Other

The holidays have been and gone and what better way to kick-start the year than reconnecting with nature.

If you’re anything like us, your New Year’s resolutions will be to stay in shape, get fit and spend more time in the great outdoors. Yet it’s often hard to take time out of our busy schedules to get out of the city and head to the mountains or the beach.

Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of six parks in the heart of Barcelona where you can reconnect with yourself and nature without leaving the city.

When it comes to parks and Barcelona, many of us immediately think of Parc Güell, however, Barcelona has much more to offer. From secret mazes to charming parks with sea views, keeping your New Year’s resolutions has never been so easy!

Laberint d’Horta

This historical garden is perfect for young and old alike. Get lost in its enchanting cypress-tree maze or wander its romantic gardens with hidden ponds, pavilions and sculptures. The oldest park in Barcelona can be visited at any time of year, but is especially magical in the autumn.

Passeig dels Castanyers, 1

Parc de la Creueta del Coll

This expansive park offers three hectares of green space, flora and fauna to explore. Located in Gràcia, it is particularly popular in the summer thanks to its large family-friendly outdoor swimming pool. What’s more, with picnic areas, play parks, toilets and locker rooms, it makes for the perfect family day out.

Passeig de la Mare de Déu del Coll, 77

Turó Park

One of Barcelona’s most emblematic parks, discover art, architecture and nature all in one place. Unwind and relax on a Sunday afternoon with a book under one of its shady trees or go for a stroll around its many peaceful trails and paths.

Avinguda de Pau Casals, 19

Jardins de Joan Brossa

Named after the renowned Catalan Poet, Joan Brossa, this park was once home to the Montjüic theme park. This now expansive green area boasts beautiful gardens that bloom in spring and summer and three play areas for children. Don’t miss the fantastic views over Barcelona and its coastline.

Plaça Dante – Avinguda Miramar

Parc de la Ciutadella

Another of Barcelona’s most popular green spaces, the Ciutadella park is located in the old quarter of the city. To get there, take a walk through the magnificent Arc de Triomf and inside the park discover its cascading waterfall, artificial lake with rowing boats, the “Three-dragon” Castle, the city zoo and much more.

Passeig de Picasso 21

Parc de Cervantes

If you’re looking to escape the crowds and discover a side of Barcelona that even many locals don’t know about, head to Parc de Cervantes. You’ll fall in love with its over 2,000 kinds of roses scattered around the park and adorning trellises. It makes for the perfect plan on a lazy Sunday afternoon. 

Avinguda Diagonal, 706

What better way to welcome the New Year than with a breath of fresh air. Unwind, stroll, relax or play in the heart of the city. 

What’s your favourite park in Barcelona to relax and reconnect with nature? Let us know!

Barcelona is a beautiful city that is full of many interesting and peculiar sights, but one of the best ways to see Barcelona and truly be able to appreciate it is from above. Here we’ve compiled a list of the eight best viewpoints in Barcelona, so you can truly appreciate this wonderous and vibrant city in all its glory, taking in its unique skyline.

Mirador d’Horta

On the road from Cerdanyola to Horta, you will find this little observation deck with a sweeping view of the city to the left, and the district of Horta right in front spreading all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. One of the quirkiest features of this dazzling spot, and one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona, is a little wooden swing – if you get the angle just right you can take an original looking picture where it looks like you’re swinging out over the whole city.

Mirador de Colom

You may have seen the giant Columbus Monument that stands proudly at the end of La Rambla, but did you know you can actually go up it? Built in 1888 in tribute to Christopher Columbus, the column houses a lift that will take you up 51 metres to the top for just €5.40. Based on the columns positioning, you will get a unique view of the city, with the mountain of Montjuïc to one side, the Olympic Marina to the other, and the bustling craziness of La Rambla and the Gothic quarter behind you.

Mirador de Sarrià 

Collserolla park, the natural beautiful hilly park that surrounds Barcelona is an area you should visit if you want to get away from the city for a breath of fresh air. It is at the gateway to this park that you will find Mirador de Sarrià, for a spectacular view of the sprawling metropolis framed by nature. About 250 metres high, this viewpoint takes a little walking but there is also the option to take a cable car up to enjoy the view. Once you are up there it is worth exploring the rest of the natural park as well for a nice day trip without leaving the city.

