Barcelona 7 night Retreat: a wonderful artisan life
It's a wonderful Barcelona artisan life
Eight days of making, tasting, wandering, and learning in the workshops, studios, and farms of one of the world's great craft cities. Each day is built around a skill you'll carry home. From shoemaking, to Batik dyeing and jewelry making, you'll gain skills that you'll return to again and again. A lifelong opportunity to live like a local artisan for a week.
Our accommodations are a historic Modernista home in the very centre of Barcelona, with expansive living space to relax and the ease to wander the city at will. The home is true artisan home with grand hand painted ceiling frescoes and hand patterned Catalan nola tiles, to hand cast brass door handles and modern furnishings reinvented with handwork. It is a perfect backdrop to be fully immersed in hand made living.
Unlike typical retreats where you are sequestered to an isolated venue and limited by transportation, our home base in the very center of a vibrant city allows you to explore what Barcelona has to offer should you choose.
Enjoy this experience at your own pace and tempo.
You'll be met at the airport and brought straight to our home, where snacks and drinks are welcome you while you settle in.
Once everyone's arrived, we shake off the journey with an unhurried walk through the Eixample — a typical Spanish Sunday — guided by architect Brian Gallagher of the B-Guided design guide. We end the evening at Cafè del Centre, a 19th-century Catalan institution, over aperitivo and live jazz — the first of many conversations about what we're here to make.
We take a leisurely walk after breakfast to explore the Gothic with Suzanne Wales (writer of Hand Made Spain). We will visit the shops of some amazing artisans... the oldest apothecary, a jeweler, see one the oldest and quintessential shoe workshops in Spain, and visit Barcelona's oldest shop where they still make candles.
Back at our home workshop, we talk through the shoes you'll build and dye your first pieces of leather.
We start our day with a home session learning the meditative craft of batik on silk. Then we head into the oldest part of Barcelona to historic Raval to visit Catu and Ignacio's shoemaking workshop — a completely different approach to the craft, full of innovation and creativity rooted in tradition. La Boqueria market for a tour as we gather ingredients for our Paella making class for our dinner.
The morning you've been building toward — we cut into your leather and begin constructing your own Sevilla Smith shoes. It's a long, satisfying studio day (with a relaxed pica pica lunch built in) as the pieces slowly become a pair.
In the late afternoon, we shift to sandal-making, learning the menorquina, a classic Catalan design.
We head to Catalunya's wine country for a morning among the vines and olive groves, where we learn more about their source and process, followed by local lunch at a beautiful countryside restaurant.
Back in Barcelona by evening, with time to explore the city on your own.
A bustling day in the city — a tapestry-weaving session in the morning where we learn about weaving and elevate it as illustration.
Then we head to Gracia to make jewelry or own jewelry: rings, bracelet, earrings...whichever you choose. Silver is provided.
We begin with the history and technique of bobbin lace — one of the oldest and most hypnotic crafts in Catalonia. The afternoon is left open: pack, wander, or finish anything on your Barcelona list. In the evening, a farewell dinner of Kamayan, a traditional Filipino meal eaten by hand with friends — a fitting close to a week built on making things together.
Farewells over breakfast. Your shoes, your art, and all your new skills go home with you.
The Details
ballroom room w living area
galeria room w living area
Included
- 7 nights in a landmark Modernista apartment
- Meals — breakfast, lunches, and 2 dinners with water and wine (remaining dinners are free time)
- All workshop materials, tools, and fees
- Local ground transportation for all 8 days
- Airport pickup and drop off
- Some craft tools to take home and continue what you've learned
- Friendly knowledgeable, English speaking guidance throughout your stay
Does Not Include
- Flights and transport to/from Barcelona
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Drinks other than those served with meals
- Meals during free times
- Personal expenses
Where We Stay
Our home for the week is a landmark Modernista apartment in the heart of Barcelona: original frescoes, a ballroom, and the kind of proportions that remind you this city was once showing off for the world. Restored to its historic details and shared by just our group of five, it becomes our workshop, our dining room, and our living room all at once — with plenty of space to relax. Located just two blocks from Casa Batlló and Plaça Catalunya, everything is on your doorstep.
Who are the Artisans
Artisans have been selected who bring both culture and deep knowledge to the craft — people with stories to tell as well as skills to share. Many came from elsewhere and chose Barcelona; others are rooted deeply in Catalan tradition.
Practical Information
Meeting Point
Barcelona. We arrange airport pickup on arrival day. Arrival by early afternoon is ideal. Please check with us before booking travel to confirm timing. If flying from outside Europe, arriving a day early to recover from jet lag is recommended. We can accommodate pre/post retreat stays for an additional fee.
added nights
Additional nights before or after the retreat are available. Please ask for details.
Dietary Requirements
Most dietary requirements can be accommodated as long as you tell us in advance. The retreat has a strong focus on authentic Catalan and seasonal food, so the more freely you can eat the more you'll enjoy it. Provided meals are family style to share in as many new local foods as possible.
Physical Fitness & Dress
You should be comfortable walking on uneven city streets and standing in workshops.
Dress is informal. Good walking shoes are essential. A light jacket is recommended for evenings in October.
This schedule can also be booked on custom dates for private groups. Reach out to Faye to discuss what works for you.
Reserve Your Place
This intimate retreat is limited to ensure a deeply personal experience. If your heart says yes, we invite you to reserve your place before spaces are filled.