2

A+D Issue12 text 001-036:A+D 13/2/08 8:37 AM Page 22

24 Hours in
One day in Barcelona just isn’t enough. This is the simple truth for any great city. As a
favourite Mediterranean port-of-call for cruise ships, however, that’s all many visitors
to Barcelona manage. We suck the marrow out of a single day.

EXPLORE:
The Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter,
dates back to Roman times. The
warren of laneways and squares is
full of shops, cafés, bars and a
remarkable timeline traced in
architecture. Close by, the Mercat
de la Boqueria is one of the finest
fresh food markets in Europe and a
good place to see the seasons
taking shape.
The double-decker open air Bus
Turistic is a handy way to get
around and take in all essentials:
Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia and
Parc Guell, the Jean Miro
Museum and the waterfront. The
bus travels in different loops and
you can hop on and off as many
times as you like on a single ticket.
TAPAS AT BAR MUT. SAGRADA FAMILIA. A MERCHANT IN POBLE ESPANOL.

EAT: the tapas superstar alongside

The Catalan staple of pa amb
tomàquet (bread sliced, lightly favourites like croquetas de
toasted then rubbed with tomato, jamón (smoked ham croquettes)
olive oil, garlic and salt) is perfect and alcachofas fritas (fried
breakfast or brunch fare. Being so artichokes). Head to Bar Mut for
popular with the locals, it’s also chef and owner Quim Diaz’s
easy to find. upscale montaditos, small serves
La Gavina, which translates to of delicacies like foie gras on discs
seagull, is a harbourside gem. of baguette.
Located in the old port’s historic
Palau de Mar building this
sprawling and buzzing restaurant
seats 400 on its open air terrace.
It’s busy for good reason. The
seafood is exceptional. For lunch
on a fine day, the location is hard to
beat.
At night Catalans flock to tapas
places across town. Each place
has its own specialty. Always try

22
LA GAVINA. MAKING PAELLA.
4
A+D Issue12 text 001-036:A+D 13/2/08 8:37 AM Page 23

Barcelona RELAX:
Feel like having someone else
organise your day? Essential
Solutions is on hand to help. A
personal concierge service, ES
promises to deliver what you need
and when you need it. Transport
and transfers, dinner reservations,
tickets to shows and sporting
events are the very least you can
expect. No one knows this town
like these guys. You won’t waste a
minute of your precious time in
Barcelona with this team leading
the way.

ADDRESS BOOK
La Gavina www.lagavina-rte.com
Bar Mut +93-217-43-38
Vincon www.vincon.com
Zara www.zara.com
Essential Solutions
www.myessentialsolutions.com
VINÇON.

SHOP: Susanna Soler Ceramica. Soler’s

Vinçon is the local leading light in
BCBG design. From staplers and handmade and handpainted
paperclips to chairs and lighting ceramic-and-cork bottle stoppers
solutions, this emporium of good make beautiful lightweight gifts.
taste sources its wares from the Stop to take in the view of the city
vanguard of industrial design. It’s a from Poble Espanyol. This has
toy store for grownups. photo op written all over it.
Barcelona born Zara is the
place to go for quality, moderately
priced clothes.
Cotton basics and classic cuts
are the drawcards. There are over a
thousand stores in sixty-eight
countries around the world, but
none in Australia. Sizes are on the
small side, but at these prices it’s
worth the blow to your self-image.
Take the Metro or Bus Turistic to
Poble Espanyol. There you’ll find

NIGHT MARKET IN THE GOTHIC QUARTER.