Tate Cabré
ARCHITECTURAL HISTORIAN
Tate is an Official Catalan Tourist Guide, researcher and writer, formerly a university professor, who today combines her academic life ( in congresses and publications) with touring in Barcelona and Catalunya for visitors interested in cultural heritage. She is currently working on a book, preemptively titled "The 50 wonders of Gaudí." Holder of a PhD in Journalism and Communications, as well as a degree in Translation, she has written numerous books and guidebooks on architecture, specifically Gaudí and the Catalan Art Nouveau. Walking along with Tate is both fun and deep, and will give you an unforgettable experience.
"I love to explore Barcelona as a researcher, to enquire her people as a journalist, to read her streets as a writer and to unveil her as a docent, following her description by the writer Miguel de Cervantes in 1605 for the second part of Don Quixote: ’Barcelona, the treasure-house of courtesy, port of strangers, asylum of the poor, home of the brave, revenge of the offended, place of exchange of long lasting friendships, and a city unique in site and beauty’."
Esther Dotras
LCOAL GUIDE
A Barcelona native, Esther grew up cooking with her mother and grandmother. Their love of Catalan traditions and use of local ingredients laid the basis for her very sophisticated knowledge of Catalan cuisine. Having studied business administration and marketing at the university level, Esther has traveled extensively, giving her a good sense of the comparisons between cuisines and traditions. When not leading walks for Context, she can be found in Barcelona’s restaurants and markets.
"I’m in love with Barcelona. My roots are here. I was born and grew up here. I love its sunny days, being by the sea and having mountains nearby. I love to stroll along attractive avenues contemplating beautiful Catalan Art Nouveau buildings but also wandering through the narrow streets in the old city area. However, I must admit that one of the things I like the most is to enjoy its wonderful cuisine!"
Alessandro Nerantzis
LOCAL GUIDE
Alessandro's passion for history and art drove him to study Archaeology and History in Italy, where he completed his BA in 2012. Eager to communicate his love for culture, Alessandro wrote articles for the university newspaper and produced radio programs about cultural heritage, modern society, music and anthropology. He continued his studies in Barcelona, where he completed a MA in Cultural Heritage Management and Museology at the University of Barcelona. In 2015, Alessandro chose to become a professional tour guide, specializing in the Barcelona and Catalonia regions. His academic focus centers on the study of cultural exchanges across history, from trade and gastronomy to art, languages, and religions. An avid adventurer, Alessandro explores archaeological sites, underwater antiquities, museums, flea markets, and relishes delicious cuisine.
"I love Barcelona because it feels like the heart of the Mediterranean - where history, art, and culture meet under the shade of an olive tree. It's a city that speaks to my roots, with its vibrant markets, ancient streets, and the warmth of the sea close by."
"This is one of the last remaining traditional authentic taverna in the neighborhood in Barceloneta. It's a beautiful place; easy going, laid back, very unpretentious. Eat here if you want fresh seafood in a very local neighborhood."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"If you appreciate ambiance, you'll like this spot. The architecture, the interior design... It's very Catalan, full of tiles. I love the history, the connection with Picasso. This was the hub of all the artists where they exchanged ideas and news. It has a kind of intangible heritage."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"This is a contemporary, traditional choice. They have a very good selection of cured meats and charcuteries, very good wines. Everything's a la carte. The food is exquisite, yet the culinary experience is also very local."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"When you get inside, you'll go through the kitchen and walk by the cooks putting the charcoal into the ovens and withdrawing the casseroles with long iron tools. If you can, try to get the table on a balcony overlooking the cooking area, you'll be able to see how they do everything. It's still owned by a Catalan family, and they serve the delicious traditional Catalan bread with tomato spread on it. This should always be on the table. Try the fideuà, pasta made with fish broth. And if it's in season, you should try the snails as well."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"This was the place where intellectuals met during Franco's dictatorship. It's a local favorite, but it also has the historical background of being a resistance meeting place. Today, it's a bar, cafe, and restaurant, so you can go anytime."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"Flash Flash is a classical restaurant designed in the seventies in an iconic pop style by the legendary architects Federico Correa y Alfonso Milá, with huge photographs by Leopoldo Pomés of his wife, the model Karin Lei, as a young photographer with a camera and a giant flash. The red lamps are the classic M68 design by Miguel Milá. When you sit on the white leather sofas, you feel like you are in the mecca of design! There are usually no tourists in Flash Flash. It's an omleteria, good for vegetarians, and offers more than 50 kinds of omelets."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"You'll have to use the metro system to get there. It's safe and it's fast, and from the station where you exit, it's a five minute walk. When you arrive, you'll have fair prices, a nice atmosphere, and a small number of people. It's not a huge restaurant, it feels like a private experience run by husband and wife. The husband is the chef, his wife is a sommelier. They have options for vegetarians and vegans, and everything is farm to table local. It's really great to discover everything seasonal we have nearby."
