In Barca on Business? Here’s How to Squeeze in the Best of the City in Your Spare Hours...
Want to see a little more of this incredible city than in the inside of a conference hall, some main drag tourist tat and your hotel bar?
Well – you’re in luck. We’ve pulled together the very best, off-the-beaten-track highlights to help you make your spare time in the city as great as it can be.
Getting there from the airport
This year’s Alimentaria is taking place at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via Conference Centre (or just, the Gran Via Venue).
From the airport, the easiest route is to take the Aerobus shuttle direct from either Terminal 1 (T1 Bus) or 2 (T2 Bus) to Plaça Espanya. From there, hop on the FGC train direct to the venue, getting off at the stop market Fira/Europa.
Getting Around Barcelona
Before you can figure out how to cram in as much as possible into your free hours, you do, of course, need to know how to get from A to B. The Gran Via Venue is a little way out of the main city, but as explained above, is easily reached by FGC train from Plaça Espanya. From Espanya, you can also jump on the Metro to just about any corner of the city, or catch the bus to the airport.
Cabs are also surprisingly reasonable. A 15 minute drive in a registered taxi (yellow and black, a green light on the roof when they’re free) should only set you back about 10 euros. Uber was banned in Spain last year, although alternatives like Cabify are still an option.
Lastly, if you have the opportunity: walk. Barcelona’s not actually that big – but it is beautiful. Strolling through medieval streets and stopping for a gander at a Gaudi is definitely the best way to take it all in.
La Sagrada Familia
Local Eateries and Bar Hotspots
The Cava! The Butifarra! The Suquet de Peix! With its distinctive flavours and its world-famous tapas and wine, Barcelona has long been one of Europe’s most exciting culinary destinations.
… After all, this is the city that produced two of the best chefs in the world today, brothers Ferran and Albert Adrià, as well as legendary luminaries like Jordi Cruz and master baker Cristian Escribà.
But as a popular weekend holiday destination, there are, unsurprisingly, plenty of duds thrown into the mix. It’s not always easy for a new arrival to pick out the real gems from the tourist trail travesties.
So just where are all fabulous hidden secrets of the great Catalonian capital?
Well, it’s time to ramble away from La Rambla and the central stag party brigade. Because in the more sophisticated corners of the city, there are some seriously memorable feasts on offer.
For a top Michelin-starred experience...Fermí Puig, Balmes 175, 08006, Barcelona
Chef Fermí Puig is often credited as the guy who put Barcelona back on the fine-dining map, having launched Drolma way back in the day, but it’s his eponymously-named venture that is really reinvigorating the most classic Catalan cuisine. There are private dining rooms available for meetings and other functions, too.
For an Exquisite Spanish Setting…ABaC Restaurant and Hotel, Avinguda del Tibidabo 1
The second-youngest chef ever to be awarded a Michelin star (he now has four), Jordi Cruz heads up the frankly phenomenal kitchen over at ABaC Restaurant and Hotel.
Having been awarded the coveted Best Restaurant in Catalonia prize by the Catalan Academy of Gastronomy back in 2011, it’s held its reputation as one of the best places to eat in the whole region. The food is, of course, exquisite (think Liquid Parmesan Gnocchi in Bergamot Butter with Nuts, Lemongrass and Truffle Mushroom Infusion), with two tasting menus and plenty of a la carte options to choose from. Plus, the wine list is seriously extensive, with over 1000 on offer.
If you're stuck in the Centre…Passeig Marítim Barceloneta, 1, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
Barcelona is blessed with a lively and elegant beachfront, with plenty of restaurants and bars sprawling right out onto the sand. But if you’re looking for something a bit more upmarket, one option truly stands out: Barraca.
Set up by Xavier Pellicer of ABaC and Celoni fame, Barraca is a place that oozes both style and substance. Less expensive and more laid back than other high-end eateries in the city, it nonetheless serves up some of the best (and sustainable) seafood and fresh takes on local delicacies in the region.
