Abac (Jordi Cruz)
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About
Holding three Michelin stars, ABaC is the laboratory of celebrity chef Jordi Cruz. Located in the upscale Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, the restaurant is set in a beautiful garden villa. The sensory experience is an immersive 20-course journey that begins in the kitchen and moves through various elegantly designed dining spaces. The cuisine is a technical marvel, blending traditional Catalan flavors with global avant-garde techniques. Expert recommendation: the tasting menu is a mandatory experience here, often featuring his famous 'frozen bloody mary.' Pro tip: allow at least three to four hours for the meal. It is a formal environment, so dressing up is part of the experience.
Highlights
- Three-Michelin-starred dining
- Creative avant-garde cuisine
- Chef Jordi Cruz flagship
- Elegant garden setting
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
CosmoCaixa (Science Museum)
Considered one of the best science museums in Europe, CosmoCaixa features the incredible 'Flooded Forest'—a 1,000-square-meter recreation of the Amazon rainforest complete with piranhas, crocodiles, and tropical rainstorms. It is a highly tactile and sensory museum where visitors are encouraged to interact with physics and biology exhibits. Expert recommendation: the Planetarium is world-class and offers shows that are visually stunning even if you don't follow the narration. Pro tip: it’s located a bit far from the center in the upper district; take the L7 Tibidabo train and enjoy the beautiful houses in the area, or combine it with a trip to Tibidabo mountain.
Fabra Observatory
Perched on a ridge of the Collserola mountains, this astronomical observatory has been studying the stars since 1904. It offers one of the most romantic settings in Barcelona, with its classic dome overlooking the sparkling city lights below. During the day, it focuses on meteorology and seismology. Expert recommendation: book the 'Dinner with Stars' (Sopar amb Estrelles) during the summer months; it includes an outdoor gourmet meal followed by a guided tour and telescope viewing. Pro tip: the road up is narrow and winding; if you don't have a car, it's best to take a taxi from the Vallvidrera Superior funicular station as public transport is limited.
Casa Vicens
This was Antoni Gaudí’s first house, commissioned in 1883. It is a vibrant example of his 'Orientalist' period, heavily influenced by Moorish (Mudéjar) architecture, featuring green and white ceramic tiles, horseshoe arches, and lush floral motifs. It recently opened to the public after decades as a private residence. The sensory experience is more intimate and colorful than his later, more skeletal works. Expert recommendation: look for the 'smoking room,' an incredible example of Mudéjar-style plasterwork and tiles. Pro tip: it’s located in the charming Gràcia neighborhood; after your visit, walk to Plaça de la Virreina for a coffee to experience the local, non-touristy side of Barcelona life.
Park Güell
Designed between 1900-1914 as a residential garden development that became a public park, Gaudí's Park Güell on Carmel Hill above Barcelona is a dreamlike landscape of mosaic-covered terraces, organic stone viaducts, gingerbread gatehouses covered in trencadís ceramic shards, and the famous undulating bench of the main terrace that commands a sweeping panorama of Barcelona and the Mediterranean beyond. The Monumental Zone—the paid section containing the famous mosaic dragon salamander fountain, the Hypostyle Room of 86 Doric columns with its undulating mosaic ceiling, and the panoramic terrace—showcases Gaudí's unique ability to integrate architecture with landscape, art, and natural form into a total environmental experience. The free surrounding park with its tree-lined stone viaducts and Mediterranean vegetation provides hours of exploration beyond the central monument.
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