiencing the feel of a city is your style than don't book a hotel!

2. More character:

There's no doubt about it, the sterile sameness of hotel rooms can get a tad monotomous. Barcelona vacation apartments often are oozing with character and charm, from exposed brick walls, to lovely sunny terraces, to gorgeous Catalán style vaulted ceilings, if you are a fan of interior design and architecture, booking a self-catering apartment in Barcelona is the choice for you!

3. Cook your own meals:

If you're looking to save a bit of money on your vacation or if you're just a completely shameless foodie like us, there is nothing better than having your own fully stocked kitchen while on vacation. Have the flexibility to eat out or in and the treat of being able to cook some of the local fare on your own! Here's an idea, stop by the Boqueria Market, one of Europe's largest working markets, grab whatever tickles your fancy and come home to make your own Spanish/Catalán feast! Talk about experiencing the city! Sometimes you just need a home cooked meal, even on the road.

4. More spacious and comfortable:

This one's a no brainer. Hotel rooms in Barcelona tend to be a small box of a room just big enough to fit a bed. In a Barcelona vacation flat, though you generally have a lot more room and comfort.

5. The price:

The price of a Barcelona holiday apartment is usually considerably cheaper than a hotel room. Of course that is not always the case, but there is a lot more variety in terms of price/value with apartments and it's easier to find one that will fit nicely with whatever your specific requirements are. For instance, if you're traveling with a family or a group of friends you'll likely be much more comfortable with the amenities in comparison with a traditional hotel. We love Barcelona so much it comes oozing out of us! Checkout all our holiday rental apartments in Barcleona and our Barcelona Bible Blog in order to get lots of great insider info on this amazing mediterranean city. Enjoy! ~Benny