Highlights of Barcelona

Renowned for its Gaudi inspired architecture and the ongoing build of the world’s largest cathedral, the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona really is a delight for the eyes. A highlight for me was a visit to Park Guell, this consists of beautiful gardens & pathways leading to mosaic statues & buildings again built by Gaudi. Its location also boasts fantastic views over the entire city. Believe it or not, Barcelona also boasts an Arc de Triomf which is the gateway to a huge leafy park called Ciutadella Park, also home to the famous Barcelona Zoo. On top of all this, there is a museum at every turn plus the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter give a sense of Barcelona’s historic past. This list of attractions just goes on & on and there is something to suit everyone’s taste including the famous Barcelona football stadium Nou Camp.

When you think of Spanish food you automatically think of tapas & paella. As well as these delicious delights being served up in sunny cafés located in one of Barcelona’s many pretty outdoor plazas, I also stumbled upon ‘Pintxos’. These are small indoor bars with canapé like snacks lined up along the counter – a concept which originated in the Basque Country. These snacks consist of delights like salmon & cream cheese, serrano ham & sundried tomato and roasted vegetables on slices of baguette held together by a cocktail stick. It works by grabbing a plate and picking as many pintxos as you like, accompanied by a drink. Once you have finished, take your plate to the counter where the cocktail sticks are counted, and you’re charged accordingly. This proved a great way to try out some of the local produce in smaller portions and a very ‘honest’ way to dine.

After a long few days of walking around the city & soaking in the fantastic sights, what better way to relax by heading to the beach. The soft golden sand beach is walkable from the city centre and offers many bars & restaurants to refresh and relax with a cool drink. It gave off a very chilled vibe with people chilling on their beach blankets whilst others were cooling down from the afternoon heat by taking a dip into the gentle blue Mediterranean Sea.