It’s the same every week in
Barcelona, whereby Thursday
is widely known as paella or fideuà (using
noodles instead of rice) day. Most daily and
non-daily menus in the city will offer at least
one paella on a Thursday. Although it’s not
officially documented as fact, this is thought
that it might have originated as a Thursday
tradition because it was once the servants’
day off. They would in turn leave the sauce
prepared so that their employees only had
to add the rice to it. What is fact though, is
that you shouldn’t miss it. There’s no need to
search for a certain restaurant — check out
whichever eatery you like the look of, and
they’re sure to have it on the menu.
FRI
Afternoon
A Market Walk
SAT
morning
Shopping Frenzy
From the pedestrian centric
streets with floods of people
to modern and original shopping malls, the
retail experience is all here. Start at Diagonal
Mar at the end of Diagonal Avenue, Les
Arenas (a former bull ring) then try Plaça
d’Espanya, La Maquinista, in the Sant Andreu
district, an open-air shopping mall. And if
you have the time, you might even want to
try the delights of La Roca Village, an outlet
shopping mall just outside the city. It’s a car
drive away — but there’s also a bus service
that will take you to the shopping mall right
from the city centre.
ADDRESS: Avinguda Diagonal, 3, Barcelona
SUN
MORNING
Local Colour
There’s nothing like hitting a
market to give you a real insight
into the ways of the locals. In Barcelona there
are plenty to choose from. Select a market
(Boqueria, Sant Antoni, Santa Caterina or
one of many that are a bit further from the
centre) and discover the unique spirit of the
suburb you’re in. Then in the evening, on
Fridays and Saturdays (winter season) from
7pm to 9pm, you can gaze at the Magic
Fountain Show at Montjuic. The spectacular
fountains recycle 2,600 litres of water. The
show is free, and it remains an unusual
attraction which frequently delights even
locals who have seen it many times before.
Whatever month of the year
that you’re visiting Barcelona,
it is well worth taking the time to go and
have a look at the Mercat de Sant Antoni
(Sant Antoni metro station). Aside from
being a travel hub for the city, this is also
where people gather to exchange old
books, complete their beloved trading card
collections, or to sell their old junk and buy
other’s knick-knacks. Then after engaging
in that much frenetic buying, a midday rest
in the Parc de la Ciutadella is a must. Here
you will find yoga practitioners, drummers,
birthday parties, families and friends eating
on the grass, all in one idyllic spot.
ADDRESS: Plaça Espanya metro station
ADDRESS: Carrer Comte d’Urgell, Ibis, 08011
20 AS COTT LIVING
16 AS COTT LIVING
PHOTOs: latitude stock (main)
tHU
EVENING
Time for Paella
Above: El Raval is one of the most
interesting parts of Barcelona.
Here you can get a real insight
into the Catalan people and
immerse yourself in the melting
pot of cultures in this fascinating
city. Home to contemporary
art, cool bars and some of the
best restaurants Barcelona
have to offer, it’s an area that
demands to be explored