Looking for a Barcelona Bar? Here are the Most Unique Bars in Barcelona

The city of Barcelona is full of enough exciting nightlife that can keep all of you bar crawlers satisfied. Many of the establishments throughout the streets have unique personas that differentiate one from another. We have accumulated a list of local taverns that we believe could all claim their place on our most unique bars in Barcelona list.

Icebarcelona

Too hot for comfort this summer? Icebarcelona is the perfect place to grab a drink with your buddies to escape Barcelona’s humidity and also snap that all-so-important Instagram shot. The location claims to be the first ice bar on a beach, and their views do not disappoint from inside the -5C (20F) bar. 15€ nets you entrance, a cocktail, a jacket, and gloves to keep you comfortable in the arctic climate. It’s best to make a reservation if you are going with a group or at peak hours.

Espit Chupitos

Do you like shots? Of course you do! Until the morning after at least... Chupitos (Spanish for shots) offers over 600 different delicious and creative shots and cocktails in two different locations in Barcelona- Aribau and El gato negro. Make sure to arrive early before the club-hopping patrons come in on the weekends or you should visit on a weekday as the relatively small bar can become very packed! Some of our favorite shots include:

• The boy scout- roast a marshmallow over your shot
• Willy Wonka- a chocolate liquor combination with an actual chocolate bar in the shot
• Inhaled shot- the bartender vaporizes the shot and you inhale the captured shot through a straw and chase with the remainder of the liquor. Cuidado!
• Monica Lewinsky- For the sake of your staying family-friendly, we will allow you to discover this one on your own and order it for an unsuspecting friend!

Marsella

Marsella is perhaps the oldest Barcelona bar. It has been open for nearly 200 years! The house drink, absinthe, consistently draws crowds to this unique bar in Barcelona. We recently gave Marsella a shout-out for being amongst the best absinthe bars in the city! The décor is antique and gives a glimpse into the past of Barcelona’s famous nightlife. Hemmingway himself is rumored to have been a regular at this bar and this is a must see bar on a passive night!

Barcelona Pipa Club

This bar is all about mystique and exclusivity. The entrance to the Pipa Club is somewhat hidden in the Gothic corridor. The correct button must be pressed before entering and ascending the staircase to find the bar! The aura of mystery theme continues as the tavern is very Sherlock Holmes-esque. The club showcases a variety of pipes and includes a smoking and jazz room. As one of the few remaining bars in Barcelona with a license to serve until 6:00 AM, you and your friends can enjoy drinks and music till the early morning.

L’Ovella Negra

L’Ovella Negra  (Spanish for Black Sheep) has two locations in Barcelona- one off of the famous Las Ramblas near Placa Catalyuna and the other near Razzmatazz in Poblenou. Both locations offer cheap drinks and have 5 liter towers of beer or sangria that can be ordered to your table! The location in Las Ramblas is a cozier atmosphere that gives off an authentic old-time tavern feel. The newer sibling bar in Poblenou is more akin to a gaint German beer hall offering free range to roam and chat with other tables (and prepare for a night at Razzmatazz which is just a few minutes away). The Poblenou location is a great bar to watch sporting events along with our other top locations!

Pippermint

Drink like a fish? Then Pippermint is your Barcelona bar of choice. Cocktails are made strong and BIG! Not kidding either… Drinks are served in glasses ranging from 1 to 13 liter “fishbowls.” Feel free to order beer, mixed drinks, or sangria in these memory-wiping cups. If you typically travel in a large group, Pippermint will quickly become a favorite!

Tinta Roja

Tinta Roja is an Argentinian themed tango house. The rooms are intricately decorated and tango dancing and trapeze performances are the regular here. The bar is stocked with specialty cocktails and wines from Argentina. This is venue easily has the most Latin flair that you can find in a Barcelona bar and is far from an ordinary street corner watering hole!

Dow Jones

Feeling lucky? The Dow Jones is inspired by the stock market and uses a system that measures the popularity of specific beverage purchases and fluctuates the prices of beers, cocktails, and shots accordingly! This is a great place to pregame and have a few laughs with friends before moving the party to one of Barcelona’s famous nightclubs. Just make sure to invest wisely!

Eclipse at the W

This exclusive Barcelona bar offers a better view than any other in the city. Located on the 26^th floor of the W hotel on Barcelona’s coast, this unique bar gives you views of the Mediterranean, marina, and downtown Barcelona. While on the pricey side, the Eclipse will leave you feeling like a high-roller.

El Bosc de les Fades

Catalan for “The Forest of Fairies,” you should know immediately what you are getting into. Entering the bar, you traverse through trees and fountains with mythical creatures hiding in the environment. The forest even comes alive with thunderstorms and rain! This is a great bar to check out for a quick drink after walking Las Ramblas or a day on the beach. That wraps it up! These unique bars in Barcelona should help keep any night far from ordinary. If you still haven't had enough make sure to check out our Top Cocktail Bar e-book guide! Did we miss any? Drop us a line below -Ty

English Books in Barcelona: Where the %#*& Can I Find Them?!

There are many places that sell English books in Barcelona because it is such a multicultural and international city.  In fact, most bookshops you come across will have a section (usually small) for English books, and many will also have French and German sections.  So, if you don’t need too much choice then, you can just stumble into any bookstore in Barcelona and pick up an English book. If you are like us though, a bit of a bookworm, and need more selection than your average bookstore in Barcelona can provide, than we present to you everything you need to know about finding great English books in Barcelona.

