Beautiful beaches in Spain to put on your itinerary The coast of Spain touches the Mediterranean Sea to the south and east and the rough Atlantic Ocean to the North and West. It also includes our exotic Canary Islands and Balearic Islands. From secluded coves to quiet fisherman’s villages to rugged Atlantic cliffs, Spain’s 5,000 kilometers…
Author: Justine Ancheta
California native, churro aficionado, and mom of 3, Justine Ancheta writes fervently about Barcelona and Spain. Since 2008, she's been eating burnt onions (calçots) and tripping on cobblestones in the Gothic Quarter. She shares tips on popular attractions, exposes offbeat non-touristy spots, and gives insight on exploring Barcelona with kids. Her next Catalan culture challenge: top level of a human castle (castellers).
Best Costa Brava Towns for a Road Trip
Just call it the “coast gone wild” or, in other words, the Costa Brava. While this northeastern region of Spain is famous for its rocky coast and long stretches of sand, it also has medieval villages, natural reserves, and fine art. I’ve taken several variations of a Costa Brava road trip with my family over…
Gifts for Barcelona lovers that you can order online
Maybe you’ve recently taken a trip to Barcelona. But you forgot to buy a few gifts for friends and family. Or maybe you had such a memorable time…and you’re pining to taste, feel, or see anything that has to do with Barcelona or Spain. Alas! I’ve created this gift guide for you to inspire your…
12 Things to Do at Parc de Ciutadella
The Parc de Ciutadella is the city’s biggest park, and there’s always something to do in this 70-acre lung of Barcelona. While the park often holds cultural events with concerts, workshops, and performances, there’s still so much space to enjoy it. What are some fun things to do on a normal day at Parc…
Fideuà vs. Paella: The Spanish Dish Showdown
Some rivalries in Spain are hard to kill. Real Madrid vs. FC Barcelona. PP versus PSOE versus…Podemos? And in Catalonia, another harsh battle is being fought: the fideuà versus the paella. Anyone familiar with Spanish food knows about paella, a one-pot rice dish stuffed with goodies like mussels, shrimp, chorizo, rabbit, peas, or other ingredients. It belongs…
Montserrat: A Must-See Trip Outside Barcelona
Just 30 minutes outside of Barcelona by car, Montserrat is a tranquil, low-key getaway for locals, tourists, pilgrims, and nature lovers. Known as the heart of the Catalan people, the craggy mountain range not only offers an incredible landscape outside Barcelona, but it’s also a peaceful place for reflection and refuge. In IMHO, it’s the…
Guide to Park Guell, Spain’s Most Colorful Park
Guide to Park Guell, Spain’s Most Colorful Park Call it a giant Candy Land in Barcelona. Park Guell is that place where you feel like a 5-year-old, oohing and ahhing at crazy rock formations and multicolored mosaics. While most parks have your typical grass, trees, and benches, this parks excites and explodes with color. It’s…
Inside the Sagrada Familia: Tips for Your Visit
Inside the Sagrada Familia: Tips for Your Visit Arm yourself with this ultra-practical guide for your Sagrada Familia visit. Allow me to unpack the whats, wheres, and hows: the best time to visit, how to buy tickets, which tower to go up, and other discombobulations eating your brain. As a Barcelona resident, I usually visit…
Find the Best RFID Passport Wallet, Women’s Edition
Find the Best RFID Passport Wallet, Women’s Edition Whether you’re traveling to Barcelona or shopping at your local strip mall, you’ll want to make sure your credit card and other sensitive information remain safe. We can’t be too sure when a digital thief is lurking near you, especially if you’re in a foreign country. With…
Parc del Clot and Its Magnificent Arches
If you want to feel wistful and romantic on your afternoon stroll in Barcelona, there’s a special park for you. It’s Parc del Clot in Sant Martí. Reminiscent of the Roman arches, this park was actually built in the 1980s. It’s a central and lively center for the Clot neighborhood to play sports or to…