Sense of Place
Food scene
There are so many excellent restaurants to choose from in El Born it’s hard to know where to start. I’ve included some of the ones I like best but there are more, many more. Enjoy!
Sagardi BCN Gòtic
62 Carrer de l'ArgenteriaFabulous Basque Restaurant for T-bone steaks, barbecued fish, tapas.
Amazing fish and seafood restaurant. Chef Rafa Zafra worked in El Bulli before setting up this place. Listed in the Michelin Guide.
Estimar
3 Carrer de Sant Antoni dels SombrerersAmazing fish and seafood restaurant. Chef Rafa Zafra worked in El Bulli before setting up this place. Listed in the Michelin Guide.
Excellent fish and seafood. Queue early to get in for the first sitting at the bar where you can watch the tapas being made right in front of you or book one of the 5 or 6 tables in the little sit-down restaurant in the back. Booking essential for the restaurant.
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Cal Pep
8 Plaça de les OllesExcellent fish and seafood. Queue early to get in for the first sitting at the bar where you can watch the tapas being made right in front of you or book one of the 5 or 6 tables in the little sit-down restaurant in the back. Booking essential for the restaurant.
Creative tapas at great prices. Go early or book beforehand - it offers great value for money and is always busy.
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Bar del Pla
2 Carrer de MontcadaCreative tapas at great prices. Go early or book beforehand - it offers great value for money and is always busy.
High end fish and seafood. Magnificent! BUT you’ll have to find it first. It’s tucked up an alleyway - a bit like Diagon Alley I wonder whether it really is there all time. I still have trouble finding it.
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Restaurant El Passadís del Pep
2 Pla de PalauHigh end fish and seafood. Magnificent! BUT you’ll have to find it first. It’s tucked up an alleyway - a bit like Diagon Alley I wonder whether it really is there all time. I still have trouble finding it.
Great tapas opposite the Estación de Francia at the end of Calle Rec.
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Ten's Tapas Restaurant Barcelona
79 Carrer del RecGreat tapas opposite the Estación de Francia at the end of Calle Rec.
Fabulous Basque cuisine on the top floor of Museo d’Història de Cataluña. Ask for a table outside on the terrace. When seated you won’t have a view but stand up to look over the mega yacht marina and the old port. Very pretty at night too.
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1881 per SAGARDI
3 Plaça de Pau VilaFabulous Basque cuisine on the top floor of Museo d’Història de Cataluña. Ask for a table outside on the terrace. When seated you won’t have a view but stand up to look over the mega yacht marina and the old port. Very pretty at night too.
Step back in time to the 1920s in this very traditional Catalan bar. Famed for its good old-fashioned tapas - go early just as they open at 12 to make sure you get in as it fills up fast. Its name comes from the sparkling white wine they serve.
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El Xampanyet
22 Carrer de MontcadaStep back in time to the 1920s in this very traditional Catalan bar. Famed for its good old-fashioned tapas - go early just as they open at 12 to make sure you get in as it fills up fast. Its name comes from the sparkling white wine they serve.
Join the queue (there’s always a queue) at this fish and seafood ‘shop’, before buying your fish at the shop and then sitting down to eat it in the restaurant where they’ll cook it exactly the way you want. It’s fun!!
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La Paradeta
7 Carrer ComercialJoin the queue (there’s always a queue) at this fish and seafood ‘shop’, before buying your fish at the shop and then sitting down to eat it in the restaurant where they’ll cook it exactly the way you want. It’s fun!!
The oldest restaurant in Barcelona with great rice dishes and the peculiar distinction of having been visited over the years by people such as Ava Gardner, Alexander Fleming, Che Guevara, The King of Spain and Himmler.
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7 Portes
14 Passeig d'Isabel IIThe oldest restaurant in Barcelona with great rice dishes and the peculiar distinction of having been visited over the years by people such as Ava Gardner, Alexander Fleming, Che Guevara, The King of Spain and Himmler.