Hibernian

This is where to go if you want a huge selection of second hand English books in Barcelona.  Hibernian has a great selection of old and new books, and they are all in English.  Check out an older Blog we have that is all about the Hibernian to learn more about this bookstore in Barcelona for English readers. Website Map

Come in (Liberia Inglesa)

A great shop dedicated to selling a good selection of English Books.  Come in was originally set up for teachers and students to help them teach and learn English. But that doesn’t mean teaching material, is all they stock.  They have a great selection of novels all in English, and they even have a children’s books section. Well worth a visit if you’re looking for English books in Barcelona. Website Map

BCN Books

This is another great place to buy English books in Barcelona.  There are a couple of BCN Books shops in the city and the most central and largest is near diagonal.  The store sells learning material for multiple languages.  They also have a large selection of Fiction and travel guide books in English. Website Map

The Watergate Bookshop

This little bookshop in the Raval is a different to most bookstores in Barcelona. They don’t sell fiction or story books.  Instead you will find more artistic books, political books, design books, cultural studies books, music books and even a few comic books.  As the name would suggest, they also have books about conspiracy theories, anarchism, revolutionary politics and other uncommon subjects.  The majority of the books sold here are English books, though you can find a few in Spanish too.  So if you want to buy English books in Barcelona all about political viewpoints or one with inspirational and beautiful art, then this is the place for you. Map

Fnac Plaza Catalunya

Although this is not an English bookstore, it is one of the biggest bookstores in Barcelona and it has sections for books in other languages.  They have a large English books section with lots of choice, so you will be sure to find an English book that you like here. Map
If you know of any other good places to buy an English book in Barcelona then we would love to hear about them.  Please leave a comment below and we would be happy to answer any questions. Cheers Matthew Rutter

Spanish traditions in Barcelona : From Tapas to Flamenco !

It is a common occurrence for people to visit Barcelona, wanting to experience all those quintessentially Spanish traditions that are synonymous with the image of Spain as a country and it's culture - flamenco dancers, matadors and bullfighting, siestas and more. Upon further inspection, people then come to the realisation that they are in not in the Spain that is advertised widely to the world and that Catalonia is a very different place to the rest of the country. Whilst Catalan culture is undoubtedly the top dog in Barcelona, it is still entirely possible to experience those clichés of Spanish culture as well as some distinctly Catalan ones too. The 'Spanish dream' is still in sight you might say. To the Hispanophiles out there, you are perfectly correct in pointing out that there is no such thing as a single Spanish culture and therefore there are infinite 'Spanish traditions'. More correctly there are many different Spanish cultures that derive from the many different and varied regions of Spain. This blog will focus on the more iconic ones that most of us from other countries are more familiar with. Read on to find out more!

Flamenco - olé!

One of the most popular Spanish traditions and the most popular image of Spanish culture, flamenco is considered to be the heart and soul of Spain. The passion and amount of tradition surrounding this art form is one of the reasons why many people seek it out when they come to visit the country. It's true home is in Andalucía, but thanks to Andalucian immigrants moving to other parts of Spain, it has successfully gained a huge following everywhere and even created new variations in different places. Thanks to this, you can find some really great flamenco here in Barcelona too! A number of places host flamenco performances in Barcelona. A particularly famous one is at the Tablao de Carmen which is performed on an Andalucian street in the Poble Espanyol at Montjuic. Another is the Tablao Cordobes which is located at the Ramblas which has been held there since 1970. They offer different packages which include watching a show with either a drink or the show and a meal. Unfortunately, these shows aren't the cheapest experiences that you will have in Barcelona but for a taste of a real Spanish tradition, then it is surely worth it! A cheaper show is held at Tarantos in Plaça Reial which is only 30 minutes long but serves as a good introduction to flamenco.

Bullfighting

Unfortunately this is one of these Spanish traditions that you are certainly not going to find here in Barcelona. Catalonia along with the Canary Islands are the two comunidades autonomas in Spain that banned the sport back in 2010. Therefore anybody wishing to witness this controversial feature of Spanish culture should visit Madrid or the South where bullfighting still remains a part of the culture. However, you can still visit the former plaza de toros (bullring) at Plaça Espanya, which used to host bullfights back when the 'sport' was legal here in Catalonia. Inside though, you would never expect that this used to be the site of one of Spain's most iconic traditions as it is now a fully fledged shopping centre housing some of the stores of some of the biggest brands, restaurants, a cinema, a rock museum and on the roof, some of the best views of Barcelona. Not a bull in sight.

Tapas culture

Tapas is one of the culinary highlights of Spain and naturally has it's place within the culture in Catalan culture too. For those not in the know, tapas was traditionally a small snack served alongside a drink in a bar. Typically, tapas can be anything ranging from olives, ham, cheese, meatballs, fish - anything (a famous chef in Madrid has even reinvented the Tortilla de Patatas by liquidifying it and pouring into a wine glass so people can drink it)! Different regions of Spain have their own variations on this tradition from the types of food served to the quantities given. It's origins are unknown and theories range from it being a way in which barmen stopped their customers from getting them blind drunk too quickly to being a way for people to stop flies from getting into their drinks (tapear means 'to cover'). Whatever the origins, this Spanish tradition has proven to be a phenomenon and since the rise of mass tourism in Spain, the culture of a free tapa has slowly disappeared and now you usually have to pay for each tapas that you have.
That however doesn't mean that the tradition has gone completely. There are some bars in Barcelona which still stick to the tradition. One example is Ambiente de Sur in Sant Antoni (Carrer de Viladomat 85, Metro L1 Rocafort - take the Calabria exit) which takes it's inspiration from the bars in Andalucia. With each drink (a caña costs just 1.80 Euros), you receive a free tapa which range from olives, croquetas, jamon and more. It's a perfectly ordinary place but is always full of Spaniards making it feel like you are a million miles from the tourist areas of Barcelona.

