Last updated on October 17, 2024
Barcelona can’t help but be a city we love. It’s where we first got together on on fateful trip that started as a couple of friends back in 2008. Since then, we’ve both lived in the city for stretches of time and it’s home to some of our favourite people. We’ll be returning next year for a couple of months when Steve works with our friend’s post-production studio on the final stages of Continuum, but in the meantime, here are some photos from our most recent trip. They’re a little whistle stop tour of the places we love.
I’ve also written a complete guide to what to do in Barcelona, plus a guide to visiting Barcelona with a baby and the best things to do in Barcelona with kids.
The joy of Barcelona begins with walking, marveling at the architecture beneath a brilliant blue sky. A friend once said to me that his favourite thing about living in Barcelona was that no matter how cold it gets (and it is cold in winter) there’s nearly always a sunny sky – the antithesis of London.
The city bustles with vibrance and play – people roller-blading down the boulevards,
…skating outside the museums,
…playing music in the park,
…decorating the streets,
…and slacklining between the trees. Parc de la Ciutadella is one of our favourite places in the city and the perfect place to wile away some hours people-watching and listening to local musicians.
Our love for the city also has a lot to do with food. No trip is ever complete without a lot of pimientos de padron,
…and here, Steve stands above Caelum, an underground tearoom full of delicious treats.
La Cereria is one of our favourites, home to some of the city’s best pizza and salads.
It’s run by Argentinians so you can even get a mate.
If you’re looking for something quick, a slice from one of the pizzerias on Passeig del Born is always a winner,
…and we are big fans of the Bernie sandwich at Sandwich and Friends.
Cuines Santa Caterina is perfect for a treat,
…and the city is full of excellent ice-cream. This one is on Carrer de la Llibreteria, parallel to Ferran.
Of course, our main draw to the city is the people. Here’s our dear friend Sergio (my first ever couchsurfing host) cooking us his famous paella. Delicious and not for sale, yet.
We’ll be back in Barcelona sometime next year so expect plenty more photos and tips then. This was a very short visit, which we also combined with a trip to Santa Pau to stay at the gorgeous Mas Can Battle and take a trip in a hot air balloon!
Also check out our travel guide to Barcelona and our guide to the best things to do in Barcelona with kids. And here’s a guide by From Lust til Dawn with some of Barcelona’s best restaurants.