BARCELONA - Savvy coordinates have long put this sensual hub firmly into the top favourites – Paris is considered the place for romantics, Barcelona on the other hand, with that intense fiery demure full of cultural spiciness oozes sophistication on the edge, is for passionate lovers.
Even if you, like us, have been there time and time again - it holds well with the likes of New York, Berlin, London and Tokyo as a “have to go and get my fix”. A worldly bolthole that bubbles with delicious localness and prowess.
Sun, surf + mountains cocoon this city that darts between rich Catalonian heritage punctuated by edgy art installations, brash architecture and the good life – this then is put back on the leash with rooted traditions + a healthy ethos of slow living which mingle with regional delicacies that scent each street.
Like the perfect lover - Barcelona has a youthful intensity which is both stunning + captivating, being totally irresistible - mysterious whilst being very familiar – ummm, Catalan born ‘n bred, hola.
LIVING ON THE EDGE TIPS:
Bar Mendizábal
Just behind the boqueria you can find this corner bar with savoury coffee, juices and bocadillos (sandwiches).
Calle Junta de Comerç 2,
08001 Barcelona
from Martin Andersson
Pizza & Love
Top class pizza slices in a stylish environment. You\'d think you died and gone to Italy.
C/ Fonollar, 2,
08003 Barcelona
from Martin Andersson
Bar Lobo
Lunch, tapas and drinks bar in the Raval close to Las Ramblas. Two floors with views to the street and terrace. A perfect place to stop for a snack after a walk through the neighbourhood or for dinner after the theatre or cinema. Market cooking with fresh produce, breakfasts and teas.
Pintor Fortuny, 3, 08001 Barcelona
Granja Viader
... one of the oldest tea rooms in the city. Joan Viader invented the chocolate drink “Cacaolat”. Try the traditional sweet accompanied by honey, cuajada, condensed milk or all kind of pastries. The experience acquires another dimension if you take it in slowly.
Xuclà, 4, 08001 Barcelona
La Manual Alpargatera
Classic, handmade espadrilles in all shades. Even Hollywood stars like Michael Douglas und Penélope Cruz wear them.
C/ Avinyó, 7, 08002 Barcelona
Baluard Barceloneta
Genuine bakery located smack in the middle of Barceloneta, organic ingredients and everything is delicious.
Baluard 38-40 baixos, Barceloneta
from Martin Andersson
Cacao Sampaka
Best chocolate in town, in Spain or ever.
C/ Consell de Cent, 292, 08007 Barcelona
from Astrid Meyer
Colmado Quilez
...one of the most renowned grocer’s in the city. Since 1908 is it an essential stop on any gourmet’s itinerary. The shop stock more than 5,000 listing of national and international sparkling and still wines. The local maintains the feeling of times past.
Rambla de Catalunya, 63, 08007 Barcelona
HOTEL OMM
HOTEL OMM is no stranger to the insider – confident and firmly in the hands of locals, it sets the pace to which others follow. Luxurious in context, fresh in interpretation, the hotel is a modern classic with smoky soft lounge tones and bold extracts.
Favoured by the ever present creative scene, this is not a tourist haven, it is precisely Catalan - richly cosmopolitan and ever so fascinating - guests mingle seamlessly, the place echoes Barcelona’ness.
WWW.HOTELOMM.ES
FRINGE LIVING
'Fringe Living' is our take on living in the familiar metropolis with fresh pair of edited eyes – we want to explore the places firmly off any general tourist radar, where, even in the biggest of cities - you can still find flavours of local living – a lovely dose of individualismus.
