3.11.2011

Gypsy*Guide - Fall in Love with Barcelona

SURPRISE!!!! Some of you've guessed right! We are in Barcelonaaaaaa! I've only visited twice before and on both occasions I had very little time, so I'm thrilled that we'll have 3 entire days to explore the city with AC now. (This was my Christmas present for him! :) One of my best bloggie friends Farah, who currently resides in this amazing city was kind enough to prepare a little Barcelona guide for us, I hope you'll enjoy reading through her recommendations as much as I did. I'm so excited to check out all her favorite places and finally meet her in person! Thanks girl! See ya! 

By the way if you have any other suggestions on what not to miss, by all means do let me know. Happy Weekend lovelies! Thanks for this amazing week!

City Guide by Farah from Degaine


Barcelona is one of the best cities on earth and to truly understand why you must completely indulge yourself into the city and do it up like the locals. Barcelona has everything you need to enjoy yourself. From a sunny boardwalk along the sea filled with cozy cafes, bistros and seafood restaurants' to neighborhoods (Barrio's) filled with little side streets jammed with even more bistros and restaurants'. Here is a basic guide to see some of the most amazing sights and places Barcelona has to offer.

What To See:
Bouqueria - This is a famous and vibrant market filled with everything from fresh local and exotic fruit, to fresh juices, spices, sweets, baked goods and even seafood's, meats and cheeses. For the most succulent and delicious Patatas Bravas you will ever eat in your life, there is only one stop, and that's the original and long standing El Quim De La Bouqueria, a tapas bar located right inside the market, be sure to check it out.

Parc Guell - Parc Guell is one of the most magical places I have ever visited. Gaudi really created a playground here filled with twists and turns, each pathway leading to somewhere even more wonderful than the last. This is a definite must go no matter how long your visit.

Placa Reial - This is one of my favorite placa's in Barcelona. Bordered by quality and affordable restaurants' offering delicious food and filled with guitarists and palm trees, it's the perfect place for an afternoon bite.

El Born - This district is one of my favorites in Barcelona. With only a few tourists, you can enjoy all the local boutiques, cafe's and shops spotted about the neighborhood.

Where To Eat:

Barcelona restaurants' are affordable and offer good quality food. Here are some of my favourite restaurants', to name a few.

For Paella, La Barca Del Salamanca located in Port Olimpic is the best in town for fresh seafood and a great sunny atmosphere. (Moll de Gregal, 13-17. Port Olympic)

For fresh seafood at a decent price, La Paradeta is the place to go. Offering you a vast range
of seafood for you to choose from, each order is made to perfection.

Tapas are a big deal in Spain and so far, the best Tapa's I've had were at Cal Pep. You may
have to wait in a long line up to get your food but it's most definitely worth the wait. 

Where to Shop:
Barcelona is perfect for affordable shopping. Zara, Berskha, Stradivarius and other similar
stores are cheaper in Spain because products are made in Spain. Be sure to frolic along Portal Del Angel located right off of Placa Catalunya or take a stroll down Passeig de Gracia to check out all the shops. If you want more local boutiques, then the neighborhood of El Born is full of them.

What To Do:

Barceloneta - Barceloneta Beach is the perfect place to start your day with a cappuccino at
cafe Santa Marta or watch the sunset while resting on the sands. On weekends Barceloneta is full of people enjoying the sun, biking, rollerblading and frolicking about.

Flamenco Show - This is definitely something see and Tarantos has some of the best shows
I've seen so far, with three shows on every day of the week, it conveniently meets any schedule.

Nightlife: 
Port Olimpic is home to some of the best nightclubs in town from Opium to CDLC
to Catwalk, they offer music to satisfy every taste. If you are looking for more low key bars for the night, you can check out c/ Merce in Barrio Gotico, a neighborhood filled with uniquely designed and cozy bars such as Bollocks or Polaroid.

Gelato - Amorino offers the best gelato I have ever had in my life, be sure to stop by and enjoytheir flower shaped goodness on La Rambla after a busy day of exploring the city.

