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Whether for business or pleasure, a gastronomic visit or to see
Gaudi's visual feast, Barcelona really does have something
for everyone: Buildings that look like monsters in one glance and
like they are melting in the next, restaurants offering unlimited
all-you-can-eat seafood for very modest prices, nightlife which
doesn't stop and a plethora of bars. Welcome to cloud nine.
Here are some things you should make time to see on your trip.
First Time in Barcelona.
La
Rambla is the most famous street in the city, which
is peppered with hotels and a few bars. The main attraction is the
free entertainment in the form of performing arts and human
statues. The Gothic
Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is packed with bars and restaurants.
Gaudi's buildings offer a unique perspective on architecture, and
even make it interesting for those of us who never really appreciated
that "je ne sais quoi" that others enjoy in buildings. His buildings
have evoked comments like George Orwell's "one of the most hideous
buildings in the world", but nevertheless, the Sagrada
Família is the most visited attraction in Barcelona.
Some of the most interesting Gaudi works are: Passieg de Gràcia:
Casa
Batlló and La
Pedrera, Sagrada Familia - his famous unfinished cathedral,
and Park
Güell - the magical gardens.
Some other key attractions include the Port
Olímpic, a tacky neon lit development put up for the
1992 Olympics which is fun in the summer time, and Port
Vell, or the Old Port which was changed beyond recognition
also for the Olympic Games. For the best view of Barcelona try the
Ferris wheel in Tibidabo.
Done the basics.
Time for something else. It depends who you
talk to, but Raval,
which is to the west of La Rambla is either a seedy district or
a trendy upstart offering youth culture and plenty of alternative
entertainment. Art fans will also want to check out the contemporary
art museum (MACBA).
Once you’ve seen the main sights, there is plenty more to do. Barceloneta
is an area of the port which fishermen used to inhabit. It is now
concentrated with residential housing. It is a stark contrast from
the rest of the city.
There are several museums worth a visit, among which are the Museu
Maritim and MNAC.
One of the more unconventional attractions is the dancing water
fountains (Font
Màgica) in Montjüic which is accompanied
a spectacular sound and light display.
And if you still have not run out of energy, there are several day
trips from Barcelona, such as to the lovely town of Sitges
which has a harbour of boats which betray their owners’ wealth.
Andorra
is not much to look at, but there are great tax free shopping bargains
to be had there. It’s quite a distance though, so you’ll need an
early start. In the winter time the area offers pleasant skiing.
Then there is Montserrat,
the sacred mountain, where there is an excellent cable car ride
to the top.
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