El Born

El Born is my favorite ‘barrio’, as the Spanish people would call a district. Especially in the areas around the church Santa Maria del Mar, you can recognize medieval Barcelona and the catalan culture.

You can walk through the narrow streets between beautiful buildings with impressive wooden doors. In the meantime, many of the old buildings have been transformed into modern restaurants, shops and other concepts without losing their authenticity.

There are no big chains like Starbucks or Zara in this district, only boutiques with local designs and exclusive pieces that (often) still do ‘siesta’, which means they are closed between 14:00 and 17:00PM. There is always shadow in these side streets, perfect during a hot day!

If you prefer a short walk, you can walk from El Born towards the Park Ciutadella to enjoy a picknick in the park. When you are done, walk straight ahead to the famous Arc the Triomf, at the end of the park and have a tapas dinner at Elsa Y Fred. Tip: try the patatas bravas, calamares, bread with tomato and the sangria (price around 40,- for two persons if you share)

Another tip: you can enjoy a lovely drink and bites at the Santa Caterina Market and go for dinner at the restaurant Bastaix.  One of the best tapas places in El Born for sure!

Places worth the visit are: 

Food:

• Espai Mescladís, the cutest spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner (Carrer dels Carders, 35)

• Santa Caterina Market a fresh market (Av. de Francesc Cambó, 16)

• Bastaix one of my favorite tapas bars (Plaça del Fossar de les Moreres, 5) – FAV!

• Le Cucine Mandarosso (Carrer de Verdaguer i Callís, 4) 

• Restaurant club Bananas with funny interior (Carrer de la Fusina, 7) 

• Bormuth tapas (Plaça Comercial, 1) 

• Tantarantana (Tantarantana, 24) – FAV!

• Salero (Carrer del Rec, 60) 

• La Santa del Born hamburgers (Carrer de la Pescateria, 6) 

• Taco Alto mexican food (Carrer del Portal Nou, 62) 

• Ginette (Carrer del Rec Comtal, 12)

• ElChigre 1769 tapas (Carrer dels Sombrerers, 7)

• Elsa y Fred (Carrer del Rec Comtal, 11) – FAV!

• Bona Sort tapas (Carrer dels Carders, 12)

• Casa Lolea with their famous sangria (Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 49) – FAV!

• El Xampanyet tapas between locals (Carrer de Montcada, 22) 

Lunch & coffee:

• Alsur Cafe for the best pie (Plaça de Sant Cugat, 1) – FAV!

• Hush Hush cafe (Carrer del Fonollar, 4) 

• Buenaventura (Carrer de Trafalgar, 50) 

• The pan’s club (Plaça de la Llana, 16) 

• LULU (Avinguda del Margués de L’argentera, 7) – FAV!

• Picnic with a terrace in the sun (Carrer del Comerc, 1)

Drinks:

• Dr. Stravinsky (Carrer dels Mirallers, 5) 

• Pastrami bar Paradiso a speak easy bar (Carrer de Rera Palau, 4) – FAV!

• Dux Gin & Cocktails for a bathtub cocktail! (Carrer dels Vigatans, 13) – FAV!

• La Fianna for the cheapest cocktails (Carrer de Manresa, 4) 

• Creps al Born for cocktails & creps: a good combination when you’re drunk! (Passeig del Born, 12) 

• Cremat 11 for a cosy vibe (Carrer Cremat Gran, 11) 

Shops:

• Botanicum Atelier Floral to buy plants, the prettiest flower store in town! (Carrer Banys Vells, 7) 

Sightseeing:

• The Picasso Museum, to add some culture to your trip which is important of course, open every day, also during evenings except for Monday.  (Carrer Montcada, 15-23) 

• The Santa Maria del Mar church, you can do a 40-minute tour, which also includes a visit to the roof of Santa Maria del Mar, offering breathtaking views over the basilica and the neighborhood! (Plaça de Santa Maria, 1) 

• Palau de la Musica for a flamenco show, a beautiful concert hall (Carrer Palau de la Música, 4-6) 

• Born to Cook workshop (Carrer dels Mirallers, 9)