Stay In. Travel Far.
Let me take you to Barcelona not by plane, but by plate, playlist, and ambiance. This stay-at-home vacation captures the essence of a day in Spain’s most artistic, flavorful city.
We begin with a leisurely breakfast. Enjoy a café con leche. Pair it with pan con tomate or a sweet warm churro. The morning sun spills across your kitchen. Midday invites a siesta, lulled by the soft strum of Spanish guitar. By late afternoon, the scent of simmering saffron and seafood fills the air as you prepare paella for golden hour. Candles flicker in mosaic holders, vermouth is poured over ice, and the table is dressed in sun-washed linens. This is how we bring Barcelona’s magic into your home — the Kim’s Kurations way.
We’ve designed this journey in three inspired parts. From the rich history that shaped Barcelona, we guide you to a perfectly planned grocery list. Recreating it is effortless. Every detail is here for you. You just need to pour the wine and set the table. Then, let Barcelona’s charm fill your home — the Kim’s Kurations way.
🏛️ Part 1: History, Culture & Daily Rhythm
🇪🇸 The Spirit of Barcelona
Barcelona is a city where the past and present dance together. From Roman walls and Gothic cathedrals to Gaudí’s bold modernism, it’s a place where artistry and architecture meet Mediterranean rhythm. Food, family, and community come first and the city’s energy reflects that.
Barcelona is a city where history whispers from every stone. Founded over 2,000 years ago, it has been shaped by Romans and medieval kings. Visionary architects like Antoni Gaudí have also influenced the city, whose whimsical creations dot the skyline. The streets are a tapestry of eras.
In the Gothic Quarter, narrow, winding lanes open unexpectedly into sunlit plazas. These plazas are framed by centuries-old stone facades and wrought-iron balconies overflowing with flowers. Elsewhere, wide boulevards like Passeig de Gràcia showcase elegant modernist buildings, while palm-lined promenades lead to the sea. The air hums with the sound of café chatter. You hear the clink of wine glasses. The faint strum of a street guitarist joins in.
🕰️ Spanish Mealtimes & Siesta Culture
The Rhythm of Spanish Meals
In Spain, meals are not rushed; they’re a celebration of time, flavor, and connection. The day’s eating rhythm flows differently than in many places. Meals are later, longer, and layered with tradition.
- Almuerzo (Mid-Morning Bite) — A small, savory snack around 11 a.m., such as a tortilla española (spanish omelet) or a slice of jamón on bread
- Cena (Dinner) — Served late, usually after 9 p.m., and lighter than lunch. Think shared tapas plates, grilled fish, or vegetable dishes
Meal culture in Spain is as much about connection and conversation as it is about food. It is an invitation to slow down, savor, and live fully in the moment.
🌙 Kurated wisdom: Siesta isn’t lazy — it’s luxe. A curated pause that nourishes your soul and refreshes your rhythm.
🍴 Part 2: Meals, Moments & Ambiance
🌅 Curating the Feeling: Set the Scene
Start with sunlight. Open the curtains wide. Let the morning light pour in. It dances through the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter. Place a vase of fresh market flowers on the table. Choose sunflowers, wild greenery, or a tumble of bougainvillea. These flowers can greet you at breakfast.
Layer in flavors and aromas. Brew a strong café con leche. Dust churros with sugar. Let the scent of saffron and garlic waft from your kitchen as you prepare paella. Keep a small plate of marinated olives or sliced jamón nearby. Be ready for nibbling. In Barcelona, food is always within reach.
Create textures and colors that whisper of the Mediterranean. A table draped in sun-washed linen, mosaic-patterned candleholders, terracotta bowls, and glass tumblers for vermouth or sangria.
And finally, embrace the pace. Linger over lunch, take an afternoon pause, and let conversation stretch long into the evening over a glass of wine. This is the true Barcelona — not rushed, but savored.
When you curate these moments at home, you’re not just setting the scene. You’re inviting the spirit of Barcelona to live in your day — the Kim’s Kurations way.
☕ Breakfast (7:30 AM)
Menu
Pa amb tomàquet, jamón ibérico or Manchego, café con leche
Tip: Serve outdoors with jazz playing & a linen napkin.
🧃 Mid morning Snack (11:00 AM)
Menu
Tortilla Española + café con leche
Tinto de Verano: Equal parts red wine + lemon soda over ice, orange slice garnish
🥘 Lunch (2:00 PM)
Menu del Día: (Lunch Menu)
- Starter: Mixed Salad or vegetable soup
- Main: Seafood paella
- Dessert: Crema catalana
- Tinto de Verano: Equal parts red wine + lemon soda over ice, orange slice garnish
🛏️ Siesta (2:45 PM)
Close the laptop, dim the lights, and reset with quiet music or a good book.