Learning the lingo - Spanish

Despite having two co-official languages, Barcelona is by any means an excellent place in which to learn Spanish. In fact there is simpler no truer Spanish traditions than to learn a bit of the lingo and communicate with local people. You can learn for free from many good websites, but if you prefer to learn from a teacher then there are many ways of learning through Language Exchanges, language schools and more. If you're taking a trip to Barcelona and want to study the language in addition to something more hands on such as learning to cook traditional Spanish food then Enforex are a great learning provider who offer such courses.
Naturally, there are many different Spanish traditions and we may have missed some here on this brief list. Is there any that you feel we should have included and would like to know about? Let us know! Gracias, - Chris.

The Antic Teatre: A Cheap, Secret And Local Bar In Barcelona

A hidden gem of Barcelona is this secret bar in the El Born neighborhood! We've already written about secret bars in Barcelona but today we will let you in on a secret! If you're looking for alternative cultural events/shows, a secret place for locals and cheap drinks, then The Antic Teatre is gonna be your favorite place ever!
The Antic Teatre can be found next to the Palau de la Musica Catalana (Urquinaona Metro Station), in a narrow street which doesn't let you believe that this fairytale of a place could possibly be existing! To access the theater/bar, you have to enter through a small door (just like in Alice in Wonderland! How awesome is that!?) then take the stairs. As you go up the stairs, you will hear, little by little the hum from people enjoying themselves, which will lead you further in to the discovery of a parallel world. Perched upon the terrace, you can enjoy the beautiful view of the garden below, often crowded with locals, artists and young hipsters.
You can sit on the terrace or in the garden enjoying your 2€ beer or 3€ glass of wine - that's right I didn't lie about cheap drinks (they also make a hell of a Mojito!!) you can participate in all kinds of alternative shows: music, dance, poetry readings, exhibitions, etc.
The best time to visit the bar is obviously during the Spring and Summer but the shows take place inside during the winter and it's not as if Barcelona is a cold city, so you'll still survive in the garden year round. Don't wait any longer, run for it! Check out more information about L'Antic Teatre. Check out the following blog if you have more interest in cheap bars in Barcelona! Have you been there? Do you have any other suggestions for secret bars in Barcelona? Let us know in the comments below!

Want to know how to flirt in Spanish!?

You're coming to Spain for visit or just moved here,  and then... all of a sudden this beautiful Spanish  girl (or guy!) comes out of nowhere and takes your breath away. but than you remember that you do not have any Spanish flirting skills. No worries, SuiteLife is here to help you out and teach you how to write a letter and flirt in Spanish! Don't be discouraged by your language barrier and try your luck with our great flirting tips below!

Start your conversation with something like:

-¿ Hola, cómo te llamas?      this means   Hi, what's your name? -Soy Peter.                                 this means   I'm Peter. -¿Te puedo invitar a una copa?  this means   Can I buy you a drink? Then go on with a real compliment that makes girls smile.

Pleasant compliments for beginners:

-Eres guay             means "You're cool" -Eres simpática   means "You're nice or friendly" -Eres mona           means "You're cute" -Eres guapa          means "You're pretty" -Eres atractiva    means "You're good looking" a nice compliment ! -Eres preciosa     means "You're beautiful" -Eres hermosa     means "You're very beautiful" -Eres deslumbrante  means "You're stunningly beautiful"

If you're pretty well-versed with Spanish, or getting the hang of this quickly, let's try some more complicated pickup lines with full sentences (but take care to not portray yourself as a womanizer!)

-Tienes una sonrisa muy bonita. Means: You have a beautiful smile -¿Cómo se siente al ser la más bella chica en esta sala? Means: What does it feel like to be the most beautiful girl in this room? -Hola Acabo de darme cuenta, pero  te pareces mucho a mi próxima novia. Means: Hi, I just realized this, but you look a lot like my next girlfriend. -Si la belleza fuera delito, yo te hubiera dado cadena perpetua. Means: If beauty was a crime, I would give you a sentence of life in prison. -Crees en el amor a primera vista, o debo pasar por delante tuyo otra vez? Means: Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by you again? -No hay emociones que puedan describir como me siento cuando estoy contigo. Means: There aren’t emotions that can describe how I feel when I’m in your presence. -bonitas piernas! a que hora abren?. Means: nice legs! what time do they open? (please do not use this one). and even more slang ones: - Estas muy bueno/buena! Means: You're hot! - Estas para mojar pan. Means: You are ready to wet bread (non literal meaning: You're hot!) - "Cuántas curvas, y Yo sin frenos!" Means: So many curves and me without breaks!

What is next?

- me das  tu número? Means: can i get your number? - quieres ir a tomar algo? Means: do you want to go for a drink? - Cuáles son tus planes para esta noche? Means: what are your plans for tonight? - en tu casa o en la mia? Means: to my place or your place? -Quisiera despertarme contigo cada manana!? Means: i want to wake up with you every morning -Quisiera despertarme contigo cada manana!? Means: i want to wake up with you every morning Good luck with your future love ! Tell us your best Spanish pickup lines and let us know in the comments if you have any other great ones! ~Lucie

Passeig de Gràcia - Immerse yourself in chic Barcelona

Passeig de Gracia, also known as Paseo de Gracia is one of the streets in Barcelona that I don't find myself visiting that  often. But when I do, I barely feel like I am in Barcelona anymore. Correction. I realize that I am actually in a big city that offers everything that a shopoholic (Passeig de gracia shops are as vary as possible), a museum and restaurant - lover, could possibly want and need. Because when you find yourself walking around in El Born or Eixample (which I do almost everyday...) or along the beach, I often feel that I am at a summer resort rather than in a big city. But that's not the case. I am in a big city, I Just don't go to those typical big-city-parts of Barcelona that often. However, when my friends come to visit me, I often hear myself saying: Hey, let's go to Passeig De Gracia. And let me just tell you one thing: all my friends that have been here  love love love Passeig de Gracia Barcelona! In other words, there is something magical about this street. Street Profile: Passeig de Gracia - the most exclusive Barcelona street, bringing you a little bit closer to Audrey-ism with stores that carry clothes that you almost would give up your vision to have in your closet.  Get all the information you could possibly need to know about the most exclusive shops, fabulous restaurants and museums. Read and take notes my friends.

