The Stylish Person's Guide to Barcelona, by Designer Raphaella Santana


The fashion and beauty industries are filled with interesting people from all over the world who have great taste — the types you can rely on for excellent travel recommendations. So, we’re asking them about their favorite food, shopping and wellness spots in their cities. Consider this series your fashion and beauty person’s guide to travel.

Though it’s not technically one of the four core fashion capitals of the world, Barcelona continues to position itself as a major hub for cultivating trends and fostering innovative emerging designers. Spain is of course home to fast-fashion giants Zara and Mango, who’ve helped put the European country on the fashion map. But these massive companies aren’t the only ones introducing new trends to the rest of the world. 

Up-and-coming labels like Paloma Wool, Gimaguas and Eikō Ai are shedding even more light on the style Barcelona has to offer, and their popularity is only growing. Paloma Wool just opened its first permanent store in New York City in April, bringing other Barcelona-based creatives into the project through lighting and interior design.

Photo: Courtesy of Raphaella Santana

In Barcelona’s fashion industry, a through line of community seems evident in every project. Raphaella Santana, an independent designer based in the Catalan city, prioritizes working with and supporting local creatives, too. For her photoshoots, she sets up at iconic Barcelona landmarks and uses accessories by Spanish brands. Having moved to the area eight years ago from Brazil, Santana tells Fashionista that, upon her first visit, she immediately knew it was her home.

Photo: Courtesy of Raphaella Santana

“Every single day I walk around here, I still have the same feeling that I did when I first arrived. I absolutely freaking love this city.”

Santana’s studio-showroom hybrid space has gone viral (mostly on TikTok) for her namesake label’s flowy, effortlessly draped, monochromatic vacation- and event-ready dresses. Users have even dubbed the brand’s signature Ophelia style the new “‘It’ girl dress of the summer.”

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The exclusively made-to-order designs are inspired by Santana’s deep love for Barcelona. “When I’m walking around, I try to look at things and understand how they’re made. This city inspires you in ways that you don’t even understand,” she says. “I think just being able to appreciate the beauty and art of the city does something in me. It’s why I’ve had the most creative years of my life being here.”

Below, Santana shares the spots that give her that magical Catalonian feeling that motivated her to settle in the city, the tourist attractions she still gets excited to visit and, of course, the best tapas restaurants to feast at on the waterfronts.

Padron peppers and other tapas dishes in Barcelona.

Photo: Jeff Greenberg/Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

What’s one dish everyone who goes to Barcelona should try?

I love a good homemade croquetas de jamón. It’s the most tourist-y thing to eat, but I’m being honest. Also, just the regular tapas, the most popular ones are what I usually get. The patatas bravas, the padron peppers, the croquetas and the pan con tomate. 

What’s your favorite place (or places) to get breakfast in Barcelona?

I live quite near Funky Bakers, it’s very good and very popular. I feel like, since we’re not in Paris, sometimes it’s hard to get a croissant that actually tastes good, and they have a really good butter croissant. They’re mainly a bakery but they also do breakfast, and I love their pancakes.

Inside Raphaella Santana’s studio.

Photos: Courtesy of Raphaella Santana

Favorite place to get lunch?

Honest Greens would be the most authentic answer for me. It is the most accessible healthy food place that you can go to. They’re kind of everywhere now, but it started off as one or two and now it’s grown. It’s just a good, healthy, affordable meal you can have access to around the city. That’s often what I get for lunch when I’m at work.

Best place for coffee?

I am a coffee drinker. I love El Magnífico, they do really great coffee around the corner [from my studio]. I believe they roast their own coffee there, so it’s very, very delicious. Now that I’m pregnant, I usually order coffee with milk and a hot chocolate.

Croquetas de jamón.

Photo: David Silverman/Getty Images

What’s your favorite spot to get dinner in Barcelona?

There are a few different good restaurants, but there’s a specific one named Betlem that’s in a really nice plaza. They have the homemade croquetas de jamón.  The outside area is super cute and you get to people watch. They have very, very delicious traditional Spanish tapas.

If you were to plan a staycation for yourself, where would you stay?

The Nobu Hotel recently came up on my TikTok for the restaurant, so I’d try there. It’s basic, but I also liked Soho House when I was a member there.

Font de la Cascada fountain in Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Photo: Cuveland/ullstein bild via Getty Images

What’s one tourist attraction you think is well worth the visit in Barcelona?

Somewhere I always go back to is the Ciutadella Park. I shoot there all the time. I love the architecture and the Gaudí Fountain that they have. Even with my friends, we often make plans to have a picnic there. It has a very green and calming vibe, so you can chill out. There’s even a small river that you can canoe in. It has a little bit of everything. And nearby, there’s also the Arc de Triomf, which is another tourist attraction that you can get a little lost in and experience a bit of nature, too.

Photo: Courtesy of Raphaella Santana

Photo: Courtesy of Raphaella Santana

Where do you shop? What do you think are the most unique stores/boutiques?

I usually make my own clothes, it’s just the truth. But if I do shop, I usually shop vintage. My friend owns a store called Moirai Market. I usually go there for shoes and bags. It’s super cool. There’s also a store called Roua & Friends. They have very unique things by independent designers that you probably wouldn’t see anywhere else. I also just love Humana, which is a non-curated secondhand shop where you have to sort things out for yourself.

I also love Miista shoes — their products are made in Spain, which is very important to me. They have really, really cool stuff. 

For gifts and home goods, I love Bon Vent. They have candles, plates and different accessories for the home. They also have creams and soaps. Some of the hanging plants in my store are actually inspired by their store. 

Canadell beach in the Costa Brava.

Photo: Carlo Morucchio/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

What’s your favorite day trip to take from Barcelona?

In the summer, when I’m up for it, I would take the train to the Costa Brava or the south. There are so many beautiful beaches outside of the city that you can explore. On the upper side of the Costa Brava, the beaches are a little bit smaller and a little bit more niche and beautiful.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Barcelona is such a beautiful city. It’s the love of my life — other than, of course, my husband and my daughter and my future child. I know there’s a little bit of controversy about whether people like it here or not. But I think if you come here with an open heart, there’s a city that has a lot to offer. Just walking around, it feels so special here.

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