A Grand City Square
Like all major cities, each has a central point where all things converge and in Barcelona it is unmistakably the grand Plaça Catalunya. It is a lively hub from which all the city’s activity seems to radiate acting as its nerve centre bringing together major avenues like the luxurious Paseo de Gracia and the wild Las Ramblas. [caption id="attachment_1385" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Barcelona´s grand square in spring"][/caption] Spanning approximately 5 hectares, the enormous plaza was historically the union between the nucleus of the old city and the Exiample neighborhood. However before the surrounding walls were torn down, the space occupied by the plaza ...
Tossa de Mar- a charming town on the Costa Brava
Tossa de Mar is located on the Girona coast, halfway between the Barcelona and the French border. It is believed that the first settlers came during the Neolithic period. The Iberians arrived sometime between the 4th and 1rst century BC, after which the Romans arrived. Medieval Tossa dates back to the year 996, and much of the architecture from this time still exists today. In the 1930´s, just before the civil war, it was a popular destination for writers and artists. Today the amazing architecture and beautiful beaches attract many visitors, especially in summer. The Vila Vella, the old town, is ...
Castell de Montjuic- the castle of the people
The Castell de Montjuic is a 17th century castle on the mountain of Montjuic which was built over an old Jewish cementery (Montjuic means “Jewish Mountain” in Catalan). It was originally a fort, and was built in 1640. In 1694 the fort was converted into a castle and in 1751 the fort, which still stood inside the new walls, was demolished. At that time the cisterns and the moat were built. From 1779 to 1799 the castle underwent further construction to include more ovens and kitchens in order to accommodate its growing population. The artillery was also built at this time. ...
Parc de Ciutadella – the largest and the greenest Barcelona Park
Barcelona, like most large cities, has beautiful parks where people can go to escape the “hustle-and bustle” of city life and just relax. Parc de Ciutadella is a good example. It is the largest and greenest park in all of Barcelona, a pleasant place to visit and it is centrally located, as well. Once the only park in all of Barcelona, Parc de Ciutadella actually stands on the site where the Spanish King, Phillip V, built a huge fortress during the War of Spanish Succession for the express purpose of watching over his reluctant subjects and the entire city, too. The ...
10 Tips on Booking an Apartment for Your Vacation in Barcelona
Here are 10 tips on booking an apartment for a vacation in Barcelona, and also some general holiday advice which I would strongly recommend to anyone considering booking a short-term apartment rental. In no particular order, here are my top ten tips for checking that your apartment will not disappoint: 1. Carefully study the photographs and dimensions of the apartment you want to choose. Admire the photographs of your accommodation by all means, but also check the measurements of the rooms. Many pictures are taken with special lenses which appear to magnify the room, leading you to assume the space is larger ...
Barrio Gotico - the most complete Gothic quarter on the Continent?
Barrio Gótico district (Gothic Quarter) is the oldest part of Barcelona, it lies between the Las Ramblas and Via Laetana and expands from Plaça de Cataluña till the Paseo of Colon. It used to be the ancient fortified Roman village and years later when the city started growing considerably it converted in one of the most valued districts of Barcelona, much of which is pedestrianized. Nowadays Barrio Gótico represents a mixture of new and old: because of constant modernization quite trendy new buildings share the scene with ancient houses which bear features of Romanesque and Gothic style. Thus for example, ...
Montjuic – Mount of Museums and Cultural Half of Barcelona!
Montjuic is one of the most spectacular areas of Barcelona. Although the meaning of Montjuic is in some doubt, either from Mont Jueu (Jewish Mountain) or Monte Jovis (Jupiter's Mountain), there is no doubt whatever about the impressive nature of this area. Known primarily for its cultural opportunities, it affords spectacular views and arresting scenery as well. Montjuic's primary heritage comes from two very significant events which occurred here in the last century. The International Exhibition of 1929 made sure the area became prominent on the world map, and then again in 1992 the eyes of the world were once again ...
