In spite of the fact that Sarrià is a vast area, dense with cultural significance, it is not a popular destination for the majority of tourists to Barcelona. Yet, this spacious territory has a lot to offer even the most demanding and particularof travelers.
The Sarrià district of Barcelona as seen by a tourist
Culture and History: what to see
Cosmo Caixa Science Museum
The 9-story building created by Josep Domenech i Estapa is as interesting as the items displayed inside the museum. Consider, for example, the 30-meter spiral that curls around an exoticacariquaratree and leads to the beginning of the exhibition! Another astounding example isthe transparent escalator; although it is a common structure, when one views the insides of the mechanism, every detail of the escalator looks like a scientific miracle. Inside the museum, it isalso possible to observe a Foucault pendulum, see a jungle-style orangery, use a wave simulator, and re-create a sand storm. All items can be touched, a detail that makes young visitors especially happy.
Bellesguard Tower
A masterpiece of the great Guadí, Bellesguard Tower is unfairly undervalued by many tourists. By and large, tourists tend to prefer the most well-known landmarks of this great architect–particularly Sagrada Familia and Casa Batllo.Nevertheless, it would be a mistake to skip a visit to Gaudí’s small tower decorated with multicolored mosaics in a pseudo-gothic style. This project seems to evince the unfolding ofGaudí’s genius from a totally different angle: the play of the lights on the walls, depending on the time of day,drastically changes one’sdominant impression of the building in such a way that it often resembles an unconquerable Mauritanian fortress, while on another day it might look like a magic castle from a Disney cartoon.
Tibidabo Avenue
This street is a veritable time machine. The mansions and exquisitely decorated villas, the legendary “blue tram,” and lush vegetation all look like elements from a vintage postcard dating back to the beginning of the last century. The most bourgeois street of all the streets in the district was built in 1897. The atmosphere of the XX century still soars through the air, although many mansions have been converted into administrative buildings now.
Sant Vicenç Square
This is one of the most famous spots inSarrià district; the square boasts many cafes that reflect the atmosphere and true spirit of the old city. Gabriel García Márquez loved to spend time here, which is not surprising – it is nearly impossible to find a more suitable place to ponder.
Sagrat Cor de Jesus
Sagrat Cor de Jesus is one of the most impressive examples of the stylistic mix that gives rise to the architecture of Sarrià. Here, one can trace elements from the Roman and Gothic styles alongside neo-byzantine features as well as modernist decorations. This majestic building was built of stone from Montjuic mountain and looks like a fortress topped with elegant liturgical vaults; a figure of Christ crowns one of them.
Shopping
Mercat de Sarria
Almost every district of Barcelona has its own market, and Sarrià is not an exception. This market is famous for “being old outside and modern inside.” The market building, which is almost one hundred years old, looks ancient, but inside, the market is furnished with hi-tech counters and ultra-modern bars arranged in accordance with the latest design tendencies. In addition to fresh products, one can always find top-quality homemade food here.
Jofre
Jofre is one of the most popular multi-brand boutiques; it is located in close vicinity to Turo parkand specializes in haute couture fashion. Here, one can find new collections by Paul Smith, Prada, Marc Jacobs, and Ralph Lauren. One of the main advantages of the shop is the availability of collections for men and children.
Mon Plus Bon Souvenir
This exclusive boutique, located on Pau Casals Avenue, offers all the most popular premium brands with collections for children from 0 to 12 years of age. It is never difficult to find something unique for a small princess or a young gentleman here.
Domenech Joyeros
With more than a hundred years of history,this trademark creates custom-made jewelry, offers special wedding collections, and makes “heritage style” accessories from incredibly soft skin leather.
Bars and Restaurants
Bar Tomas
This cozy, modest tapas bar with a homey atmosphere is famous for its patatas bravas, a dish that rumors claimis the favorite of the Spanish King. Locals say that the secret of these potatoes is the alioli sauce, which is prepared here based on a special recipe that has remained unchanged since the bar’s opening in 1913.
