The Gran Casino & Hotel de la Arrabassada – Barcelona’s forgotten landmark

November 2, 2017November 2, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

Collserola, the mountain and natural park that separates Barcelona from the inland, hides many abandoned and forgotten places. The most interesting and mysterious one is without a doubt the Grand Casino and Hotel de la Arrabassada. What makes the casino so special is its former majesty and size. Considering what it once was, it is… Continue reading The Gran Casino & Hotel de la Arrabassada – Barcelona’s forgotten landmark

abandoned buildings · austria · castle · fortress · laidback villages · mysterious corners · nature's beauty · ruins · stunning hiking trails

Burgruine Hardegg – Ruins of an enchanted Romanesque castle

June 14, 2017November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

Burgruine Hardegg is a well-preserved Castle surrounded by woods. The place rarely sees visitors. It is not generally known or easily accessible. The castle can be visited from a small village called Zweikirchen (lit. Two-Churches). From there you need to follow a dirt-track road leading up the hill. After a 15 minutes walk you will… Continue reading Burgruine Hardegg – Ruins of an enchanted Romanesque castle

abandoned buildings · awesome city oases · barcelona · nature's beauty · spain

Can Masdeu – an abandoned leper hospital

February 26, 2017November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

One of my favorite places in Barcelona is Can Masdeu. Can Masdeu is a former leper hospital which had been abandoned for over 50 years. It is now occupied by squatters and serves as a social center, residence, and community garden. The grounds governed by the squats are used as gardens and for agriculture.

barcelona · caves · laidback villages · montseny · natural park · nature's beauty · ruins · spain · stunning hiking trails · waterfall

Sant Miguel del Fai – a worthwhile daytrip from Barcelona

October 27, 2016November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

About 40 km from Barcelona you can find a spectacular place called Sant Miguel del Fai which makes it a perfect destination for a day trip from Barcelona. San Miguel del Fai is the name of a 11th-century Benedictine monastery which was, not so long ago, declared a cultural landmark. It is located in… Continue reading Sant Miguel del Fai – a worthwhile daytrip from Barcelona

costa brava · hidden coves · nature's beauty · spain · stunning hiking trails

Camí de Ronda Platja Castell – Cap Roig: a stunning coastal footpath

October 27, 2016November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

On the Costa Brava there is nothing more spectacular for nature lovers than the coastal footpaths: on one side, the forest, pine trees, cliffs, coves, and sand beaches; on the other side, the clear turquoise water of the Mediterranean sea. A very special one among these ‘Camí de Ronda’ can be found between Palamos and Calella de Palafrugell.… Continue reading Camí de Ronda Platja Castell – Cap Roig: a stunning coastal footpath

abandoned buildings · awesome city oases · barcelona · castle · fortress · mysterious corners · nature's beauty · ruins · spain · stunning hiking trails

An Andalusian neighborhood in Barcelona – Les Roquetes and Torre Baró

July 17, 2016November 19, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

Les Roquetes is located in the Nou Barris district of the city of Barcelona. It’s a very vivid and interesting neighborhood. Walking through its streets doesn’t make you feel like being in Catalonia, more like being in Latin America or maybe the Canary Islands or Andalusia. Music and fiestas on the streets are very common… Continue reading An Andalusian neighborhood in Barcelona – Les Roquetes and Torre Baró

barcelona · caves · nature's beauty · spain · stunning hiking trails

A stunning hiking trail in Gavà

January 19, 2016November 17, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

Luckily for me, turns out my new home village Gavà is great for hiking. Recently, I discovered a stunning hiking trail perfect for a half day excursion. The trail starts at the Ermita de Bruguers (a 5 minutes car ride from Gavà: about 4 km northwest of the town’s center), a Roman chapel from the 13th… Continue reading A stunning hiking trail in Gavà

Collsacabra · laidback villages · natural park · nature's beauty · spain · stunning hiking trails · waterfall

Collsacabra: cliffs, waterfalls and a submerged village

July 22, 2015November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplaces2 Comments

The Collsacabra park is a beautiful natural area measuring about 142 km2 and it offers a vast forest, many cliffs, meadows, waterfalls and swamps. It is a quiet paradise where one can go hiking, swimming, kayaking, mountain biking or just relax. The park is located in the province of Barcelona and it can be reached from the… Continue reading Collsacabra: cliffs, waterfalls and a submerged village

abandoned buildings · Collsacabra · laidback villages · natural park · nature's beauty · spain · waterfall

Rupit i Pruit: A catalan treasure

July 21, 2015November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplacesLeave a comment

Rupit is a small enchanting mountain hamlet located in the heart of Collsacabra Natural Park in Osona within the province of Barcelona (very close to Garrotxa, province of Girona). The hamlet is located at about 850 meters above sea level and about 100 km from the city Barcelona. It is located on a rocky… Continue reading Rupit i Pruit: A catalan treasure

beach · costa brava · hidden coves · nature's beauty · spain · stunning hiking trails

A mediterranean oasis – La cala del Sr. Ramón

June 16, 2015November 1, 2017 carmen@laidbackplaces1 Comment

La cala del Sr. Ramón is a beautiful quiet nudist cove between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu de Guíxols. It can easily be accessed from the coastal road by foot. It is also possible to drive down the dirt road through the woods which leads to a spacious parking area about 100 meters from… Continue reading A mediterranean oasis – La cala del Sr. Ramón

laid-back places

abandoned buildings, hidden coves: secret places and their story

Category: nature’s beauty