The Modernista Route
Morning
Pop into the decrepit
chess bar El Pato Loco (cnr Diputació & Aribau) to get a sepia
picture of Barcelona that hasn’t changed for a century. Wake up with a cafè solo and watch the old men playing speed-chess, then stroll around the gardens of the Universitat Head east along Gran Via past the elegant Palace Barcelona Hotel and right down C/Bruc for your first real taste of Catalan Art Nouveau, with Gaudí’s
Casa Calvet
on C/Casp. Turn right onto C/Casp and walk
three blocks west to the majestic Pg de Gràcia; then go right again
three blocks to the impressive buildings known as the
Mansana de la Discòrdia
and the
Perfume Museum
. Sniff around
Regia
perfume shop before continuing north to marvel at Gaudí’s
La Pedrera
. Feeling peckish? Stop at
Tragaluz
on Ptge de la Concepció. The set menu is an enjoyable way to experience this glitterati hang-out.
Afternoon
After lunch, head north on Pg de Gràcia, turn right along Diagonal, taking in the fairy-tale
Casa de les Punxes
at No. 416. Walk along Diagonal, making a detour left at Pg Sant Joan to see Palau Macaya at No. 108. Then stroll along C/Mallorca to the
Sagrada Família
. Here you can take in the Nativity Façade and
rest weary legs in the Plaça de Gaudí before climbing the bell towers
for a breathtaking view of the city.
Design Shops
Shoppers, Passeig de Gràcia
-
Vinçon
The
cream of the crop in Spanish design with out-of-this-world designs for
the most everyday objects. Furniture is displayed in a 1900 upper-class
apartment. Breathtaking.
Furniture, Vinçon
-
L’Appartement
A
spacious, white-painted store packed with gorgeous furnishings and
knick-knacks at reasonable prices: from quirky, cool lights and
sculptures to bags, jewellery and t-shirts.
-
C/Enric Granados 44
-
Closed Sun, Mon
-
Regia
The
biggest perfume shop in the city has over one thousand scents,
including all the leading brands and other surprises. Also home to the Perfume Museum.
-
Dos i Una
A
designer gift shop with a steel-tiled floor and a psychedelic colour
scheme. Concentrates on selling “made in Barcelona” items, which make
for unusual souvenirs.
Light, Dos i Una
-
Muxart
Excellent and arty shoe shop for men, women and kids in a country famed for its leather.
-
Biosca & Botey
Exceptionally elegant shop selling all kinds of lamps, from Art-Nouveau mushrooms to ultra-modern steel shades.
-
Rambla de Catalunya 125
-
DA
-
Pilma
Breathtaking
designer shop selling quality modern furniture and interior accessories
by big names, as well as cutting-edge creations by Catalan designers.
-
DBarcelona
An
eclectic range of gadgets and gifts in a shop that doubles as an
exhibition space for up-and-coming designers and more established
artists.
-
Kowasa
A
specialist photography bookshop with over 7,000 titles, including
foreign magazines. The ambience is friendly and intimate and browsing is
encouraged.
-
Sadur
The
owner designs and sells her own leather accessories: wallets, bags and a
few gifts. Classy designs are well made and well priced.
After-Dark Venues
-
La Fira
Decked out in vintage fairground memorabilia, this striking bar rates high on novelty factor. Order a cuba libre while swaying in a swing. Lively atmosphere, unique setting.
-
C/Provença 171
-
Closed Mon
-
Adm
-
Lika Lounge
This
New York-style cocktail bar boasts an ice bar and the best martinis in
town. One of the city’s hippest nightspots, it hosts DJ sessions with a
different theme each night.
Lika Lounge
-
Dry Martini
A
classic and elegant venue where extraordinarily professional barmen are
ready to prepare your favourite cocktail. Quiet jazz sounds play in the
background.
-
Omm Sessions Club
Located in possibly the most fashionable address in town, the OmmSessions Club attracts a young, international crowd.
OmmSessions Club
-
Velvet
Large, popular and populist disco bar with lavish decor, luxury fittings and music ranging from Elvis to Abba.
-
Luz de Gas
A classic late-night watering hole, this half concert hall, half bar has live music nightly – from blues to jazz and soul.
-
Ideal
Luxurious
cocktail lounge opened by legendary barman José María Gotarda in the
1950s and now run by his son. More than 80 varieties of whisky.
-
City Hall
This popular club has two dance floors. Club nights cover a range of music styles, from electro pop to drum ’n’ bass.
-
Dietrich Gay Teatro Café
A
trendy gay club with a mixed door policy and a beautiful internal
garden. It plays house and garage, and holds shows by singers, trapeze
artists and acrobats.
-
Les Gens que j’Aime
The ideal place to have a drink while enjoying soft music, after walking around Paseo de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya.