Here are some that we ventured.
The souvenier shop was packed. Bought a cute little FC barca football for Sheldon, he was so happy.
You can buy their official jerseys here but you can buy them downtown too. Lots of FCB boutiques and the prices are the same.
We also visited the cathedral of Barca, it was gothic and of course pretty as usual, but if you have seen Sagrada, St Paul's and some other magnificent churches, you may want to skip this one.
We had a nice seafood lunch by the bay, Marina Village by Ciutadella.
We went to Moncho's Marina Bay. The fried mini squid was good. Sheldon loved it. The seafood gazpazho was really good too. Sheldon ate up these two.
The prawn was good but I am not a big mussel fan.
We then went to Spanish Village which was near Placa Espana, where the national palace and the magic fountain here. Kids would love the magic fountain show by the placa Espana. But do google check their timings as it varies for summer and winter.
Spanish village was a good place to get arty souvenier, including handmade glass statuettes. It was made on the spot too, with the furnace and allz
I was so impressed I just had to buy a piece, very cheap too just €5 for the lottle duck.
There were cafes and tapas bars all around. Art, jewellery shops and more.
However it may be a bit touristy. I doubt the Locals will come here.
Dinner was awesome! It was by the bay again - Port vell this time and the black squid ink Paella was so delicious! What more my friend brought spicy sambal from home. Goes so well with paella haha.
The next morning we set out for Montserrat monastery, about an hour drive up the "serated" mountain. Bustling with tourists, the place is still a functional monastery and church. There was a mass happening when we were there. There was a snaking long queue to see the black madonna up close too. Story has it that back in the cave in the past, all the candles lit have blackened the face of the virgin Mary face, hence the name black madonna. The statue has an Asian flavour to it though, I feel.
Anyway, just a walk down from the monastery, there was the Montserrat Restaurant, and I found the best paella ever!!!
But the paella! I had to go for second helping.
After montserrat, we went to La Roca Village, about an hour drive away ( from montserrat and from downtown), and here we had to make some holea in our pocket!
Sheldon was a bit bored there, luckily there's. playground!! How handy!
Loewe and Furla and some local Spanish brands ( Lupo, desigual, Custo), were such worthy buys. So much cheaper than back home!
For dinner, I went for a Flamenco Show. But it was so late ( shows were 9:40 and 10:40), that daddy and Sheldon stayed at the hotel and slept early. The food was not exciting at all, but at least the show was otherwise.
But I think it was such an interesting show. Lively, very unique experience.
We also went to a Cava factory the bext morning. Cava is Spanish version of sparkling wine.
The brand Freixenet was apparently huge Internationally but I haven't heard of them before though.
The tour was however very educational. The wines and Cavas were very cheap though. Starting from €4 ish for a bottle. Wow. We bought our favourite sweet wine Monbazillac for just €8, back home is at least $30. We intend to drink it up tonight.
Lunch was downtown at a lovely restaurant-boulangerie-cafe that was rather Frenchy, called Farga, by Avenue diagonal.
The cakes and salad were really good though!
We also bought some of their macaroons back to the hotel. €12.50 for 7 pieces.
Apparently Sheldon stole the first one, called it pink hamburger and happily gobbled it down.
At night we went for an "atas" gala dinner, up at Montjuic ( mount jewish). 500 years ago, it used to be a jewish cemetery.
But now, it's a revolving restaurant with anaing amazing view or Barcelona skyline ( you will notice the lit up, colorful agbar tower standing like sore thumb, apparently, the Spaniards call it the big supository ^_^).
Montjuic is high up but still very near downtown, so it is a must visit.
The restaurant is called El Xalet. The appetizer of raw monkfish salad was gross ( sorry I don't eat raw stuff), but the experience was made up by the very decent duck confit and the overwhelmingly gorgeous view at the balcony.
I can't stop thinking about the view. We were lucky enough to spot fireworks too. Sheldon was ecstatic when he saw the fireworks.
But then the night came and the next day we ventured the famous Ramblas (Barca's Orchard Road), where it's bustling and crowded.
Plaza Catalunya is probably the center of it all, and you can feed pigeons in this big square. At the basement of the square, you can also claim your VAT refund.The place is sorrounded by big department stores ( el corte ingles), Hard Rock Cafe and many lovely restaurants.
We went to one amazing one called Ciudad Condal.
Packed and we had to queue a little.
The prices were not low but the food and variety was really good.
Walking to the other end of Rambla, we found the famous la boqueria market. Fresh fruits, nougat, jamon and lots more stalls. Many stalls selling fresh produce, fresh fish and also many cafes in it too.
There is also this Chinese Wok fried place "Wok to walk" that seemed to be packed all day long. We couldn't resist but eat there a few times as we missed Chinese food a little bit haha.
The big fire wok fry made the food taste pretty good eventhough the sauces were not so authentic. Good concept I must say and it's a big hit with the Asian tourists and the locals.
Further along, there's Placa Reial, a big square sorrounded with many restaurants, bars and cafes.
The restaurants look tempting, but I have a feeling it's a lite touristy. However, we saw one or two with a long queue, I suppose that one could be good! ( kiasuism kicking in).
For those who want to party, Barca is awesome for parties.
I am lucky to have a hubby who was more than willing to help look after Sheldon at night, So i went out one night with my friends and colleagues.
Place was packed by 1am, 2 rooms- obe hosue one Rock n roll.
The Rock&Roll place is the legendart one. It plays a little Indie beats, some off mainstream rock and some mainstream Rock.
And they even have sing-along sessions with lyrics on the big screen. A very interesting nightlife experoence for us!
That summed up Barca for now!
We were going to Sevilla the next morning!
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