Between trades and traditions: a journey through historic workshops

Among so many outdoor activities, a little healthy shopping is a must. In the heart of Barcelona, amidst modernised alleys and glittering signs, small shops still survive that tell of another city: that of slow time, of handed-down trades and old-fashioned scents. These are historic shops, set in beautiful buildings, which preserve their original furnishings. Entering them is like crossing the threshold of a small living museum, where every shelf and every gesture of the shopkeeper speaks of tradition and authenticity. In the heart of the Barri Gòtic is the historic Fargas chocolate shop, founded in 1827, while Cereria Subirà is considered the oldest shop in Barcelona. Its founder started his business by importing waxes from Genoa, before opening a first workshop in 1761. On the street where Picasso used to visit his Demoiselles d'Avignon, La Manual Alpargatera, founded in the 1940s, is much more than just a shoe shop: it is a living piece of Catalan craft tradition. Also worth a visit is La Colmena, one of Barcelona's most emblematic patisseries, which has seen three generations at work since 1928.