A TOUR WITH OUR LOCAL INSIDERS:
We’re Patricia and Pablo. We love to travel and explore this beautiful world we live in – always with camera in hand. We first met in 2018 and since then we’ve visited several countries together, but we’re so in love with Barcelona (where we live) that we’re always very happy to be home again.
We’re both photographers/videographers, specialising in travel, events and weddings. Patricia also works part-time as a nurse. On our days off, we love exploring our city, trying new food, meeting people from around the world and playing sports. If you want to find out more about us, you can follow our travel adventures on Instagram @takemeallaround .
MONESTIR DE PEDRALBES
This convent is situated in the Pedralbes district and is easy to get to by bus. It’s the perfect destination for anyone with a love of Gothic architecture and history. Founded in 1327 by Queen Elisenda, it was home to a community of Poor Clare nuns for 700 years. The surroundings are as beautiful as the convent itself, and looking around it’s easy to feel that you’ve travelled back in time.
CALA DE PORT GINESTA
Port Ginesta is a marina in Les Botigues de Sitges. It’s just 20 km from Barcelona and has good public transport links. From the marina, it’s a pleasant five-minute stroll to the beach at Cala Port Ginesta, where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset in stunning surroundings. We like swimming in the bay here while the sun sinks between the cliffs.
HOSPITAL DE SANT PAU
This is the world’s biggest Art Nouveau complex and is situated just metres from the famous Sagrada Familia. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 1997 and it used to be the most important hospital in Barcelona. The old premises were turned into a museum in 2016. Here you can discover the story of the buildings and the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner and immerse yourself in history.
CARRER DE BLAI
The locals come here to enjoy the best pintxos. Pintxos – a type of tapas – are typical of northern Spain, particularly the Basque country, but in this Barcelona street there's a huge selection of reasonably priced pintxos and an authentic Basque feel. For just EUR 1 to EUR 1.50, you can find everything your heart desires, whether you’re a meat eater, vegetarian or a seafood fan. If you love your food, it’s definitely worth a visit!
WALDEN 7
Designed by Ricardo Bofill, this robotic-looking building in Sant Just Desvern is a must-see for architecture fans. The building was inspired by the utopian novel Walden Two and was built in 1975. Its form and the arrangement of the apartments were intended to create a sense of community between neighbours. Although these are private homes and you may not be able to see inside, you can visit the area and admire the building from the outside. It’s something a little different for your visit to Barcelona. While you’re there, you can also visit the viewing platform at the top of the 102 metre-high chimney next door for stunning views of Sant Just Desvern.
CARRETERA DE LES AIGUES
Locals come to the Serra de Collserola natural park – the green lungs of Barcelona – to keep fit, enjoy nature and admire the phenomenal panorama of the city from its highest point. People come here to stroll, jog, hike, cycle, walk the dog or simply take in the view. The 7.5 km long Carretera de les Aigües path begins at the viewing point Mirador dels Xiprers and ends at the Pujada a Collserola. It’s best to avoid midday as it can get very hot up there. Early mornings and late afternoons are the ideal times for the Carretera de les Aigües.
An overview of all the hotspots
Hotspots
The soundtrack to your city break
The soundtrack to your city break