La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi
The extraordinary unfinished church designed by a world-known architect Antonio Gaudi is a symbol of Barcelona. The majestic Temple of the Sagrada Familia (Temple of the Holy Family) was started in 1882, though Gaudi was not the first architect to work on this project. The temple was conceived as a conventional Gothic-style church, but when Gaudi at the age of 32 started to work on it (at the end of 1883), he was given free rein and his unconventional ideas changed the building considerably. [caption id="attachment_1233" align="alignright" width="200" caption="La Sagrada Familia is still under construction"][/caption] By the time Gaudi died only one bell-tower ...
Barcelona – One Of Europe’s Favourite Destinations
Introducing Barcelona, Spain’s bustling Catalan capital, a city that has become increasingly popular with travelers from every part of Europe and vacationers from North America, as well. Frequently referred to as Spain’s “most European-like metropolis”, Barcelona is quickly developing a reputation as a city that has to be seen and experienced. In fact, Barcelona has much to offer and interest everyone who comes to visit – business travelers and vacationers, as well. Consider …Today, Barcelona is prosperous, youthful, fun-loving … a city with excellent restaurants and cafes featuring the finest in Mediterranean cuisine. It is also a proud city, comfortable with ...
If You Like the Beach – You will Love Vila Olimpica.
Barcelona is a great city for visitors and locals alike, people who enjoy sun, surf and fun. There are several beaches to choose from, all of which are easily accessible. And, as is true for most cities, some beaches are a little nicer than others. In fact, one of Barcelona’s best and nicest beaches may be in Vila Olímpica district. Facing the city’s port area and the spectacular Mediterranean Sea, Vila Olimpica didn’t even exist before the 1980s. This part of town was essentially overlooked and forgotten while most of the interesting sites and things to do remained in the center ...
Barcelona …It’s a Great Place to Visit for Sightseers.
From spectacular Modernista architecture to more than 55 museums of every type … from chic art galleries to fun-filled theme parks and more, much, much more - Barcelona has something to please every taste. And it all begins right in the center of the city … Start your personal sightseeing tour in Ciutat Vella. Cuitat Vella, Barcelona’s “old town” is right in the middle of the city … a perfect starting place to begin your personal tour. This area, which long ago was separated from Barcelona’s other villages by ancient Roman walls, includes four districts (Barrio Gotico, Raval, El Borne and Barceloneta), ...
A “Must-See’ for Art Lovers – MNAC … The National Museum of Art of Cataluña.
If you love and appreciate fine art, you have to include a visit to the Museu Nacional D’Art de Cataluña (the National Museum of Art of Cataluna – MNAC). Here, you will find some of the most treasured artwork in Barcelona, perhaps in all of Spain. The museum, itself, is housed in the Palau Nacional, Barcelona’s new baroque palace which is centrally-located on Montjuic Hill and was long ago conceived by Josep Puig i Cadafalch to be the centerpiece of the 1929 International Exhibition. The museum’s ground floor is divided into three main sections – Gothic, Romanesque and Renaissance and Baroque. The ...
Els Quatre Gats - legendary bohemian Barcelona restaurant
If you’re a visitor interested in a memorable dining experience, you may wish to stop at the legendary restaurant Els Quatre Gats for lunch or dinner. Located amid the gothic maze of Barrio Gotico’s narrow, twisting streets, the restaurant serves traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine. And, while it is highly-regarded for the preparation and presentation of its dishes, it is also well-known for its remarkable history. In fact, Els Quatre Gats origins date back to the late 19th century. At that time, a local businessman, Pere Romeu, became impressed with the charm and ambience of a Parisian café-restaurant with cabaret named ...
La Boqueria Market - the largest indoor market in Spain
Barcelona has many indoor and outdoor markets that can provide locals and tourists alike with enjoyable shopping experiences. La Boqueria, located right at the Las Ramblas, is probably the most popular market. La Boqueria, which is also known as Mercat de Sant Josep, is a large indoor market specializing in the sale of fresh produce, including a wide variety of locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Fresh meat and seafood is also available. The market has a long, long history, dating way back to around the year 1200. In fact, during the period from 1200 to 1700, La Boqueria was actually an outdoors, open-air ...
