La Sagrada Familia, La Rambla and the Picasso Museum might be among the first attractions that come to mind when planning a trip to Barcelona, but there’s a little-known area away from the old-world vibes of the Gothic Quarter and the upmarket stylings of Ciutat Vella that should also be on your Catalonia bucket list. It’s called Sant Antoni.
This traditionally working-class neighbourhood is located in the central district of L’Eixample. It’s within walking distance of many of Barcelona’s major tourist attractions, and very close to lively Poble Sec and the multicultural melting pot that is El Raval.
Despite its recent gentrification and local fears that tourists may begin to overrun the area, Sant Antoni still harks back to a bygone era, when neighbours would gather in the sunshine in central courtyards and squares. The area’s streets feature a friendliness that’s perhaps lacking in the city's major tourist hot spots, and the surrounding architecture, much of which dates back to the early 1900s if not decades before, keeps it grounded.
Stylish restaurants vie for space alongside down-to-earth cafes and hipster boutiques sidle up to cosy thrift shops and speciality gift stores. Yet it never feels crowded, thanks to its smaller population, vast thoroughfares and pedestrianised zones.
One of the area’s main attractions is the Mercat de Sant Antoni, or Sant Antoni Market, which was revitalised in 2018. In May that year, the 135-year-old marketplace reopened after a nine-year hiatus and an €80 million ($92.8m) renovation that came as part of a citywide market regeneration plan, aiming to breathe new life into Barcelona’s lesser-known barris.
The Mercat de Sant Antoni was constructed in 1882 and designed by Antoni Rovira i Trias. The Neoclassical building, made using wrought iron and metal, is shaped like a Greek cross and is typical of markets of that era. To this day, it covers an entire block, and consists of three main arms, including a food zone with 52 stalls, and a flea market with 95 stalls. The last block is one of Europe’s largest open-air book markets, which comes alive every Sunday when 78 tables laden with new and secondhand tomes, novels, comics, stamps and other collectibles surround the structure.
A taste of Spain
Other highlights in the area include Yes Future, one of Barcelona’s most famous zero-waste supermarkets, where everything from vinegar to kombucha is available on tap, and shoppers can pick up locally made and farmed treats from the deli, such as kimchi-stuffed olives or spicy cashew cheese.
Ask any local, and they’ll know Sant Antoni as the place to dine out. In particular, Calle Parlament is home to some of the area’s hippest restaurants, from popular brunch spot Federal Cafe to coffee-and-art hangout Cafe Cometa. Elsewhere, find great Spanish tapas at Els Sortidors del Parlament and Bar Ramon. Or discover more multicultural options at Manso Pizzeria, La Golosa Vegan Vurger and the whimsically-styled Tickets, a contemporary tapas restaurant that’s been the recipient of a Michelin star (NB this spot is temporarily closed owing to the pandemic).
As for where to stay, one of the best ways to experience Sant Antoni as the locals do, is by booking an Airbnb or homestay in one of the many old buildings that have been turned into stylish apartments. It’s worth mentioning that as of August 6, short-term private-room rentals are no longer allowed in Barcelona, so you will need to book an entire flat or house.
There are also numerous well-regarded hotels and serviced apartments in the area, including Hotel Market which is located next to the Mercat de Sant Antoni, with chic, modern rooms boasting rain showers, dark wooden beams and large windows from which to enjoy the view. The centrally located four-star Weflating Suites Sant Antoni Market offers serviced two and three-bedroom apartments, all of which come with balconies.
What it’s like to travel to Barcelona in the Covid-19 pandemic
The wonders of Sant Antoni are not difficult to access right now. Spain reopened to vaccinated tourists in June, welcoming travellers from any destination as long as they’ve been fully inoculated with an approved Covid-19 vaccine.
Travellers should be fully immunised at least 14 days before they are due to land in the country, and vaccines must be one of those authorised by the European Medicines Agency, or included in the World Health Organisation’s emergency-use listing.
Printed certificates issued in Spanish or English will be accepted as proof of vaccination and should be shown at check-in from your departure country, as well as when you land, before heading through baggage claim at Barcelona airport.
There is no need to take a PCR test before travelling, although children from the same family who are unvaccinated may need to take a PCR test on arrival. Children under 6 are exempt from any testing.
Unvaccinated travellers can also travel to Spain from the EU or the Schengen zone, or a destination on Spain’s exempted countries list. The UAE was added to this list on October 18.
All travellers must also complete a Health Control Form. You do this on the Spain Travel Health website or the app, and it will generate a QR code which you need to show on arrival.
Once you’re there, you must make sure to wear a face mask indoors in public areas.
Travelling from Spain to the UAE
If you’re travelling back to the UAE after holidaying in Spain, you’ll need to have a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure from Barcelona.
There are numerous Covid-19 testing centres around the city. You need to book a slot and make sure you leave enough time to get your results before you travel (there are faster options available for an additional cost if you’ve left it too late). Use this handy guide to find out when and where you can go, and to book your appointment.
Getting there
Emirates fly to Barcelona’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport from Dh2,595 ($706) return, with a flight time of just over seven hours. From Abu Dhabi, fly with Etihad Airways, with economy fares from Dh2,365.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Chinese Grand Prix schedule (in UAE time)
Friday: First practice - 6am; Second practice - 10am
Saturday: Final practice - 7am; Qualifying - 10am
Sunday: Chinese Grand Prix - 10.10am
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
2021 World Triathlon Championship Series
May 15: Yokohama, Japan
June 5: Leeds, UK
June 24: Montreal, Canada
July 10: Hamburg, Germany
Aug 17-22: Edmonton, Canada (World Triathlon Championship Final)
Nov 5-6 : Abu Dhabi, UAE
Date TBC: Chengdu, China
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
LAST-16 FIXTURES
Sunday, January 20
3pm: Jordan v Vietnam at Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai
6pm: Thailand v China at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: Iran v Oman at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Monday, January 21
3pm: Japan v Saudi Arabia at Sharjah Stadium
6pm: Australia v Uzbekistan at Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
9pm: UAE v Kyrgyzstan at Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, January 22
5pm: South Korea v Bahrain at Rashid Stadium, Dubai
8pm: Qatar v Iraq at Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
PROFILE OF SWVL
Started: April 2017
Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh
Based: Cairo, Egypt
Sector: transport
Size: 450 employees
Investment: approximately $80 million
Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani
THE DETAILS
Kaala
Dir: Pa. Ranjith
Starring: Rajinikanth, Huma Qureshi, Easwari Rao, Nana Patekar
Rating: 1.5/5
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Tell Me Who I Am
Director: Ed Perkins
Stars: Alex and Marcus Lewis
Four stars
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8
Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Price: from Dh850,000
On sale: now
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
