Suggestions for Barcelona in December

[Gus]

My wife and I will be heading to Barcelona then London. This will be our very first visit to Spain. We love finding cafes and restaurants as well as discovering cool and unique stores with anything from antiques, crafts and menswear to home decor.

Do you have any suggestions for meals and interesting shops? Any other suggestions will be appreciated.

I've found Styleforum to be very helpful in the past for planning my European travels.

 

[Gus]

Also, any suggestions for hotels in Madrid or Barcelona? We like smaller, non-chain type places.

 

[Cary Grant]



Also, any suggestions for hotels in Madrid or Barcelona? We like smaller, non-chain type places.

So happens a customer in the cheese shop yesterday is from Barcelona, he recommended this place: http://www.hotelneri.com/es/

 

[Gus]

Wow, that is one cool looking hotel. I'd be tempted to check-in and just hang out. I love the mix of old-world buildings with modern touches. Thanks!

 

[Gus]

Any great menswear stores in Madrid or Barcelona?

 

[Gus]

We are now considering just one city in Spain. So Madrid or Barcelona? Any thoughts?

 

[Cary Grant]

I think my cheese shop knows you are going

Another couple in Friday are MN ex-pats living in Spain near Madrid. They say hands-down Barcelona is the pick, especially since the economic crash. Barcelona has been more resilient with much more to eat, see and do there and nearby FWIW.

 

[Gus]

Thanks Cary, that is good feedback.

 

[norcaltransplant]

Search for my prior posts on this subject.

I was last in Barcelona in 2012.

I still want to try Tickets, and its newer relative, 41 Experience (moving after August 2nd).

 

[slimandnone]

I have only been to Barcelona, so I can't offer a comparison, but I can say that Barcelona is a really fun city to visit.

As for food/drinks, here are some places I recommend:

El Xampanyet -- a small tapas bar very near the Picasso Museum; order the xampanyet (house-made sparkling wine (I guess it's Catalan for "champagne"))
Bar Central -- in the back of La Boqueria, the huge food market on La Rambla
Pla -- http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d803281-Reviews-Pla-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Also, even if places are described as hard to get into, that could mean for the Barcelona dinner time, which is late, like 10:00 or 11:00. If you go "early," like 8:30 or 9:00, it shouldn't be a problem.

Barcelona is pretty walkable, and they have a good Metro system. All the Gaudi and modernista architecture is worth seeing, especially La Sagrada Familia, even if you aren't all that into architecture. I can't say much about the menswear scene -- I'm sure there are good places, but usually when I travel I'm more interested in the eating and drinking and people-watching. They do have a Carmina shop there which would be worth checking out -- I didn't know of Carmina when I visited a few years ago, so I missed out, but my wife and I are planning on visiting Madrid next year so I'll try them there.

And if you go to Madrid instead, I'll look for your comments after you return!

Buen viaje!

 

[troika]

I was in Barca last summer and on my way to the Picasso museum I stumbled onto a super rad little SWD menswear store run by one young guy who was also the main tailor. His mainstay was doing bespoke shirts but he also had some nigel cabourn-style outerwear and some really nice trousers. It's probably within a 3-4 block radius of museum but for the life of me I can't seem to find any details about it. If anyone knows who I'm talking about please remind me!!

 

[troika]

I was in Barca last summer and on my way to the Picasso museum I stumbled onto a super rad little SWD menswear store run by one young guy who was also the main tailor. His mainstay was doing bespoke shirts but he also had some nigel cabourn-style outerwear and some really nice trousers. It's probably within a 3-4 block radius of museum but for the life of me I can't seem to find any details about it. If anyone knows who I'm talking about please remind me!!

Found it thanks my old pics!

Oscar H Grand Tailoring
http://www.oscarhgrand.es/

 

[John75]

Barca is great of course, but if you are feeling like you want to get away from the busy city, you can take the train for just a couple of euros (less than 2 I think) to the first town South, Sitges. Sitges has a MUCH nicer beach that is actually natural (whereas Barcelona's beach is man made shipped-in sand with tons of bars and clubs...). Sitges is small and a great little romantic town to walk around for an afternoon if you want to be somewhere more low key and calm...

 

[joachim92]

Not a store or restaurant but if you have enough time a daytrip to Montserrat is also a great thing to do!

 

[Gus]

So, we decided to move our dates around and head to Barcelona and London before Christmas. I understand Barcelona is especially enjoyable during the pre-Christmas season. Thanks for the hotel suggestion from Cary Grant we are staying at the Neri.

Any specific menswear stores that I must visit?