There is something about Barcelona. The capital city of Catalonia is more than ‘just’ Gaudi, beach and Circuit festival. This vibrant city is a major cultural and economic centre in southwestern Europe and is the fifth most popular destination on the continent. It is, of course, also a very popular gay destination, but we will talk about another way to visit the city: gastronomy, shopping and Formula 1!
Maybe your eyes will start rolling by hearing F1. So did mine. When seeing repots of a Formula 1 race on TV, I just couldn’t understand why then thousands of people take a plane and go watch those races. But now, I get it. And you could get it too!
The sound, speed, power and spectacular surroundings make Formula 1 a must do experience.
After a 20 minutes drive from the city centre, I arrived at the Circuit de Barcelona – Catalunya, located in Montmeló . Getting out of the bus, I heard the sound of the racing cars. I got suddenly overexcited and had to go see the cars as quickly as possible. And it is so impressive! The sound, speed, power and spectacular surroundings make Formula 1 a must do experience.
The fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship will be staged from 11 to 13 May 2018. It is one of the greatest show of motor sport in the world. The best drivers in the world, such as Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Sebastian Vettel or Carlos Sainz amongst others, will be playing leading roles during a weekend that will thrill all fans. Fans will be able to enjoy first hand the new era of Formula 1, that will turn Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya into a huge party. Pit Walk, Open Track, animations, music, gastronomy, activities for all types of public and many other proposals will be added to the show on the track and will delight all those attending a memorable weekend.
Good to know: you can buy a one-day ticket for the race day only. This means that you can combine the F1 experience with a long weekend filled with tasting, walking and shopping.
Barcelona has many restaurants with quality traditional and homemade Catalan cuisine, suitable for all budgets. Some even have Michelin stars. Catalan cuisine has complex roots and developed throughout the centuries from various influences including the Greeks, Romans, Italian, and French. We have prepared a selection to discover the authentic local food and wines.
La Gavina Restaurant
Located in the Palau de Mar building near the famous Marina, La Gavina offers excellent seafood and Mediterranean cuisine in a privileged setting. The terrace is a must do, while its interior dining rooms are perfectly equipped for any kind of occasion or event.
Els 4 Cats
This place, in the middle of the Gothic Quarter, is a famous piece of Barcelona’s folklore. Els Quatre Gats was a centre of Modernista thought, and even hosted Pablo Picasso‘s first art exhibition – the legendary brush wielder was also partial to a tipple here. Its vibrant decor and ambiance make the restaurant a deserving point of pilgrimmage. Tasty portions of Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine satisfactorily stave off the belly rumbles, whilst the coffee is some of the best in the city.
La Roca Village is a must do shopping destination
The centre of Barcelona has the most amazing shops: the luxury shops on the famous Passeig de Gracia, the supersized shopping mall on the Avinguda de la Granvia our in the Grazia neighbourhood. There is also the La Roca Village, situated close from the F1 Circuit! With a cosmopolitan mix of top international brands at fantastic prices, La Roca Village is a must do shopping destination. La Roca Village boasts more than 130 boutiques of designer brands with reductions of up to 60% on the recommended retail price. Catalan labels include Lupo, Desigual, and a mix of leading international brands including Sandro, Comptoir des Cotonniers, Swarovski, Furla and TAG Heuer.
La Roca Village also features a nice selection of home furnishings, lifestyle stores, trendy cafes, and upscale restaurants serving both traditional and international fare. Undecided customers can call upon the services of a personal style consultant – a person specialized in helping clients choose the perfect outfit.
Where to stay?
Barcelona is a fabulous destination and offers the best hotels. We have selected a brand new 4* hotel, right behind the cathedral in the Gothic Quarter : NH10 Madison.
This hotel opened in March 2018 and its soft elegance is very pleasant. The elegant architecture with high ceilings harmonizes with an interior design that uses refined lines and elements inspired in Barcelona’s industrial design.
The hotel features comfortable rooms and suites, a full range of dining options at The Avenue Restaurant & Cocktail Bar and the amazing rooftop Terrassa del Gòtic with plunge pool and privileged views of the cathedral.
Links
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Header image: copyright (c) Circuit de Barcelona – Miguel Rovira
