La Rambla, Barcelona

Barcelona is a great, metropolitan city with lots to offer and has a fantastic climate; the sun shines nearly every day! You have the beach, the mountains nearby, lots of culture and beautiful architecture. I would like to share some tips for a ‘day’ in Barcelona, with some healthy Barcelona activities.

Why not start your day by going for a stroll along the city beaches; Barcelona has 8 beaches in the city that you can stroll along. You can stop at any of the café’s along the way and have a juice or a healthy breakfast. Apparently the famous, lovely ‘Art’s Hotel’ which is along the beach, offers on Sunday’s a gorgeous, healthy breakfast/brunch which costs 32eu, a bit pricey, but it’s a 5-star hotel with beautiful views out over the sea.

My favourite thing to do in Barcelona is just to walk around, looking at all the beautiful buildings and architecture and the interesting mix of old and modern buildings and all the different types of people. From the stroll on the beach I would wander into the old city, the Barrio Gotic, which is the best-preserved medieval quarter in Europe, dotted with some astounding Roman remains. It is fascinating part of town, with it’s small, narrow streets, you get a feeling of how Barcelona must have been a long time ago. It feels mysterious and secretive. In this barrio you have lots of small, personalised shops that you might find interesting and I would visit the beautiful, famous Cathedral and light a candle for yourself or for anyone else that you would like to light a candle for.

After Barrio Gotic make your way up the Ramblas, the most famous walking street in the world and enjoy the street performers and hustle and bustle of this people filled Rambla. For lunch I would recommend you head to healthy ‘Organic Market’ a lovely restaurant and market where you have a choice of sushi, woks, salads, organic meats, pizzas etc. It’s at Ronda Universitat 20, 08007 Barcelona  www.wokiorganicmarket.com

After lunch why not treat yourself to a therapeutic, relaxing, full-body aromatic oil massage? 10-minutes walk from the lunch place is The Vital Touch Barcelona – Massage Clinic.  www.tvtbarcelona.com

Perfect for resting your legs for a bit and recharging your batteries for the evening adventure.

After the massage drink lots of water, rest for half an hour back at the hotel, shower and change and at 8pm head out to ‘Jazz Si Club Taller de Musics’, a live music venue in Raval, on Requesens 2, 08001 Barcelona, Tel: 933 290 020. On a Thursday evening they have a live Cuban salsa band playing. This little music venue is perfect, very intimate, good atmosphere and with lots of locals, young music students and with the odd tourist here and there. From 8.30 till 10.30 you will have a great boogie and feel the Mediterranean, Latino atmosphere in Barcelona by night. I love this place and it always feels like I’ve done a great work out!

Me and my salsa dancing gang always finish of the evening at ‘El Laurel’, a cosy, local Argentinean bar and restaurant on Calle Floridablanca 140, 08011 Barcelona Tel: 93 325 6292 (very close to ‘jazz si’) where we eat our pic a pic dinner of empanadas (south-american pasties, but with lots of different, healthy fillings), fresh salads and drink a wonderful glass of red wine whilst listening to tango or jazz in the background. This is not ‘live’. ‘El Laurel’ is a great way to finish your day.

Salud!!! Cheers for a wonderful, healthy and fun day in Barcelona. Enjoy!