Princess' guide to Barcelona Part one-Things to see, do and love!

Hi guys! so, after my holiday outfit post (check it out Here) I decided that since I have now been to Barcelona a total of 5 times in less than a year and a half (which is crazy by my standards!) I figured I now know a thing or two about some cool things to do while you're there.
Please bear in mind that this is by no means a definitive guide to everything there is on offer-It's just a few things I enjoyed while I was there, and I hope you will too :-)
So here goes.......



1. Beaches

One of the first things you will see as you embark upon Barcelona is the long coastline! The beaches nearest to the city stretch 4.2 km along the coast, which means there is plenty of space to chill and soak up the atmosphere! there are around 10 beaches side by side, each with ample facilities (WC, showers etc.) there are even outside gyms free to use (or people watch lol)
There are also many restaurants to choose from. Although Barcelona is very popular-I never really feel closed in, even when the beach is busy-which is great. The beach can be reached from the city centre in around 20 mins via walking from the end of Ramblas, or taking the yellow line to Barceloneta. I always prefer walking as you see so much more on foot.



2. Parc Guell


 


The entrance looks like a gingerbread house for adults! the architecture is amazing and definitely something to see! Not your traditional 'park' though it has many architectural aspects to appreciate. Pretty mosaic detailing in the structure, large columned tunnels and good views of the city.
Price is 7 euros for adults, 4.90 for kids




3. Sagrada Familia

Construction started on 19th March 1882 and amazingly, this church has not been finished yet 133 years later! It is amazing to see in real life. I have never been inside but it does look remarkable! It is great for photo opportunities. Tip: for the best photos I would say cross over the road from the main entrance and enter the park. You will find a pond with a short wall to sit on-I always get great pictures from there, the lighting is excellent :-)
Entrance price 19.50 euros




4. Casa Batllo and Casa Mila (La Pedrera):

Casa Milà, popularly known as ‘La Pedrera’ (the stone quarry), was constructed between 1906 and 1912 by Antoni Gaudí (1852-1926). In 1984  it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, for its exceptional universal value. Nowadays it is the headquarters of Catalunya-La Pedrera Foundation, and it hosts various exhibitions and activities. I just love the detail of the building walls, and the rooftop looks good for pictures aswell
Price 20.50 for adults, 10.25 for kids

Casa batllo, also designed by Gaudi, this remarkable building built in 1877 is also referred to as Casa dels ossos, meaning 'house of bones' as it is easy to see the skull and bones detailing in the structure. Also the front wall is covered in intricate mosaic detail which looks so pretty!
These are very close to one another, and both are a short walk from Plaza Catalunya. Located in the area Passeig de Gracia-which is where all the designer shops are!
Price 18.50

As I was on a tight budget, I didn't go in-just took pictures from outside!



5. Montjuic Castle:

Montjuïc Castle is an imposing castle that has dominated the city since 1640. It houses a military museum. It is easy to get to via cable car from the port I believe, or you can do what a local would do and just get the bus 55 from catalunya square (plaza catalunya) its around 1 euro and you're there in around 20 minutes! The last bus stop is at the entrance to the gate of an arts museum I believe, where you can walk all the way up to the castle. And when you're finished just go back to the stop you got off-simple!



6. Olympic park:

 Barcelona’s Parc Montjuic was the location for the 1992 Olympic Games and all the facilities are still there to see. It is a nice place but I didn't really explore too much here-I just promised my son that I would get this picture :-)

7. Palau De La Musica Catalana:

Day and night, this place offers amazing views of the city as it is high. And the best thing is...there are escalators all the way to the top! I went back at around midnight so I could get some clear shots (on my iphone 4?...dream on girl!) and it was worth it. Seeing the busy town, but hearing nothing but silence is wonderful. There was a random boy up there on his own listening to his ipod (lol) so I got him to take a couple of shots of me :-)
The picture above was taken in the day.....obviously 



8. Magic fountain:

This fountain is located just outside the Palace. One word-remarkable! I thought we were just going to see a random pretty fountain with colours...boy was I wrong! The whole atmosphere was buzzing-everyone in high spirits. With songs from artists such as Beyonce, Dizzy Rascal and Coldplay....and even great classical pieces, It was literally like a party! The way the music is synchronised with the light displays is something you just have to see! as they say-miss it miss out!



9. Ramblas & Boqueria

This place has everything! Tapas, Street performers, shops galore, Ice cream stands with interesting flavours including bubblegum and popcorn! and people from all over the world soaking up the local atmosphere oh yeah....and more Tapas!
Right in the middle of Rambla, La Boqueria is the most visually exciting market I have ever visited! The displays are awesome-Fresh fruits and veggies for days, different meats, smoothies of all kinds, and massive sweeties and chocolates! I'm getting hungry just thinking about it!



10. Maremagnum





Right on the Port, this shopping centre seems to have everything you need in a shopping centre, with the usual high-street stores. There are restaurants galore, even quiet relaxing sofas and flooring where you can relax on your laptop and charge your phone. Even the toilets look awesome! Plus there are outside activities, and nice places to sit on the boardwalk and feed the seagulls. This picture was taken in March where they held an outdoor salsa flash mob!