A tiny eatery and deli owned by the colossal wine shop next door - Vila Viniteca. They serve simple things - largely products sold in the deli - but it’s the very best of everything.
Vila Viniteca - Gastronomía
9 Carrer dels AgullersA tiny eatery and deli owned by the colossal wine shop next door - Vila Viniteca. They serve simple things - largely products sold in the deli - but it’s the very best of everything.
Have lunch or dinner in the old port next to the marina. Relaxing and dreamy kind of place, especially at night. It’s mainly a fish and seafood restaurant but my eyes always scroll down first of all to the desserts to check for the ‘Royal de Maracuyá’. Mmmmm.
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Merendero de la Mari
1 Plaça de Pau VilaHave lunch or dinner in the old port next to the marina. Relaxing and dreamy kind of place, especially at night. It’s mainly a fish and seafood restaurant but my eyes always scroll down first of all to the desserts to check for the ‘Royal de Maracuyá’. Mmmmm.
Sits directly under the Hotel W (the hotel that looks like a ship’s sail) at the Barceloneta beach. Great rice dishes, fish and seafood. Book a table on the terrace for the best views.
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Pez Vela
19 Passeig del Mare NostrumSits directly under the Hotel W (the hotel that looks like a ship’s sail) at the Barceloneta beach. Great rice dishes, fish and seafood. Book a table on the terrace for the best views.
Great quality rice, fish and seafood but plenty other options too. Ask for a table outside on the terrace for a view over the marina. Valet parking. Booking essential.
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Barceloneta
22 Carrer de l'EscarGreat quality rice, fish and seafood but plenty other options too. Ask for a table outside on the terrace for a view over the marina. Valet parking. Booking essential.
This is the only place I’ve recommended that I haven’t actually been to myself but going by the length of the queues to get in I’m guessing it must be good! It’s very close to the apartment and gets great reviews.
Cremat 11
11 Carrer de Cremat Gran i XicThis is the only place I’ve recommended that I haven’t actually been to myself but going by the length of the queues to get in I’m guessing it must be good! It’s very close to the apartment and gets great reviews.
Honest Greens Born
11 Pla de PalauBreakfast, coffee, brunch or lunch for people who enjoy eating healthily.
Sightseeing
All the places I’m recommending here are in and around El Born so within easy walking distance of the apartment. Some of our guests tell us they never leave the area as there’s so much to do right here!
Opened in October 2021 as a satellite of MOCO Amsterdam bringing some of the most exciting names in modern and contemporary art to Barcelona. It is thought provoking, heart-warming and amazingly good fun with messaging that is both enabling and enriching. It’s also multi-sensory and I think even the youngest members of the family might enjoy it. Don’t miss the diamond matrix at the end - it’s other worldly!
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Museu Moto Barcelona
10 Carrer de la PallaOpened in October 2021 as a satellite of MOCO Amsterdam bringing some of the most exciting names in modern and contemporary art to Barcelona. It is thought provoking, heart-warming and amazingly good fun with messaging that is both enabling and enriching. It’s also multi-sensory and I think even the youngest members of the family might enjoy it. Don’t miss the diamond matrix at the end - it’s other worldly!
Next to the MOCO Museum and a stone’s throw from the apartment is the largest collection of Picasso’s work in the world. What makes it particularly interesting is that it shows his development as an artist through the different periods of his life. There’s so much more to Picasso than cubism - and if you weren’t aware of that, you might be in for a surprise!
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畢卡索博物館
15-23 Carrer de MontcadaNext to the MOCO Museum and a stone’s throw from the apartment is the largest collection of Picasso’s work in the world. What makes it particularly interesting is that it shows his development as an artist through the different periods of his life. There’s so much more to Picasso than cubism - and if you weren’t aware of that, you might be in for a surprise!
Just a 5 minute walk from the apartment is the Ciutadella Park if you fancy a relaxing stroll, or perhaps hire a 4-wheeled family bicycle with a fringed canopy top.
