The stately Arc de Triomf graces the park in Barcelona
Bustling Barcelona
Stopping in Barcelona at the beginning of our first cruise through the Mediterranean, I dragged our family of four from the bus station and under the Arc de Triomf on our determined walk to the port. Hailing a taxi an hour later, we later laughed at our quick and tiring sightseeing trip of Barcelona. Now, Rick and I returned to live and explore this seaside Catalon city. And we discovered so many secret treasures.
HandMade – The sign in the window caught my eye. This store has an airbnb experience where you create your own espadrilles with Luis. The session is complete with all of the parts of a shoe and you walk out of the store wearing your own lovely footwear.
Carrer dell Call, 7
Create your own Spanish espadrilles with Luis at Hand Made
Mercat dels Encants – Barcelona’s largest and best known flea market, this is an interesting mix of rubbish items like old cosmetics to gems to vintage furniture. Dating back to the 14th century, this is one of the oldest markets in Europe and now the shoppers meander under the mirrored roof structure in the Eixample neighborhood.
Carrer Dos de Miag, 186
This massive market lasts for four days every week and began in the 14th century
El Ramblero in St. Josep La Boqueria – This market has been selling wares since 1836 with more than 200 traders rolling up their blinds to offer the choicest local and international gastronomic products. We grabbed a stool at El Ramblero to feast on grilled sea bass with julienned carrots and zucchini sauteed in olive oil. Very tasty and very fresh. Yum
La Rambla, 91
Two hundred vendors are on display at St. Josep La Bouqueria every day
Farggi – Strolling our favorite street Libreteria, we came upon shaded tables under an awning. It was a coffee break time. Seated on cushions, we enjoyed a delicious coffee and then we had the quinoa bowl. Delicious meal. And we ate here two more times.
Baixada de la Libreteria, 5
We enjoyed our afternoon coffee and writing session every day at Farggi
Placa de la Vila de Gracia – This lively square features a clocktower, happy children, and laughing Catalon residents enjoying the good life.
This clocktower overlooks the square of lively laughing Spaniards
Placa Reial – Enclosed within walls of French inspired architecture and lamposts designed by Antonin Gaudi, the palm trees sway gently in the breeze of this lovely square.
Antonin Gaudi designed this lamppost in this palm tree plaza
Casa Beethoven – Finding an old music store, we scoured the inside for old sheet music and discovered that store fronts which were older than a hundred years are marked by a special bronze plaque at the entrance to the building. We were on a scavenger hunt watching for the plaques and intriguing stores all over the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. We found over two dozen of them!
La Rambla, 97
We discovered over two dozen of these old storefronts in the Gothic Quarter
Pont del Bisbe – Bishop’s Bridge – This Gothic style bridge connects two medieval buildings and is just striking as you look north from Carrer del Libreteria. The ornate bridge has a carving of a skull on the underside. Legend states that if you make a wish while you walk backwards under the bridge as you look directly at the skull, your wish will come true. We gave it a test. Why not?
Carrer del Bisbe
Ornate bridge over El Bisbe
Recent Comments