What could be more fun than discovering a city with the tips of a local? After all, they know best where the hidden places are. This principle also applies to Barcelona and for that reason we asked local expert Marta Rubio of ‘Barcelona with Marta’ for her tips. Here are five great places to visit to make the most of your stay in Barcelona and experience the metropolis like a true local.
El Born: Hip District for great shopping and dining
El Born, located in the heart of Barcelona, is a trendy neighborhood with narrow streets full of boutiques, art galleries and cozy cafes. It is the perfect place to store for unique souvenirs and enjoy the local gastronomy. Some highlights not to be missed here are of course the Gothic cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar, museums such as the Picasso Museum and the Moco Museum and of course the pompous concert hall of Palau de la Música Catalana. But the best thing, of course, is to explore on your own and be surprised by the many hidden addresses El Born has to offer.
Some of my favorite addresses in El Born
- Mercat del Born: Underneath this former market you can now see the remnants of the Barcelona of 1700, completely free and very impressive.
- Parc de la Ciutadella: Barcelona’s largest city park is a nice place to walk or have a picnic with friends.
- Tapeo and Bar del Pla: If you’re looking for tasty tapas, these two restaurants are well worth checking out.
- Paradiso: Of course, the best cocktail bar in the world, hidden behind a refrigerator door note, cannot be missing from this list either.
The perfect environment for remote workers is El Poblenou
For digital nomads and remote workers, El Poblenou is the place to be in Barcelona. This up-and-coming neighborhood – formerly an industrial district – has plenty of coworking spaces, hip cafes with free wifi and a relaxed atmosphere. In addition, due to its location near the sea, you can always enjoy a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean here after work. Some coworking spaces to choose from are Spaces Mas de Roda, Valkiria Hub Space, WeWork and Aticco Med. Also don’t miss Palo Alto, a creative workspace located in an old factory, which hosts a super cozy festival called Palo Alto Market every first weekend of the month. As one of the most modern and dynamic neighborhoods for young creative people, El Poblenou also offers plenty of fun places:
- Mercat dels Encants: Barcelona’s largest flea market is located under a futuristic roof and offers plenty of interesting items for sale.
- Parc del Centre del Poblenou: This urban park was designed by none other than architect Jean Nouvel with modern landscape elements.
- Museu Can Framis and Museu del Disseny: These two museums in El Poblenou are highly recommended for the creative mind.
- Rambla del Poblenou: This small version of the famous Ramblas is a great place to walk through and interact with the locals.
Gràcia is the place to be among the locals
Gràcia is a charming neighborhood known for its authentic atmosphere. Here you will find cozy squares, artisan stores and cozy bars where locals like to congregate. Because this used to be a village outside the city, the houses here have a different look than in the rest of the city and there is still a kind of village feel. In addition, many designers and creative people have settled here, making Gràcia a very inspiring place. 
Some of my favorite addresses in Gràcia are:
- Casa Vicens: The very first house built by Gaudí and now open as a museum.
- Plaça del Sol: One of the many squares found in Gràcia where you can enjoy a terrace.
- Cinemes Verdi: One of the few cinemas showing films in the original version with Spanish subtitles.
- Jardins del Mestre Balcells: A hidden urban garden in the middle of Gràcia where you can relax.
Feast your eyes on Gaudí’s structures in Eixample
A visit to Barcelona is not complete without admiring Antoni Gaudí’s unique architecture. From the majestic Sagrada Família to the colorful Casa Batlló and the impressive Casa Milà, Gaudí’s masterpieces are true works of art that amaze and inspire. Most of Gaudí’s works are located in the Eixample, the block district with which Barcelona expanded in the late 19th century. This neighborhood is known not only for its wide and straight streets, but also for its beautiful architecture. A must is to follow the Ruta del Modernisme, a walking route that passes by the most striking buildings of Modernism. In Eixample you can also enjoy fine dining and shopping, for example along the beautiful promenade of Passeig de Gràcia. Other great tips to do in this neighborhood are:
- Mercat de Sant Antoni: Barcelona’s largest market hall was recently renovated and well worth a visit.
- Universitat de Barcelona: In the old university building, in addition to studying in the library, you can relax in the gardens and interior patios.
- El Nacional: Spain’s largest catering complex is tucked away in the Passeig de Gràcia but looks beautiful inside.
- Passatge de la Concepció: This passage houses many restaurants and is a true hotspot for food lovers.
La Barceloneta: The ultimate Mediterranean workation experience
Last but not least, spend some time on Barcelona’s beautiful beaches to relax and recharge. Whether you feel like a refreshing swim, a relaxing beach walk or just want to soak up the sun, Barcelona’s beaches offer something for everyone. Nothing like going to the beach after your workday. This is the ultimate workation experience. La Barceloneta, the old fishing district, is one of the most popular spots in Barcelona. It is close to the old town and offers plenty of options for eating out and sampling the local delicacies. For example, there are plenty of seafood restaurants and tapas bars here. The central square of La Barceloneta, the Plaça del Poeta Boscà, where the market hall, several terraces and a playground can be found, is a pleasant place where there is always a lively atmosphere. Some of my favorite addresses and tips near La Barceloneta are:
- Museu d’Història de Catalunya: Learn all about the history of Catalonia at this museum.
- Can Ramonet: A great historic restaurant and the address for a delicious paella.
- Bar Jai-Ca: An authentic tapas bar to eat tapas among the locals.
- Manihi Surf School: Complete your experience by participating in a surf lesson in the Mediterranean Sea!
With these tips, you can explore Barcelona like a true local and enjoy all that this vibrant city has to offer during your workation. If you want to know more about Barcelona, check out Barcelona with Marta’s website and travel guides. Curious about other great Spanish cities if you want to work remotely? Then check out the blog with our top 5 Spanish cities for a workation. Alieke has been to all these cities on workation and shares her tips and experiences with you.