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Ciutadella 公園
21 Passeig de PicassoJust a 5 minute walk from the apartment is the Ciutadella Park if you fancy a relaxing stroll, or perhaps hire a 4-wheeled family bicycle with a fringed canopy top.
A 5 minute walk from the apartment. Suggest you maybe combine this with a visit to the Ciutadella Park as one kind of leads to the other.
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巴塞隆納凱旋門
Passeig de Lluís CompanysA 5 minute walk from the apartment. Suggest you maybe combine this with a visit to the Ciutadella Park as one kind of leads to the other.
Get up close and personal with the sea life at the aquarium - you can even touch some of the ‘exhibits’. It’s a 15 minute walk from the apartment.
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巴塞隆納水族館
s/n Moll d'EspanyaGet up close and personal with the sea life at the aquarium - you can even touch some of the ‘exhibits’. It’s a 15 minute walk from the apartment.
Beach boardwalk and promenade stretching for miles. In summer enjoy refreshments at the ‘chiringuitos’ - pop up café bars on the sand. A 15 minute walk from the apartment.
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巴塞羅那海灘
Beach boardwalk and promenade stretching for miles. In summer enjoy refreshments at the ‘chiringuitos’ - pop up café bars on the sand. A 15 minute walk from the apartment.
Take a cable car ride across the marinas to the top of the Montjuïc Hill where you can enjoy magnificent views across the city and the port. A 15 minute walk away.
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蒙特惠克纜車
30 Avinguda MiramarTake a cable car ride across the marinas to the top of the Montjuïc Hill where you can enjoy magnificent views across the city and the port. A 15 minute walk away.
A teenage shopper’s dream - especially on a Sunday when most other shops are closed. It’s located inside the port and it’s a lovely walk there and back along the edge of the palm-fringed marina and across the wooden bridge at the end of the Ramblas. You can do a full loop by coming out the other side of the MareMagnum via the mega yacht marina - and wonder how the other half live!
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Maremagnum
5 Moll d'EspanyaA teenage shopper’s dream - especially on a Sunday when most other shops are closed. It’s located inside the port and it’s a lovely walk there and back along the edge of the palm-fringed marina and across the wooden bridge at the end of the Ramblas. You can do a full loop by coming out the other side of the MareMagnum via the mega yacht marina - and wonder how the other half live!
Take a lift down to see Barcelona as it was in times gone by. The sense you have as you travel down is actually of travelling back in time and you emerge on street level in Roman times. Well worth a visit! A 10 minute walk away.
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巴塞隆納城市歷史博物館
s/n Plaça del ReiTake a lift down to see Barcelona as it was in times gone by. The sense you have as you travel down is actually of travelling back in time and you emerge on street level in Roman times. Well worth a visit! A 10 minute walk away.
History of Cataluña Museum - interactive and interesting. Possibly not too much information available in English though. A 5 minute walk away.
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加泰隆尼亞歷史博物館
3 Plaça de Pau VilaHistory of Cataluña Museum - interactive and interesting. Possibly not too much information available in English though. A 5 minute walk away.
Surely one of the most beautiful musical halls on the entire planet. If you aren’t lucky enough to get tickets for a concert, book a guided tour. You won’t be sorry! Make sure you book in the main auditorium. There’s a smaller performance space that’s not so special.
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加泰隆尼亞音樂廳
4-6 C/ Palau de la MúsicaSurely one of the most beautiful musical halls on the entire planet. If you aren’t lucky enough to get tickets for a concert, book a guided tour. You won’t be sorry! Make sure you book in the main auditorium. There’s a smaller performance space that’s not so special.
On every street corner in what is now the pedestrian precinct cast your eyes upwards for a moment to the traffic signals of a bygone age when the word ‘Entrada’ and a man and his horse indicated the direction of travel through the one-way streets of El Born.