All images are courtesy of FashionDegaine 

P.S: You still have time to join the FOLEY+CORINNA giveaway if you haven't already! ;)
 
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65 comments:

  1. your friend is so cute! love her style...adore that skirt!!! now i am craving a churro =) thanks for sharing! ~xo

    the stylish housewife

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  2. aww i love farah's blog and sooo happy for you that you guys are in barcelona! how fun!!! can't wait to see pictures!

    xox Vicky
    Bikinis & Passports

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  3. Thanks for the city guide - would love to visit all the boutiques in El Born and to shop at the original country of Zara!


    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  4. Love Barcelona - I'm off to Rome soon, hurrah!! HAve a great weekend xxx

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  5. How exciting! Barca is my first home before Madrid and I miss it so much. Disfruta de tu viaje!
    Kisses from Madrid,
    Lizette

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  6. Have a great time, sweetie. Balazs and I love Barcelona:) Happy Friday

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  7. you are beautiful.. Love this post the chocolate conc crema and churros oh my.. yummm

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  8. I did a guide last week on Barcelona but this one is much better. I forwarded this to my friend who is visiting there now! thanks!

    http://lachapstickfanatique.blogspot.com

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  9. I really want to go to Barcelona! I've never been and I hear it is amazing. I'll have to save this for when I finally get to go:-)

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  10. Hehehe!!! What can I say??? I just loooove my city!!!! ;)
    Have fun!!
    xoxo

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  11. Have a wonderful trip. I'm a euro virgin but Barcelona is one place I definately want to head in the next few years.

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  12. Ugh your photos are making me so jealous. I used to live in Barcelona and they're making me miss it so much. It is a spectacular city. I used to live right around the corner from Port Olimpic.

    www.fashionablecollections.blogspot.com

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  13. How exciting! I loved Barcelona when I visited many ago...this post was such a lovely reminder and now I want to go back :). Have a great trip!

    AnnMarie
    stellawishes.com

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  14. Barcelona is one of my favorite cities in the world too! What a fabulous guide, you can't go wrong with that! Have fun!!

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  15. she is so cute! i've always wanted to go to Barcelona... so dreamy!

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  16. This pictures are so preatty I want to go and see Barcelona never been there



    http://orchid-orchidea.blogspot.com/

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  17. I went to Spain for my honeymoon and absolutely loved it! We didn't get to spend enough time in Barcelona and now we can't wait to go back! HAVE FUN!

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  18. Enjoy yourself!! I haven't been yet but I'm dying to go!! Especially with this awesome guide with the hotspots:)
    xx
    Emy


    http://sweetpromises.tumblr.com/

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  19. This is so amazing! I hope to go here someday!

    xoxo,

    colormenana.blogspot.com

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  20. lovely outfit on the first photo ;)

    http://www.theupperfashion.com
    http://www.theupperfashion.com

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  21. How jealous am I. Oh Barcelona como te quiero. I love all this.


    Write it in Lipstick

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  22. Such a stylish traveler. Hope you have an amazing time. I have been to a lot of places but not to Barcelona so no tips to give but enjoy. Great photos.

    Thanks for visiting my blog by the way and the nice comments.
    Daphne from Fashion Confessions of a Mommy.
    https://fashiondivamommy.blogspot.com

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  23. awesome, awesome, awesome photos. I love your outfit, especially the cheetah print skirt. Barcelona sounds amazing! Definitely one of the cities I would LOVE to travel to!

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  24. great!
    I love barcelona!!!

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  25. Gorgeous pictures! Have fun in Barcelona! Lucky you. :)

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  26. Oh I love Barcelona <3. Gorgeous photos and great city guide!! Love your blog :)

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  27. P.S.
    If you get a chance...
    Hands down the best Chocolate y Churros I´ve ever had was at Dulcinea Cafe Petritxol, 2 Barcelona 08002 in the Barrio Gotic. Its on a tiny little street right off of the Rambla next to the church Sta. Maria del Pino. I guarantee its worth a trip. Let me know if you get to try it.
    Kisses,
    Lizette

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  28. I lovee this post! the first picture is gorgeous. your skirt is amazing:) xxxx

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  29. Wow! This guide is amazing! I'm sure you'll have loads of fun there! In fact, it makes me want to go to Barcelona today! Not that it would be possible...
    The pictures are beautiful as well, I definitely need to check out her blog!