Las Ramblas Barcelona
Las Ramblas is definitely a must see in Barcelona. This 1,2 km long tree-lined avenue is broken up into five different ramblas (pedestrian avenues, each one differently named) and runs between Barrio Gotico (Gothic quarter) and El Raval – two of the four districts of Ciutat Vella (old city). Las Ramblas is certainly one of the best known symbols of Barcelona and Cataluña. It starts at Plaça de Cataluña with its first section of Rambla de Canaletes and ends at the port with Rambla de Santa Monica. The word rambla is derived from the Arabic term ramla, which means sandy river bed ...
Park Güell by Antoni Gaudi - Barcelona’s most magical park
Park Güell situated in the north of the city in the district of Gracia was declared a universal monument by UNESCO in 1984. Gaudi´s patron Count Eusebi Guell entrusted him to build the park, which at the beginning was conceived as an English-style ¨garden city¨ for the rich Barcelona´s bourgeoisie. The construction of the park commenced in 1900, but in the event the project was not a success. Count Eusebi Guell planned to divide 15ha of the park territory into 60 plots, between 1000 sqm and 2000 sqm each one. By purchasing a plot, the buyer should have signed a contract which prohibited ...
F.C. Barcelona - A Footballing Tourist’s Dream
Fútbol Club Barcelona, commonly known as FC Barcelona or simply Barça, is one of only three clubs never to have been relegated from La Liga, and after Real Madrid is the most successful Spanish football club ever. In fact, according to the International Federation of Football History and Statistics, Barça has been the most successful football club in the world between 1991 and 2008. The club's stadium is the Camp Nou (Nou Camp to the English), officially known as the Nou Estadi del Futbol Club Barcelona, and is situated in Avinguda Aristides Maillol, s/n, 08028, Barcelona. It can be reached by ...
Montserrat- Catalonia´s Most Sacred Mountain
A trip to Barcelona isn’t complete without a day trip to Montserrat. This is easily one of the most popular day trips for tourists, which is not surprising given that it provides an opportunity to explore nature and experience history while enjoying the fabulous views of Catalonia. Montserrat is the name of a mountain and means “jagged (serrated) mountain” in Catalan. Its unique rock formation is recognizable from great distances and it is the site of Santa Maria de Montserrat, a Benedictine Abbey, which makes it a popular location for locals and tourists alike. There are several ways to arrive to Montserrat ...
Accommodation
7 Reasons For and Against Renting an Apartment in Barrio Gotico Barcelona
If you like history and tradition, then renting an apartment in Barrio Gotico Barcelona...
Apartment Rentals vs. Hotels - Two Good Options … One Great Choice.Travelers to Barcelona always face several very good choices about where they will...
The Benefits of Short Term Rental Barcelona Apartments
There is a large variety of short term rental Barcelona apartments available, both...
How to Find a Reputable Apartment Rental Agency in Barcelona
Choosing a reputable apartment rental agency in Barcelona isn’t too hard,...
Choosing the right Barcelona accommodationChoosing the right Barcelona accommodation for your short-term vacation in Barcelona...
10 Tips on Booking an Apartment for Your Vacation in Barcelona
Here are 10 tips on booking an apartment for a vacation in Barcelona, and also some...
Read More Posts From This CategoryBarcelona City
Barcelona Trade Fairs Means BusinessThere is a constant flow of visitors in and out of El Prat Airport all year long....
The Olympic Games of 1992 - bringing Barcelona to the world stageThe 1992 Olympic Games are widely credited with revitalizing the city of Barcelona....
A Whirlwind Tour of Barcelona in 3 Days
So it’s your first time in Barcelona and you have 3 days to soak up the best of...
Poble Sec - a hidden gem at the foot of MontjuicPoble Sec is a Barcelona neighborhood that forms part of the Sants-Montjuic district....