Carrer de la Cirera
Carrer de la CireraOn every street corner in what is now the pedestrian precinct cast your eyes upwards for a moment to the traffic signals of a bygone age when the word ‘Entrada’ and a man and his horse indicated the direction of travel through the one-way streets of El Born.
If you like zoos, this is one of the better ones and it’s just a 10 minute walk away inside the Ciutadella Park. The one-time star attraction ‘Floquet de Neu’, ‘Snowflake’ the albino Gorilla is no longer there but he hasn’t been forgotten.
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巴塞隆納動物園
If you like zoos, this is one of the better ones and it’s just a 10 minute walk away inside the Ciutadella Park. The one-time star attraction ‘Floquet de Neu’, ‘Snowflake’ the albino Gorilla is no longer there but he hasn’t been forgotten.
El Born was the most important part of the city in medieval times and El Passeig del Born in Catalán (or El Paseo del Born in Castilian Spanish) marks the centre of El Born. It is from here that the Born takes it’s name - from the old Catalan word ‘torn’ meaning tournament as this was the site of jousting tournaments in medieval times.
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Passeig del Born
Passeig del BornEl Born was the most important part of the city in medieval times and El Passeig del Born in Catalán (or El Paseo del Born in Castilian Spanish) marks the centre of El Born. It is from here that the Born takes it’s name - from the old Catalan word ‘torn’ meaning tournament as this was the site of jousting tournaments in medieval times.
A new addition to the Barcelona museum scene. I haven’t been myself yet but I’ll be going as soon as I can. It’s also within walking distance of the apartment: allow 10 - 15 minutes.
Paradox Museum Barcelona
A new addition to the Barcelona museum scene. I haven’t been myself yet but I’ll be going as soon as I can. It’s also within walking distance of the apartment: allow 10 - 15 minutes.
Take a trip down down down in a lift through the layers of earth that have been deposited since Roman times, to the city at it was back then. I’ve never visited Roman ruins that have so evocatively transported me back through time to another world. A short walk from the apartment in the Plaça de Rei. 10 minutes away.
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巴塞隆納城市歷史博物館
s/n Plaça del ReiTake a trip down down down in a lift through the layers of earth that have been deposited since Roman times, to the city at it was back then. I’ve never visited Roman ruins that have so evocatively transported me back through time to another world. A short walk from the apartment in the Plaça de Rei. 10 minutes away.
Entertainment, activities, local tours.
I’ve included these activities as a kind of ‘things to do’ list that might not immediately jump out at you from the guidebooks.
Fancy a trip to the cinema on a rainy day? You won’t get many of these in Barcelona but it’s a handy option to keep up your sleeve. Films are shown in the original version at this multi cinema on the ground floor of the shopping centre ‘Centre de la Vila’ in Avenida Icaria; a 15 minute walk from the apartment in the Olympic Village. Check out what’s on at www.yelmocines.es
Tickets available online or at the door.
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Yelmo Cines
km 6 N-150Fancy a trip to the cinema on a rainy day? You won’t get many of these in Barcelona but it’s a handy option to keep up your sleeve. Films are shown in the original version at this multi cinema on the ground floor of the shopping centre ‘Centre de la Vila’ in Avenida Icaria; a 15 minute walk from the apartment in the Olympic Village. Check out what’s on at www.yelmocines.es
Tickets available online or at the door.
No need to give up the gym while you’re here. Sign up as a visitor at the Nova Icaria Sports Club in the Olympic Village - a 15 minute walk away in Avenida Icaria.
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Nova Icària Esport & Fit
167 Av. d'IcàriaNo need to give up the gym while you’re here. Sign up as a visitor at the Nova Icaria Sports Club in the Olympic Village - a 15 minute walk away in Avenida Icaria.
Just round the corner from the apartment this Thai Massage Parlour gets great reviews.
