Relaxing

If you are staying at at 4+ star hotel at Barcelona most probably you have a pool there that you can enjoy. But if you’re not, there is a local secret that might come in handy. All around the city, there are partly-government-owned gyms where you can pay per visit. And of course, use their pools.

There are many to choose from. In the picture, you can see the recently opened gym at the Ciutadella park (check the Ciutadella park article). The wooden building blends beautifully with its environment and has a great open-air pool in the upper deck. it is open until 23:00 on weekdays, but the pool is closed half an hour before.

Also worth a visit is the Club Natació Atlètic, at the Barceloneta. It has more pools, one overlooking the sea and a special entrance to the beach, as well as a wellness area. It is located at the Plaça del Mar s/n.

The municipal pools are used for fitness swimming, but you can also chill out in the hot tubs and jacuzzis. Keep in mind that you can only buy a day-ticket if the gym is not over capacity at the moment. If so… just come back a little later.

Ok, Barcelona is not Rome but still… why not take the “local” way and wander around with a bike – even better, a Vespa? Via Vespa offers the same service of the old car rental but focused on shiny red motorbikes.

Via Vespa has prices per specific hours, per day and also special tours including a guide. If you decide to go around the city on bike remember: you have to wear a helmet (it is enforced by law), you should park correctly (“motos en vorera” means “motorcycles on the sidewalk”) and be very careful with the tons of pedestrians around the city.

If you don’t want to go on your own, you can also chose for a guided tour to discover the places that are always in the spot light. Barcelona being the city with the largest number of motorcycles per inhabitant, you will definitely feel at home riding one of these red cuties.

Do remember you need a drivers license and a € 300 deposit (card or cash) to rent them out. And if you’re looking for the cheapest possible deal, look on their website: you might find a surprise.

Located in El Gotico, this is probably one of the most beautiful places of Barcelona or at least the most peaceful and romantic one.

With a couple of bars and terraces and the left overs of a roman wall, you are probably in one of the best places of the town to spend a charming afternoon far away from the crowd.

It’s amazing to think now that a few years ago, this place was very dangerous because of the drug addicts staying at the foot of the roman tower. This was a long time ago and proof that Barcelona is always changing…

Situated uptown between the Vall d’hebron and Horta, you will find this small neighborhood, which is very different from the rest of Barcelona. As a matter of fact, you won’t feel like you are in a big city but more likely like you’re in a small village somewhere in the Catalan countryside.

No big buildings, not even a store, just a small bar hidden between two trees. It’s all about stone-houses with their gardens, orange and lemon-trees and vegetable-gardens.

You expect this part of Barcelona, like many others, to have been absorbed by the urbanization of the XX century. But here time seems to stand still. Everything is slow-paced, quiet and peaceful. You can listen to the chirping of the birds, even the smell is different.

It’s an excellent area to stroll around if you want to escape from the crowded centre or just to get the sense like you’re on vacation in the countryside.

To reach it, take the subway until Vall d’Hebron (line 3).

I confess I love trees. I really enjoy every single green corner of this city. After 8 years living here I’ve seen how some beautiful trees have disappeared from this very unique city’s scene. It’s a pity, I know.

It seems trees are not too attractive for some architects when they plan their projects. Sometimes is easy to miss the shadow some huge trees used to bring here and there; especially in the summer.

However I know a place where you can escape and hide from those annoying city noises, a place where you can sit anywhere to read peacefully or walking slowly over earthy corridors hearing the wind’s effect on tree’s leaves. I will tell you this secret, please keep it jealously, I’m talking about Turó Park, one of those very special and favourite corners I have.

Sometimes I play a sort of game, a kind of personal feng-shui. I try to find the right spot to sit and watch carefully, paying special attention to my most close environment. What a pleasure seeing how almost nothing’s happening. There’s just green leaves and me, maybe the birds, maybe some lovers, maybe the one you’re looking for too…

You won’t find this place. This place will find you like it did with me some years ago. It’s the perfect place to meet someone else or close some important business deal, having a first date or writing these notes. I would say more about Turó Park but there are so many things to keep quiet…