Bohemian & Vintage
Ideal experience for vintage and second hand lovers in which you will discover places that you will fall in love with.
VIOLET
I am Violet, I love flea markets, old things, in short… I’m a vintage freak! With my recommendations I hope you enjoy what for me is a lifestyle in Barcelona, I take this opportunity to leave you some cultural and gastronomic recommendations in the area…enjoy!!
DAY 1
Welcome to Barcelona! I am Violeta and I am a lover of everything vintage, in this experience I leave you my favorite places that I hope you enjoy as much as I do.
For the first day we will tour the El Gotic neighborhood, if you want to have breakfast in the area my recommendation is The Benedict Brunch Barcelona , they have a very varied menu with all kinds of breakfasts and sweets…to fill your stomach well!
Once we have a full stomach, we can walk towards the Gotic and get lost in its streets where we will find a very good variety of vintage stores, my favorites in this area are Blue Goose (opens at 12), Le Swing Vintage… and you can’t miss the wedding dresses from L’Arca! Since you are in the area, I recommend visiting the Big Fun Museum (an original museum with optical illusions where you can take photos and portraits of famous people made with food ) , or the Casa Ignacio de Puig Garden , a small secret oasis in the center of the city.
To eat in the area I recommend having tapas or having a vermouth at the El Portalón tavern , or if you prefer something healthier although it is a better known option, I really like the Honest Greens which is next to Plaza Catalunya.,
After eating you can tour the Workshops Street. On this street there are countless vintage stores to spend hours in, one that I love to visit is Revolver where you can find new and second-hand records from all eras, and of course Flamingo’s Vintage Kilo , where the price of clothing is determined by the weight of the garment! In this area I also recommend having a drink at the Moritz Brewery .
To end the day you can go to the Eixample neighborhood and pay tribute to yourself at O Retorniño, a Galician restaurant specializing in fish and seafood, is a little further away but it is well worth it! If you fancy a closer and more sophisticated bar, you have The Lolita Barcelona .
DAY 2
This morning is a good time to visit El Mercat dels Encants / Carrer de los Castillejos, 158 (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), a market where I would dare to say that you can find anything you are looking for. For breakfast in the area, I like it Giulietta Cafe .
After visiting the market you can head towards Poblenou for a walk, here we can visit IDEAL the Barcelona Digital Arts Center It has 3D projections of Klimt or Monet and it’s really cool to see . Or if you want to continue shopping, my favorites in the area are Vintage Poblenou and the Scandinavian furniture store NOAK Room is also worth it .
To eat in the area I recommend La Tavernicola a restaurant with Argentine dishes that you will love, or if you prefer you can go for a walk on the Rambla de Poblenou and end up eating at Can Recasens which is a very original restaurant with a shop selling typical products at the entrance , You will love their charcuterie or cheese boards! At the end, if you continue straight along the Rambla del Poblenou, you will arrive at the promenade where I love to stop to read or sit and look at the sea while the sun shines on me.
There is nothing better to spend the afternoon than traveling to the Gracia neighborhood, one of the most bohemian and charming neighborhoods in the city. Here the possibilities are endless, we can start by visiting my favorite stores like Rummaging 1000 closets and Leopardo Leopardi Concept Store . If you have come to grace from Monday to Friday you can also visit the Saturnalia Bookstore . You can end up having a drink in Plaza del Sol , which is one of the meeting points in the neighborhood and has a great atmosphere every afternoon.
To end the day I recommend having tapas and a drink at Coco’s Secrets, a very charming place in Barcelona. The decoration will not leave you indifferent, they have theme nights every week, some days shows and live music! Another option is the Café Pagés if you fancy something more traditional.
DAY 3
For this last day we cannot forget the Born neighborhood, where you will find contemporary art galleries and independent designer shops. For breakfast in the area, my recommendation is Picnic (Carrer del Comerç), when you enter, you will find a small, very well-lit place where you will feel in a very pleasant and familiar atmosphere. They have a very varied brunch menu from Friday to Sunday, don’t miss it!!
Afterwards we can walk through the streets of El Born, what we find most in the shops of El Born is the figure of the independent artisan/designer/antique dealer, with his own very marked discourse and far from the imposed artistic and fashion canons. to visit some of their stores like Ziggy Vintage , Carlos Segura … since you are in the area, I recommend visiting the Maxó Gallery or, if you feel like something sweet, the Chocolate Museum. To have tapas you can have something on one of the terraces of the Mercat de Santa Caterina.