Ton Pho Thai Massage
27 Carrer dels FlassadersJust round the corner from the apartment this Thai Massage Parlour gets great reviews.
5 star rated cookery classes. Visit the local market with your chef/food guide before heading back to the cookery school to rustle up some classic Spanish dishes. A 5 minute walk from the apartment. Book online.
Bcnkitchen
91 La Rambla5 star rated cookery classes. Visit the local market with your chef/food guide before heading back to the cookery school to rustle up some classic Spanish dishes. A 5 minute walk from the apartment. Book online.
Take a boat trip through the beautiful old ‘Port Vell’. Different tours on offer - one of their most popular options is the Sunset Jazz Cruise.
Catamaran Orsom | Official Catamaran Barcelona
s/n Plaça Portal de la PauTake a boat trip through the beautiful old ‘Port Vell’. Different tours on offer - one of their most popular options is the Sunset Jazz Cruise.
Artisan Street Market on the Passeig del Born held on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month.
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Passeig del Born
Passeig del BornArtisan Street Market on the Passeig del Born held on the last Saturday and Sunday of each month.
Tablao Flamenco in the Palau Dalmases in the Carrer de Montcada. Flamenco dancing less than a minute’s walk from your front door.
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Tablao Flamenco Cordobes
35 La RamblaTablao Flamenco in the Palau Dalmases in the Carrer de Montcada. Flamenco dancing less than a minute’s walk from your front door.
Specialist food shops in the Born
These are places I use myself on a regular basis and can vouch for them all. There are so many great places in the area I’m sure I’ve missed some out. Hope you have fun visiting them and tasting their many delights.
Sausage specialists - sausages with black truffle, sausages with foie, sausages with chocolate. You name it, they make it. They also sell Spanish cured ham, Berkshire fresh pork, home-made boiled ham, pâtés, croquettes etc, etc, etc. Take a number from the red number dispenser thing at the door to avoid fisticuffs while queueing.
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La Botifarreria de Santa Maria
4 Carrer de Santa MariaSausage specialists - sausages with black truffle, sausages with foie, sausages with chocolate. You name it, they make it. They also sell Spanish cured ham, Berkshire fresh pork, home-made boiled ham, pâtés, croquettes etc, etc, etc. Take a number from the red number dispenser thing at the door to avoid fisticuffs while queueing.
Oozing old worldly charm, Casa Gispert is magical. It’s over 180 years old and they continue to roast nuts in their oven of old (a museum piece in itself) every morning before popping them into paper funnel bags and perforating them so the nuts don’t go soft as they cool down 😀Don’t miss it! I watched a scene for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ being filmed here.
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Casa Gispert
23 Carrer dels SombrerersOozing old worldly charm, Casa Gispert is magical. It’s over 180 years old and they continue to roast nuts in their oven of old (a museum piece in itself) every morning before popping them into paper funnel bags and perforating them so the nuts don’t go soft as they cool down 😀Don’t miss it! I watched a scene for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ being filmed here.
The more people get to hear about the Hofmann Bakery, the longer the queues. Don’t worry though, the apartment is just round the corner so you can be first in line! 🥳
Pastelería Hofmann
44 Carrer dels FlassadersThe more people get to hear about the Hofmann Bakery, the longer the queues. Don’t worry though, the apartment is just round the corner so you can be first in line! 🥳
Vila Vini Teca
7 Carrer dels AgullersOne of the best wine shops in Barcelona. They have everything!
Bubó Born
10 Carrer de les CaputxesDesigner cake shop with teeny tiny café.
Veritas
144 Pg. de Sant JoanOrganic/gluten free products, bread and fresh produce.
Fabulous food market a couple of minutes walk away. Don’t miss the undulating rainbow coloured roof designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. Many other examples of his work are visible around the city. He also designed the Scottish Parliament building.
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聖卡特里娜市場
16 Av. de Francesc CambóFabulous food market a couple of minutes walk away. Don’t miss the undulating rainbow coloured roof designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles. Many other examples of his work are visible around the city. He also designed the Scottish Parliament building.
