November 1, 2019in Experience Barcelona 0 Likes

Barcelona Favorite Places

Top 10 Barcelona favorite places of our manager Dorien

 

Meet Dorien, manager of Xventura in Barcelona.

In this blogpost our manager Dorien shares her favorite places in Barcelona with you. Dorien comes from the Netherlands and lived in Barcelona during a half year sabbatical in 2015. It was then that she fell in love with this magical city. In the summer of 2017 she moved back to Barcelona. Dorien loves to discover new places and that’s one of the main reasons she loves living in Barcelona. “There is always a new restaurant, hip coffee place or adorable little street to discover” tells Dorien us. After working as a biketour-guide for more than two years she knows the city as the back of her hand. This comes in handy when she develops and organizes new Treasure Hunts for Xventura. In this blog Dorien takes you to her favorite places so that you can enjoy Barcelona like a local.

“Barcelona is such a beautiful city but most of the tourists don’t go further than the Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya. This is such a pity because there is so much more to discover! For that reason, I will share some of my favorite places in and outside the city center with you.”

Dorien’s Favourite places in Barcelona

 

Funky Bakers · El Born

First things first. For my daily coffee boost I go to Funky Bakers. I am more than happy to have this bakery around the corner of our Xventura office. Besides great coffees they also make delicious sweets and sandwiches – the French Onion Soup Cheese Sandwich is my favorite. Oh and, I had to made a deal with myself that I can only have 3 of their chocolate chip cookies a week. #guiltypleasure

Favorite places Barcelona Treasure Hunts with Xventura

Favorite place in Barcelona for coffee and chocolate chip cookies

 

Cosmo La Central · Eixample

Not far from Passeig de Gracia you find Cosmo La Central. I recently discovered this two storage bookstore in the heart of l’Eixample. I love this place because of all of the books but even more because of the little cafeteria that is hidden on the second floor. I love to go here to read a book and drink a ‘café con leche’ under the trees on their cozy terrace that is facing the inside of a manzana (house block in l’Eixample). There is no wi-fi, so time to disconnect! Exactly how we like it at Xventura, because during our treasure hunts we also want people to disconnect. Therefor the games are played 100% offline. Cool right!

Cosmo La Central Xventura Treasure Hunts Barcelona
Cosmo La Central – Books and coffee

 

Caseta de Migdia · Parc de Montjuic

Far away from loud tourists and crazy traffic, you find this hidden gem. Caseta de Migda is located on the Montjuic hill in between the Castell and the cemetery. This little building used to be an electricity building until the city hall gave permission to make it into a bar. At night you can enjoy life music, an ice cold beer and some simple dishes. The building itself is tiny so you will sit at the terrace under the trees with views over Barcelona’s port. Don’t forget to wear your hiking boots because without a motorbike or car it’s quiet a walk to get here! For current opening hours check: www.casetamigdia.es

Favorite places in Barcelona Treasure hunt with Xventura
Caseta de Migdia – Beers with a view
Cementerio de Montjuic · Parc de Montjuic    

Not that far from la Caseta de Migdia you find Barcelona’s biggest cemetery. When I have friends coming over that already know the city, I take them here. Succes guaranteed! The Cementerio de Montjuic is built on the Montjuic hills and, is for me, one of the most impressive places of the city. Generations of families found their eternal resting place on this hill. Walk from the upper part all the way down and follow the tour that is marked with QR codes. It’s a super peaceful place and the views are amazing!

Cementery Barcelona Treasure Hunts
Cementery Montjuic – Barcelona’s biggest hidden gem
Las Vermudas · Gracia           

Vermouth = booming! I remember that my Spanish friend Ana was totally confused when I told her I was going ´for Vermut´ at 10 at night. She was pretty sure I was making a Spanish language mistake and meant 10 in the morning.  That was, for her, a way more logical time to drink this aromatized, fortified wine. Vermouth is an aperitif and is often served with olives and some chips. On weekends, you’ll see groups of friends sipping vermouth on the terraces before having lunch at 2 or 3pm. At Las Vermudas every time of the day is a good moment to drink Vermouth. The owners are super friendly and will recommend you which Vermouth matches your taste. Oh, and last but not least: on Thursday nights and Sundays at noon there is live music. Go here!

