The summer season ends and with it, the long-awaited vacation each year by travelers. To extend this period, Barcelona presents itself as an accessible and ideal city during a stay of a few days. Rediscovery of this destination in the north of Spain, much richer in visits than it seems at first glance.
If the Basilica of the Sagrada Família is a must-see visit, Barcelona has many neighborhoods to explore as long as the sun still shows up.
The Indian summer in Barcelona
The stay begins with the discovery of artistic monuments and works of art that dot the city. Notably the houses of Gaudí, an artist embodying Catalan modernism. The Park Güell and its magical architecture, the Casa Batlló and its undulating facade adorned with colorful mosaics, the Casa Milà and its organic shapes, the Casa Vicens with its graphic lines and red and green hues… So many dreamlike places worthy of a Tim Burton movie that can be found nowhere else.
In the residential district of Horta, the Parc del Laberint d’Horta consists of a romantic garden with a nice cypress labyrinth. Once again, we immerse ourselves in a magical, romantic and bucolic world. The gardens of Mossèn Costa i Llobera are also worth visiting.
Nestled near the beach, the El Poblenou district has swapped its former industrial soul to become the arty corner of Barcelona. Art galleries and trendy bars, such as The Hoxton Hotel, dot this destination where street art is king. A beautiful walk before going to rest in the Spanish sand.
For lovers of more authentic places, Sant Andreu, further away from the city center, reveals itself as a small Catalan village in the city. With its centenary monuments, its old industrial buildings, its Orfila square and its neoclassical church, this district is calmer than the rest of the metropolis.
Let’s then take to the height to admire the city. The Carretera de les Aigües is a trail that runs along the mountain of Collserola with an incredible view over all of Barcelona. At the end of the day, we also recommend the Mirador de Sarrià to admire the sunset.
Other unusual addresses come to surprise travelers in search of escape. One thinks in particular of the cemetery of Poblenou with its spectacular funerary sculptures. Little known to tourists, the Biblioteca Arús is distinguished by its woodwork protecting countless books retracing notably contemporary social movements, mainly workers and freemasons. Designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, the Hospital de Sant Pau is an impressive modernist gem. For story lovers, the Refugi 307 is an old bomb shelter with tunnels built to protect citizens during the Spanish war.
Where to sleep and where to eat?
While the Mandarin Oriental, The One Barcelona, the Majestic Hotel & Spa, the El Palace Hotel or even the W Barcelona make the city shine on the global luxury hotel scene, other establishments are to be favored for a stay off the beaten track.
We love the Hotel Casa Sagnier, which occupies a historic building built in 1892 by the architect Enric Sagnier, who at the time hosted his office while serving as family housing. This 51-room boutique hotel reveals a neat and charming decoration dressed in works of art and a chic restaurant with a subdued atmosphere.
The rooftop pools of the Kimpton Vividora Hotel and the Grand Hotel Central are also worth a visit. While swimming, one can admire the panoramic view of the city which then seems infinite.
In the heart of the Gothic district of Barcelona, the hotel Neri opens, through one of its imposing stone facades, on the square Sant Felip Neri, where stands the church that Gaudí attended every day to pray. Born in the 18th century from the fusion of two palaces – one of which retained its stone walls dating back to the Middle Ages -, the hotel is captivated by its decoration that combines the mineral authenticity of its spaces with a refined contemporary style.
40 minutes from Barcelona, Les Cabanes de l’Oller del Mas offer a stay that can’t be more exotic. The accommodations perched in the grass promise an exclusive experience without omitting a certain luxury in its services, such as jacuzzis on the terrace.
Country of gastronomes, Spain also delights diners with its local specialties and sun-drenched products. In the high-end category, Tioning is one of the beautiful references. With 3 stars on the counter, this gastronomic establishment was ranked in the pole position of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2024.
Altamar Restaurant offers an exceptional experience: enjoy gourmet Mediterranean cuisine with seafood at 75 meters above sea level in a former cable car tower.
Finally, Can Pineda, founded in 1904, is a picturesque family restaurant offering seasonal Catalan specialties in a place full of history.
Read also : The best Art deco addresses in Paris
Featured photo : © Kimpton Vividora Hotel