Mirador Torre de Collserola

If you’ve ever looked up toward the magical site of the Cathedral that sits at the top of Tibidabo, there is no doubt you have also seen the telecommunications tower that stands just to the side of it. The tower stands at 288 metres tall, making it the highest structure in the city. That combined with the fact that it’s high up on a hill above Barcelona, you can just imagine the kind of views it provides. Climb to the tenth floor to reach the observation deck where you can enjoy these spectacular views for just €5.60. 

Mirador Turó de la Rovira

More commonly known as Bunkers del Carmel and known to be one of the best viewpoints in Barcelona, this is a fantastic viewpoint of the city to go and relax with some drinks and snacks. A beautiful vista of the city laid out in front of you, the relaxed atmosphere here, where you may find yourself surrounded by locals, is the perfect spot for a date – as long as they’re not put off by the short climb. Mirador Turó de la Rovira is also not a place short of history as it contains the remains of an anti-aircraft bunker that was used to defend Barcelona from air attacks during the Spanish Civil War, as well as the remains of a shantytown, that was closed in 1990.

Mirador from the Castle of Montjuïc

An old military fortress that stands atop Montjuïc mountain, with roots dating as far back as 1640, the view from the top is almost as spectacular as the location itself. Some 173 metres above sea level, from here you can see the city and sea stretching in front of you in all its glory. If you don’t fancy the climb up the hill, don’t worry as there are fun cable cars you can get to the top.

Mirador at Las Arenas

Located in Plaça Espanya, you will find Las Arenas shopping mall, its unique round structure because of its former incarnation as a bull fighting arena. Rather than just shopping here, the mall also has an option to take a lift up to the roof for an interesting 360-degree view of Barcelona. If you want a more relaxed visit you can visit the first floor of the viewpoint which hosts a number of bars and restaurants, which allow you to enjoy the view while having a drink or even dinner. 

Mirador at Jardins de Miramar

Another viewpoint that stands atop Montjuïc is the Jardins de Miramar. From here you can see all of the city sights starting with the neighborhood of Poble Sec located just below the mountain and then spreading all the way to the outer edges of the city. This spot can be especially nice at sunset on a clear day when the setting sun casts a golden hue over the city. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, why not stop off at Terraza Martínez, a trendy Mediterranean restaurant that’s the perfect location for lunch or a drink with a view. 

Whatever it is you’re looking for, be it a viewpoint set in a beautiful natural setting, or a place to relax with a drink and take in the beautiful city, with our list of the best viewpoints in Barcelona, you can be sure to have an amazing experience. 

Around the globe, there is much more to the festive season than the typical Christmas day meal and get-together.

Saint Stephen’s Day, the Feast of Saint Stephen or Sant Esteve– as it is commonly known across Catalonia – is a special day celebrated by Catalans the day after Christmas, on the 26^thDecember.

Today we’d like to share with you the thousand-year old story of how this extension of Christmas day came to hold such a special place in Catalan festive traditions. 

Saint Stephen is known to many as the first martyr of the Christian faith. Accused of blasphemy and later stoned to death (in approximately 35 AD), today he is the patron saint of servers and masons. His feast is celebrated throughout the Western Christian world on the 26^thDecember and in many European countries, the UK and the Commonwealth it is a public holiday.

In the 9^thcentury, unlike the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, the old Catalonia belonged to the Carolingian dynasty. This large empire in Western Europe also included West Germany and Northern Italy. Given the vast expanse of this empire, families were often separated by great distances. This meant that, in order to celebrate Christmas together, they would face long and treacherous journeys to and from their homes, often in adverse weather conditions and during the night. 

In this way, the Feast of Saint Stephen first came about in the Middle Ages as a day on which people didn’t have to return to work. In this way, families could spend Christmas night together and then travel back home the following day in the light of day and in much safer conditions – and, of course, after enjoying the leftovers from the Christmas day meal!