Passeig de Gracia by day

Passeig de Gracia is one of the major avenues in Barcelona and also one of it's most important shopping and business areas, containing several of the city's most celebrated pieces of architecture. Furthermore, this street is the home of heavy brand shops and boutiques such as Jimmy Choo, Tiffanys in Barcelona, Chanel,Gucci and Valentino, separated with cute coffee shops and trendy restaurants. However, this street is not always aimed at the ones with a big wallet. Shops such asStradivarious, H&M, Bershka and Blanco are all to be found here.

Passeig de Gracia is located in the central part of Eixample, stretching from Placa Catalunya to Carrer Gran de Gracia. In terms of cost of renting or buying property anywhere in this avenue, Passeig de Gracia is nowadays regarded as the most expensive street in Barcelona and also in Spain - even ahead of Calle Serrano in Madrid.
When living in Gracia (I now live by Plaza de Catalunya), I went to DIR - one of Barcelona's most famous gyms, located on Gran de Gracia. After my one hour - or so of training, I was not ready to go home just yet. Many times, I found myself strolling down Passeig de Gracia in order to do some sightseeing or shopping. One day, for example, I found myself passing by the park and boutanic garden of Jardines del Palau Robert, located on Passeig de Gracia 107. After one quick look through the big glass doors, I could not not go inside in order to look further. A shame that I didn't bring my camera, I thought as I was walking through the beautiful garden where I also visited small art and history museums. When it comes to sightseeing, I would recommend you go and visit one of Gaudi's works. When in Barcelona, this is something you just have to do. Gaudi's work is admired by architects around the world as being one of the most unique and distinctive architectural styles. His work has greatly influenced the face of Barcelona Architecture and you will see his work all over the city - for example onPasseig de Gracia. Casa Battlo, located at 43 Passeig de Gracia - is a building restored by Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol, built in the year 1877 and remodelled in the years 1904-1906. The local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones) and it does indeedhave a skeletal organic quality. This building looks very remarkable - like everything Gaudi designed. The ground floor in particular, is rather astonishing with tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work.

Passeig de Gracia by night

Passeig de Gracia is famous for its chic and trendy restaurants. One of these is Parco Sushi Sashimi, located on Paseo de Gracia 119. I don't know about you, but I am a big fan of sushi - and sushi restaurants. I love everything about it. I mean, after all, this is where you will find the best cocktails and service, the perfect atmosphere on that Saturday night and hip people from all over the world. On Passeig De Gracia, you will find this sushi restaurant, famous for its amazing food and drinks. The dress code is a little bit nicer than other typical Spanish restaurants, so start scanning your closet right now for that little black dress. This restaurant is unquestinably one of the best and most exclusive Japanese restaurants in the city with a stylish atmosphere. Average cost per person: 60 Euros. Reservations highly recommended.
Other Barcelona restaurants, located on Passeig de Gracia, that I recommend you to go visit are the following:

• Restaurant Bilbao. C/ Perill 33 One of the best restaurants serving Catalan cuisine in the city. Very friendly service. Average cost per person: €35. Reservations highly recommended. Tel: 93 458 96 24

• Botafumeiro marisqueria Gran de Gràcia, 81. One of Barcelona’s famous seafood restaurants only 5 minutes away from the apartments. Average cost per person: €70. Meals served non-stop from 1 pm to 1 am                  www.botafumeiro.es Tele: 93 218 42 30

Passeig de Gracia living - The home of the exclusive hotels

If you want to enjoy this summer on top of one of the best terraces of Barcelona, don't miss ALAIRE Terrace of Hotel Condes de Barcelona, located on Passeig de Gracia 73-75. This is the perfect place to stay during your visit in the city or for that Saturday lunch or Sunday brunch (wow, that rhymed!) The other weekend, I was having lunch with some friends at this 4 Star Hotel, located in an emblematic corner of the city where you can contemplate the spectacular sights, surrounded by other beautiful hotels (all with rooftops and pool areas!).
From the ALAIRE hotel terrace, you have an amazing view over the famous Gaudi building on Passeig de Gracia. I suggest you bring a camera and make a visit!
The Mandarin Oriental Barcelona is one of the newest Mandarin Orientals. The hotel is situated in an elegant mid 20th century building near the Casa Battlo by Gaudi with its fabulous facade. The rooms have great view over the city and some even has terraces. The hotel design takes inspiration from its original Spanish heritage and mixes it with modern Spanish design. There are s one can love about this hotel. The fact that each room has a free standing bath, the white mediterranean brasserie Blanc serving up Catalan specialities and the modern Bankers Bar with outdoor terrace. But my favorite part of the hotel has to be the roof top sun deck with plunge pool and views over the city. For more information or to make reservations please visit www.mandarinoriental.com or call 0080028283838

Plaça de Catalunya

The first kind of art that we can find in Paseo de Gracia is -lower your eyes- the ground! With this orignal type of tile which was created by Antoni Gaudi.

Let's discover Paseo de Gracia more and more with the # street number.