In particular, make sure you have plenty of space to sample Pelicer’s delicious take on Bombas, a Barcelona favourite made from potato stuffed with (usually) pork, deep fried and served up with a spicy tomato sauce.
For something really unique...Los Toreros, Calle de Xuclà, 3, 08001 Barcelona
The area along the main tourist drag might be largely uninspired, food-wise, but there are some solid staples tucked away nearby should you need a trusty bolthole. Among the most authentic and un-fussy is Los Toreros, a traditional (and inexpensive) little place with a fantastic atmosphere and top tapas, including classics like chocos (fried cuttlefish), Pimientos de Padrón (spicy green peppers in olive oil and salt) and fabulous calamari straight from Boqueria Market.
For local hospitality....Restaurante Pakta, Carrer de Lleida, 5, 08004 Barcelona
Kicking yourself that you never had a chance to eat at El Bulli? Ferran Adrià might have (allegedly) hung up his apron for a little while, but his formidably talented younger brother Albert has taken up the reins with a string of incredible restaurants across Barcelona, each with their own unique spin.
Most notable of these is Michelin-starred Nikkei restaurant, Pakta. As unlikely a combination as it might sound, the 33-course Peruvian-Japanese fusion taster menu is a thing of beauty.
Barcelona might do fine dining to impeccable effect, but the real joy of a meal out in the city is mixing great food with famous Catalonian hospitality.
The culture here is all about the nightlife - you eat late, you eat leisurely, and you wash it down with plenty of great wine and great conversation. If you can slip away from the meetings and conferences for long enough (or are lucky enough to mix work with culinary pleasure), this is the perfect city for some high-end hedonism.
Evening Entertainment
To say that Barca has a great and varied nightlife would be a serious understatement. Jazz, blues and Flamenco venues like Jamboree and Los Tarantos are world-famous, attracting stars like Chet Baker back in the day - and are still incredibly popular on any night of the week. If you’re in town on the 26th, you might still be able to snaffle a ticket to see Plácido Domingo in Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, at the gorgeous Liceu Opera House.
Meanwhile, Heliogàbal Cultural Association hosts all kinds of excellent events and performances, from live music to art and photography exhibitions, and is a top place to peruse contemporary Catalonian culture over a drink or three.
For a more chilled-out evening, head to English-language indie cinemas like Verdi Park HD or Cinemes Méliès, or check out Time Out for up-to-date event listings during your trip.
For the Health and Fitness Conscious
Overdosed on Catalonian culinary classics? The sea might still be a bit chilly for all but the bravest swimmers, but if you’d rather branch out from your hotel pool or gym, the 5 miles of promenade along the seafront makes a superb spot for a rejuvenating run (or even an amble).
Alternatively, a sunrise or sunset jog up to Carretera de les Aigues (start at El Peu del Funicular train station) will reward you with breathtaking views over Barcelona.
For extra health points, stop in at La Bordiny or the gorgeous La Clandestina tea room in the heart of the Barri Gòtic to pick up a fresh juice or smoothie.
Barcelona Boats Stroll in the Barri Gòtic
Retail Therapy
Packed schedule during the day? Don’t panic! This is Barcelona: most shops close for siesta and are open again until around 9pm, so you can still have a browse once your conference day is done.
For luxury boutiques, head up to Paseo de Gracia or Diagonal; for the coolest local designers, avant-garde fashion and Catalan chic, you can’t go wrong with the area around Calle Rec and Paseo del Borne.
Catalan Art Museum La Sagrada Familia
Fancy Something a Bit Different?
Debating whether you’d rather use your limited time to delve into Barcelona’s rich cultural history or, well, eat, drink and be merry? Opt for one of the city’s “tapas” walking tours, which typically start at the famous La Boqueria market at around 5pm and schedule in plenty of stops for delicious dishes and local wine.
Right, that’s your itinerary covered. Now for all your business hotel booking needs, Roomex has you covered. No costs, no fees, no contracts, it’s a no-brainer. Find out more here.
