Only 15 min away from Plaza Cataluña by metro, Sant Andreu district is a village inside the city. You can live an authentic Catalan experience in this area which used to be a separated village until 1897 when it was annexed by Barcelona. This neighborhood is rarely visited by many tourists even though it is a picturesque district that can be a marvelous setting for Instagram pictures! Take a look at the 3 main places in this neighborhood.
The Parque de la Pegaso is the most beautiful park in the area. You will be able to see a huge variety of vegetation from all over the world in this park that used to be the Empresa Nacional de Autocamiones Pegaso and that gave it its name. You will enjoy the bridges designed in the traditional Japanese style crossing the canal of this magnificent park. The various winding paths on the hills are perfect for you if you want to take a walk or ride a bicycle in the middle of nature. 
The Parish of Sant Pacià is a heritage from the 19th century and contains a work of art from Antoní Gaudí that you will be able to discover for free thanks to the free entrance of the site. As you can see on the picture below, this wonderful mosaic designed by Gaudi is very different from his Modernista period so visiting this church will allow you to discover what came before the Casa Batlló or the Casa Vicens. As well as this mosaic, Gaudí also designed elements of the side chapels, the high altar, and the choir. Built between 1876 and 1881, this Gothic Church dedicated to Saint Patrick is a one-nave church that deserves to be seen to understand the starts of Gaudí. 
If you like going shopping, you should explore the shopping center La Maquinista that is the biggest of Cataluña with its 250 000 m² and one of the best in Spain. You will be able to discover lots of shops with a huge variety of brands and styles with prices that fit every budget. If you are hungry during your shopping expedition, the various restaurants will satisfy you thanks to the international food you can find there. Do not bother you looking for them all around the mall because most of them are gathered on the 3rd floor. The cinemas will allow you to take a break from shopping if you want to. As for the American shopping centers, it is half open to outside but if it rains, you can avoid it so do not be afraid to be wet, it will not happen! Away from the center and thanks to the huge size of the mall, it never feels overwhelmed with people. 
As the Carrer Grant de Sant Andreu which is the most alive street of the neighborhood with various restaurants, shops, and bars, many streets are for pedestrians only so you should join this neighborhood by metro, train, or bus and walk around.
