Curvaceous Gaudí buildings, narrow Roman streets, and infinite views of a gridded city. Barcelona is massive, and it’s overpacked with things to do. That doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on the important sites. It IS possible to experience most essential places to see in Barcelona when you just have 2 days. As…
Category: Things to do
Caga Tió, A Crapping Christmas Icon
He’s a defecating log with an exuberant smile on his face. And he brings holiday joy to Catalan children every Christmas. I don’t really quite remember the exact moment when I heard about the peculiar Catalan tradition of the Tió de Nadal (Christmas log), commonly called the Caga tió (pooping log). I’m sure that it took awhile…
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…
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,…
Passeig de Gràcia: A Guide to the Most Expensive Avenue in Spain
On this avenue thronging with stylish businessmen and meandering tourists, Passeig de Gràcia exudes a feeling of grandeur and opulence. This influential street boasts a Modernist architectural heritage with the names of Gaudí, Domanech i Montaner, and Puig i Cadalfalch –and it’s a fashion mecca in Spain. Here’s a guide on how you can enjoy…
Greenery, Gravel, and Metal: Poblenou’s Modern Park
So what do you think of the phallic-looking Torre Agbar design? “Interesting and strange,” you say. Well if you like the tower’s quirky, modern design – by French architect Jean Nouvel – you might like his other work, the Parc del Centre de Poblenou. Like Barcelona in all its “design-y” glory, this park doesn’t fail to…
Guide to Mount Tibidabo, Barcelona
Once upon a time, in a faraway land in Barcelona…there was a majestic palace that stood on a mountain. On top of the palace was a man. He stood tall – with his arms wide open. Nearby, you could hear squealing children romping about on merry-go-rounds. And see adults gazing off in the distance, looking…
Wandering the Whitewashed Streets of Sitges
Just 35 kilometers from Barcelona, Sitges is that ideal not-too-far-away escape from the city. Because of its microclimate, there are 300 sunny days of the year. And I can say that I’ve never witnessed a bad day at Sitges. Perhaps because the town is painted white and sucks up all that gorgeous light. (Yes, it does…
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…
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…