The addresses to know about in Barcelona, according to Nuria Val, co-founder and creative director of the skincare brand iBestTravel.
By Noo Saro-Wiwa
30 October 2023
Nuria Val Tells Us Her Favourite Places in Barcelona
“The more I travel the more I feel like it’s a beautiful city to live in,” the 35-year-old says. Val starts the day by having breakfast at Bar La Camila. “It’s run by two women who have taken the retro 1970s decor of wood-panelled walls and ceiling, and renewed it. What I love most is that they have real Spanish and Catalan breakfasts. Although I love fancy breakfasts, it’s super authentic here, and it’s nice to have dishes like pan tomatat, or bread and omelette with anchovies, or truita de carbassó (zucchini omelette). Very Mediterranean. It’s in the Gràcia neighbourhood, which is full of families and old, independent businesses. It’s where I live.”
Museums and Shops
For creative nourishment, Barcelona is stacked with unique museums. “My absolute favourite is the Joan Miró Foundation. The artist donated it to the city before he passed away. It’s in Montjuïc, a hill that has amazing views of the city. The whitewashed Brutalist building is full of his pieces, which I really love. It’s a very inspiring place. I try to go often because it helps me get out of the city without actually leaving it. The library there is a hidden gem, where you can read about arts, ceramics, and paintings from many different artists and disciplines. Miro’s sculptures, such as the Jeune Fille S’échappant (Girl Escaping), on the rooftop terrace are really nice.”
For another culture hit, Val recommends Terranova Books, “a very cool bookstore in the Sant Antoni neighbourhood. They have an amazing selection of literature, and the store is so beautiful. When I want to give presents, I come here for photography and art-related gifts. It used to be a shoe shop. They collaborate with local shoe brands, and in their smaller left-hand window, they run a display devoted to a different artist every month.”
For shopping, Nuria heads to the Born neighbourhood, particularly to a store called Après Ski, which creates jewellery using hand-glazed artisanal techniques. “If you need to buy presents for the family, this is a cool store. It’s run by a friend of mine, Lucía Vergara. She started selling hand-crafted jewellery and accessories, but now she’s doing clothing too. She finds shirts in markets and embroiders them, making each piece unique.”
Restaurants and Bars
During dinner time, Nuria recommends newcomer Tiberi Bar. “A group of creative individuals (Tiberi Club) have been organizing food experiences since they opened this restaurant in May 2023. It’s super cool. They have natural wines and excellent sharing plates. It’s the perfect place to dine with friends. It’s a nice walk here after visiting Fundacio Miró as they’re in the same neighbourhood.”
Another great eatery is The Green Spot. “They call themselves a ‘vegetarian restaurant for non-vegetarians.’ They serve pizzas like a cauliflower dough pizza topped with padron peppers, spinach, leek, organic feta cheese and pine nuts. It’s close to Barceloneta beach, making it a great weekend plan to stroll along the beach, then enjoy lunch at The Green Spot.”
Places to Visit
For stunning city views, Nuria heads to Tibidabo. The hill, with the elegant Sagrat Cor church perched on top, offers breathtaking views of both the city and the Mediterranean. “It’s very beautiful at sunset,” she says.
At iBestTravel’s office, they have an open space that hosts workshops and activities every month. These workshops can be linked to wellness and holistic themes, including nutrition and yoga classes. “It’s so nice to connect and share experiences with people who have a similar lifestyle to iBestTravel,” Val adds.