Cafés El Magnífico
64 Carrer de l'ArgenteriaFreshly ground coffee.
Aceite de Oliva y Cosmética natural - La Chinata Barcelona Raval
20 Carrer dels ÀngelsSpecialist oils, vinegars, cheese.
Forn de Pa Vilamala
14 Carrer dels AgullersFresh bread
Jon Cake
29 Carrer dels AssaonadorsSpecialist Cheesecake Shop.
Casa Perris
2 Plaça ComercialBeans, pulses, dried fruit, etc., sold by weight.
Top quality canned foods etc. Very popular with the locals so be prepared to queue. When it’s finally your turn, a shop assistant will collect your purchases together and give you a ticket to take to a cashier. You then pay the cashier, return to the shop assistant and show him your till receipt as proof of payment. He then hands you your goods and you’re on your way! An old fashioned payment ritual that’s still observed by some retailers.
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La Ribera Sa
11 Plaça ComercialTop quality canned foods etc. Very popular with the locals so be prepared to queue. When it’s finally your turn, a shop assistant will collect your purchases together and give you a ticket to take to a cashier. You then pay the cashier, return to the shop assistant and show him your till receipt as proof of payment. He then hands you your goods and you’re on your way! An old fashioned payment ritual that’s still observed by some retailers.
Sans & Sans
59 Carrer de l'ArgenteriaQuality teas.
A 5 minute walk away, the fresh food market is worth a visit just to marvel at the beautiful undulating multi-coloured roof!! The best place to stock up on fresh meat, fish, poultry and fruit and veg. There are also several places to eat inside the market or just have coffee or an aperitif. Open Mon - Sat from 8am to 3pm. See notes below on ‘queueing’. 😀
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聖卡特里娜市場
16 Av. de Francesc CambóA 5 minute walk away, the fresh food market is worth a visit just to marvel at the beautiful undulating multi-coloured roof!! The best place to stock up on fresh meat, fish, poultry and fruit and veg. There are also several places to eat inside the market or just have coffee or an aperitif. Open Mon - Sat from 8am to 3pm. See notes below on ‘queueing’. 😀
Local cafés
Perhaps the best café in the Born at the moment. Great coffee and croissants. They won the prize for producing the best croissants in Spain recently and before them it was the Hofmann bakery one street along.
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Brunells
22 Carrer de la PrincesaPerhaps the best café in the Born at the moment. Great coffee and croissants. They won the prize for producing the best croissants in Spain recently and before them it was the Hofmann bakery one street along.
Comfy and laid back with a vaguely South American feel. Great for breakfast or brunch or just coffee and a cake. Outdoor seating on the terrace.
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Alsur Café Llúria
23 Carrer de Roger de LlúriaComfy and laid back with a vaguely South American feel. Great for breakfast or brunch or just coffee and a cake. Outdoor seating on the terrace.
Bubó Born
10 Carrer de les CaputxesTeeny tiny café with great cakes, chocolate and ‘bollería’.
Sweet Lima
5 Carrer de la FusinaGreat Peruvian café. Excellent coffee and cakes as well as light bites.
Nomad Coffee Lab & Shop
12 Passatge SertCosy café which changes its brews every few weeks.
A stroll down the Ramblas stretching from Plaza Cataluña to the port is a must. Stop halfway up and pop into the Boqueria food market (don’t miss the edible insect stall) and perhaps stop for a coffee in the very beautiful little Escriba café nearby. Christian Escribà is a bit of a legend in Barcelona - half master baker, half Willy Wonka, totally unique. He has a bigger shop and café on the Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes.
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Pastisseria Escribà
83 La RamblaA stroll down the Ramblas stretching from Plaza Cataluña to the port is a must. Stop halfway up and pop into the Boqueria food market (don’t miss the edible insect stall) and perhaps stop for a coffee in the very beautiful little Escriba café nearby. Christian Escribà is a bit of a legend in Barcelona - half master baker, half Willy Wonka, totally unique. He has a bigger shop and café on the Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes.