Favorite places in Barcelona Treasure hunt with Xventura
My favorite vermouth Place in Barcelona
El Jardi · El Raval

You might start to find a pattern in my favorite spaces. Most of them are a bit hidden and have a quiet and cozy atmosphere. Coming from a village of only 1000 inhabitants Barcelona can still feel a bit overwhelming to me. At these moments I need some quiet me-time. I find this me-time in places like El Jardi. I already fell in love with this restaurant in Raval in 2015. This restaurant is hidden in the backyard of the old hospital Sant Pau where you can now find la Biblioteca de Catalunya (the Library of Catalonia). Go here for a drink or treat yourself on some of their delicious tapas.

El Jardi Barcelona absolute favorite places Treasure Hunt Xventura
El Jardi Barcelona

 

Little Streets of el Born · El Born

 

Favorite places in Barcelona Treasure hunt with Xventura

El Born used to be ´the undiscovered Barcelona’. With booming tourism, there is not that much left of this. Nevertheless, El Born is still one of my favorite neighborhoods. Only a footstep away of the Santa Maria del Mar (and of the Xventura office, lucky me!) you find my all-time favorite streets. ‘Carrer dels Mirallers’ and the little alleys around there are still a bit undiscoverd compared with the bigger streets around them.

Walking around here brings you back in time. Don’t forget to bring your camera because there are a million of Instagram-worthy spots in these cozy streets.  Wander around and take a look in one of the small boutiques, concept stores or jewelers. Need a break? Take a cocktail pause at ´Dr. Stravinsky’ or enjoy some amazing ‘tapas with a twist’ at ‘Ziryab’. Curious to see more of beautiful el Born? Book Xventura’s Treasure Hunt ‘The Artist’ and get the full experience while playing an exciting game!

Xampagneria · Barceloneta

In my list of  Barcelona favorite places to go Xampagneria can’t miss. Okay, I have to admit that this place is pretty guiri**, but nevertheless it’s one of my favorite places to spend time with friends. The official name of this bar is Can Paixano, named after the cava brand and that’s why they only serve cava or water here. You can order the cava by glass, but the glasses are tiny and the bottles cheap so I would recommend to order a bottle (or 2, or 3…;-)).

If you order a bottle you have to get some food with it (the croquetas are delicious!). I assume that this is because they don’t want you to get too drunk too fast. But actually I never checked if that was the reason. Even though this place is 70% filled with tourists, the waiters don’t speak any English (or pretend they don’t) so an extra plus for this place is that you will be able to practice your Spanish. Before you go it’s good to know that
1. There are no seats
2. It can be pretty crowded at night
3. Xampagneria is open from 9.00 till 22.00.
4. You probably won’t leave this place sober (and that’s exactly why I love it so much!)

*Guiri: (Urban Dictionary def.) “A somewhat pejorative term for a foreigner, usually a tourist, who happens to be in Spain and stands out as being pretty obviously not a local”

Favorite places in Barcelona Treasure hunt with Xventura
Xampagneria – The local cava experience
Jardines de Pedralbes · Sarria

This beautiful park is located outside of the city center what makes it pretty unknown by tourists. During the years 1919 till 1931 this was the residence of the royal family of Spain when they came to Barcelona and before that is belonged to Eusabi Guell, the very same that owned Park Guell. On the trails of the park you’ll find people running, walking, reading a book and enjoying nature. I got to know this park during the annual ‘Festival Jardins del Palau Reial of Pedralbes’ that takes place every summer in June and July. I have never been to a festival in such a mysterious, magical and romantic place. Buy your tickets soon because the concerts sell out fast!

 

Favorite places in Barcelona Treasure hunt with Xventura
Jardines de Pedralbes Barcelona

 

Barcelona tip número 10:

 

Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau · Baix Guinardó

This amazing building is a former hospital complex built between 1901 and 1930. The hospital is designed by Lluís Domènech I Montaner and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since. I live around the corner of this amazing building and I like to tell people that I have views on the Hospital Sant Pau from my terrace. Well, that is true. Kind of. I don’t tell them that I have to risk my life by hanging over the edge of my terrace to catch a glimpse of it but… A view is a view, right?!

Even though Hospital Sant Pau is just a 10-minute walk from la Sagrada Familia you won’t find too many tourists here. Buy a ticket and enjoy the amazing architecture of the pavilions, look at the pictures of Barcelona in the early 20th century and go for a walk in the hospitals garden.This is one of my Barcelona favourite places!

