Discover the renewed spirit of Spain’s culture capital

Barcelona is being revived as the creative and cultural capital of Spain through sustainable innovations and local concepts. 

Lockdown provided a time for the city’s shops to reconsider their business models and cater towards a new cohort of tourists seeking sustainability. Creative collaborations are in full swing, with businesses supporting local creators and forming authentic connections with their communities.

Visit the traditionally Catalan neighbourhood of Poblenou that has seen a rise in popularity with designers, startups and galleries reinvigorating the area. Visit magazine-turned-concept store House of Rowdy, where you can listen to music, browse art and shop from a range of local and international fashion brands.

Barcelona’s retail offering excels at kidswear, accessories, lifestyle and interiors. The bohemian neighbourhood of El Born is home to the calming clothing and lifestyle store Studio Satta and quirky eyewear brand Etnia Barcelona. Les Eines’ retro furniture and interior objects store is a must-visit when exploring Eixample.

While the city’s culinary history is built on intricate gastronomy experiences, establishments such as Baldomero and Fat Veggies are offering simpler alternatives. Both located in the Eixample area, Baldomero offers a ‘farmhouse’ city escape and Fat Veggies capitalises on the rich aromas that the barbeque and smoker provide.

The Gothic Quarter is one of the oldest in the city and is found on the south side of Eixample. It has many tourist attractions as well as restaurants, bars and stores. The chic and cosy Serras Hotel combines modern and historic features throughout its rooms and offers guests and visitors a rooftop terrace with views of the Marina.

Located in El Born, the newly opened MOCO Museum offers contemporary and street art exhibitions that include artists Banksy, Yayoi Kusama, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Damien Hirst. It also holds a space for digital immersive arts that feature the latest technologies. 

This can be further explored at IDEAL in the Poblenou area, where works by artists such as Frida Kahlo, Vincent van Gogh and Gustav Klimt are recreated using audiovisual projections, augmented reality and holography.

If you’re a WGSN subscriber, get inspired by our latest Barcelona Guide 2022. Live now on the site.