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:

Mitte Artspace
Bailén 86, 08009 Barcelona

Quimet y Quimet
... the best tapas bar in the city. Quim is a master of montaditos offering original and bold combinations of high-quality ingredients. It is sure to be an authentic experience, where four generations of Quimets have been serving delicious tapas, good wine, cava and good company.
Poeta Cabanyes, 25, 08004 Barcelona

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

Cacao Sampaka
Best chocolate in town, in Spain or ever.
C/ Consell de Cent, 292, 08007 Barcelona

from Astrid Meyer

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

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

Vila Viniteca
... one of the most charming promenades in the city to find the best wines at a great price and one of the largest wine lists in Barcelona. Also have delicatessen products.
C/ Agullers 7, 08003 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

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.

SLIP US A TIP