Gimlet
This is one of the most famous cocktail bars inSarrià and has acquired its tremendous popularity due to the drink of the same name, which is concocted with gin and lime juice. Some might be familiar with the Russian equivalent, called a “buravchik.”This extraordinary establishment was founded by Javier de las Muelas, the true king of cocktail recipes in the Barcelona area. Thus, all of the classic, modern, and futuristic cocktails represented here are of a superb quality.
Tram Tram
The restaurant’s name pays tribute to the tram line that used to pass here long ago, although no sign of it has been preserved. The restaurant’s interior does not resemble a tram depot. On the contrary, its exquisite, romantic atmosphere makes it an ideal place for a romantic rendezvous or special dinners with friends. Guests of this restaurant are offered main dishes based on Mediterranean cuisine and a tremendous dessert menu.
Vivanda
Vivanda is a charming place with a unique spirit that specializes in Mediterranean cuisine. This restaurant boasts a picturesque, ivy-covered terrace protected from the scorching sun by lovely tree branches that make your visit simply unforgettable. With its 30 years of history, the restaurant was mentionedin the Michelin guide recently.
Living in the Sarrià district of Barcelona
Residents
Sarrià offers a relatively hassle-free mode of life and boasts a bourgeois population. Many expats, celebrities in different arenas, sports players, and businesspeople reside in this area. Quite often, one also encounters wealthy fashionistas who have moved here to be closer to the celebrities. Since there are many university campuses in the area, quite often students prefer to live here as well. Many foreigners live in Sarrià, with their numbers increasing every year. Numerous celebrities have also purchased property in this district. For example, Shakira and her husband, Gerard Pique, live here, as do Lionel Messi and the daughter of the Spanish King. The mansions with lush gardens and tranquil swimming pools create a peaceful atmosphere filled with comfort and the natural beauty of this sub-mountainous region. Due to all of these factors, Sarrià district in Barcelona is considered one of the most prestigious and comfortable areas in which to live.
Real Estate
In this district, one can still find many well-maintained, original buildings. At the same time, the area is constantly developing, with new constructions emerging every year. As a rule, most of these have subterranean parking lots and spacious terraces rather than the charming but small balconies of the old buildings. And, of course, the massive real estate market here caters to mansions with exclusive and ultra-modern designs. The prices for apartments and villas in Sarrià are ranked among the highest in Barcelona. Here, it is possible to find property to suit any taste, whether at 450,000 euros or4,000,000,000 euros. On average, premium class villas cost 5500–6000 euros per square meter, while studios or standard apartments in newly constructed buildings cost 4000–5200 euros per square meter. Apartments in old buildings without recent refurbishment might cost around 3600–3800 euros per square meter.
Infrastructure
In Sarrià there are 6 schools and 4 institutes, as well as numerous student campuses and libraries. A local Joan Maragall library offers a pleasant “family option” consisting of a specially designed kids’ zone with CDs, DVDs, comics, and magazines for kids, as well as a space for children under 4 years of age. Many language schools for adults and teenagers, such as Council-Institut Britanic, Institut Francais, E.F.Escuela and dozens of other schools, enjoy a comfortable business throughout this district. Also, one can find plenty of sports centers in the area. Among the largest sports centers, the following are worth mentioning:Centre Esportiu Municipal Putxet, Centre Esportiu Municipal Can Caralleu, and Camp Municipal de Futbol Vallvidrera.Those who play sports professionally and amateurs teams alike are welcome to take advantage of the numerous football and basketball fields in their leisure time. In terms of medical assistance, there are dozens of modern clinics in the area. Hospital de Sant Pau, located in anancient, castle-like building, is the most famous clinic and is included on the list of thetop 10 clinics in the district. This top-10 list also includes the small but esteemed hospital, Temple del Sagrat Cor de Jesús, and Institut Catala Incade, a plastic surgery and dermatology clinic.