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  30. Looks amazing! I love your bicycle tee and blue scarf.

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  31. That was so nice of your blogger friend to do. It's my dream to go to Barcelona some day, it seems like such an amazing city.

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  32. HEllo!!
    Barcelona is great! I agree with you, one of the best cities on earth!! You should also visit Madrid!
    I miss a lot churros! I love them!!

    Kisses!
    Rocio.
    (Spanish but living in Prague)

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  33. J aime les photos!!! Biz
    Angela Donava
    http://www.lookbooks.fr

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  34. oh i wish i had a city guide like this when boyfriend and i went to barcelona in 2009. So funny that I posted those photos on my blog today!

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  35. I love this post :) Very comprehensive haha

    Also, I'm hosting a giveaway if you're interested! :)

    Yasmeen
    Castle Fashion

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  36. Beautiful pictures! I really enjoyed reading this post. It makes me want to go to Barcelona. Thanks so much for the warm welcome to EBEW :)

    xo

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  37. love your blog! thank you for the sweet comment over at Hush n Wonder! I'll definitely be reading! Also, I'm completely geeking to visit Barcelona now!

    x,
    brittney from www.hushnwonder.com

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  38. I'm sold! The food alone sounds fab! Hope you guys are having a great time... I may have to make Barcelona one of my stops this summer...

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  39. beautiful photos! i am your new follower!

    i reaaaly want some churros and chocolate con crema now! OH MY GOD.

    follow me, too? ;D

    love, polly

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  40. Ooh, jealous! Barcelona is one of the places I most want to visit!

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  41. What a great blog! So glad I found you :)

    Come follow me, if you like :)

    http://miriscastle.blogspot.com/

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  42. Gah! This post just gave me the BIGGEST case of wanderlust. I so want to travel right now!! :)

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  43. Whoa..amazing! You look so pretty in your blue scarf! Have a great time!

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  44. Love your blog, and I will deff keep this post in mind, I love Barca
    x funkydoris.blogspot.com

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  45. I do really love your blog.
    Will you follow me and I will follow you too? <3

    www.lestylejamais.blogspot.com

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  46. Lovely! Loved ready this, it really reminded me of my latest trip to Barcelona :)


    Fashezine

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  47. I have been to the bouqueria and I love it. It is such a pleasure to see the colours, the varieties and soak in the atmosphere!

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  48. I have been trying to figure out where to travel for this summer and now my mind is made up! Thanks for sharing! :) Love your blog

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  49. Nice pictures!!!

    http://jozefinafashion.blogspot.com/

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  50. Nice pictures!!!

    http://jozefinafashion.blogspot.com/

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  51. Nice pictures!!!

    http://jozefinafashion.blogspot.com/

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  52. Great travel guide for Barca! Hope you are having a great time and a first real taste of spring!
    Looking foward to see the pictures, viele Gruesse, Kristina

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  53. oooh! that's so cool! hope you had an amazing time! my brother in law live in BCN with his nboyfriend and i really want to visit them asap. :) Thanks for sharing this guide!

    kisses.
    johi

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  54. Lovely <3

    myfashionsketchbook.com

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  55. I love your skirt in the 1st photo.
    xxxx

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  56. How exciting!!!! Barcelona is definitely on my top to visit!!!!!!
    We love your blog! Be sure to stop by the Bunnie Bee Jewelry Blog.
    Have a fabulous vaca!!!!

    Bunnie Bee Jewelry
    Bunnie Bee Blog

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  57. this is amazing! what a great idea, to get the local scoop before you go.
    hope you're having a spectacular time!

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  58. Omg Barcelona is so beautiful! I just stumbled on your blog and I absolutely love it! You and your friend look amazing and like you are having a fabulous time!! Check us out on our blog www.4acesdate.blogspot.com!

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  59. Haha, it's funny, I generally do completely different things when I'm there! I agree with Lizette somewhere above about the best place for churros though.

    I also recommend hanging out in Raval, which is a bit grungier but also a bit less touristy than Barri Gothic. There's a cocktail bar there called Marmalade that is always good fun, and a great late night salad and sandwich place called Bar Fidel. And chilling with the skateboarders outside the back of Macba, having a coffee on an outdoor sofa is always a highlight! : )

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