Life's a Happy Song

Life's a Happy Song: Catalonia

Eixample is the residential heart of Barcelona and famous for its modernist architecture – a prime example being the handsome building that this apartment sits within.

Inside, the design is a little more contemporary than the exterior, although there's a preference for mid-century furnishings that are currently en vogue. The white walls and bare wooden floors are reminiscent of some of the city's modern art galleries, especially with the large art prints dotted about the place. As well as that, the kitchen is both sleekly finished and decently sized, just in case you fancy a home-cooked dinner at any point.

The home's biggest perk, however, has to be the long balcony that stretches across the front of the address and overlooks the street below. Although it's not large enough to sit out on, it's still more than big enough for a burst of fresh air and a spot of people-watching. The tall doors leading out to this space also bring plenty of natural light into the interior, as well.

When you want to see a little more of the city, this apartment puts you in an excellent location to do so. As well as a wide range of restaurants and nightlife venues in the immediate vicinity, there are some of Gaudi's most famous projects to be discovered within walking distance, including Casa Batlló under a mile away. Barceloneta Beach is only 2.3 miles away when the weather calls for sunbathing and swimming in the Med.

Home truths:
*There's a lift in the building to reach this single-level apartment on the second floor
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for free upon request
*The building has no private parking available, but Provença metro station is 450 yards away
*The home has portable heaters and fans to use, and only the living room has air conditioning
*The apartment can only be reached by a shared entrance
*The host doesn't accept bookings from groups of young people aged under twenty-one