Barcelona

Tapas, Gaudi & Beach

Barcelona is perfect for a weekend away: just two hours on a flight. On arrival, we enjoy tapas at cute restaurant Estraperlo, Barceloneta. Delicious padron peppers, patatas negras, grilled prawns, chilled wine and a promenade along Passage de Joan de Borbó.

At Samsara for Saturday brunch near the seafront. It’s so nice to be in a city yet by a beach! Meandering the cobbled streets into El Born, the floor pink with blossom petals. El Born CCM is a restored market hall with museum.

Wander through the narrow medieval streets of trendy Born to browse boutiques: Homeware at Carolina Blue, fashion knitwear at Sita Murt, croissants and incredible cakes (like works of art) at bakery La Pasteleria Hofmann, art, crystals, books, and tarots at Flipa, and fun jewellery at It's Miel. Grab a coffee at Cafés El Magnífico or browse the tea shop Sans & Sans opposite on Calle Argenteria.

Stroll to Parque del la Ciutadella to sit under fragrant orange blossom trees—a green oasis with a fountain and an idyllic place to relax between sightseeing. Bandstand music plays, people dance, bubbles drift and children play. It’s magical and I even see a unicorn… balloon. We wander from leafy trees to urban graffiti stickers, to the poster store Moryarty and an assuming rooftop bar Monopol in the Poblenou district. Evening cocktails at Penny Banger, Barrio Gòtico then Mexican restaurant La Pachuca for nachos, tacos and margaritas, worth the wait!

Up on the roof for SUCO sessions Sunday yoga. House music beats as a helicopter rattles and seagulls swoop above the sandy beach. Looking out at the imposing W hotel sail-shaped mirrored building. A cable car silently glides past. White triangles sail on the horizon. Sea breeze tickles hair. I pack Curlsmith Travel Trio and Effortless Waves for curls on the go. Healthy lunch is at Honest Greens overlooking the beach. Sunday dominguear is for relaxing, but we can’t resist an artsy fix of contemporary and colourful street art at MOCO Museum.

‘Tomorrow we will do beautiful things,’ said Antonio Gaudi. So, after a cuppa at terracotta cafe La Cala, we head to Parc Güell in the Gràcia district (book tickets in advance). Fairytale turrets peek above palm trees, colourful mosaics and columns in beautifully planted gardens. A mosaic lizard sculpture of El Drac dragon is popular with visitors. Rest on a tiled bench or shaded terrace and enjoy the view of Gaudi’s ‘gingerbread’ house. Hungry now? We head to EatMyTrip for lunch, where a mural depicts the café’s cute resident dogs.

Casa Vicens house is Gaudi’s debut work. Modernism with an oriental influence, outstanding use of colour and decorative motifs. Arabian influences, lemon panels, floral tiles, terracotta brick create a pleasing palette. Nature is a recurring theme. Hexagonal hallways, palm tree painted ceilings and textured tiles. It’s so beautiful and relaxing. 'To do things right, first you need love, then technique,' Antoni Gaudi.

We devour gourmet ice creams at Aurelien. RS Barcelona design concept store has great books and homeware. Enjoy pintxos at La Pepita in La Vila de Gràcia.

At a Calçot party we eat Catalonian speciality; spring onions chargrilled on a barbecue, wrapped in newspaper and dipped in Romesco sauce. The aromatic sun-ripened Spanish tomatoes smell divine. I pack La Siziane Parfumée travel box, Les Jardins Francais - I love the tomato and redcurrant sunny scent. Ramble home via the Lichtenstein surrealist, abstract sculpture El Cap de Barcelona in the old town Ciutat Vella. 

Saunter beside the beach as sailboats slide by on the shimmering sea, to Port Olimpic harbour. Hotel Arts Barcelona overlooks Frank Gehry’s Fish sculpture, copper glinting in the sunshine. The huge gothic cathedral, Basílica de la Sagrada Família, is ethereal and spectacular. Started in 1882, still unfinished, and due for completion in 2026 (but we all know what builders are like!). The avant-garde architecture, with Gaudi’s signature nature references, towers above. Looking up at the ceiling is like a kaleidoscope.

Lunch at Lato Café, pass historic shops in the L'Eixample area and stylish, boutique hotel Casa Bonay to check out the roof terrace of the beautifully lavish and ornate El Palace. Luxury hotel Claris Hotel & Spa also offers city views from its rooftop pool and a unique art collection. Visit the curved sculpted stonework adorned by an iridescent mosaic of Casa Batlló with its whimsical dragon-like roof. Take an audio tour at La Pedrera-Casa Milà or visit high-end designer stores on the prestigious Passeig de Gracia.

Elegant and modern hotel Pulitzer and Regina Hotel is close to the nearby fountains and sculptures of Plaza Catalunya and the famous pedestrianised area of Las Ramblas, Picasso Museum, Cathedral de la Seu, and the Juan Miro Foundation.

Take a 10-day cruise with Oceania Cruises from Southampton via France, Porto and Spain, ending up at Barcelona. A city of modernism, music, fashion, design, and Catalan gastronomy. I love this walkable, vibrant and cosmopolitan city, alive with energy, enthralling architecture and fabulous weather.

To book contact Abbotts Travel 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA on 020 8989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com

In the Press: see pages 28-29 of September issue of Absolutely West Essex and Essex magazines.