The museum houses large chocolate sculptures and the edible ticket is a nice touch. Attractive café and shop with outside terrace and cookery school. Try their ‘melindros con chocolate caliente’ - a small cup of very thick, rich hot chocolate with a strip of sponge fingers still stuck on the greaseproof paper they were baked on and rolled up in a spiral. You then unroll, peel off one by one before dipping the ‘melindros’ in the hot chocolate and eating. You’ll definitely score points with the kids!
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巧克力博物館
36 Carrer del ComerçThe museum houses large chocolate sculptures and the edible ticket is a nice touch. Attractive café and shop with outside terrace and cookery school. Try their ‘melindros con chocolate caliente’ - a small cup of very thick, rich hot chocolate with a strip of sponge fingers still stuck on the greaseproof paper they were baked on and rolled up in a spiral. You then unroll, peel off one by one before dipping the ‘melindros’ in the hot chocolate and eating. You’ll definitely score points with the kids!
A relatively new addition to the Born and one that’s proving extremely popular.
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Honest Greens Born
11 Pla de PalauA relatively new addition to the Born and one that’s proving extremely popular.
City/town information
These are places I love on the Costa Brava, and as such, very personal recommendations I suggest you visit if you fancy combining a trip to Barcelona with the Costa Brava and the Ampurdán. The gastronomy in the area is of an extremely high standard on the whole and it’s worth visiting the area for this reason alone.
If there is one, this has to be it, paradise on Earth. Just south of the French border, 2 hours’ drive north of Barcelona. It was only accessible by sea until a little over 100 years ago and has barely changed since the road opened up through a twisting winding valley full of olive groves and grape vines. It’s home to artists among them the amazing Koyama, before him Salvador Dalí (visit his house in Port Lligat), writers, architects, etc. If you go anywhere on the Costa Brava - go to this place. It’s very special.
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Cadaqués
If there is one, this has to be it, paradise on Earth. Just south of the French border, 2 hours’ drive north of Barcelona. It was only accessible by sea until a little over 100 years ago and has barely changed since the road opened up through a twisting winding valley full of olive groves and grape vines. It’s home to artists among them the amazing Koyama, before him Salvador Dalí (visit his house in Port Lligat), writers, architects, etc. If you go anywhere on the Costa Brava - go to this place. It’s very special.
Pretty coastal town on the Costa Brava. Perhaps stay at the beautiful lighthouse hotel ‘El Far de San Sebastià’ on the cliff tops for spectacular sea views. Rooms 2 or 3 are the best 😀
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Llafranc
3 Plaça de la MarinadaPretty coastal town on the Costa Brava. Perhaps stay at the beautiful lighthouse hotel ‘El Far de San Sebastià’ on the cliff tops for spectacular sea views. Rooms 2 or 3 are the best 😀
Little coastal village next to Llafranc. Lovely for an afternoon to sit looking out over the sea and watch the world go by.
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Calella de Palafrugell
Little coastal village next to Llafranc. Lovely for an afternoon to sit looking out over the sea and watch the world go by.
Pals
Charming inland medieval village on the Costa Brava.
40 minutes to the north of Barcelona on the high speed train and you’ll find yourselves in Figueres, home to the Dalí Museum and the biggest collection of artworks by Salvador Dali in the world. There’s also a very charming toy museum, which is worth a visit too.
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Figueres
40 minutes to the north of Barcelona on the high speed train and you’ll find yourselves in Figueres, home to the Dalí Museum and the biggest collection of artworks by Salvador Dali in the world. There’s also a very charming toy museum, which is worth a visit too.
The city lies on both sides of the River Oñar with little footbridges between the two allowing you to crisscross back and forth. On one side, the shopping district, on the other, the Old Quarter - the Jewish district, Roman remains, and walkways following the old medieval city walls with its watchtowers and sweeping views. A 40 minute journey to the north by express train.