If today were Sunday (a day when you can find many stores closed), don’t worry, I have a great alternative plan! He Sant Antoni Sunday Market, the best book market in Barcelona, old books, collector’s books, out-of-print books, postcard collecting, historical documents, comics, posters, movies, trading cards, video games, used and second-hand books… a real gem! If you are here at lunchtime you can have tapas at The Three Tombs .
If you still have energy in the afternoon, you can take a walk through the Raval, the bohemian neighborhood par excellence of Barcelona, visit the Santa Mónica art center which is full of talented and upcoming artists. Here the street par excellence for vintage shops is Carrer de la Riera Baixa (closed on Sundays), where you will find some that I usually frequent like Club 80’s or the record store Wah Wah Records. In the area if you want to have a drink you have a bar with authentic Catalan tradition, the Marseille bar .
End of our route, I hope you enjoy Barcelona and come back soon to see more of this beautiful city…see you soon!!
Note: Liiffe recommends booking restaurants and events in advance to ensure availability, as well as checking schedules, as they vary seasonally.
PLACES OF INTEREST
The Benedict Brunch Barcelona
The Benedict Brunch in Barcelona offers you a unique culinary experience. Enjoy their famous brunch with eggs Benedict, brioche bread, crispy bacon and a delicious hollandaise sauce. A cozy atmosphere and attentive service await you at this location in the Gothic Quarter. Do not miss it!
Open from Monday to Sunday.
Blue Goose
Blue Goose Vintage is a vintage clothing store located in Barcelona, Spain. The store specializes in high-quality clothing and accessories from the 1940s to the 1980s.
Blue Goose Vintage garments are carefully selected and restored, so they are in excellent condition. The store offers a wide variety of styles, from casual clothing to evening dresses.
L'Arca
L’Arca Barcelona is a paradise for lovers of vintage and bridal fashion. In their store located in the heart of the Raval, you will find a wide selection of vintage wedding dresses, kimonos, jewelry, lace and other unique pieces. In addition, they offer a custom tailoring service to create the dress of your dreams.
If you are looking for a unique and special look, L’Arca Barcelona is the perfect place for you.
Big Fun Museum
A museum of optical illusions and interactive experiences for the whole family. Tour its themed rooms, from the giant’s house to the world of Alice in the Looking Glass, and enjoy fun and unforgettable photos.
Open Monday to Sunday (11-19)
Garden of the Ignacio de Puig House
It is located inside the petit palace hotel and is the only way to access it. And that is why very few people know the place. If you want to have a drink there is a terrace that is part of the hotel.
The Portalon
El Portalón, in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, offers you a unique culinary experience. Enjoy creative Mediterranean cuisine with modern touches in a rustic and cozy atmosphere. Ideal for a romantic dinner or a meeting with friends.
Open every day.
Honest Greens
Varied breakfasts, salads to taste and healthy seasonal dishes in an open-plan and cosmopolitan place. Enjoy a healthy and personalized dish. Open every day except Tuesday evenings.
Open every day.
Revolver
Hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. You can pay by card or cash. It has a second floor with vinyl records. Website for collectible records and news. New and second-hand records.
Flamingo's Vintage Kilo
Flamingos Vintage Kilo is a vintage clothing store located in the heart of Barcelona’s Raval. They sell high quality vintage clothing at affordable prices. They have a wide selection of clothing to choose from including dresses, jackets, pants, shoes and accessories.
Moritz Brewery
The Fàbrica Moritz Barcelona is a unique space where history, tradition and modernity come together. In the heart of the city, you will find this old brewery, founded in 1856, which today offers a complete beer experience.
There you can enjoy guided tours, tastings of fresh unpasteurized beers, delicious tapas and dishes made with seasonal products, as well as a store with exclusive products. An ideal space for lovers of beer and good gastronomy.
Open every day from 12 to 01.
O Returnniño
Restaurante O Retorniño is a traditional Galician restaurant in the heart of Barcelona. The restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, cozy atmosphere and attentive service.
Monday and Tuesday closed.
The Lolita Barcelona
Large place with palm trees inside. Parquet floor. Extensive menu that is prepared at the entrance. You can see it with photos. From ham, to paellas, to pasta and salads. Great variety of dishes. Dim and cozy lamps.
Open every day.