- Esther, Local Guide
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"This is an excellent place to eat seafood, they prepare amazing rice dishes as well. But there are options as well for people who enjoy other things, like Mediterranean cuisine, salads, maybe some meat. It's great for everybody. I like to go for lunch; the location is amazing because it gives you views of the marina of the port."
- Esther, Local Guide
"It's right in the middle of the gothic area and is recognized by the local authorities as a protected historical location. They sell a variety of cutting utensils - knives, scissors, shaving products for men. It's a great place to buy a unique souvenir. I always recommend the Spanish knives from the south of Spain, the pocket knives that used to be used by the farmers. Everything is very good quality, and I love the original historical design too."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"Spain has a strong tradition with pottery and tiles, so this is a great place if you're looking to buy something a bit more local. They have a big selection of pottery for olive oil from the Aragón area, where there they produce a certain type of pottery to contain olive oil. You'll find a large selection of many different products from all areas of Spain, from small figures that the Catalans put in the nativity scene to bigger plates or jars."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"It's one of the last historical sombrererias, unfortunately. The owner has maintained the same original product since the store opened. The interior and exterior design is authentic. It's identical to how it was 100 years ago. It's quite interesting to see the heritage of hat making. Everything is high quality and handmade."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"When you get inside, you feel like you are in the 1700s. You can buy candles starting at half a Euro. That will buy the very tiny candles for the mass during Easter week. The locals still go to buy candles for christenings: pink for the girls, pale blue for the boys. So it is a store that is still oriented to the locals, but it also has a wide offering other candles, some sold by famous designers. It's both tradition and innovation."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"This is just across the street from Cereria Subirà. They still produce their own candies and their own meringue - chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, coffee... If you pass by when they're making violet candies, you'll smell violet. If they're making mint candy, you smell the mint. They have awards for the Best Torrone of the Year."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"This is the largest stationary store in the city. It has six stories with two terraces. They have so many things, and the decoration is amazing. They also sell handbags, other goodies... It's much more than stationary. It's unusual and on a very nice street with lots of other shops to discover. So if you are either in Gothic or El Born and you feel like discovering places, why not this one?"
- Esther, Local Guide
"They have resisted the passage of time, so when you look at it from the outside, it looks like an old shop. But inside, it's very nice and they have everything there from old style hats to more modern style items. You'll find gloves, hats, scarves, and an amazing collection of collapsible fans. You can choose one to bring as a present. Instead of going to a big department store where you can buy all these things, this gives you a more personal touch."
- Esther, Local Guide
"If you're looking for an indoor break, the Barcelona Aquarium is a great place for families to go. I always recommend this, especially during peak travel season when it's hotter outside."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"You can take the cable car up to the top of Montjuic for the best views of the city, and then ride down the mountain of Montjuic to the port. If you've rented a bike, you can bring it with you on the cable car."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"Book a tour on a golondrina. The golondrinas are more than 100 years old and will take you along the seafront of Barcelona. Disembark at the Olympic Port and walk to Ciutadella Park for a relaxing afternoon."
- Tate, Architectural Historian
"Kids love this museum. They can walk through the different historical periods of Catalonia from the pre-historic period to the contemporary times, and it's very interactive. Kids can touch objects and interact with the different historical periods. The museum is in a rehabilitated industrial warehouse with many seafood restaurants nearby, so you can combine a visit to the museum with a walk on the beach, and maybe grab a paella along the way at one of the many restaurants around the area."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"Stop at Granja Dulcinera for churros and hot chocolate. They've been serving churros for 100 years; the whole family will love it."
- Alessandro, Local Guide
"Going here is an experience that will make you feel like you are in a dream. In one place, the colors might be painted in a way that makes it seem the room is upside down. It's very fun, you'll want to take a lot of pictures."
- Esther, Local Guide
"Head here for an interactive experience. Kids can discover rainforests with real animals. Explanations are in English as well as in Spanish, so you'll be able to explore on your own even if you don't speak much Spanish."
- Esther, Local Guide
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