🥂 Aperitivo + Tapas (5:15 PM)
Tapas Menu
- Patatas bravas
- slices of manchego cheese and fig jam
- Banderillas (skewers of olives and cheese)
- Vermouth with orange peel over ice
🌇 Dinner (9:30 PM)
Menu:
- Light leftover paella or veggie cazuela
- Ensalada(salad) with oranges and olives
- Optional crema catalana (creme broulee)
🛒 Part 3: Grocery, Music & Shopping Lists
🛍️ Grocery List
For Paella:
Arborio rice, shrimp, mussels, chorizo (optional), peas, saffron, bell pepper, onion, garlic, white wine, lemon, olive oil
For Tortilla Española:
Potatoes, onion, eggs, olive oil, sea salt
For Tapas:
Potatoes, paprika, croquettes, olives, baguette, aioli, tomato paste
For Breakfast & Snacks:
Rustic bread, tomato, garlic, jamón, Manchego, espresso, milk
For Drinks & Dessert:
Red wine, lemon soda, oranges, Cava, vermouth, milk, sugar, citrus zest, cinnamon, eggs
🎶 Spotify Playlists
- “125 Traditional Spanish Songs”
- “Flamenco Fiesta”
- “Spanish Guitar Classics”
- “Rosalía Essentials”
Stay in. Taste Barcelona. Curate your own ritmo.
🧀 Build a Spanish Charcuterie Board
(Tabla de Embutidos)
Essentials to include:
- Jamón ibérico or jamón serrano (thinly sliced cured ham)
- Chorizo (spicy paprika-cured sausage)
- Manchego cheese (firm sheep’s milk cheese)
- Mahón (creamy cow’s milk cheese from Menorca)
- Olives (Arbequina or marinated mixed)
- Marcona almonds
- Quince paste (membrillo)
- Pan con tomate or rustic baguette slices
- Drizzle of honey or fig jam
🧺 Serve on a wooden board or ceramic tapas plates with a glass of vermouth or Rioja.
📺 Shows & Documentaries to Watch
- Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain (CNN)
Season 1, Episode 3 explores Catalonia’s rich food and cultural traditions. - Barcelona: A Love Untold (YouTube Documentary)
A walking visual of Barcelona’s neighborhoods with stunning footage. - Virtual Sagrada Família or Park Güell tours (YouTube)
Walk the iconic sights from home. - Virtual tours of Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Gothic Quarter on YouTube
📚 Books to Read
- The Shadow of the Wind – Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- Catalonia: A Cultural History – Michael Eaude
⌚ Typical Spanish Mealtimes
- Desayuno (Breakfast): 7–9 AM
- Second Desayuno: 10–11 AM
- La Comida (Lunch): 2–3:30 PM (largest meal)
- Siesta: 2–5 PM (rest, digest, reset)
- Merienda (Snack): 5–6:30 PM
- Aperitivo / Tapas: 8–10 PM
- La Cena (Dinner): 9–11 PM
🍽️ Signature Recipes
each in 5 easy steps
Seafood Paella (Paella de Mariscos)
Ingredients
Method
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large paella pan (or wide skillet) over medium heat. Add 1 cup onion, 1 cup bell pepper, and 2 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in 2 cups rice, 1 tsp saffron, and 1 tsp smoked paprika. Cook for 1 minute, coating the rice in the oil and aromatics.
- Pour in 4 cups warm broth and add ½ tsp salt. Stir once to evenly distribute ingredients, then do not stir again. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook uncovered for 15 minutes over medium heat.
- Arrange 1 lb mixed seafood evenly over the rice. Cook for an additional 8–10 minutes until the seafood is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Remove from heat, cover with foil, and rest for 5 minutes. Serve with lemon wedges.
Ingredients
Method
- Toast 4 slices of rustic bread in a toaster, grill pan, or oven until golden and crisp.
- While still warm, lightly rub each slice with the peeled garlic clove to infuse flavor.
- Cut 2 tomatoes in half horizontally. Grate the cut sides over a bowl using the large holes of a box grater, discarding the skins.
- Spoon the tomato pulp evenly over each slice of bread.
- Drizzle generously with 2–3 tbsp olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and serve immediately.
Tinto de Verano
Ingredients
Method
- Poured over a tall glass of ice. Garnished with a lemon slice or wedge
Crema Catalana
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium saucepan, heat 3 cups milk with zest and cinnamon stick over medium heat (about 180°F / 82°C) until steaming but not boiling. Remove from heat, cover, and let infuse for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, whisk 4 egg yolks, ½ cup sugar, and 3 tbsp cornstarch until pale and smooth.