The Mercat dels Encants
Mercat dels Encants: A vibrant labyrinth of hidden treasures. Antiques, vintage clothing, restored furniture and unique objects await you at this historic market in Barcelona, open only Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Giulietta Cafe
Giulietta Cafe in Barcelona is a cozy space that offers delicious brunches, artisanal cakes and specialty coffees.
Its relaxed and familiar atmosphere, with bucolic-style decoration, makes it the ideal place to enjoy a late breakfast or a sweet or savory snack.
IDEAL the Barcelona Digital Arts Center
Ideal Digital Arts Center is a unique space in Barcelona that offers an immersive experience in the world of digital art.
The center has a 360º projection room with more than 1,000 square meters of screen, as well as a virtual reality room and an exhibition space for digital art installations.
Tuesday closed.
Vintage Poblenou
Vintage Poblenou: A paradise for vintage fashion lovers, with second-hand clothing at affordable prices. Rewards those who bring used clothing, promoting sustainability and the circular economy.
NOAK Room
Noak Room is a vintage furniture store located in Poblenou, Barcelona. It specializes in Scandinavian furniture and decorative objects from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The store is run by Sara Salas and Martin Noaksson, who are passionate about Scandinavian design.
The Tavernicola
La Tavernicola is an Argentine restaurant located in Poblenou, Barcelona. It’s a small, intimate place with a cozy, homey atmosphere. The menu specializes in traditional Argentine dishes, such as empanadas, grilled meat and choripán. Prices are reasonable and service is excellent.
Monday closed.
Can Recasens
Can Recasens is a traditional Catalan restaurant located in the heart of Poblenou, Barcelona. Founded in 1906, it offers a unique culinary experience with dishes made with fresh and seasonal ingredients.
Its specialty is tapas and dishes to share, such as Spanish omelette, ham croquettes and escalivada. They also have a wide selection of Spanish wines to choose from.
Sunday closed.
Rummaging 1000 closets
It is in front of the parish of Sant Joan. Ideal to enter and visit the store. In front there is a cafeteria and a few meters away the plaque of the viceroy. It is closed winter hours: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Saturdays until 8:30 p.m. Sundays closed. There is a small sign posted at the entrance. It has no sign and you deduce the store by intuition.
Leopard Leopardi Concept Store
Its exterior is striking. Local brand. Check schedules when you go. Leopardo Leopardi, in the heart of Gràcia, is a magical space that transports you to a world of color and fantasy. You will find unique objects, from illustrations and jewelry to clothing and stationery, all with a special and original touch.
Saturnalia Bookstore
Its exterior stands out for its blue color. Unusual and traditional bookstore with a home bookstore decoration. The books on top of each other give it a retro touch. The price is on the first page of each book. Minimum card €3. It is ordered by letters and genres.
Coco's Secrets
Coco’s Secret is an exclusive speakeasy in Barcelona, Spain. It is located in the heart of the Gothic Quarter, and can only be accessed by membership. The bar has elegant decor and an intimate atmosphere, and is a popular place for celebrities and the local elite to meet.
Sunday and Monday closed.
Café Pagés
Cafe Pages is an informal and cozy restaurant located in the heart of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter. The restaurant serves a variety of Mediterranean dishes, including tapas, salads, burgers and pizzas. Cafe Pages also has a wide selection of wines and beers. The restaurant atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the staff is friendly and helpful
Picnic
Ideal for brunch, a spacious restaurant, with classic dishes such as French toast and lunch options such as sandwiches and tacos. Open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vintage Ziggy
Ziggy Vintage is a vintage store located in the heart of Barcelona’s Raval. The store offers a wide selection of vintage clothing and accessories for men and women, from the 1950s to the 1990s.
Carlos Segura
Carlos Segura Vintage is a store located in the heart of Barcelona that offers a wide selection of carefully selected vintage clothing. You will find unique, high-quality pieces from different eras and styles, from haute couture dresses to casual clothing and accessories. Whether you are passionate about vintage fashion or looking for a unique and personal look, Carlos Segura Vintage is the perfect place to find that special garment you are looking for.
Chocolate Museum
The Xocolata Museum of Barcelona is a museum dedicated to chocolate. It is located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, Spain. The museum was founded in 2000 by the Barcelona Pastry Guild. It houses a collection of chocolate sculptures, as well as exhibits on the history and making of chocolate. There is also a cafe and a chocolate shop in the museum. The entrance is 6 euros.
Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday closed.
