Barcelona, Spain City Guide
For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Barcelona, Spain Travel Guide has been your connection to Barcelona's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Shopping & Dining
 Shopping in Barcelona is way beyond the dreams of the most experienced of shoppers. There are so many choices, but the only problem is where to begin. A unique start would be to catch a song or a dance from a street performer as you causally browse the souvenir and gift shops on the famous avenue, Las Ramblas. The ambiance is incredible and amongst the shops are some very nice restaurants where you may want to stop in for a cool drink and a bite to eat before continuing on. Then if you're looking for something a bit more cultural go to the antique shops, boutiques or the bookstores at Barri Gotic (gothic area), and you will find buildings there from as early as the 14th century. But for the designer labels Diagonal has it all, Armani, Mont Blanc, Chanel and a lot more. A perfect way to end the day is at the "Maremagnum" on the harbor to see the monument of Columbus and while your there you may want to stay for dinner or perhaps do some more shopping. So plan to spend the better part of a day and bring lots of money, you don't want to miss out on that perfect one of a kind find.
It is no surprise that mealtime in Barcelona is everything you would expect from a city that is so rich in culture. There's defiantly something for everyone, so if you prefer casual meals, any of the cafés, bars or taverns serve light simple delicacies throughout the day. But just remember lunch is the main meal of the day and it's served from 2pm to 4pm. A typical start to any day in Barcelona would consist of a simple light breakfast of coffee (café con leche), a croissant or a delicious cream- filled pastry (canya) or a toasted ham and cheese, called a bikini. When it's time for lunch or dinner you may want to choose a restaurant where you can sit back and enjoy a fabulous three-course meal. For starters you can choose from cold meats, salads or a homemade bowel of soup and the entrée would be a savory chicken, beef, pork, lamb or fish dish that's cooked to perfection with a side of rice and a refreshing glass of mineral water or a cocktail. Then for desert an ice cream or a flan served with a café cortado (espresso with a milk) or a batido (a flavored milk shake). You may also want to try some absolutely delicious Catalan dishes that may include combinations of meat and seafood, poultry with fruit and fish with nuts that the chefs simmer in some really unique sauces, such as sofregit (fried onion, tomato and garlic) picada (ground almonds garlic, parsley, pine or hazelnuts). |