Poble Nou - Urban redevelopment in action
Poblenou means “New Village” in Catalan and was given the name as it was not...
Diagonal Mar- Barcelona´s newest neighborhood
Diagonal Mar is part of the district of Barcelona known as San Martí. Until recently...
Read More Posts From This CategoryWhat to see
Ole! Bullfighting in BarcelonaWhen most people think of Spain the first things that come to mind are generally, flamenco, Picasso, paella and bullfighting. I did too until I moved here and realized that was a very generalized and small view of the country and culture. Nevertheless, right or wrong they are all experiences you must have while visiting Barcelona. However when it comes... [Read more of this review]
Mirador de Colon - commemoration monument for one of the most famous world explorersChristopher Columbus is quite possibly one of the most famous world explorers or at least amongst Italians, Spaniards, and North Americans and even Portuguese. Just in case you didn’t learn this during history class, Cristoforo Colombo was in fact, a true-blooded Italian born in Genoa, Italy in 1451. His Spanish ties were purely business oriented... [Read more of this review]
Meeting Mies in BarcelonaWhile visiting Montjuic you’ll do a double-take when coming across a rather modern, austere structure made of stone, marble, glass and onyx on your hike up the winding streets of the hilltop. Its low, box-like structure seems a bit out of place in the middle of Montjuic’s monumental architecture and indeed it was decades ahead of its time. Originally... [Read more of this review]
A Grand City SquareLike all major cities, each has a central point where all things converge and in Barcelona it is unmistakably the grand Plaça Catalunya. It is a lively hub from which all the city’s activity seems to radiate acting as its nerve centre bringing together major avenues like the luxurious Paseo de Gracia and the wild Las Ramblas. Barcelona´s grand square... [Read more of this review]
Església de Santa Maria del Mar - the church dedicated to the seaThe Església de Santa Maria del Mar (the church of Saint Maria of the sea) is a 14th century church located in Barcelona´s Ribera (El Borne) district. Between 300 and 500 A.D. the site where the church is now located was a Roman cemetery, the remains of which were uncovered during restoration work in the 1960´s. In fact, Barcelona´s patron saint,... [Read more of this review]
Monestir de Pedralbes - a monastic village within the city
The Monestir de Pedralbes is a 14th century convent which was founded by Queen Elisenda for the nuns of the Order of Saint Clare in 1326. It is located in Sarrià which today is considered just another Barcelona neighborhood, but which at that time was quite far from the city center. It is set within medieval walls and gateways which shut out the noise... [Read more of this review]
Hospital de la Santa Creu i Santa Pau- a city hospital with a Modernist touch
Though often overlooked, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Santa Pau, commonly known as the Hospital Sant Pau, is one of the most spectacular modernist buildings in Barcelona. It is located in the neighborhood of El Guinardó and was built between 1901 and 1930. It was designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, a Catalan Modernist architect and was a fully... [Read more of this review]
Palau Güell - a phenomenal work by the young Gaudí
The Palau Güell is located in the Raval neighborhood of Barcelona. “Palau” means palace in Catalan, although it´s actually more of a mansion. It was commissioned by Eusebi Güell, a wealthy industrialist, landowner, and politician, and built by Barcelona´s most famous architect, Antoni Gaudí. Its location is unusual because most of the Modernista... [Read more of this review]
Port Vell - Barcelona´s urban waterfront
A visit to Barcelona would not be complete without taking a stroll around Port Vell, Barcelona´s oldest port. It is located on the site where Barcelona´s first port was established. It has been completely revamped in recent years and now offers a variety of attractions, museums, shops, bars, and restaurants. It is currently managed by Port 2000, an... [Read more of this review]
Barcelona Museo Maritimo - Exploring Catalonia and the Sea
The Barcelona Maritime Museum is considered the best of its kind in Europe and is also one of the most popular museums in Barcelona. The museum is located in Barcelona´s medieval shipyards, Drassanes, which date back to the 13th century and were in continuous use until the 18th century. They were then used as barracks from 1792 until 1935 when they... [Read more of this review]
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