Sant Antoni Sunday Market
The Mercat Dominical de Sant Antoni, located in Barcelona, is an open-air market that is held every Sunday of the year. It offers a wide variety of books, from antique and second-hand to out-of-print, as well as collectibles such as trading cards, posters, postcards, stamps and video games.
Els Tres Tombs
Els Tres Tombs is a traditional Catalan bar and restaurant located in the Raval neighborhood of Barcelona. The bar has a rustic and cozy decoration, with exposed brick walls and wooden beams. The restaurant serves classic Catalan dishes, such as paella, stew and crème brûlée.
Santa Monica Art Center
The Santa Mónica Art Center, located on La Rambla, is a cultural space that exhibits contemporary Catalan and international art. It offers a variety of exhibitions, performances, workshops and events, as well as a terrace with sea views. Free admission.
80's club
Club 80’s Vintage Shop: A trip to the past in the heart of the Raval. Relive the ’80s with carefully curated vintage clothing, from shoulder pads and parachute pants to leather jackets and faded jeans. Find your unique and sustainable look!
Wah Wah Records
Small but full of clubs from 11 to 2 and from 5 to 8:30 Sunday closed. Cash and targetam specialists in vinyl records and CDs. Material from jazz things from the 50s and 70s. Both original and second hand. Recommends coming early
Marseille bar
Bar Marsella, open since 1820, is the oldest bar in Barcelona. Famous for its absinthe, Hemingway and Picasso frequented it. A historic place with a bohemian atmosphere and classic decoration.
Monday closed.
HOW TO MOVE
Exploring the historic center of Barcelona on foot is an enriching experience, especially if you walk through emblematic areas such as the Gothic or Born, where its medieval streets offer a labyrinth full of history. Walking becomes the best way to immerse yourself in the architectural heritage of the city in areas such as l ‘eixample or near the Sagrada Familia. In addition, the area around the cathedral is completely pedestrianized, and for ease of travel, there are a variety of public transportation options, such as buses, trains and the metro, available nearby.
Barcelona has a network of more than 240 km of bicycle lanes, a good number of bicycle parking lots, as well as specific signage and traffic lights, among other services. For everyone’s safety and in order to ensure a good coexistence, it is essential that you respect the traffic rules.
You can combine cycling with public transportation. Check with the various operators for conditions and schedules to do so:
Subway: www.tmb.cat | Bus: www.tmb.cat | Tram: www.trambcn.cat | FGC: www.fgc.cat | Rodalies: www.rodalies.gencat.cat | Renfe: www.renfe.com
It is mandatory to park the bicycle in the specific anchor points or subway parking lots.
To tour the city in an active and ecological way, you can take a guided bike tour or rent one from any of the following rental companies:
BAMBOO BIKE TOURS
Contact details: Notariat, 6, 08001, Barcelona : Tel: 634 055 284 : Web: www.bamboobiketour.com
BARCELONA CICLOTOUR
Contact details: Tallers, 45 – Local interior, 08001, Barcelona : Tel: 933 171 970 : Web: www.barcelonaciclotour.com
BE BIKE TOURS BARCELONA
Contact details: Passeig de Lluís Companys, 10, 08018, Barcelona | Tel: 931 890 040 | Web: https://www.barcelonaebiketours.com/
MOTORCYCLE:
In Barcelona you can also rent scooters that allow you to tour the city.
The best known and most commonly used companies in Barcelona are:
- Electric scooter rentals in Barcelona (acciona.com)
- Yego: www.rideyego.com
In Barcelona it is easy to get around by bus and reach any part of the city and the metropolitan area.
Tickets: modalities and prices
The card that can be purchased to use the metro, tram and suburban trains or FGC also serves for the bus, thanks to the integrated fare system, which allows you to use the various means of transport necessary to make a trip with a single transport pass for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are different types of transport passes
Single ticket: 2,40 €.
T-casual (1 0 trips) : 11,35 €
T-Familiar (8 trips) : 10 €.
Day subscriptions
Schedules:
The schedule varies depending on the lines. Most of them start running between 5 and 8 am and finish their service between 10 and 11 pm. The timetable and frequency of each bus line can be consulted at the bus stops or on the website.
Night bus
They are called NitBus and cover a large part of the city and its surroundings.
Most of the night bus lines start between 22.40h and 23.40h, and end between 5h and 6h in the morning.
Barcelona has a service of more than ten thousand cabs, easily identifiable by their yellow and black colors.
