Photo above: Jen SFO-BCN, Feature photo: Perrimoon
La Rambla, Barcelona’s once-glorious pedestrian avenue, sucks in most visitors to the city, but there are plenty of good reasons to steer clear. Here are some suggestions for avoiding the tourist crowds, and the petty crime they attract, in the Catalan capital.
Eats: La Cova Fumada
This nook is easy to miss. But don’t let the cigarette smoke and cooking fat fumes that waft from behind its backstreet brown doors intimidate you. La Cova Fumada is the best seafood tapas bar in Barcelona, where local dock workers and fishermen come to grab a quick snack and hurl good-natured insults at one another.
At lunchtime, the harassed waiter turns a deaf ear to any drink orders that don’t involve red wine and the female kitchen staff (who look as if they’ve been wrestling in olive oil) wipe sweat from their brows with the tea towels.
Photo: loremipsum
From their tiny workspace, they turn out plate after plate of crispy grilled sardines, succulent octopus, bacalao in tomato sauce, and the house specialty of patatas bombas — fried potato balls smothered in a fiery garlic and chili sauce.
There are no frills, no menus, no reservations, no credit cards, and no English-speaking staff. Consequently, prices are about half those charged on La Rambla.
Address: C/ Baluard 56 (no sign)
Tel: +34 932 214 061
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-3:30pm, Thursday and Friday 6pm-8.30pm, Saturday 9am-1.30pm. Closed Sundays and throughout August.
Green space: Parc de Guinardó
Guess what — Gaudí’s Parc Güell isn’t the finest green space in the city. Okay, so it’s easy on the eye and studded with delightful architectural eccentricities, but unless you’re the first to sprint through the gates at 10am, all your photos will be full of strangers’ elbows.
Instead, take the number 28 bus from Plaza Catalunya and stay on until the last stop — even if helpful pensioners frantically try to shoo you off at Parc Güell. From the bus stop, follow the road to the end and you’ll be in Parc de Guinardó, a sprawling municipal space that hardly anyone uses.
Ascend woodland paths to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of the city all to yourself.
Arriving: Bus 28 stops near the highest part of the park on Carrer de la Gran Vista – Plaça de la Mitja Lluna. The main entrance is at Carrer de Garriga i Roca 62
Tel: +34 934 500 749
Exercise: Montjuïc Municipal Olympic Swimming Pool
Swimming pools don’t get better than this.
Photo: liako
Built to showcase the city during the diving events of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and used by Kylie in her video for “Slow,” you can enjoy a prefect view of the city while doing your laps.
The pool may not have much in the way of amenities, but with a setting this good, it’s hard to care.
Address: Av Miramar 31
Tel: +34 934 430 046
Arriving: Take the Metro to Parallel, then hop on the funicular. At the top, the pool is across the road next to the restaurant El Xalet.
Hours: Open daily between July and mid-September, 11am-6.30pm
Sweets: Caelum
Tucked away in the Barri Gòtic, Caelum is the place to go for a sugar fix when you’re weary of walking. They sell products made by nuns and monks from around the country and the two-floor teashop has a superb collection of cakes.
For any marzipan lovers wondering what heaven looks like, this is it.
Address: C/ de la Palla 8
Tel: +34 933 026 993
Beaches: Get out of town
Only tourists go to the beach in Barcelona.
Sant Pol de Mar / Photo: Antoni
If you spot a Catalan, it’s most likely they just haven’t made it home to bed yet.
Those in the know head farther up the coast. If you’re on a budget, a simple city metro ticket will take you to Montgat, a wide, sandy beach with safe swimming.
Farther north, Sant Pol de Mar is a lovely Catalan fishing village with clear blue water and a shingle beach that’s just an hour’s train ride from the city.
Websites: www.montgat.net, www.santpol.org
Architecture: Casa Calvet
Photo: ale3andro
Want to check out the interior of a Gaudí building but avoid the queues for tours of La Pedrera? Why not grab dinner in one instead?
Restaurant Casa Calvet opened its doors in 1994, having converted the offices and boardrooms of a building Gaudí designed for a local textile manufacturer into semi-private dining rooms. It isn’t cheap, but then it’s not every day you get to dine inside a work of art.
Main courses can be a bit hit and miss, but the mango tart with pepper ice-cream and yogurt sauce is a sure thing.
Address: Calle Casp 48
Tel: +34 934 124 012
Website: www.casacalvet.es
Kitchen hours: Monday to Saturday 1pm-3:30pm and 8:30pm-11pm. Closed Sundays.
Culture: Palau de la Música
There’s no denying that this world-famous concert hall and bastion of Modernist architecture is a tourist attraction, and deservedly so. To separate yourself from the hordes and see it in all its glory, attend a concert. The building is even more gorgeous inside than out.
Address: C/ de Sant Francesc de Paula 2, Urquinaona
Tel: +34 902 442 882
Website: www.palaumusica.org
Nightlife: Razzmatazz
Photo: itz.
You need stamina for clubbing in this town. If you want to party like a local, take a disco nap in the evening, begin a leisurely dinner around 10pm, and don’t even think about going to a club before 2:00 in the morning.
When you do, head for Razzmatazz.
Housed in an old factory, ‘the Razz’ is massive. Its five different dance floors play everything from indie and rock to electronica and pop.
There are frequent live music offerings as well.
Address: C/Almogàvers 122 – C/Pamplona 88
Tel: +34 933 208 200
Arriving: Take the Metro to Bogatell or Marina.
Website: www.salarazzmatazz.com
Community Connection
For more smart travel tips on the Catalan capital, be sure to check out Matador’s Green Guide to Barcelona and the Top 5 Ferias in Spain.
Destinations
The Matador community blogs are filled with travelers’ takes on Barcelona. Sample different perspectives with:
Tracing Gaudí around Barcelona
The Washing Machine: Barcelona, Spain
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5 Comments... join the discussion!
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Ditto, been there twice but this would have been handy!
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I visited Barcelona for a street photography class two years ago, (Yes, I got college credit for wandering around a beautiful city taking pictures) and even though in my time there I did all the standard La Ramblas, Parc Güell, more Gaudi sites, and more, I have to admit I was more than happy for our seasoned traveler professor’s guidance. There are so many beautiful sites in this town, and so much delicious food.
Make sure to wake up early and watch the town come alive. And don’t forget your café con leche.
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as an irish expat living in Barcelona i found this article hilarious, useful and interesting! thanks!
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You nailed it. Barcelona is so much more than la Rambla and cheap youth hostels
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