Rainy day in Barcelona

It´s pretty unusual but when it does rain in Barcelona, it rains non-stop and the city becomes a totally different place. If you´re here on a break and need some ideas for a rainy day, then I hope these help to cheer up your day...

(courtesy of Pinterest)

"I came to shop so I´m gonna shop!"... You still can, and in a great little shopping centre called La Illa on Diagonal. It´s got everything you need for a rainy day shopping trip. Zara, Massimo Dutti, Pepe, Mango, Diesel, even Disney! Inside the El Corte Inglés department store at the far left end, you can find more high-end shops like Whistles, Comptior de Cotonniers, Maje and The Kooples. On the ground floor you even have a Primark for quick cheap buys and there are plenty of lovely cafés & sushi stops to choose from.


Take the kids to the Aquarium
Although this is quite a touristy suggestion, it´s a great option if you´re with kids and need to keep them entertained. The Aquarium is down by Maremagnum (bottom of the Rambla and across the Port) and is actually really good. It´s got one of those conveyer belt shark tunnels and the penguins are ace! It´s quite pricey (13 euros for kids and 18 for adults but you get a 1euro discount voucher online)

Bagaud in the Gothic area 
Eat and drink your way through the day....it´s been done before, and will be done again! On a rainy weekend in Barcelona there´s nothing better than finding a cosy restaurant with delicious tapas and enjoying a few drinks and good company.  Here are a few ideas of places to settle in for the afternoon. Mercat Princesa is a fantastic market-style tapas restaurant, Llamber (already featured on my blog) is cosy, warm and does great food all day.  Dos trece is a more cool, laid back vibe near the Rambla. For a pub lunch, the nicest pub for me is Dunnes near the Born area.

(courtesy of Burberry)

Get pampered while it´s cold outside. Take the opportunity to take some time for yourself and get ready for a nice night out. Head to the Pink Peony on Passeig de Gracia for a manicure or pedicure. It´s a lovely little New York style beauty retreat with good prices and excellent service. An express mani will set you back only 14 euros and takes about half an hour. Perfect time to chat to a friend while you get your autumn nails! Make sure to call before as they´re often busy.

Aire de Barcelona

Relax in the Arab baths...If you want peace, quiet and some serious relaxation you should head to Aire de Barcelona in the Born area. You can spend 1 hour and a half in a circuit of different baths, hamman, relaxation room and steam room for 29 euros or you can add treatments such as massages. The best thing is it´s quite dark so walking around in a swimsuit isn´t so painful!


Cream tea with diamonds!

Do Afternoon tea in style! At the Mandarin Oriental hotel on Passeig de Gracia you can indulge in the great British tradition of cream tea. Decorated with Tiffany boxes and set in the bright and ornate Blanc brasserie, it´s a classy affair but surprisingly not incredibly expensive. In fact, you only pay for what you choose from the buffet style selection. With cakes, tea and champagne what better way to spend a rainy afternoon. Thursday to Saturday from 5pm-9pm.



If all that seems like too much effort you can always relax in the cinema and watch a great movie in English. Renoir Floridablanca (10 mins walk from the Rambla) or Icaria (10 mins cab ride from centre) are both perfect for a rainy day.

For any special events or exhibitions, follow me on twitter @lascallesdeBCN or check my facebook page.

Comments

  1. love that blog please do one for over sixties featuring the perfect weekend. we have the money to spend thanks angela

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