Why Barcelona is the city that has everything for your next vacation

 

If you are looking for art, culture, fantastic food, relaxation, the beach then Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in Spain really does have it all, mixed with the multicultural vibe of a bustling and lively city.

 This is a place where you can really do it all, and once you have experienced it for yourself you may not want to leave. Added to this you have the beautiful climate, the chilled atmosphere and the colling sea breeze on a summer evening. There is so much to see and do here you will find yourself wanting to visit again and again. 

So many beautiful beaches and a stunning coastline

 One of the great things about this city is that it is right on the beach. Back in the 90’s in preparation for the olympics the entire sea front was completely remodelled to make it into what it is today, many long sandy beaches, with beachfront bars known as chiringuitos, where you can sip a cold cocktail and relax in the sunshine, heading for the odd dip in the sea to cool off. 

 There are also two major marinas here, Port Vell where you will sea super yachts lined up and Port Olympic which is smaller but serviced by many bars and restaurants. There are plenty of opportunities to get out on the sea in a sailboat or even a paddleboard or kayak if the beach is not your thing but you still want your fix of the ocean. 

Relaxation is key when you have been running round the city

 This city is so alive, it is important to factor in a little rest and relaxation too. There are many excellent quality spas and treatment centres in the city and if you want to treat yourself to a  massage Barcelona is definitely a place that can cater for that. 

 There is a huge and exclusive selection of treatments available, right in the heart of the city but inspired by the techniques and exoticness of Asia, and the highest quality organic and vegan products are used. It is important to care for both your body and mind and this relaxing and therapeutic experience is an excellent way to do this. 

 You can reduce your tension and find balance in yourself, giving a sense of well being that will last. Options include treatments like the holistic massage, a multisensory treatment that activates cellular regeneration and remineralizes the skin. Or perhaps you need something a little harder like the deep tissue massage to loosen and relieve aching muscles. Of course with all the sightseeing you might just need the specialist leg fatigue massage to prevent water retention in the legs and alleviate the aches of a long day on your feet. 

 Whatever you choose, you will be able to achieve a deep state of relaxation and get ready for your next adventure in the city. 

Don’t forget to enjoy the retail therapy

 Barcelona is fantastic for shopping. If vintage and bespoke little boutiques are your thing then look no further than the areas of Sant Antoni and Raval, where you will find any number of vintage kilo stores and small boutiques. 

 Of course there are all the usual shopping places to visit, Zara, Mango, H&M and the best place for that is Passeig de Gracia. If you then continue up the street towards Avinguda Diagonal you will see the shopping get more and more upmarket with all the top designers like Dior, Chanel and Dolce and Gabbana. 

 And when the shopping is done you are conveniently placed to stop at the best spa in Barcelona, a couple of minutes from Passeig de Gracia. This is a place where you can pause and enjoy the oasis of peace Slow Spa has to offer. The ambience of the space is inspired by the best spas across Asia, with an exotic and elegant style complete with gentle music and inviting aromas to soothe the soul. 

 The therapists here are experts in their field, highly trained and ready to help you unwind in one of the seven spacious cabins available. Products are all natural, organic and vegan friendly. 

 Sometimes all you need is to take a little time for self care and reconnect with yourself and nature. It helps to promote healthy lifestyle habits and counteract the harmful effects of this fast paced world. 

 A huge variety of gastronomic delights

 No matter your taste in food you can find anything you want here. You can try traditional catalan dishes, such as butifarra  (a type of sausage), pan con tomate (bread and tomato) or fideua (a pasta dish served a little like paella) or dishes from around Spain such as pulpo gallega (octopus), pinchos (little tapas on a bit of bread) paella and any number of tapas. 

 There are a large number of top quality restaurants and many with michelin stars. It is not unusual to find a street food festival in Barceloneta or Born where the top chefs from around the city will come and serve taster tapas from their menu, all cooked to perfection with quality ingredients. To really get a feel for the food here you should definitely consider a food tour. 

  Culture and history are all around you

 You can’t think about culture in Barcelona without a mention of Gaudi. His style and influence is everywhere in the city, including in the very architecture. He is the designer responsible for the as yet unfinished Sagrada Familia, the beautiful Parc Gϋell and the beautiful Casa Batllò. 

 Not only that, great artists like Picasso lived many years here and the Picasso Museum is well worth a visit. The great Joan Miro also lived here and added much to the city, and Salvador Dalí lived in the region too. 

 From a historic perspective there has been a city here since Roman times, and evidence of that still exists in the city. The areas known as Gotic and Born are a great place to disappear into the winding medieval streets and see buildings that have been there for centuries.