 

Favorite places in Barcelona Treasure hunt with Xventura

Hospital Sant Pau – Amazing architecture

 

It was a blast to share my favorite places  in Barcelona with you.
I hope to see you around on one of Xventura’s Treasure  !
August 16, 2019in Experience Barcelona 0 Likes

Summer in Barcelona – Things to do

Summer in Barcelona

Time to enjoy the summer!

This means that there are tons of fun outdoor activities, festivals and things to do in Barcelona.

 

 

We can imagine that it´s hard to pick the things you want to do when you have a day off or are visiting this lovely city. In this article we will give you some ideas to make this an unforgettable summer in Barcelona!

 

Drinking a beer on Plaza del Sol

The neighborhood Vila de Gracia used to be an independent village until it got annexed by Barcelona in 1887. In this neighborhood full of beautiful squares, arty shops and two floor houses you still feel like you are in a small town instead of a metropole. Go for a stroll in the late afternoon when the streets are packed with local families who are doing the same. Give your feet some rest and take a break at Plaza del Sol, the square of the Sun. This Square in the middle of Gracia is famous for (mostly young) people sitting there while drinking a beer bought in one of the supermarkets around the squares. Who needs a table and a chair if you can just sit on the floor like the locals do?

 

Look at the sunset at Caseta de Migdia

If you are looking for a chill night surrounded by locals, La Caseta de Migdia is the hidden treasure you are looking for. This cute outdoor bar is hidden in the forest on the top of the Montjuic Mountain, from where you have beautiful views over the sea and the mountain. In summer La Caseta opens from Wednesday till Sunday and offers life music while you can enjoy there (simple) menu, a cold drink and a magical sunset. For the exact opening hours, take a look on their website.

 

Treasure Hunt with Xventura

Xventura treasure hunt Barcelona teambuilding groupactivity
Fun with friends

In summer the mornings or late afternoons are the perfect moment to discover the old city center. The medieval streets of Ciutat Vella (Old Town) are covered in shade what keeps them nice and cool. You can walk around on your own but why not try something different? Discover Barcelona in a new way by going on a Treasure Hunt. Xventura´s private guide tells you the most interesting and fun facts about the places you are. After that you are going to solve challenges and puzzles like an enigma machine and a Cryptex. Use your teams brainpower to find the secret location. But be careful and don´t get lost; because you will get nothing more than a compass and a map to find your way through Barcelona´s oldest and most narrow streets.

 

Festa mayor de Gracia

During the year every barri (Catalan for neighborhood) in Barcelona celebrates its Festa Mayor, literally translated as Big Party. Starting on the 15thof August the city’s biggest and most popular neighborhood party takes place: Festa Mayor de Gracia. During this 7-day celebration you can enjoy the decorated streets where neighbors have worked on for months. There is music on every corner, there are castellers (human towers), street parades, correfoc and street dinners. Festa Mayor can be a bit overwhelming as it gets more popular every year but it is definitely worth a visit.

 

 

Open Air Cinema


In summer there are several options to enjoy an open air cinema in Barcelona. You can watch a movie on the Montjuic or at the beach, but these two open-air cinema´s only run until the beginning of August. A very good and not that well-known option is Mecal Air Barcelona. This short film cinema runs every Saturday until La Festa de la Mercè (September 24th) at the lake behind the Museu del Disseney de Barcelona (Jardins Elisava). This stunning location is just outside of the city center and easy accesable by public transport. Best of all: It´s free! So be on time and find yourself the best spot to enjoy a summer movie night.

 

 

Noche mágica de Casa Batllo

The magic nights of Casa Batllo. On Passeig de Gracia you find Casa Batllo. Inspired on the Catalan legend of Saint Jordi, Gaudi designed a house with a roof that looks like the dragon’s bag and pillars that look like bones. Because of it´s interesting details Casa Battlos is called Casa dels Ossos (house of the bones) by Barcelona´s locals. During summer the ques can be long and when you are inside you have to share the space with many others. Luckily you can also visit the house at night and enjoy a magic night with live music and a cocktail on the roof or this spectacular building. The magic nights of Casa Batllo offer different kind of music styles. From flamenco to soul and from rumba to jazz. Buy your ticket and enjoy Gaudi´s magical house.

 

Of course there are 100 other things to do in and around Barcelona, but let´s kick off with this list. are you looking for something to do with kids? Read “Barcelona with kids: 5 fun things to do”.