Note: This article was first published in June 2022 and some details may be out of date.
Nina Sandbech, Nnenna Echem and Caroline Krager share their favourites in the Spanish city.
With the pandemic in the rear-view mirror (fingers crossed), we can finally plan and look forward to some travelling again. But after several years of standing still, you might need a little outside help.
Because where do you eat the tastiest food in Paris, what are the coolest shops in Copenhagen and which is the best rooftop bar in Barcelona?
In this series, Melk & Honning talks to influencers, fashion people and celebrities to get their tips on big-city favourites around the world.In this week’s city guide we talk to Nina Sandbech, Nnenna Echem and Caroline Krager about Barcelona.
Read also: M&H city guide: Darja Barannik in Copenhagen
Nina Sandbech
The Norwegian influencer and fashion personality is known for her colourful wardrobe. Sandbech has been to Barcelona many times and was recently in the city to watch the Formula 1 race there.
Hotel: This time we stayed at Yurbban Trafalgar. It’s a very small, pleasant hotel with a rooftop, a swimming pool and a view over Barcelona.
Where to eat: Tapas at Casa Lolea. A super cosy little place with very good tapas and sangria.
Shopping: Loewe has just renovated its shop and it’s worth a visit. Very cool and inspiring.
Bar: I recommend Boca Grande. It has a restaurant on the ground floor and a bar on the first floor. In the bar you’ll find a big selection of delicious drinks, often served in cool glasses. The toilet is also worth checking out, as it’s very Insta-friendly.
– Last time I was there, there was a DJ in the toilet, so it turned into a little nightclub later in the evening!
Sightseeing: If you haven’t already seen Park Güell and the Sagrada Familia, you have to go. I love Gaudí’s architecture.
Nnenna Echem
Nnenna Echem has, like Sandbech, made a name for herself as a true colour fanatic among Norwegian influencers. She has been to Barcelona a handful of times.
– Barcelona is definitely one of my favourite cities for a holiday in Europe, she tells Melk & Honning.
Hotel: I always stay at H10 Art Gallery, located in Eixample. I love staying in Eixample. It’s far enough from La Rambla, but also right in the centre, which makes it easy to get around.
Where to eat: For breakfast and lunch my favourites are Bonsai for my matcha cravings, BOL for a delicious acai bowl or Caravelle for incredibly good pancakes.
– When it comes to dinner, Barraca is worth trying if you’re after a delicious paella. It’s also by the beach, so you get a good meal and a nice view.
– Also worth mentioning is Silan, in Eixample. Silan specialises in Middle Eastern food, and has perhaps one of the best hummus I’ve ever tasted.
Shopping: For shopping, I think the Eixample area has some of the best shops. I always stop by Vasquiat and Santa Eulaila.
Sightseeing: Apart from walking around the city, the Museu Picasso is worth a visit.
Caroline Krager
The London-based Norwegian fashion journalist, former Melk & Honning editor and poet lived in Barcelona for a while this spring. Here are some of her best tips.
Where to eat: I ate an extreme amount of good food in Barcelona! I had the very best lunches and brunches at Honest Greens, Les Filles, La Papa and Flax & Kale. Gorgeous salads, bowls, pancakes and pastries. Lots of vegetarian food in this city, which surprised me.
– For dinner, Parking Pizza was nice (it felt like Kødbyen in Copenhagen). Bar del Pla had innovative, good tapas – and the place was buzzy, which is always fun. For real foodies who love exciting combinations, Proper BCN is a must.
– At the Mexican restaurant and bar La Pachuca it was lively with a capital L: completely packed, very noisy and great food (I suspect some of the waiters had had two or three as well). Chaos – but in a good way. For vegan burgers, Vrutal was brilliant. Six or seven different versions to choose from.
Coffee bars: As a little café-working freelancer, finding good spots to work from is always high on the priority list. The oat latte has to be good. My favourites in Barcelona were Three Marks Coffee, Orval and Oma Speciality coffee.
Rooftop bars: Barcelona is known for having lots of good bars on the city’s many roof terraces. During my time there I tried out quite a few. In the end my favourites were the Hoxton hotel, Yurbban Trafalger, Seventy and Sir Victor.
Viewpoints: The city is a bit like Los Angeles in that there are lots of hills surrounding it. The very best is to head to Montjuic and swim in the pool on the hill there, or visit the fantastic museum Fundacio Joan Miro, where the surrounding parks give you a view over the whole city.
– If you want to feel like a local and hang out with the local kids, you should go to the so-called ‘Bunkers de carmel’ instead. Bring a bottle or two of wine and good snacks, and you can catch the sunset with a 360-degree view.
Read also: M&H city guide: Stylist Elise Sandvik in New York