- Slowly whisk the warm milk into the yolk mixture. Return everything to the saucepan and cook over medium‑low heat (170–175°F / 77–80°C), stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (5–8 minutes).
- Pour the custard into ramekins, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours until set.
- Sprinkle 1–2 tsp sugar over each chilled custard. Using a kitchen torch (or broiler), caramelize until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.
Head on over to my Instagram @Kims_Kurations and follow for my Spanish Tortilla Recipe.
The Wines of Spain
Spanish wine is as varied and vibrant as the country itself. From crisp whites born on the breezy Atlantic coast to deep, velvety reds from the sun-soaked plains. Spain’s wine culture is steeped in tradition but always ready to surprise you with bold, expressive flavors.
The Main Wine Styles
- Rioja (Tempranillo Reds) – Elegant, structured reds with notes of cherry, leather, and spice; often aged in oak for complexity.
- Ribera del Duero – Richer, more powerful Tempranillo wines with deep fruit, earthy notes, and a smooth finish.
- Albariño – A crisp, aromatic white from Galicia with peach and citrus notes; perfect for seafood.
Cava – Spain’s sparkling wine, made in the traditional Champagne method; dry, toasty, and perfect for celebrations.
Sherry (Jerez) – Fortified wine ranging from bone-dry Fino to sweet Pedro Ximénez, ideal for aperitifs or dessert pairings.
Kim’s Kurated Wine Picks
5 Affordable Spanish Wines to Try
- Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza – A classic, food-friendly red with bright cherry and subtle spice. Approx. $15
- Torres Viña Esmeralda – A fragrant white with notes of honeysuckle and tropical fruit. Approx. $14
- Albariño Martín Códax – Fresh and citrus with a slight salinity that sings with seafood. Approx. $18
- Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava – Crisp, dry sparkling wine with apple and almond notes. Approx. $12
- Lustau Amontillado Sherry – Nutty, rich, and complex; perfect as an aperitif with tapas. Approx. $20
Sangria…Spain’s Festive Sip
No Barcelona-inspired table is complete without a pitcher of sangria. Traditionally, sangria is made with red wine, fresh fruit, a touch of brandy, and a splash of soda. It is as much about gathering and celebration as it is about taste. Use a bottle of Campo Viejo Tempranillo ($10). Add sliced oranges, lemons, apples, and a cinnamon stick to craft your own. Alternatively, you can opt for a sparkling white sangria made with Cava for a lighter, bubbly twist.
Kim’s Kurated Affordable Wine & Sangria Guide
| Wine / Drink | Style | Approx. Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marqués de Cáceres Rioja Crianza | Rioja red (Crianza) | ~$12–$15 | Total Wine, local wine shops target.com |
| Martín Códax Albariño | Rías Baixas white (Albariño) | ~$16–$18 | Total Wine, BevMo!, Target, ABC, online |
| Torres Viña Esmeralda | Aromatic white blend | ~$14–$18 | Common in U.S. wine retailers (Catalonian import) |
| Segura Viudas Brut Reserva | Spanish sparkling (Cava) | ~$12–$18 | Widely found in supermarkets, wine shops |
| Lustau Amontillado Sherry | Jerez fortified (dry Sherry) | ~$18–$25 | Specialty wine/liquor stores |
| Sangria (red or white) | Fruit‑infused wine punch | DIY ~10–20 | Base wine from above suggestions |
📚 Books to Read
- The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
- Homage to Catalonia by George Orwell
- Barcelona by Robert Hughes
- Catalonia: A Cultural History by Michael Eaude
🎥 More Shows & Documentaries
- Searching for Spain (Catalonia episode)
- Barcelona: A Love Untold (YouTube)
- Chef’s Table: Asador Etxebarri (Netflix)
- Virtual Tours of Sagrada Família & Park Güell (YouTube)
🏠 Ambiance Tips
- Decor: Terracotta linens, olive branches, Spanish tiles
- Music: Spanish guitar, flamenco, folk
- Lighting: String lights, taper candles
- Scents: Fig, citrus, olive candles
🤔 More about Siesta & Modern Catalonia
- Siesta: Culturally rooted in climate and tradition. Meant for rest and digestion post-lunch. Not always sleep — often reflection, calm, or reading.
- Modern Catalonia: A region full of pride and identity, blending historic traditions with a contemporary creative edge. Barcelona locals are relaxed yet stylish, deeply social, and passionate about food and family.
🌟 Final Thought from Kim’s Kurations
Barcelona is a lifestyle. It’s a slower sip, a longer meal, a curated moment. Let your home hum with the rhythm of siesta, the sparkle of Tinto de Verano, and the aroma of saffron. Stay in. Travel far. Curate the moments.
