To walk, to see and to feel. Barcelona is a City where it’s not good to be in a hurry. Of course, the main streets, like Rambla Catalunya, Passeig de Gràcia, Rambles…, and some typical and touristic places, like Gaudí route, Touristic Bus, Magic Fountains or Camp Nou are in all the guides. But, it’s good to know some details about another and more private Barcelona. Where it is possible to understand this wonderful City, where you hear a nice combination between our own language, katalanska, and spanska. Benvinguts / bienvenidos a BARCELONA.

Well, we can start with some suggestions. I will continue giving more in this blog:

A.- Sarrià district. Many people don’t know this amazing district, situated close to the Tibidabo Mountain. It’s easy to arrive with "Ferrocarriles" (metro system) from Plaça Catalunya, there is a Sarrià station. Then, when you arrive, you find a beautiful building; Casa Orlandai, nowadays a public and social place for many activities. Please, visit inside and see their amazing stairs.

Many years ago, Sarrià was an independent village and the place where some rich people – the Catalan bourgeois  – built nice houses. When you are walking in Sarrià, really, you feel that you are not in Barcelona. Pedestrian streets and nice and typical business. Normally, familiar shops were you can buy some fresh chicken, “korvar”, “kanin”, or fresh fish.

Plaça Sant Vicenç, carrer Canet, Plaça de l’Ajuntament, carrer Major, carrer dels Paletes – just stroll the streets and get to know them.

Many bars and restaurants, like: "Bar Tomás" – with their speciality “patates braves” -, or "Vivanda" restaurant where you can enjoy of nice food and a splendid terrace in spring or summer. "Casa Joana", another familiar restaurant and very old with not sophisticated food.  If you are in Sarrià, you can have a nice catalan breakfast in “Bar Monterrey”. Then…, for a few minutes you can understand that you are in another world, starting the day in a very different way than in Sweden. Noise, good and big sandwiches, people smoking…, really, what a particular way to understand the life !

You must visit the “Pastisseria” – Bakerys – “FOIX”. Nice cakes, and expensive. Both shops are very beautiful. There are two places in Sarrià, and the owner was a very important Catalan writer and poet, Josep Vicenç Foix.

In Sarrià we can understand our traditional vocation to start some small business. The people are talking in the shops, bars and in the streets.

But, remember, one of the best bars in Barcelona, is close to Sarrià: DOLE CAFÈ – (between the streets Capità Arenas – Manuel de Falla) -. A small place, a lot of people, six waiters, and the owner – Leandre -, working in the entrance and making the best coffee in this City. And…, don’t forget their sandwiches and natural orange juice. The temptation is in front of you. Don’t say no, and enjoy it!

Today, the first private suggestion in Barcelona. Open the windows and enjoy the sun!