Anita Gelato

Barcelona - the capital of Catalonia - is a vibrant and dynamic city, full of exciting things to do. From its stunning architecture to its delicious food and lively culture, there's never a dull moment in this city. Visitors can explore iconic landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia and Palau Nacional, or stroll along the famous La Rambla promenade, taking in the sights and sounds of street performers and vendors. Barcelona is also renowned for its art scene, with world-class museums and galleries showcasing the works of famous artists like Picasso and Miro. Catalans have their own traditional dishes. Chief among them is pork sausage both cooked (butifarra) and cured (fuet), as well as the ubiquitous pa amb tomàquet (pan con tomate in Spanish), grilled bread rubbed with tomato and garlic, drizzled with olive oil, and sprinkled with sea salt. For something more local, try fideuà, essentially the Catalan version of paella, made with short noodles instead of rice. Make sure to sweeten up your trip with: - xuxo: traditional Catalan pastry with sweet cream filling and sugar coating; - mel i mato: dessert made from fresh goat cheese drizzled with honey; - tarta de Santiago: a Galician almond cake made with ground almonds; - panellets: small, round pastries made from ground almonds and flavored with coffee or lemon For drinks, have a vermut (vermouth) instead of sangria; it's served over ice and garnished with a slice of orange and/or olives. Also, you can try Cava, which got its name back in 1970 with the idea of distinguishing it from French champagne, the word meaning ‘Cave’ or ‘cellar’. Cava is rapidly gaining prominence in the world and rivaling champagne, 95% of all Catalan cava is made in Penedès in the vineyards surrounding the village of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, close to Barcelona. 🏵️ The famous Antoni Gaudí - Spanish architect and designer from Catalonia, known as the greatest exponent of Catalan Modernism - worked almost entirely in or near Barcelona, therefore the city boasts with his works: Casa Batlló, Casa Milá La Pedrera (you can grasp a sight of the interior while having a coffee at Cafe de la Pedrera DON'T MISS: the gift shop is amazing), Casa Vicens, Park Güell, Sagrada Família church, etc. ⚽️ For football enthusiats: you have to take a look around Camp Nou. 💡A trip to Abbey of Montserrat would also make a great idea. ⛱️Perhaps a day trip to Costa Brava (90 min by bus)?! 😎 🛍️When it comes to shopping, make sure you visit Girona Street. Here, outlet stores welcome visitors with open arms, offering tempting deals and unique finds.

Living in Barcelona, I am often asked for recommendations of what to see, eat, and drink in the city. This guide is an intro to what I consider the “Greatest Hits of Barcelona” - it is a collection intended for first time visitors or returning travelers looking to dine like locals. In this guide you will find: 📍Sites (both the popular and off the beaten path) 🍴Restaurants 🍦Desserts 🍸Drinks Each with a description and some special tips from me!

Welcome to my completely unorganized but oh-so-helpful map of Spain! An absolute smorgasbord of my own travels and research, suggestions from friends and strangers, and many treasures found along the way, this is where I compile all things Spain for my future trips and yours. Things I particularly love that you’ll find a lot of: ☕️ Coffee shops & bakeries 🌮 Local cuisine 🏛️ Museums of all kinds 🌳 Gardens & parks 🛏️ Boutique hotels 🍕 Small regional chains with good reputations All my guides in this category are $5 per 100 places included, but since I add to these constantly, you can lock down the lowest price today and gain a lifetime access!