When I graduated uni, I was at a bit off a loss as to what do with my life. The only thing I knew I wanted to do was learn Spanish, so I basically spent a few weeks sitting in a coffee shop by myself with a text book and audio guides. I then booked a one way ticket to Barcelona and lived there for a year, teaching English, playing guitar at open mic nights and making questionable art. My work has come on leaps and bounds since then!
In the last few years, I’ve been back a few times and wanted to share some of my personal highlights of the city from a nocturnal perspective but also to celebrate the launch of this awesome guide to Barcelona by Avis Car Hire, which you should also check out.
From a visual perspective, I want to start with “la polla”, more professionally known as Torre Agbar – a 38-story skyscraper/tower located between Avinguda Diagonal and Career Badajoz designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. It’s the most visible building the city by night and it’s such a wonder to experience.
Next up is cocktail bar Mirabau which comes with an expansive view of the city from Mount Tibidabo. You can see the beach, the Sagarda Família, and the skyline of Barcelona all beautifully illuminated and visible through giant windows at the side of the bar.
For a more low key experience at night, I love AIRE de Barcelona – a spa based on the ancient Greek and Roman bath tradition. AIRE is a space for relaxation, full of calm and serenity and an experience for the senses. You can bathe in red wine, get a massage or just relax in the pools. It’s such an ideal space that I would highly recommend.
Finally, the illuminated Sagrada Familia at night is such a dream to experience. Just walking up to it and taking in the detail from the genius of Catalan Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí.
For a preview, check out the time-lapse below and make sure to check out Avis’ guide to Barcelona for lots more detail on the city!