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Living in Barcelona and making it feel like home is exciting but can feel overwhelming at first too. The language can be a hurdle sometimes, and figuring out the basics — housing, paperwork, finding your go-to shops and services — takes a bit of patience. But once you settle in, it is such a rewarding place to live.
There is a large international community here, and so many ways to connect. From casual meetups and fitness groups to creative circles and professional networks. Over time, you start to build your own version of life here, and that is when it really starts to feel like home.
In this space, I share what I have learned from living here — practical tips, personal experiences, wellness resources, family-friendly finds, and ideas for creating a life that feels good and grounded in this beautiful city.
Finding Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez Barcelona If a library could feel like part spa and part boutique hotel lobby, then Biblioteca Gabriel García Márquez Barcelona has done just that. When I heard it had won a big design award, I immediately opened Google Maps…
Of all of the paperwork and research involved in moving abroad, none determines the long-term satisfaction of your child in a new country than the choice of school. Public, private, religious? Large or small? In the city or outside? Local, international, multilingual?…
Dogs are generally welcomed in Barcelona and are well tolerated in most public spaces. They are just as much a part of café life here as cañas and bravas. The city has required leash laws and taking your canine friend on public transportation requires a carrier or…
Positioned between the green hills of the Collserola Natural Park and the blue waves of the Mediterranean, Barcelona provides the ideal backdrop for exploring both city life and the great outdoors. The city itself is home to over 200 kilometers of cycling paths and…
Despite a thriving café culture, Spanish coffee has long suffered a maligned reputation, thanks to its Franco era practice of torrefacto. Faced with shortages and trying to keep costs down, local roasters coated coffee beans in sugar prior to roasting (torrefacto),…
Gràcia, Gotico, and El Born may receive all of the attention, but Barcelona has a wealth of other neighborhoods just as distinct as the touristy favorites. Time Out magazine recently declared the Esquerra de l’Eixample (Eixample left) as the 2020 coolest…
Llibreria Ona This gorgeous new Barcelona bookstore may change your mind yet about tackling Catalan literature. A trip to Ona Llibres can be a spiritual experience for those who love to read, even if the books are not in their native language. With stunning artwork, a…
Moving to Barcelona with my family and leaving behind my midwifery career in the United States left me feeling a bit homesick. I found myself chatting up any English-speaking pregnant woman I could find in the city. I met some through Spanish classes, my…
Practical-minded though they may be, Catalans are romantics at heart. Take, for example, their embrace of the legend of Sant Jordi (St. George), the patron saint of Catalonia. While many other countries call him their patron and celebrate in his honor, the Festival of…
The COVID-19 quarantine’s true heroes have emerged from expected and unusual places. Healthcare workers, face mask producers, food store employees, bicycle messengers and bus drivers. But there are a number of further unsung heroes who are doing their best to keep…
Shops may close on Sundays, but that doesn’t mean Barcelona stops on the weekends: concerts, exhibitions, hikes, workshops, and more continue. It’s easy though to go into hermit mode every weekend, especially for children who may be tired after a week full of…
The freedom to work outside a traditional office environment is a luxury, but working from home can be isolating, even in this city. The popularity of coworking in Barcelona has led to a plethora of spaces opening up across the city. With so many options, freelancers…
Erika Lust has produced hundreds of female-friendly erotic movies, authored pleasure guides, and won international awards – all from her adopted home in Barcelona. Now, she’s tackling sex education, helping parents talk to their kids about porn. One thing’s for sure:…
The rain falls so infrequently in Barcelona that the city’s inability to deal with the occasional storm is legendary. Traffic grinds to a halt; a free taxi is a rare sighting; sodden umbrellas and sweaty commuters pack buses. The tried and true plan of letting…
Skin-exposing weather, open-minded attitudes, and none of the romantic expectation of Paris makes Barcelona an easy aphrodisiac. But in a city where one person’s arousal is another person’s eye-roll (two words: Camp Nou), what cuts it as a couples’ classic if you…
Traveling without taking your dog along seems like the less complicated choice, but finding the right place to board your pet presents its own challenges. The peace of mind that comes with leaving your dog friend with a reliable sitter means being able to focus on…
Moving to Spain presents numerous challenges and learning Spanish (and/or Catalan) tops that list. Meeting and connecting with others, not to mention taking care of daily tasks and working, all become exponentially difficult as your ears struggle to capture every word…
Costa Rican Ximena Pastor came to Barcelona with one love – cooking – and one idol – chef Albert Adrià. Working for him at Tickets only made her hungrier though. Her first solo project, Barcelona pastry school and shop L’Atelier, is one of the most outstanding in the…
Texan Erin Nixon arrived in Barcelona with no Spanish, no contacts and no hospitality experience, but one ambitious wine-filled vision. These days, you’ll find Erin inside her El Born wine bar, La Catalista, chatting to locals as they unwind amongst fairy-lights and…
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