At the very beginning of Paseo de Gracia, #1, there is a beautiful Apple store and #4 Catalana Occidente, an insurance company.
8# Then, on your right, there is Casa Antoni Rocamora designed in 1914 by two brothers, Joaquim and Bonaventura Bassegoda,  this building looks to renaissance gothic with lots of ornamentation.
#13 Comedia, a cinema with 5 auditoriums.
#16 Zara home, a nice furnishing store where you can smell a pleasant interior fragrance which creates a family atmosphere and provides a feeling of well-being. It helps you transform your ideas into reality to decorate your dream home. #19 Borsa de Barcelona, The Stock exchange of Barcelona has a privileged location but nowadays the street is more filled with tourists than with businessmen; times are changing.
#35 Casa Lleó Morera created by Lluis Domenech i Montaner.
#41-43 y #35 are  "Illa de la Discòrdia"  (Block of Discord). #35 La Casa Lleó Morera,  #41 La casa Amatller  designed by Josep Puig i Cadafalch and  #43 Casa Batlló designed by Antoni Gaudi, (part of the "World Heritage Site") constitute the Block of the Discord. The name "Illa de la Discòrdia" was given because the buildings are very closely constructed, all at the beginning of the 20th Century and designed by three of the most important architects of the Catalan Modernism whose styles were very different.
#66 Casa Vídua Marfà.
#68 Hotel Majestic 5 stars.
#96 Vinçon opened its doors to the public in 1941, founded by Enrique Leviand Hugo Vinçon. During this period the business’ main activity was the wholesale of porcelain, fine china and glassware. Between 1967 and 1990 they decided to venture and explore the emerging industry of the contemporary design of household objects. From this point onwards innovation happened at all levels and the foundation was laid for what eventually would become one of the most exclusive and representative stores in Barcelona. Today their brand enjoys international prestige.
#102 Hotel Paseo de Gracia 1 star.
Junction between Passeig de Gràcia and Avenida Diagonal.

Luxury shops, don't go too hard on the credit card !
#115 Cine Casablanca Kaplan with 3 auditoriums. The Cine Casablanca opened on 13th December 1980. The cinema was named Casablanca in homage to the 1942 Michael Curtiz film "Casablanca". Unfortunately  it was closed in 2011.
#132 Casa Fuster, a luxurious  5 star hotel classified as a monument hotel ends Passeig de Gràcia on a high note ! With 96 rooms and suites, gymnasium, panoramic terrace, etc., Casa Fuster proposes a distinguished service and is an excellent place for visitors or businessmen. It's also where Woody Allen always stays when in BCN.
Map:
Have you checked out all of these sites yet? What's your favourite part of Passeig de Gracia? Let us know in the comments! Charlotte Giver&Lucie

Catalan Culture Explained

So what is Catalan culture? How is it different to Spanish culture? At first sight, you may have come to Barcelona and noticed a different language written on the signs around the city. That's because you're in Catalonia - one of Spain's comunidades autonomias (autonomous communities) which has not only it's own language but also it's own distinct culture. Catalan culture, despite being less renowned than it's more famous Spanish cousin, boasts a huge history as well as it's own unique traditions and cuisine. Taking the time to discover some authentic Catalan traditions as well as those well known Spanish ones will only make your trip to Barcelona an even better one. Want to know more? Take a look at what makes Barcelona even more of a special and unique place with SuiteLife's own guide to Catalan culture!
1. Catalan food When you think of eating in Spain, automatically images of paella and tapas spring to mind. Whilst you can easily experience these here in Barcelona, there is so much more to try! Catalan cuisine is a good mix of seafood and meat based dishes due to Catalonia's proximity to both the sea and mountains (mar i muntanya). In fact, whilst here in Barcelona, you may have already tried some Catalan food and not realised it. Catalan cuisine is always changing much like any other. There are so many different Catalan foods and it would take a long time to list them all so below are some of the most iconic and common foods that you may come across. Bon profit! (Catalan version of Bon Appetit!) Pa amb tomaquet (toasted bread with tomato, olive oil and salt) - an incredibly popular food whether in a sandwich or eaten as tapas. It sounds so simple but is absolutely delicious! A basic in Catalonia which you can find pretty much in any bar or restaurant - the Catalans believe it makes bread much more exciting and we agree! Guaranteed that you will miss this when you leave Barcelona.
Calcots - the closest thing that you could compare these to are spring onions or leeks. Eaten during the season, which is around January, February and March. When you eat them, they will usually be cooked by barbecuing them or putting them in the oven. When they're ready, you simply peel them and dip them in Romesco sauce. Amazing!
Botifarra - a type of Catalan spiced sausage. You can get black or white botifarra and it is usually eaten with pa amb tomaquet or as tapas. Escudella - a type of Catalan stew. Made up of meat, beans, potato and cabbage. Usually eaten during the winter. Fideua - the Catalan version of Spanish paella. Instead of rice, the Catalans use a short noodle, similar to macaroni. Sometimes, squid ink is used, leaving the noodles with a dark colour and giving the dish a different taste. 
Crema Catalana -  a rich custard base topped with a contrasting layer of hard caramel (think Creme Brule) Mel i Mató - A type of creamy cheese similar to ricotta, served with honey. Mató cheese is made from whey. It was very popular in medieval times, where it was served on its own or with scented orange flowers. If you are keen to try the best of Catalan cuisine, then you should check out this restaurant which has been voted as making the best Catalan food in Barcelona!

2. Catalan language

Catalan people, for the most part, are bilingual in both Catalan and Spanish (and increasingly those working in the tourist industry speak English well too), so language barriers whether you speak Spanish or not are not extremely high. However, you will notice that Catalan people are immensely proud of their language and you will hear Catalan everywhere you go in Barcelona. This is mainly due to the fact that the Catalan language was oppressed during the Franco dictatorship (1936 - 1975) and the desire for Catalonia to become an independent state away from current Spain. Foreigners are not usually expected to know any Catalan, but knowing one or two words will go a long way. Bon dia (similar to buenos dias in Spanish) - Good day/Hello Com estas? (similar to como estas in Spanish)- How are you? Be, gracies. I tu? - Good thank you. And you? Adeu - Goodbye Si us plau - please Moltes gracies - Thank you very much Parles angles? - Do you speak English? Com es diu.....en Catala? - How do you say.......in Catalan? Interested in learning Catalan? Feel free to check my previous blog on learning Catalan in Barcelona - 'Learn Catalan - the easy way!'

