by Cameran S.| April 23, 2025|EuropeHuman Environmental SciencesSemesterUA Non-Affiliate

Spending the weekend in Barcelona gave us the perfect opportunity to explore and appreciate the neighborhood we now call home. Although myself, and my two roommates love to adventure on the weekends, Barcelona is too fun not to stay at times! Living in the heart of the city has been such a gift, especially on our cozy street in Girona. It’s charming, friendly, and truly feels like home. Studying abroad through the University of Alabama with CEA CAPA has been a life-changing experience—and I already know I hope to return and live in Barcelona again someday.

This week, we discovered a few local favorites that made us fall even more in love with the city. Ametller Origen has become our go-to grocery store—it’s the closest thing to Whole Foods, but even better! Their fresh produce and high-quality meat make meal prepping for busy class weeks easy and enjoyable.

Bloss Salon, just four minutes from our apartment, is another hidden gem. I got my hair done there and it turned out amazing. With glowing reviews and a big following on TikTok, we’ll definitely be regulars.

We also joined Concept Barre, a fitness studio offering barre, pilates, and heated weight classes. Although the classes are taught in Spanish, the instructors were super welcoming, and we felt right at home. We loved it so much, we bought a membership!

One of the highlights of our week was a pottery session at Bescuit, a peaceful studio where we painted ceramics as gifts. It was so relaxing and creative—we’re already planning our next visit.

And of course, no week is complete without a visit to Casa Lolea, our favorite restaurant. With its warm atmosphere, amazing food, and refreshing sangria, it’s become a true staple for us.

Barcelona has quickly become one of my favorite places, and this study abroad journey is something I’ll always treasure!