From the high-end shops on Diagonal Avenue – to the vintage boutiques in Gracia, Barcelona doesn’t disappoint with the range of places to shop. Whether you’re seeking designer retail stores – or places to shop for local goods like leather shoes, you’ll find places plenty of options for yourself or someone else. Read about the…
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How to Avoid Pickpockets in Barcelona
How to Avoid Pickpockets in Barcelona If you’ve heard anything about Barcelona, you might be wondering – is Barcelona dangerous? I’ve lived here for 13 years, and sadly, I’ve seen how Barcelona pickpockets have infested the streets and targeted innocent tourists. In this handly guide, you’ll learn about Barcelona pickpocket hotspots, smart safety tips, and…
How to Care For Your Caga Tió (Tió de Nadal, Catalan Christmas Log)
If you want presents on Christmas Eve, you’ve gotta do some work: Give your tió de nadal some tender lovin’ care. And if you’ve never heard of him… The tió de nadal is a log with a face on it. And he poops presents for Catalan children on Christmas Eve. So if you have a…
What to wear in Barcelona in the winter
What to wear in Barcelona in the winter December, January, and February are those cozy months when you can peruse the Barcelona Christmas fairs, check out the festive street lights, and hit up the exciting Three Kings’ parade. Or just get to know Barcelona’s culture and history for the first time! Dress comfortably when you’re walking…
Faborit Casa Amatller, A Modernist Cafe + Chocolate
Casa Amatller has one more reason to enchant modernist art lovers, who are seeking another experience of modernisme in Barcelona. The lesser-known neighbor to the famous Casa Batlló, Casa Amatller invites visitors to Faborit, the “urban healthy coffee shop”. For the stomach, Faborit serves sandwiches, salads, wraps, smoothies, coffee, and exquisite chocolate. For the eyes, the…
Christmas Market at the Sagrada Familia
Hit up the Christmas market at the Sagrada Familia if you want to enjoy the ambiance of aromatic Christmas trees, Nativity scene figurines, authentic local gifts, and a pleasing view of the Sagrada Familia. I make sure to visit the holiday market to jumpstart the Christmas-y vibe every Nadal (Christmas in Catalan). Read on to see what…
What to Buy in Barcelona: Souvenirs and Gifts
Barcelona has its share of cheeseball souvenir shops filled with Gaudí mosaic bulls. But it also has hushed boutiques, generations-old specialty shops, and one-stop-shop department stores overflowing with unique Barcelona foods and objects of curiosity and beauty that you won’t find outside of Spain, and sometimes Barcelona. Let me share some of the best souvenirs…
Why You Should Visit Barcelona’s Flea Market, Encants Vells (Fira de Bellcaire)
The Fira de Bellcaire, or more popularly known as Els Encants Vells, is the largest flea market in Barcelona and one of the oldest markets in Europe. At the “Old Charms” outdoor market, you can treasure hunt for unique vintage and antique goods as well as find new everyday items such as clothes, housewares, jewelry, tools,…
The Visionary Urban Design of the Eixample District, Barcelona
In 2008, when I first moved to Sant Antoni, a neighborhood in the Eixample district (pronounced ‘eshampla’) of Barcelona, I was overwhelmed by the endless blocks and blocks of buildings. And on each block, everything looked the same – fruit stands, bakeries, supermarkets, banks. Then more fruit stands, more bakeries, more supermarkets, and more banks. Barcelona urban…
Avoid the Crowds in Barcelona
It’s not uncommon for people who hate Barcelona to put this on their “Why I Hate Barcelona” list: THE CROWDS. Sometimes, I’m with them. In fact, I’m sure a lot of people are with them, even a Barcelona tourist-turned-resident like me. While I often feel energized by the creativity and vibrant allure of the Catalan…