3. Catalan fiestas

Who said that the Spanish were the party animals? The Catalan's put on a good show too! In Barcelona alone, there are events happening all the time and every neighbourhood has their own unique party through the year. Whilst there is a party for almost every occasion, many are neighbourhood parties and most tourists unfortunately miss them or happen to stumble across them. Thankfully, SuiteLife publishes a blog every month detailing the major events coming up in that month to keep you in the loop of the best things to do. La Merce - Held for a week in September every year - THE biggest party to hit Barcelona and probably Catalonia during the year. Originally a religious celebration of the Virgin of Grace, the fiesta (or more appropriately festa) now includes a whole range of Catalan traditions such as Castellers, the Catalan Wine Fair, La Sardana as well as a variety of music performances. This creates a mad and fun atmosphere. You have to go to the Correfoc! Dia de Sant Jordi - Catalonia's answer to Valentines Day. Instead of 14th February, it is held on 23rd April, and rather than focussing on lavish presents between loved ones, Sant Jordi is considerably more traditional. The man gives his lover a single rose and the woman returns the gift by giving him a book. Visiting the Ramblas will be the most obvious sign of this occasion with the number of stalls selling roses. Rumour has it that this is the day where Catalonia makes almost half of its total annual book sales! National Day of Catalonia - Held on 11 September, this day commemorates the defeat of the Catalans by the Spanish in 1714. Although there are usually demonstrations, this is a great day to experience many aspects of Catalan culture and see how much passion people in Catalonia have for it! It is also worth mentioning that it is one day where you won't here any Spanish except from foreigners and will see almost every building with a Catalan flag!

4. Catalan culture : traditions and emblems

As with any culture, Catalan culture has it's own traditions. As a foreigner, you may find some of them rather odd but you will not forget them once leaving Barcelona! The Catalan burro (The Catalan donkey) - The 'national' symbol of Catalonia. Their take on the bull as a symbol of Spain. It's origins lie with a breed of donkey native to Catalonia and Catalan speaking areas. The donkey emblem has many interpretations as to what it means. Some say it represents Catalan's as hard workers whilst others say it is there to make fun of the Spanish bull. We'll leave you to decide that one.....
Catalan flag with a blue triangle and white star - the blue triangle and white star on the Catalan flag simply represents Catalan independence. Castellers - Human towers which are a unique tradition to Catalonia. Back in 2010, they received UNESCO protection which makes them culturally exclusive to Catalonia. Most popular in the town of Tarragona (where they hold contests to see who can get the biggest human tower!), they can be seen all over Catalonia particularly during big celebrations such as La Merce. The idea is to build the biggest human tower possible and then disassemble the quickest. A great deal of trust and concentration are needed for this! Nowadays, it is open to men, women and even children! Definitely a must see if you're in Barcelona for a celebration. Check out this blog for more info!
La Sardana - this is a traditional dance of Catalonia said to have links with Catalan nationalism. I have included a link to a video of this dance below! If you want to see a Sardana dance in Barcelona, you can see it during some festivals or at the Teatre Mercat de les Flors theatre (I would recommend checking their website beforehand at www.mercatflors.cat) As you can see, there is a lot more to Catalan culture than meets the eye! This makes Barcelona even more of an incredible place to visit and if you visit during a fiesta then you are surely not going to forget the experience! Have you seen/experienced any of the above? Or do you know of any other unique Catalan traditions that you'd like to share with us? Leave your comments below! Moltes gracies! Chris

Namaste: The BEST Yoga Studios in Barcelona!

Calling all Barcelona yoga enthusiasts! The Best yoga studios in Barcelona are not hard to find if you know what you’re looking for! Ranging from mild to wild, yoga studios in Barcelona offer Hatha, Kundalini, Ashtanga, and Bikram, and are something for everyone, from beginners to the most experienced of practitioners, to check out.

Hatha

The word Hatha comes from the Sanskrit words “Ha” meaning sun, and “tha” meaning moon. Hatha was invented by Yogi Swatmarama sometime in the 15^th century and is characterized by a practice which combines postures, breathing, and meditation to achieve relaxation and enhance flexibility and strength. Less technically speaking, it is what people generally think of when they hear the word “yoga.” There are no “required” poses but the instructors should give plenty of modifications to either take it down or step it up a notch in intensity. If you're looking for yoga studios in Barcelona, the aptly named “Yoga Studio Barcelona” offers four different levels of Hatha yoga classes, including a Level 1-2 for people who are athletic but have never done yoga before. Classes run all week but fill up fast so get there early. If you want to find yoga studios in Barcelona but need the classes to be in English, the Well Woman Center on Monday and Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. has them. You can check out their website or go to their group on Meetup (Vinyasa Flow in English).

Kundalini

Not going to lie, I have never personally tried Kundalini yoga classes in Barcelona. But don’t stop reading yet! It is apparently one of the most popular styles of yoga as any search will turn up dozens of results. Kundalini yoga is characterized by a dreamlike, meditative state in which the body is awakened through the gradual release of untapped energy (pranayama) from the seven chakras. It is represented by the serpent, said to lie coiled at the base of the spine and wait for release. It is a deeply spiritual practice, which begins with a chant or song and meditation, followed by an “awakening” of the limbs through different postures, and another chant or song and meditation in closing. And by the way, they wear flowing white robes and speak in Sanskrit. So if you’re looking to engage in some lighthearted conversation with classmates or just stumble into a class after work this might not be the best option. Nevertheless, just reading about it has made me curious and if I decide to go I will definitely check out one of these two studios in Barcelona: The “Shuni Yoga” yoga studio in Barcelona literally has classes all the time, and even one for women only. Located in Sagrada Familia, its website has all the info you need. “I good, All good,” or “Yo bien, todo bien,” is the simple but groovy motto of “Kundalini Yoga West in Barcelona.” They offer a free class if you’ve never been before!

