It may not be the fanciest place in town, but Hotel Advance wins for value. And it can’t be half bad – photos in the lobby of one of President Obama’s daughters staying here suggest you’re hardly slumming it.
We like the quiet Sant Antoni neighborhood too – it’s an easy walk to bustling Plaça de Catalunya, to the charms of El Raval, and to up-and-coming Poble Sec, while remaining – by Barcelona standards – away from the tourist hordes. Win!
Carrer de Sepúlveda, 180
After a multi-year restoration the Mercat de Sant Antoni reopened in early 2018. The focus was on serving the community, so there aren’t the vendors selling tubs of pre-prepared food you expect at, say, La Boqueria. Sadly, there are only a couple of dining establishments at all, which seems a missed opportunity.
Sant Antoni Market (produce): Monday to Saturday 8:00am to 8:00pm.
“Charms” Market (mostly clothes): Mondays and Wednesdays to Saturdays from 10:00am to 8:30pm.
Book market (outdoors) on Sundays.
Web (Catalan and Spanish only)
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An Australian-themed hipster café in Parliament street, that’s not too hampered by its coolness.
Okay – you may have to fight your way past the computer-wielding coffee drinkers who treat the joint like a co-working space, but it is worth it. The brunches are excellent, and lunch is not shabby either. Plus coffee and cakes. What’s not to like?
The burgers are excellent, and while a kangaroo burger sounds completely out of place here, it is one of the best burgers in Barcelona.
Apparently there are queues on the weekends. (There’s another outlet in the Gothic quarter.)
Carrer del Parlament, 39
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