Our weekend in Barcelona (5/10-11/2014)

We had about 6 full days in Barcelona.  In all our many travels, we have never gone back to same city more than once.  Barcelona is now an exception.  This time we did stay in a very different part of the city called the El Raval district.  It was a great central location to La Rambla, Barceloneta (the beach/waterfront area) and the Barre Gothic quarter and la Ribera neighborhood.  

We found a free off-line self-guided audio tour mobile app called Excursia specifically for Barcelona. It was surprisingly thorough and gave us some ideas of new and interesting locations to visit. We chose to visit the Mercat Del Born with the idea that we would make the 1.5 km trek there, get some food at the Mercat and wander back through the city.  The only disappointment was that it no longer functioned as a market but only as an exhibition and cultural center.  While it left our stomachs hungry, it provided a very detailed and interesting history of the development of Barcelona. 

Lucky for us, you are never more than about 50 feet away from food in Barcelona.  On our trek back, we stopped at Bilbao Berria for tapas and sangria.  You sit down,  order your drink of choice, mine was Sangria,  then just go up and take whatever tapas you want.  As you finish, you place the skewers/toothpicks into the little silver holder at the table.  When you are done, they retrieve the skewers and provide your bill.  I love this about Spain.   

  

Of course, we had to stop for some gelato after tapas for our sweet tooth.

Using Facebook I was following a site called Time Out Barcelona.  Sunday was a lazy day in the morning but we planned to attend the Demanoenmano Social market (seen on Time Out Barcelona) and Picasso Museum.  Most museums in the city are free entrance on Sundays.

Demanoenmano, or ‘from hand to hand’ to use the literal translation, is divided into two halves - the first is devoted to second-hand and vintage garments, and the second is a platform for artists, designers, painters, sculptors, illustrators (and the list goes on) to sell their creations.  We enjoyed our walk through the wares and bought a couple of unique items to remember our time in Barcelona.

The line for entry to the Picasso Museum was fairly lengthy upon our arrival, but it moved quickly. This museum focused on his early work.  It was an enjoyable way to spend the early afternoon.

On our walk back from the museum, we accidentally happened upon the Sant Ponç Festival. A street market held in honour of the patron saint of beekeepers and herbalists, and ablaze with candied fruit, fresh herbs, natural infusions, honey and honeycomb, most of it straight off the farmer’s cart.  The street was packed with people, reminiscent of bees in a hive really.  We did not sample any of the honey or candied fruit. We did not know what the festival was all about until we got back and Googled it.  

We also planned to enjoy the local custom of a late afternoon Vermouth aperitif.  This is not the same kind of vermouth that you put in a martini but a locally produced fortified wine beverage.   It is served with soda water you add yourself and a small tapa before you eat your main meal of the day.  Luckily, Casa Almirall (founded in 1860) was located right across from our apartment and offered Vermut with an olive their signature drink to celebrate their 150th anniversary.  We sat down in this ancient establishment and watched the locals come in and out, kissing cheeks and chatting loudly in Catalan.

Great way to spend the weekend in Barcelona.