Ashtanga

I’m going to depart slightly from giving advice on yoga studios in Barcelona, to say that Ashtanga literally changed my life. I was fortunate enough to study under Debra Corso in Orlando, Florida who inspired others through her insightful prologues and hands-on instruction. There is an adherence to structure in Ashtanga, which if you have a good teacher, makes it very easy to lose yourself in the practice.  It is not something that you can master on your first try but if you enjoy it, then you will go back week after week to do the same postures until you THINK you’ve mastered them, at which time your instructor should and will (hopefully) throw in another element to make it challenging again. This is the type of yoga where you turn yourself into a pretzel, ok? The classes are longer – usually an hour and a half to two hours, instead of the standard one hour and fifteen. It is my personal favorite, if you make it through the first forty-five minutes without feeling totally overwhelmed then chances are by the end of class you’ll be a convert too. Ashtanga Barcelona Yoga is AWESOME. Their classes are open to students at 7 am, but technically don’t start until 10:30 am, giving ample time for relaxation and stretching before class. There is also a beginner workshop on Saturdays and Sundays on the last weekend of each month.  One suggestion is all you need here.

Bikram

Ah Bikram yoga…criticized by some, loved by many. It is not for the faint of heart!  The Bikram yoga studio in Barcelona is frequented by many different types of people as it has become something of a craze, spreading with intensity (pun intended) around the globe. This is the type of yoga where they raise the temperature of the room to the ungodly temperature of 105 degrees to allow for deeper breathing and greater flexibility. I have only tried Bikram yoga once but I have several friends who practice nearly every day of the week and who have even participated in the trademark “thirty day challenge” (practicing every day for thirty days). I guess the good thing about Bikram, and the reason so many athletes and exercise aficionados are crazy about it, is that it provides instant results. Personally, I’m not a fan of sweating profusely but if you want to give it a shot here is the link to Bikram yoga classes in Barcelona: Barcelona Bikram has a 15 euro introduction rate, meaning you can take an unlimited number of classes for a whole week. There regular classes go for 15 euros each so this is great value but it does make me wonder if the weekly rate is offered because they don’t expect you to come back, hehe. There are many other styles of yoga but these were the big four which came to mind as I was writing this article. What styles of yoga have you tried? How have you found yoga classes in Barcelona? Which ones are your favorite/least favorite? I look forward to reading your answers! Namaste. Kathy

Carrer Joaquin Costa: Barcelona Street Profile

El Raval is famous for being kind of an infamous neighborhood and we feel like that is total bullsh*t! This is an amazing, eccentric and eclectic neighborhood with many awesome things to do and today we take a look at one of its emblematic streets, Carrer Joaquin Costa.

History

The street name came from the Catalán politician, lawyer, historian and economist who was known to be the major representative of the "Regenerationism", which was an intellectual movement that searched for the causes of Spain's (as a State) decadence. The street is located in the Raval neighborhood, part of the old town. It starts from the metro station "Universitat" and goes down until reaching the center of Raval at equal distance from "San Antoni" and "Liceu" metro stations. As many other streets of this neighborhood, Joaquin Costa is a narrow, charming street full of shops, bars or restaurants, but also public buildings such as the Goya Theatre and the Centre Aragonés.

Shops on Joaquin Costa

- Fusta'm
Looking for a unique workshop? Then you'll love Fusta'm! It all started almost 4 years ago with an idea of a couple, which was to restore old pieces of furniture from the 50's, 60's or even 70's styles. You'll find only authentic furniture, lighting and different decorative trinkets. Not only is it possible to buy these awesome pieces but you can also rent them for special occasions, events. P.S : Entering the shop, if you're curious enough, you'll see behind the seller an old tapissery which is of origin. Fore more info, check out Fusta Website - A la Premsa d'Aquell Dia: The one-of-a-kind shop in Barcelona
The story begins 20 years ago when, after a few trips around Europe (more precisely to Belgium, France and England) seeing a few shops selling unique old newspapers and magazines, a couple and their daughter decided to create their own shop back in Barcelona. They first settled in Carrer del Tigre in the Raval Neighborhood before moving to the next and current street Joaquin Costa 4 years ago because the shop was getting too small to stock all the newspapers and magazines they wanted. Even if one can think they also sell French magazines (because of the few "Paris Match" in the window display), they actually only sell Spanish newspapers. But if you're interested in old newspapers in other languages they might help you find it by contacting some colleagues around Europe. The best example the couple told me was this time where a client wanted an english newspaper talking about the  titanic as it was not famous enough to talk about it in the Spanish newspapers. They finally found one that they bought for 12500 Pesetas (75€)!
According to the couple, the two kinds of articles most wanted are the newspapers first step on the moon and the World Wars. When going out of the shop, you can stop by the "Lletraferit" Library Café just accross the street and grab a café con leche while reading a book! This place was actually funded by Diego Gary, son of famous French writer Romain Gary and American Actress of the 60's Jean Seberg. Fore more info check out A la Premsa D'aquell Dia Website - Bubub Bubub also caught our attention because of its old sign representing a cartoon dog, bringing back its past of Toy shop. Nowadays it is a small Greengrocer with great fresh products for a decent price! Vegetarians are gonna love it.

