El Fort Pienc
Because I dine like a local (never before 9 and finish with GinTonic).
You’ll love this...
Central, authentic, with plenty of good local restaurants.
But you won’t love this...
It’s not a historic charmer or a nightlife hotspot. But while it might not have everything, it is near everything.
Will I like living here?...
This slice of L’Eixample has a strong community spirit. It’s popular with families and professionals. Think quiet tree-lined streets, parks, wide avenues, gentile.
Location wise, it’s a smart choice. Hip El Born to your right, the L’Eixamples to your left. Whip into the old town or North to the mountains. Gaudí fan? You’ll be a stroll from La Pedrera (or Casa Milà) and La Sagrada Família.
Enjoy sunset strolls in Ciutadella park. Now that is a fountain.
And if you’re bored...
Mercat dels Encants: A sprawling multi-level flea market with a wtf roof.
Google rating: 4.⅕
And this Google review nails it:
*“The roof is a giant dildo penetrating the Barcelona skyline. Want to take this phallic icon to the next level? They shoot fireworks off the top, out of the tip, spurting into the sky... Cannot make this up.” – You really can’t.
Anything else?
No matter how good the local cuisine … no matter how many good restaurants there are … it’s always nice to find a Chinese supermarket in your hood.
El Fort Pienc has plenty. Sometimes you gotta have some spice ya know… and some Tsingtao beer.
And did you know?…
The neighbourhood was named after the military fortification which stood here in the 19th Century.
It was built to keep the rebellious Barcelonians under control. If you’ve ever visited Barcelona you’ll understand why it didn’t work. These folks know how to rebel.
Move here to be near:
* La Sagrada Familia
* Estació del Nord
* Arc de Triomf
* Universitat Pompeu Fabra (campus de la ciutadella)
* Mercat dels Encants
* Parc de la Ciutadella
Getting to and from the airport...
You can take a taxi from El Prat International Airport. It will cost you roughly €30 and 30 minutes.
Need to know more? Find all the stats you need here:
* The World’s Healthiest Cities
* Equality in Europe
* Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads
"
