Barcelona is the city where I come from and where I grew up. Since I was little I liked to lose myself in its streets: the most charming one for me is the Passatge de la Pau. I remember when my father and I went many weekends to the viewpoint of the road that climbs to the mountain of the Tibidabo to observe the whole city, with the sea in the horizon. From there, he taught me some of its main streets and monuments. However, Barcelona is much more than the emblematic places we all know and we can see in most tourist guides. If you visit the city, I would recommend that you visit some of them without renounce to know a different Barcelona, more local and contemporary.

If I had to choose a hotel to stay in, Cotton House Hotel would be one of them. Everything is kept to the smallest detail and there is always a corner to photograph. Very close is the Casa Bonay located, which is much more than a hotel boutique. You can buy books and magazines, selected clothes, have one of the best cafés in town at Sattan's Coffee Corner or enjoy a cocktail at Libertine.

Also in the Eixample Right of Barcelona, there are two concept stores that need an obligatory visit. On the one hand, Wer-Haus is a space divided into three atmospheres which coexist in perfect harmony: a gallery, a shop with clothing brands and international magazines and a cafeteria where they prepare one of the best brunches in the city. A perfect oasis to spend the afternoon taking a delicious mocha coffee. While Wer-Haus transmits modernity, Jaime Beriestain is a balanced mix of sophistication, craftsmanship and authenticity. There, you can buy flowers, local pottery, furniture, decorations or books. If you enter through the other door or walk through store’s interior you arrive at the restaurant, where I recommend trying their dessert menu or the lasagna.

In Barcelona, there are some of the most famous museums and buildings in the world: the Picasso Museum, La Pedrera, La Sagrada Familia, the Miró Foundation, Mies Van der Rohe Pavilion or the MNAC. However, among my favorites, I would recommend CaixaForum, "La Virreina, Centre de la Imatge"  or Macba, designed by the architect Richard Meier. In the vicinity area of last one , there are some examples of urban art such as the Mural by Keith Haring in favour of the fight against AIDS or the first ceramic mural designed by the artist Eduardo Chillida.

In addition to enjoying a swim in the sea in the Barceloneta area, you will find many trendy places such as the Soho House or the Surf House Barcelona. Recently, BOXBARCELONA has opened its doors, an innovative space that aims to become a platform to promote the artistic and cultural community of the city. There, you can not only buy sports products, you can also enjoy the space of co-working with sea views or discover the work of local artists who will decorate the space periodically: Architecture G or Marc Morro furniture, ceramics by Romina Gris, photographs by Alba Yruela or Salva López, publications by the publishing house Querida or objects designed by Adolfo Abejón.

Finally, Barcelona is also a city to enjoy its gastronomy and shopping. Among my favourite restaurants, I would like to emphasize the oriental tavern Fan Ho and its delicious handmade Dimsuns or Isla Tortuga and its delicious tapas, tacos or homemade desserts. Undoubtedly, Born area is my favourite to buy clothing and accessories from local designers: Ivori Barcelona, La Tercera, Après Ski, Little Creative Factory, or Nuovum are just some examples.

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