Bars

Betty Fords Bar is a pretty famous bar located in this street, known for hosting hipsters but also for their good cocktails and burgers! Excellent place to start your parties!
If you're interested in a completely different kind of bar, we recommend you to go to Granja de Gava, a unique centenary bar which, as its name suggests, was a farm originally (Granja means Farm). It also saw the birth of a famous Catalán writer Terenci Moix in 1942. When you enter the bar, you can hear a soft jazz music and see an astonishing statue in papier-mâché of a giant fat lady decorated by a huge slice of pizza on her head. There are also art exhibitions, for example there is currently oil paintings of the local Marta Cino which are actually for sale.
Olimpic bar will be for people who don't want to spend much money or beat about the bush: 1€20 a beer, 3€50 a Mojito, Caipirinha or Spritz, that's right. And if you don't believe me, check this out:
No wonder it is always packed... Finally for the story, this awesome street once hosted one of the most famous Serial killer of the city, Enriqueta Marti who was called "La Vampira del carrer de Ponent" (Ponent street being the former name of Joaquin Costa street). So that you understand why she earned this name, she used to kidnapp dozens of children, make them prostitute and/or kill them. And with the rests (skin, blood, fat, hair, bones...), she'd make potions, balsams, etc. What a lovely person she was! :)
Cheers, Florian

Learn Catalan - The Easiest Methods

Want to learn Catalan? Follow the Suitelife guide to learning Barcelona's second official language.
If you want to learn Catalan, then it could potentially be one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences when coming to visit or live in Barcelona. Simply knowing some basic words and phrases will unlock a whole new side to this incredible city. With the buzzword of the day being 'independence' and with the Catalan language being classified as a minority language within the EU (despite having more speakers of it than more famous languages like Danish), your efforts are increasingly likely to be more appreciated than perhaps anywhere else in Europe. And where better to learn Catalan than in the Catalan capital itself?

What is Catalan? Is it hard to learn?

A better question is - what is Catalan not? For sure, it's not a dialect of Spanish and it is not a lovechild of French and Spanish. It is a language in it's own right and has about 11 million speakers in Catalonia, Andorra, Valencia, some areas of Southern France and even an area of Sardinia, Italy! If you're fortunate enough to have a grasp of the basics of Spanish, French, Italian and/or Portuguese then you are in a great position to start to learn Catalan!

Should I Bother Learning Catalan?

It all depends entirely on your motivations and what you want! If you know at least the basics of Spanish (or Castellano as it's known in Catalonia), then you will get by in Barcelona just as well as anywhere in Spain. Lots of people speak reasonable English too. If you are living in Barcelona for a few months or longer then knowing some basic Catalan will make the city feel more homely and will also serve you well in day to day things such as understanding utility bills, medical forms and other official paperwork as well as advertisements and signs in public places. Being an international city, Barcelona is full of language schools which offer a variety of courses. The main problem is that language schools can be an expensive and inflexible way to learn Catalan especially for those who work or study here in Barcelona. The Universitat de Barcelona for example offers Catalan classes all year round for students and non students, but prices start at 60 euros to 160 euros for UB students and from 160 euros to 210euros for non students, so you will need a lot of dedication if you wish to learn Catalan. Fear not though! There are ways to learn Catalan which offer more flexibility at a minimal cost (and some which are free!) Want to find out how? Read on!

3 Great Ways to Learn Catalan Quickly in Barcelona

1. The popular and traditional classroom method - Lessons from the Generalitat

Why we like it - free tuition (for basic courses), benefits of learning from a native speaker, formal, potential to earn a qualification.
The Generalitat (Catalan Government) offer free Catalan courses (basic courses  only) to anybody wishing to learn in a bid to promote the Catalan culture  amongst non-Catalan residents of Barcelona. Lessons are given in Catalan so you get used to hearing the language straight away. Unfortunately, finding information on the Internet was like finding a needle in a haystack, but eventually I found the details on their website (see above link). The only effort and cost involved with this method is enrolling (which you can do at the Caja Madrid building in Placa Catalunya), going to the classes and purchasing a course book. If you're serious about learning Catalan then this is a good way of doing so.

2. The Internet method - Livemocha

Why do we like it? - free, super flexible, ability to learn and practice with native speakers, learn at your own pace .
A revolution in language learning and based on the principle that language learning should be accessible to all and shouldn't be difficult and expensive. Livemocha is a language learning website that combined with the benefits of a community based/social networking site which gives users the opportunity to practice what they learn and get feedback from native speakers. To top this off, learning Catalan is free! You simply create a log in account (you can do this by integrating your Facebook account too), find the course you want to follow and within minutes you have the world at your fingertips (excuse the pun). Learners can then access vocabulary, grammar, writing, reading, listening, speaking excercises as well as being able to try your new skills out with a native speaker! At the time of writing, Livemocha were developing a smartphone/tablet application, making this an even better way to learn Catalan! If like me, you have no time to do a formal course, then this is a brilliant way to start. Personally, I've had a very good experience so far!

3. The fun and sociable way - Language exchanges

Why do we like it? - natural way of learning, most flexible, meet local people and make new friends
There is simply no better way to learn a language than having a beer and chatting with a native speaker. For some, it is daunting, but for those willing to get over their inhibitions, there are many Catalan people who are more than happy to share their language over a beverage or two! For those unfamiliar with this method, it is simply where you and a person who natively speaks a language that you wish to learn practice that language for x amount of time and then swap and speak your language (ie: for example, you speak English for an hour and then you swap andtry to speak Catalan for an hour and learn that way). In an international city like Barcelona, it isn't difficult to find organised language exchange event in local barsbut are usually only really known by word of mouth. Fortunately, there is a great resource to find such events in the form of Couchsurfing. Whilst being a website where local people give travellers free accommodation, this is also a great way of knowing what is going on in the city and getting in touch with locals. Thankfully, the Barcelona Couchsurfing community are extremely active and provide information of language exchanges happening all over the city. Overall, a really relaxing and natural way to learn Catalan whilst also making new friends too. Details can be found within the Barcelona group on the Couchsurfing website (above).
So there you have it! These are the best ways to learn Catalan as voted by Suitelife. If you have caught the language bug and want to learn or improve your Spanish, then why not check out our Suitelife sister blog to this one - 'The best websites for learning Spanish'. Had a Catalan learning experience? Got any tips? Feel free to share them with us on the comments section or on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Bona sort! (Good luck) - Chris