Even though it is possible that this day was first observed over a thousand years ago, nowadays, Saint Stephen’s day still holds a special place on the Catalan calendar. Not only is it an additional holiday, it also constitutes a day to be spent in the presence of other family members with whom it was perhaps not possible to spend the Christmas day meal.

What’s more, on the 26^thDecember in Catalonia, it is typical to feast on canelons  – which are rumoured to have been introduced into Catalan cuisine by Italian chefs during the 19^thcentury. This rich béchamel pasta dish is traditionally stuffed with the leftover meat from the Christmas day dinner. This centrepiece dish for Sant Esteve day meals ensures that no food goes to waste and is normally a huge hit with the entire family.

In the UK, Saint Stephen’s day is also a national holiday and is most commonly known as Boxing Day on account of the traditional sports matches held on this day. Is the 26^thDecember a holiday in your country? Let us know how you will be celebrating Saint Stephen’s day this year.

Whatever your plans this festive season, from all of us at BizFlats, we wish you a very merry Christmas and all the best for the New Year!

If you’re planning on doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in Barcelona this holiday season and are looking for unique gift ideas, you’ve come to the right place. 

Finding the right gift year after year can often be a daunting task, so to help you out here’s our guide to special gifts that are designed and made in Barcelona. 

From handmade jewellery, locally designed clothing and children’s toys, Barcelona really has something for those who have everything. And what’s more, by buying locally produced and designed gifts, you’ll be supporting local businesses and helping the environment.

OMG BCN, Plaça de la Llana 6 and Carrer Corders, 7

Discover the home of Barcelona-based designers. OMG BCN stocks only products that are inspired by and made by local artists and artisans. From fashion, prints, accessories and home décor, we’re sure that you won’t leave this store empty handed.

Frida’s Tierchen, Bateau Lune, Plaça de la Virreina, 7 and Konfetti Kids, Baixada de Viladecols 2

Looking for a unique gift for the youngest members of the family? These hand-crafted dolls, animal costumes and accessories by local designer María Salamanca are perfect for gifts that inspire creativity and imagination. Shoponlineor find her products in a range of local children’s stores.

Meublé, Carrer de Martínez de la Rosa, 34

Meublé opened in 2012 in Gràcia with the aim of restoring antique furniture and items. This now multidisciplinary space is brimming with a range of locally made and designed home items. What’s more, it also offers workshops and exhibition spaces for local artists.

Casa Mariol, Carrer Rosselló, 442

Although these gifts are not technically made in Barcelona, Casa Mariol is a wine producer from a small medieval village called Batea in Tarragona. Their store in the Barcelona Eixample district stocks the best organic wine of the Terra AltaDenomination of Origin. Why not drop in to try a glass before you buy!

B de Barcelona, Avinguda de Gaudí, 28

Hand crafted in workshops in Manresa and Parets del Valles using locally sourced materials, the souvenirs you’ll find at B de Barcelona are exquisitely designed and made. Choose from colourful prints of the Sagrada Familia, funky mugs, Barcelona-inspired jewellery and much more.

Colmillo de Morsa, Carrer de Vic, 15 

We’d recommend dropping by Colmillo de Morsa in Gràcia to discover this local “slow” fashion brand that oozes personality. Their showroom, studio and store stocks a varied range of the brand’s collections and boasts exclusive designs and top quality.

Koetània, Carrer de Goya, 8

If you’re looking for something extra special this Christmas, at Koetània artisan jewellers you’ll find locally designed and crafted pieces of jewellery at reasonable prices. Our favourite is their exclusive collection inspired by Barcino– the Roman name for Barcelona. 

Tiny Cottons, Passeig del Born, 7 and Via Augusta, 25

This beautiful and brightly coloured clothing for babies and children comes in fun and exciting prints. Renowned internationally for its fresh designs, at Tiny Cottons their motto is to be the go-to brand for grandparents due to the great quality of their collections.

Barcelona really has something for everyone; so whoever you are buying for, we hope this guide comes in handy.  So put a smile on your loved one’s faces this year with a unique present from Barcelona.

Happy shopping!