You can take a cab at any of the 300 cab ranks (including those at train stations, airports, bus stations and cruise terminals) by calling one of the companies, using the free MYTAXI app for downloading. or by raising your hand in the street to see a free one. To hire specific services (languages, seven seats, etc.) we recommend that you hire cab services by phone.
Adapted cabs
People with reduced mobility can request the service of an adapted cab. These vehicles provide the same service as any other cab, operate with a taximeter and apply the same fares as other cabs. All cabs in the city are required to transport guide dogs without surcharge.
. There are also vehicle for hire (VTC) services such as Uber, Cabify or Bolt (with cheaper prices).
At the arrival points of travelers in Barcelona, such as train stations or the airport, you will find several car rental companies to meet your mobility needs. Some of the best known are:
- www.europcar.com
- www.sixt.es
- www.pepecar.com
- www.hertz.es
In addition, there are car sharing options, such as www.ubeeqo.com, where you can rent vehicles by the hour as required.
You can take a boat ride around the Olympic harbor area, which will give you a unique perspective of the city from the water. More information on prices and boarding areas can be found at: www.citysailing.es.
Barcelona has an extensive commuter train network.
- FGC that are managed by the Generalitat de CatalunyaFerrocarrils de la Generalitat (FGC): Weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays: 5h-24h. | Friday: 5h-2h. | Saturdays and eves of 1/1, 6/24, and 9/24: continuous service.
More information about Barcelona’s metro, funicular and railroad services:
TMB: Tel. 900 701 149 | www.tmb.cat
FGC: Tel. 012 | www.fgc.cat - Renfe Rodalies.
They have train lines that connect with all the towns near Barcelona.
On the website: www.rodalies.gencat.cat you can find all the lines and even the timetables in real time.
METRO has an integrated fare system, which allows the use of the various means of transport necessary to make a trip with a single transport pass for 1 hour and 15 minutes. There are different types of transport passes in Barcelona, valid for the public transport network (metro, buses, tram and suburban trains), such as the T-casual card, valid for 10 trips, the T-Familiar, valid for 8 trips, or day passes (2, 3, 4 and 5 days).
Single ticket: 2,40 €.
T-casual: 11,35 €.
T-Familiar: 10 €.
Weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays: 5h-24h. | Friday and holiday eves: 5h-2h. | Saturdays and eves of 1/1, 24/6 and 24/9: continuous service. | 24/12: until 23h.
The TRANVIA or TRAM. This means of public transportation, complementary to the subway, which had disappeared in 1971, is today an accessible, ecological, fast and comfortable system.
There are two tramway lines in Barcelona: the Trambaix (T1, T2, T3), which originates at Plaça Francesc Macià and reaches the towns of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Sant Just Desvern, Sant Joan Despí, Sant Feliu de Llobregat and Cornellà. And the Trambesòs (T4, T5, T6), which allows you to travel from the Olympic Village and Plaça de les Glòries to Sant Adrià del Besós, passing through the Forum, or to Badalona.
Schedules
Weekdays from Monday to Thursday, Sundays and holidays: 5h-24h. | Fridays, Saturdays and holiday eves: 5h-2h.
Transportation cards: If you plan to use public transportation regularly, consider getting a rechargeable public transportation card. They offer discounts on individual tickets:
- Casual Card A single-person pass valid for 10 integrated trips from 1 to 6 zones, with which, in the case of a single-zone ticket, 75 minutes are available between the first and last validation. The time limit is increased by 15 minutes for each zone. Not valid for Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud.
You may also be interested in the T-familiar, which is a multi-person pass valid for 8 trips in 30 consecutive days.
- T usual card: Personal and non-transferable pass valid for an unlimited number of trips for 30 consecutive days from the first validation. It must be accompanied by an ID card or equivalent document. The number of the document serving as proof must be printed on the ticket. Valid for Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud.
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Card T grup:
Multi-person pass valid for 70 trips in 30 consecutive days from the first cancellation, with 75 minutes between the first and the last validation in the case of a zone ticket. The time limit is increased by 15 minutes for each zone. Not valid for Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 metro stations on line L9 Sud.
- Airport ticket:
Non-integrated single-person metro ticket that allows you to make a trip between Aeroport T1 and Aeroport T2 stops on line L9 Sud and the rest of the metro network.
For more information, please refer to the conditions of use of the tickets and the section From the airport by metro, where you will find practical information about the metro service in terminals T1 and T2.
Check schedules and routes, especially if there are events or holidays that may affect the transportation service.