11. Barcelona zoo

Source enjoy-Barcelona

I absolutely loved the zoo! The day we went, there was a massive storm (the loudest I had ever heard) but by the afternoon the weather improved quite a bit. However I think most people were put off venturing outside-but my son and I are very determined, so off we went!.
I mean why not, it was literally a 14 minute (timed it) walk from our hotel-which was in the city centre! How great is that?? :-D
What was even better, because of the storm there were maximum, around 35-40 people in the whole zoo!  so it was like we hired it for ourselves really lol

There are many animals to see and appreciate here and of course it's great for kids. My son and I were especially excited to see the Giraffes, Lions and Elephants, And they still put on a great dolphin show for all of us :-D
But be warned, the Lion enclosure did not seem that 'enclosed' in my opinion. I had read reviews online and thought they were exaggerating about the lions being so open, but they were right! and I was surprised that the gates they were behind were actually BELOW my sons shoulders-and he is 8! :-0

I was even more surprised to see a lady place her baby on top of the gate to stand on it to see the lions (Crazy!)
Anyway, needless to say-we made a swift exit after we took a few shaky pics. Funilly enough, the lions actually walked with us until the gate stopped them from going any further......

It would have been nice to see some staff members walking around to make us feel safe (especially in the big cat zone) but alas-there were none there....infact there were probably 10x more peacocks walking around freely....maybe they could protect us??

Regardless, it was a great day, well worth it!

All in all, I think Barcelona has something for everyone, and there is always something new to try each time you go back!

I would like to do a part two covering getting around, nightlife and where to eat.....so stay tuned! Remember to follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Bloglovin' 

Have you been to Barcelona before, and what did you enjoy doing? we would love to hear!

Favourite flats of the month-Gucci monogram loafer

 

Like men, there are different types of shoes on the market. The ones that you take one glimpse of and think...."Ok, you're mine, right now!" (in a marriage sense lol) , then there are the ones you encounter and think "well, you look ok....and you're not completely crazy-so I guess you will do" lol

For me, the Gucci monogrammed loafer is that second type of guy. I originally bought them primarily because they were 50% off in the Selfridges sale, secondly because they were the "in" thing just before I got them. It seemed everyone stopped wearing them by the time I bought them-which I actually prefer!

When I got them, I was happy-but not overly excited. I tried them on, and the first thing I thought was "man these are SOLID". Seriously they are built like a brick house, but yet sooo comfy to walk in!
 I remember my first venture outside in them I decided to team them with a pair of Topshop flares. And I swear each time I walked and saw them peeking out of my jeans....I reminded myself of some sort of drug dealer! (totally random I'll admit and not the look I was going for)

Sooo after that failed styling attempt-I put them to the back of my closet and didn't think of them for a long time. Put it this way, I have had them for maybe 9/10 years! and have only worn them maybe 10 times. During that time I took a serious liking to Louis Vuitton loafers, and the rest was history.

However this Sunday I met with my photographer for some outfit shots around London. And for one particular outfit I was wracking my brain over which shoes I would use to finish it off, and they popped into my head.

I must say that I absolutely LOVE the resulting outfit.....and I'm hoping I don't indeed look like a drug dealer (I'll let you decide that!) Be sure to stay tuned to see my upcoming outfit posts!


I can honestly say that these are the MOST SOLID pair of shoes I own, and truly an investment piece-I am looking forward to making the most out of them over the coming months, and am thinking about purchasing some from their new season. I have indeed fallen in love with them again.

So the moral of the story is..........sometimes true love is a slow burner! <3

Thanks for reading! xx


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Grey is the way

Grey acid washed jeans £13 Primark | White T-shirt £3 Primark | Black strappy flats £10 Primark | Jacket £17 Topshop found on eBay | Grey aviators £2 Primark | Cat-eye sunglasses £6.99 H&M | Statement necklace £10 River Island | Bag Louis Vuitton | Gold cuff £3 Primark | Phone case around £4 eBay

Have you ever had one of those days where you want to wear jeans...but you're not feeling the blue or black? every so often I feel like this, and have found that grey jeans are a great alternative for me. 

I find them easy to style, great with neutrals and also easy to wear with a pop of colour. 

That day we took the pictures, it was a very grey day, and it was also raining on and off (what is up with UK weather??!)
Even as I am writing this, it's crazy windy outside!....Although I am British, I will never get use to the "Bi-polar" British weather!

Anway, I am loving my knuckle duster phone case from eBay, it is so unique-and I get compliments whenever I use it. I unfortunately broke it, but I will definitely be getting another one as they are so cheap!

Speaking of eBay, I will be opening a new account selling some of my pieces including Topshop, H&M, Jimmy Choo, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Stuart Weitzman, Oscar De La Renta....plus heaps more!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Twitter and Pintrest to be the first in the know about what's going up for sale! ;-)

Hope the weather is better where you are!......How would you style grey jeans?  ;-)  xx

Images by Photosforlondon

Meet me in Barcelona!!!

 

Floral blouse £10 Primark | High waisted jeans £13 Primark | Pink aviators £2 Primark | Pink bow peeptoe flats £6 Primark | Studded PU jacket £17 Topshop-found on eBay | Pink chiffon vest £4 Primark | Ripped jeans £13 Primark | Pink scarf £4 Primark | Leopard maxi skirt £14 Primark | Black strappy sandals £17 New Look | Yellow blazer £15 Primark | Dark washed jeans with zip ankles £15 Primark | Yellow blouse £17.99 Zara | Blue leopard dress £20 River Island | Gold collar £3.90 Forever 21 | Gold cuff £3 Primark | Gold/Turquoise cuff £5 Rare London | Gold/turquoise necklace £5.65 Forever 21

Here are a few pics of what I wore on my latest holiday to Barcelona. I went primarily for a concert-but also went sight-seeing and a couple of salsa clubs including my favourite local salsa club Antilla (it is amazing!)
The weather was better than the UK (am I surprised??), and the higher temperature allowed me to wear lighter, brighter outfits (which I was craving for months!)

Hope you like them....let me know what you think!

BTW-I have since been to Santorini Greece also, so keep a look out for a post showing what I wore there too! OH....and a holiday haul too! xx