You may come for golden beaches, catalan gastronomy and gaudí masterpieces, but the people of barcelona are the real highlight — from museum curators and tour guides to architects and street artists, we discover the beguiling city through the eyes of its doting residents
TANIT
THE TOUR GUIDE
EVERYBODY TALKS ABOUT HOW WELL THE CITY WORKS — HOW CLEAN, SAFE AND EASY GOING IT IS. But I think the architectural elements are probably the biggest surprise to people. They’re really unique once you compare with other cities round the world. Getting lost in the Gothic Quarter is like being immersed in a fairytale.
SEPTEMBER IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT. Good weather, none of crowds and noise of the peak-tourism period. You also have my favourite event, La Mercé [a festival each September celebrating the city’s patron saint]. The party stretches across all of Barcelona, with a full week of events, activities, concerts, spectacles, colour, gastronomy and happiness.
I THINK THE CITY CHANGED AFTER THE 1992 OLYMPICS. Before then, it was a little chaotic and not so organised. In the past 10 years, especially, it’s been trying hard to improve all infrastructure and services — we’re one of the cleanest cities in Europe and have amazing (and cheap) public transport.
MY FAVOURITE SPOT IS MIRABÉ, A PEACEFUL OASIS JUST A 15- TO 20-MINUTE DRIVE FROM THE CITY. You can enjoy a Catalonian delicatessen meal paired with a glass of Cava and observe how the colours of the sky change from the top of Tibidabo Mountain, then how the lights turn on across the city. Just a perfect way to end a busy day.
etapatapa.com
JORDI - CHIEF ARCHITECT
I first saw the Sagrada Familia when I was little — I lived nearby. Sometimes I used to play in the park opposite the Passion façade. I was surprised by how tall the Nativity Towers were and how the Passion Towers were growing, but it was part of my everyday surroundings, always under construction, and I was aware that it belonged to all of us.
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