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Girona
The city lies on both sides of the River Oñar with little footbridges between the two allowing you to crisscross back and forth. On one side, the shopping district, on the other, the Old Quarter - the Jewish district, Roman remains, and walkways following the old medieval city walls with its watchtowers and sweeping views. A 40 minute journey to the north by express train.
Art and design shops in the Born
Many shops have come and gone over the years but Marabi hasn’t budged and you can see why. How could you go home without one of her totally charming art toys? No point even trying to resist - you’ll pass by her shop window every time you head into or out of the apartment.
ALMACEN MARABI
31 Carrer dels FlassadersMany shops have come and gone over the years but Marabi hasn’t budged and you can see why. How could you go home without one of her totally charming art toys? No point even trying to resist - you’ll pass by her shop window every time you head into or out of the apartment.
Ceramics workshop, gallery and shop. A calm and beautiful oasis of minimalism and design.
Working in the Redwoods
4 Carrer de Lluís el PiadósCeramics workshop, gallery and shop. A calm and beautiful oasis of minimalism and design.
This curiosity shop looks like it’s been here forever. The elderly gentleman serving inside blends in so well it’s delightfully hard to tell him apart him from the exhibits.
petits encants
24 Carrer de les Basses de Sant PereThis curiosity shop looks like it’s been here forever. The elderly gentleman serving inside blends in so well it’s delightfully hard to tell him apart him from the exhibits.
Rugs, bags, ceramics and interiors. That little turquoise bowl in the foreground has since been sold but is now sitting just as happily in the green apple bedroom 😀
Carolina Blue
34 Carrer del RecRugs, bags, ceramics and interiors. That little turquoise bowl in the foreground has since been sold but is now sitting just as happily in the green apple bedroom 😀
Glass, textiles, crockery. A beautiful little gift shop selling objects for the home. Also has a small stock of Teixidors cashmere blankets and cushions: a top quality Catalán textile manufacturer … but they ain’t cheap.
Bon Vent
41 Carrer de l'ArgenteriaGlass, textiles, crockery. A beautiful little gift shop selling objects for the home. Also has a small stock of Teixidors cashmere blankets and cushions: a top quality Catalán textile manufacturer … but they ain’t cheap.
A well known local fashion designer with stores all over Cataluña. This one is in the next street.
Sita Murt/
32 Carrer del RecA well known local fashion designer with stores all over Cataluña. This one is in the next street.
Another Catalan fashion designer - David Valls. His shop in El Born is in the main square ‘El Passeig del Born’. You can’t miss it.
david valls
19 Passeig del BornAnother Catalan fashion designer - David Valls. His shop in El Born is in the main square ‘El Passeig del Born’. You can’t miss it.
Helena Rohner
13 Carrer de l'EspaseriaJewellery and ceramics, beautifully crafted and exhibited.
Bobo Choses Barcelona Born
1 Carrer de la RiberaBobo Choses, a kid’s fashion design store.
Calma House - Born (Barcelona)
3 Plaça ComercialTextiles for the home
Pinzat Bags
7 Carrer de GrunyíOriginal art pieces: handpainted and handcraft bags, backpacks, bike seats and straps.
Yumi
368 Passeig MarítimJewellery and sunglasses
El Born
A typical shopping street in El Born
I’m not sure what’s on sale here exactly but some incredibly powerful force was spilling out at volume when I passed by this morning and started tugging my hips into a figure of 8. Meanwhile, the shop assistant behind the counter remained absolutely still - as still as still can be. How did she manage that?
The Cannabis Shop
I’m not sure what’s on sale here exactly but some incredibly powerful force was spilling out at volume when I passed by this morning and started tugging my hips into a figure of 8. Meanwhile, the shop assistant behind the counter remained absolutely still - as still as still can be. How did she manage that?