The tiny details… there’s nothing bigger, is there?
I have almost three years since Barcelona’s been my hometown. And many times I wonder – how did I grow so fond of this city? In most places I’ve lived, across Europe, I’ve moved out after a few months, two years max. But Barcelona, well Barcelona is still fascinating me. And here is what my Barcelona is all about.
My Barcelona is about people using the city as their playground for family reunions, fiestas, siestas in the sun, or any other random events where everybody’s welcome to join.
It’s about each and every neighbourhood of the city having its own, annual, big fiesta.
My Barcelona is about moving in with unknown people who become lifetime friends.
It’s about meeting people from all over the world, being here for either short or long term, and who have the same thing with Barcelona.
It’s about sharing coworking spaces with people from all over the world.
It’s about all the conversations ending with ‘déeeu, ¡que te vaya bien!, or ciao, ¡pasatelo bien! – always including, no matter the situation or the people, a wish for something good to happen.
It’s about everybody being out during summer.
My Barcelona is about coffee at El Mag, calçots amb salsa romesco in February at Saturday markets, a burger with wine marmalade at De Paula, a pintxo on Carrer de Blai, chocolate with olive oil and salt at Laie Library, ice cream at Tio Che.
It’s local deli stores – de toda la vida – with all the family working there, from two or even more generations.
It’s dinners at home, on the balcony facing the interior court of the block.
It’s buying world-class quality, organic Catalan wine for less than ten euros.
It’s local flavour, and above all – the super fresh seafood.
It’s the incredible juiciness and soft texture of a one-portion, freshly-made tortilla de patatas.
My Barcelona is about art – and about leading artists, local artisans, city museums, independent art galleries, film festivals, live events.
It’s about seeing world-class architecture on daily basis.
Enjoying light shows and mappings on famous buildings.
It’s living next to Sagrada Familia, passing by it on daily basis and still being genuinely surprised of how big this thing is growing.
It’s the blocks’ corners of Eixample, all equally cut at 45 degrees.
It’s the detailed sgraffito covering Modernist facades.
The narrow Gothic streets in the midday light.
The city skyline seen from rooftop terraces.
It’s the city’s neighbourhoods that still look like small villages, and strongly preserve their village-like feeling.
It’s fire runs and fireworks.
People filling the streets for independence demostrations.
My Barcelona it’s about going to the beach in midwinter and having a picnic under the fantastic midday sun.
It’s about a night trip to Montserrat and the magical landscape unfolding above and below.
It’s hiking Collserola up to Tibidabo, via Vallvidrera.
It’s Sharma Climbing.
It’s palm trees and the Mediterranean vibe.
My Barcelona is all about these details that make the big picture.
Travel in Patterns 
dear Ionna, I think it´s easy to fall in love with Barcelona: the weather is perfect; the food is nice; and locals are awesome! I’ve been in Barcelona maybe 10 times and it’s a city I know I can return because it will be awesome 🙂 cheers from Portugal, PedroL
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Olá, PedroL, concordo, a cidade é muito linda e a gente – incrível. Tens alguma experiência favorita de tuas viagens por aqui?
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olá Ionna, que surpresa que falas português 🙂 eu gosto muito de andar a pé, ‘cumprimentar’ a obra magistral do Gaudi e aproveitar os bonitos passeios de Barcelona, percorrendo as ramblas e seguir até Barceloneta, por exemplo 🙂 abraço, PedroL
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Passear no centro da cidade é lindo, não é? Quanto a mim, eu vivi dois anos em Portugal, por isso aprendi um pouco a língua… Também, PedroL, parabéns pelo seu site, muito interessante! Greetings from Barcelona!
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