Tips for Mobile World Congress “afterwork”

Tips for Mobile World Congress Afterwork

First time in Barcelona?  Let me give to you some useful tips for visit, relax, shop and enjoy Barcelona.

To visit

Barcelona is an extraordinary city; there is a lot of things to visit here. Starting from Sagrada Familia, La Pedrera, Casa Batlló (and many others Gaudi’s unique creations) but, a “must visit “ is… the main food market in the gothic area  of the city: La Boqueria.

At La Boqueria things are still done the way they always have been and for visitors it's a colorful bonanza of exotic fruits, vegetables, fish and meat as well as a couple of fantastic tapas bars.  Another popular market is Sant Antoni which local Barcelona residents claim is even livelier, fresher, and much more authentic than La Boqueria with clothes stalls and a book and coin market on Sundays, but at the moment it is undergoing a major renovation and has moved into temporary premises nearby.

Another unconventional “visit” in Barcelona is the terrace of “Mirablau”. Mirablau is a classic and stylish club with two levels on Tibidabo Mountain with stunning views of Barcelona by night. Restaurant and lounge with terrace. Located in Plaza Doctor Andreu, at the end of Avenida Tibidabo next to the bottom station of Tibidabo funicular train. During the day you can reach Mirablau by the old blue tram 195 Tramvia blau, but otherwise there is no public transport nearby, so you have to book a taxi.

Finally, Santa Maria del Mar, the Cathedral of the Sea. Is a gothic church that was built between 1329 and 1383. However, unlike the vast majority of churches built around this time, it was built by the people; everyone contributed money and time during its construction.

Certain elements of the church are surrounded by a long history, such as the main door which is homage to the “bastaixos” who brought stones from the beach which were to be used for the building’s construction.

Over the years, the church has established a bond with the residents of the city and Catalonia. For example, there is a white mulberry tree which was once the church’s cemetery where all the Catalans who died during the siege on Barcelona in 1714 can be found and where the Catalonia’s National Holiday is commemorated.

Santa Maria del Mar has inspired great stories such as ‘La Catedral del Mar’, published by Iledefonso Falcones, although it’s important to point out that it’s not the Cathedral of Barcelona, but rather a parish church.

Dinner

Roig Robí.Quite expensive (65-85€ per person) but perhaps one of the best restaurants in Barcelona. Catalan cousin, you can find it in Carrer de Sèneca, 20 (near Avenida Diagonal).

Opening Mon to Fri - 13:30-16 hr. y de 20:30-23:30 hr. – Phone +34 931 770 722

Passadís d’en Pep. One of the restaurants specialized in seafood with more charisma in Barcelona. (starting from 50€ per pax), you can also choose a tasting menu (70-90€).

Opening Mon to Sat from 13:30-15:30hr and from 21-23:30hr. - Pla de Palau, 2 – Phone +34 933 101 021

Bohémic. A small bistro where the young chef Francesc Gimeno, with the help of his parents and sister, presents an impeccable double-sided cuisine based on of tapas and half portions. (45€).

Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30-16hr and from 20:30-23hr (cocktails from 19-21hr). Sunday from 12:30-16hr.

Carrer de Manso, 42 – Phone  +34 931 768 971

Quimet i Quimet. Family-owned for four generations, Quimet i Quimet owes its sterling reputation to delicious tapas, such as mussels and tomatoes, navajas (razor shells) and improvised montaditos (mini-sandwiches), as well as its amazing cheeses, such as tou dels tillers, a cheese stuffed with trout roe and truffles.

C/Poeta Cabanyes 25- Phone +34 93 442 31 42

And last but not least …  Barceloneta.  Good fish dishes, always with the best fish, professional service, exceptional views to the port and good prices in relation to the quality.

Carrer de l' Escar, 22 (Barcelona). Moll dels pescadors. Phone +34 932 212 111

Open Monday to Sunday from 13-24hr.

After dinner

Alaire Terrace Bar, an unique view of modernist Barcelona. Located on the 8th floor of the hotel Condes de Barcelona overlooking La Pedrera and the Sagrada Familia, ALAIRE is a must-go meeting place in the city. With its varied and delicious menu, you can enjoy an al fresco daytime aperitif, informal dinner or cocktail accompanied by the best music.

Opening times (Oct - May): 5:30 pm - 2:00 am

Open from Wednesday to Sunday

Semon 9. At Semon it was not enough for them to have one of the finest gourmet shops in the city, a luxury catering firm, three restaurants (one Japanese) and for them to have established the brand in Madrid. Now, based in premises in the street of Santa Fe de Nou Mèxic, Semon 9 has seized the momentum to continue the celebrations from 11 pm to 2am in a space where you can have a cocktail or a light dinner. A classic uptown venue for a seasoned clientele looking for a rather bohemian environment.

Marula Café. Garage, afrobeat, jazz, funk, soul, disco, boogaloo and whatever else the gods of groove decide to bless us with. Marula Café is so real it hurts. No other local club comes close to playing it old-school-style like this elegant space buried deep inside the rank entrails of the Gothic Quarter. It boasts a simply impeccable concert programme for vinyl connoisseurs. And the same goes for their DJ sessions: every weekend features an explosion of soulful, funky grooves with vintage flavour. Coltrane, Hayes, Puente, Mayfield...

And if you like Jazz… Little Italy Jazz. Little Italy is the only restaurant in town committed 100% to jazz. And they've got experience to back it up as well, having opened in 1988. The place started out as a traditional Italian restaurant, at a time when 'the neighbourhood was still alive with the last gasps of Zeleste on C/Argenteria'. And the live jazz formula came to them when they saw that the neighbouring art galleries were open late. They started offering dinner concerts once a month and, by popular demand, those changed to once a week, and now they're every Wednesday and Thursday night. What they did at first to liven up slow weeknights is now essential, and their Italian cuisine is as reliable as their music programme.

Carrer Rec, 30.

Shopping

For her, a “must in the city” are:

MAD. Here you will find all the tendencies of international fashion, with pieces of the most important designers. 100% glam!

Rambla de Cataluña, 107

Didal D’Or. A small lingerie shop near the center of the city. Here you will find little gems of Interior national and international fashion.

Travessera de Gràcia, 90

For him:

Santa Eulalia. One of the most fashion luxury shop in Barcelona. Also for her.

Passeig de Gràcia, 93