One of the highlights on our long weekend in Barcelona was definitely La Pedrera. A colleague of mine recommended it and we found it really interesting.
The building, designed by GaudĂ in the beginning of the last century, is so different to anything I’ve seen. It’s part wacky, part beautiful and part ugly in my opinion but definitely interesting!
Even the doors are very different. It’s refreshing to find out that this building was designed over a hundred years ago as it still feels modern.
The best part of the audio tour that was included in our ticket was definitely the rooftop. Unlike other rooftops there’s no greenery or seating area. Instead you can walk around in this art installation with crazy chimneys.
It’s such an experience and the views are breathtaking.
Especially this perfect view of La Sagrada Familia.
Just look at the proportions. Pretty cool!
Back inside there’s a small exhibition about GaudĂ’s work and techniques that was interesting, but entering a flat furnished exactly like it was when the building was built was more interesting to me.
The crazy features are toned down, but you can see Gaudà in every detail. The door frames, the handles, the metal features outside of the windows. And somehow it works with the traditional furniture.
Back on the ground floor you find this impressive art installation. So different. Although it’s a museum, people still live in the other flats in the house today. I cannot recommend this enough. Even if you’re not a GaudĂ fan (I’m not), or that into art or architecture you’ll still find this interesting – I promise. It’s just a completely different perspective.
La Pedrera, Provença, 261-265, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
After this cultural experience it was time for lunch so we walked to the much talked about Cerveseria Catalana. It’s touristy but authentic and insanely busy. I’ve had it recommended by friends and they all love it.
I certainly see the appeal. The only downside is the waiting time. They don’t take bookings so you put your name on a list on arrival and they’ll shout your name when the table is ready for you. Or, you can just hover by the bar seats and snatch them when somebody leaves, as there is no list for those seats. That was a lot faster and what we ended up doing.
I like the vibe sitting at the bar counter, especially in a busy tapas bar at lunch time. That’s where the action is.
The first two dishes we had were these gambas (prawns) in olive oil and garlic and padron peppers. Both nice but not that special.
But the tortilla, that blew us away. It’s seriously good. Just perfect in every way and tasted divine. I would come back just to eat it again.
These mini beef burgers with cheese and sautéed onions were also amazing!
Lunch at the bar counter, this was our view. As you can see they have some dishes lined up at the counter as well so you can order just by pointing if you’re not sure what’s what.
I pointed to this pinchos with crab, mayonnaise and corn. So good, just incredibly filling.
I also had these razor clams, that I didn’t see on the translated menu, but our bar counter neighbours had ordered them so we did the same. Yum!
We were too full for pudding, but I like the dessert menu displayed like this.
Cerveseria Catalana, Carrer de Mallorca, 236, 08008 Barcelona, Spain
Scandelights 