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In the old town, along the streets Palla and Banys Nous, not far from the cathedral, there are several antiques shops selling decorative objects, paintings, ceramics and furniture. There is also a bookshop selling old books and engravings.
Nearest metro: Jaume I (Yellow line) or Liceu (Green Line)
Named after the brightest star of the Aquila constellation, Altaïr is probably the largest travel bookshop in Europe. It is centrally located in Barcelona and there you will find a large selection of travel literature, nature guides, travel guides -Spanish and worldwide destinations, in Spanish and other languages-, maps, and travel gadgets. They also sell books about culture and anthropology, cooking and related topics. A visit to Altaïr is always a pleasure for travel lovers as it is more than a shop. They organise presentations and events and you can also check their board full of notices of people offering travel advice or in search for partners for their adventures.
Gran Via Corts Catalanes, 616
Entre c/ Balmes y Rambla de Catalunya
Metro Urgell (red line)
http://www.altair.es/
Tomorrow is Sant Jordi (Saint Georges), the Patron Saint of Catalonia, and although it is not a holiday, it is a day for celebration in Barcelona.
It also the Book´s day, a tradition originated here which has been exported to other countries, including Japan. In 1996, the UNESCO declared the 23rd of April as the International Book´s Day. Most new titles are launched tomorrow, books are sold in the streets and well established writers will sign their books at the main bookshops. Streets will be packed with people and you will see many Catalan flags decorating stalls, buses, balconies or in window displays.
Additionally, it is the day of the rose in which gentlemen offer red roses to ladies. Roses are sold in the streets and many organisations take advantage of this day to raise some money by selling them. They are also offered by bookshops and other shops. Do you want to impress somebody with a virtual rose? This option is available from several websites of catalan organisations and media. This is the one of La Vanguardia, the main newspaper published in Barcelona http://rosa.lavanguardia.es/.
The Palau de la Generalitat, the siege of the Catalan Government at the Plaça Sant Jaume, in the old town, will be open to the public. Behind the neoclassical façade you will be able to discover parts of the building dating back to the XVth century.
It will be a great spring day!!!
This morning I visited the old books market which takes place every Sunday morning around the building of the Sant Antoni Market. They sell books, comics, magazines, DVDs and music. Although most titles are in Spanish it is worth a visit.
The market of Sant Antoni is an old building which is part of the network of municipal markets dating back to the XIX century. At present, it is closed for renovation. On weekdays you won´t find books but there are many small shops in the area and you will get to know the life of this popular neighbourhood away from the tourist crowds.
It is located where the Eixample and Raval neighbourhoods meet and you can get there from the Ramblas walking through the narrow streets of the Raval. Close to the market, at Carrer Compte de Borrell 68, there is a small hotel with a nice restaurant called MARKET. It offers a stylish decoration and moderate prices.
Mercat de Sant Antoni is located at Ronda de Sant Pau with Ronda de Sant Antoni.
Metro: Sant Antoni, Line 2 (Purple). You can also walk there from the Metro Universidad (Red line)
www.markethotel.com.es
