A LOCALS BARCELONA
Aina Velasco balances different creative roles within fashion, mostly modeling, styling, and curating vintage. Born and raised in Barcelona, she is currently based between Barcelona and Paris, traveling between the two. These are the places she misses when she’s away, and the ones she always returns to when she’s back.
Each location is underlined and linked to Google Maps. Click any underlined spot to view photos, opening hours, reviews and navigate there easily.
Now with two locations in the city, Origo is my favorite place to get breakfast. They have really good sandwiches and buns, but my favorite is their pain au chocolat, made with dark Venezuelan chocolate. It’s clearly not only my favorite but everyone else’s too, because most days they’ve run out by the afternoon.
Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, I used to live next to it and went very often. It’s a quick visit and close to Fundació Miró, another place I love. It’s a treat for the senses, with the water, the different kinds of marble, and all the glass and steel. It’susually pretty quiet, and the bookstore is new, but filled with gems.
What I miss the most when I’m far from home for a few days is the food. Bar Bocata serves traditional Catalan and Spanish dishes, well done and beautifully served. I often go with friends and order things to share, but when I go back by myself, I always order the same: one Gilda, the seasoned tomato, and one tapa of truita de patates. For dessert, the bread, chocolate, olive oil, and salt is a Catalan classic.
A recent addition to the Barcelona landscape is the Paloma Wool store, the store itself is a beautiful experience, even if you’re not there to shop. The brand has become very popular in the last few years, so it feels special to be able to see the pieces in person, touch the fabrics, and experience the world around them up close. It’s the kind of store I like taking my time in, and it’s lovely to see with friends.
An art gallery that exhibits modern and contemporary works by different artists, Galeria Mayoral is somewhere you will probably stumble upon if you’re walking around the city center. The door is usually open for visits, and they currently have an impressive selection of paintings and ceramics by Miró and Picasso.
LLIBRERIA FINESTRES, My favorite bookstore in Barcelona. You can’t take pictures inside, which is why the only picture I have is of this book on Patti Smith, but it’s one of my favorite places to spend a free afternoon. They have a gorgeous little patio inside, where you can grab a coffee and sit with your new purchase. On the opposite sidewalk, they have another store with art, photography, and fashion books. Some of my favorite coffee table books I’ve bought here.
Les Filles serves great healthy Mediterranean food, with a gorgeous terrace/patio to enjoy your meal in. It’s a great choice for when you want something healthy but still very flavorful, their dishes always surprise me. It’s also great for a morning or afternoon coffee with a friend. For lunch or dinner, especially if you want to sit on the terrace, I would recommend making a reservation.
More than a hundred years old, this is a Barcelona classic. Gèneres de Punt La Torre sells lingerie and pajamas for all ages, and carries the T-shirt brands our moms used to buy for us when we were little. They now also have some of the basics from Oscalito, one of my favorite brands for silk and wool underwear and basic, fitted, warm T-shirts.
My go-to for a romantic dinner. Clara’s interior is beautiful, and they serve Catalan and Spanish classics, but always with a twist. They use beautiful ingredients and combine them in ways that feel inventive without being overcomplicated. Anything with tomato or fish is usually what I end up loving most, and their wine selection is also great.
