TANYA RUBAN'S GUIDE TO BARCELONA

Barcelona can feel overwhelming and loud, but if you only got a few days here’s where you should spend it . No queues, no tourist raps, no rushing from one Gaudi building to another. Just good food, beautiful corners and the kind of places locals actually go.

COFFEE:

LOT Roasters

A beautiful mix of specialty-coffee and artisanal bean-to-bar chocolate. Warm, minimalist, and very local - perfect if you want to escape the tourist cafés and enjoy a coffee with little chocolate treat right on site.

Address: Carrer de Bailèn 43, Eixample, Barcelona.

Nomad Coffee Bar

One of Barcelona’s top specialty-coffee spots. Minimal design and the best espresso and flat white in town - Period!

Address: Passatge Sert 12, El Born, Barcelona.

VINTAGE HUNT:

Mercat dels Encants

Barcelona’s most iconic flea market - loud, chaotic, colorful, and full of life. It’s the perfect spot for treasure hunting: you’ll find everything from €1 curiosities to vintage furniture, antiques, décor pieces, and totally unexpected gems. Just keep an eye on your bag, it is a real Barcelona market after all.

Address: Avinguda Meridiana 69, Glòries, Barcelona.

Mercantic

It’s like a little vintage village just 20 minutes from Barcelona -  perfect for a slow weekend. You wander around with a coffee, there are food stalls everywhere, and every corner has something cool: antiques, retro furniture, old records, cocktails, tiny boutiques, and tons of Vintage Levi’s.

Address: Av. de Rius i Taulet 120, Sant Cugat del Vallès.

LUNCH:

Frizzant

Frizzant is my favorite spot in the city chilled - you can start your morning with yoga there and then hang out in a lounge vibe with healthy seasonal dishes.

Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 692, 08010 Barcelona.

La Balabusta

If some how you end up strolling around Passeig de Grazia, I don’t suggest you to avoid any cafes on Rambla and go to cozies La Balabusta, get yourself organic Orange vine with Challah and best humus in town.
Or got to Bronzo Bar e Cucina for delicious Vitello tonnato , anchovies and copa de prosecco.

Address: Carrer del Rosselló, 180, 08008 Barcelona

DINNER:

Botafumeiro

It’s old school chic , white table cloth , perfect service and that very “Barcelona elegance” filling without beeing too snobby. If you feel little extra - that’s definitely a place to see and it’s right in a middle of Gracia so you can have a super nice night walk right after.

Address: Carrer Gran de Gràcia, 81, 08012 Barcelona

Berbena

Early June feels like discovering something before it blows up. They bring in guest chefs from all over, so the menu’s always changing - but it’s always interesting. It’scozy, low-key, and full of people who really love food. Walk-ins only so come early. Hidden gem, with seasonal dishes and freshly baked bread that you must try. Amazing wine list and tons of plates to share with friends.

Address: Carrer de Minerva 6, Gràcia, 08006 Barcelona.

Pizza Sartoria Panatieri

10 min walk from Sagrada Familia and you at the best pizza in town. Real deal wood fired pies from local oranic farmers.

Address: Carrer de Provença 330, 08037 Barcelona

WALKS:

The best walk you can take in Barcelona starts at Ciutadella Park. Stroll through the park, enjoy its
monuments, fountains, and open spaces - and if you’re traveling with kids, there’s even a zoo inside.

From the park, head toward the El Born district. Make a stop at the El Born Centre de Cultura i
Memòria, where you can see the remains of old Barcelona and the layout of ancient streets that were
once buried underground.

Continue deeper into the neighborhood toward Passeig del Born. On your right, you’ll find Hofmann
Patisserie - definitely try one of their desserts or their famous croissants. Keep walking along Passeig
del Born and you’ll soon reach the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar. It’s absolutely beautiful,
and worth stepping inside if you have the time.

Near Santa Maria del Mar, you can stop for a vermouth or a glass of wine at La Vinya del Senyor - a
wonderful, old bar with an incredible wine selection for every taste.

After that, walk along Carrer de la Regenteria, which will bring you out to Via Laietana, the wide avenue
separating El Born from the Gothic Quarter. Near the Jaume I metro station, you’ll find one of the oldest
candy shops in the city: Dulcería de la Colmena. You must try their coconut meringue - it’s fantastic.

As you step outside, you’ll see the back side of Barcelona’s main cathedral. Walk around it and enjoy
the incredible architecture. Just be cautious - pickpockets are often active in front of the cathedral.

From here, you can also walk toward Carrer dels Sagristans, where you’ll find the famous mural “The
World Begins With Every Kiss” - a large mosaic depicting a kiss, and a beautiful little hidden gem of
Barcelona.

After that, continue down toward the sea and enjoy a peaceful walk along the waterfront all the way to
the port to see them Super Yachts. It’s a perfect mini-walk, about 1,5 - 2 hours - super good.

SHORT TRIP:

If you have a little more time on your hands you must take a one of the short trips to Monserrat
monastery or Costa Brava.
The most beautiful beaches in Mediterranean Sea just an hour and a half away from busy Barcelona
where you can loose yourself in sky blue water and pine trees , but this need another guide.
To stay at cozy little Cap Sa Sal Hotel with stunning sea view.

Montserrat is a one-of-a-kind place located about 30–40 minutes northwest of Barcelona.
It is a famous Benedictine monastery set high in the dramatic Montserrat mountain range.
Around it, you’ll find breathtaking hiking trails with panoramic views over Catalonia.
It’s a perfect escape from the city, combining nature, culture, and history.