SPAIN, EUROPE TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION GUIDE - 
TOURISM GUIDE TO BARCELONA, CATALUÑA / CATALONIA, SPAIN

BARCELONA TRAVEL GUIDE

Barcelona: Tourist Guide for Metro

The president of the Barcelona Tourism Committee, Joan Gaspart, announced that until summer 2008 all tourists upon leaving their Barcelona Hotel can get a hold of the Metro guide following the route, which takes them to all major Barcelona sights in the least time-consuming and most effective way. Of course, there will not only be one route, but five to seven as a start, all depending on duration of stay and sights to be visited.

Also, tourists can easily adapt their tour from the starting point of their Barcelona Hotel. This tourist pass will also make sights located outside the center, but equally interesting ones, more accessible to tourists, such as the labyrinth in Horta. Also, the traffic in the center during high season may be calmed a bit through providing an alternative to the sightseeing buses, that may also get stuck in traffic.

The goal of the TMB and the tourism board is to tailor a ticket to the needs of tourists. Starting in June 2008, you may retrieve more information from the Homepage of the Ajuntamiento Barcelona in the tourism sector of the page. Also, the tourism office at Placa Catalunya may be a good starting point for your sightseeing trip through Barcelona.

Barcelona Architecture: Like a jewel in the sun

A review on Barcelona architectural richness dedicated to beauty, style and inspiration Barcelona is one of the most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities in the world, while its architecture is one of its most notable features. Historically divided into four stages, today the architecture of Barcelona is a pleasant to the eye amalgam of the historic heritage and modern era art. This symbiosis is so natural and so delicate that it acts as a beautiful décor for everything else that happens in this vibrant city no matter if that being sports events, important modern art exhibitions, big concerts of mega starts or the simple everyday life of the locals and the city guests. 

The first of the four stages is presented by remnants of Roman city walls and the Placa de Sant Jaume. The second stage refers to the medieval times and results in the Gothic quarter in the city, Placa del Rei, the beautiful cathedral and the countless churches. Here should be mentioned carrer Montcada and Hospital de la Santa Creau that are set outside the Gothic Quarter. 

The architecture era that followed in Barcelona was that of the Eixample construction and Modernism. During this period the architecture flourished and some of the finest buildings were constructed, most of them to be treated as major landmarks and tourists attractions today. These buildings include the University and the Opera House, Placa Reial and the formation of the new town or the so called Eixample. It was during that period that the world famous architecture Antoni Gaudi lived and worked. Some of his finest pieces of architecture include the breathtaking Park Guell, the amazing Casa Mila-La Pedrera and the Casa Vicenc, and the inspiring yet unfinished La Sagrada Familia. All of Gaudis works are truly amazing and should be included in the sightseeing program during a trip to Barcelona.

The present day era in Barcelonas architecture started with the Universal Exhibition which was held in 1929. Constructed during that period are the buildings close to Placa dEspanya like the Platau Nacional and Poble Espanyol, for example. After that period many new residential areas were built in Barcelona, campuses and a major Olympics centre. Barcelona is a lively city with Mediterranean atmosphere, full of character, space and light. Here existing with style and perfection is a way of living. 

All tourists planning a trip to Barcelona who wish to sense that spirit are welcome to stay in one of the numerous Barcelona Hotels, which come fantastically decorated with locations which deserve admiration.  "Barcelona - Like a jewel in the sun", phrase from the song Barcelona performed by Freddie Mercury and Monserat Caballe.

Most Popular Places in Barcelona

This stunning city called "Barcelona" has numerous places to visit, activities for people of all ages, and fun for every taste after dark. It offers us array of after dark venues ranging from inexpensive tasces (taverns) or pubs & cafes, old-fashioned dance halls, vaudeville theatres, movie houses, shops to posh clubs, big avenues, bars, restaurants, concerts, live shows, etc. The city certainly has plenty of places to eat, drink and get merry late night.

Ciutat Vella has some nice after dark venues, such as Les Rambles, Barri Gòtic, and El Raval. Popularly known as La Ramblas, Les Rambles is the popular boulevard running down the center of the Ciutat Vella, dividing the Raval and Barri Gòtic, which is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. Les Rambles and Barri Gòtic are the major tourist traps for tourist and newcomers. You can find many clubs, bars and restaurants, here; some of the notables are Jamboree, Kane Room, Fonfone, Club 13, La Veronica, Schilling, Fennelli and Margarita Blue. El Raval is often referred to as el Barri Xinès, or China town, famous for several fashionable restaurants, cafés, and wide range of pubs and bars, such as Dos Trece, Ra, Rita Blue, Lupino, Ambar and Manchester.

This city is located just north of the city centre; L'eixample in Eixample is your place for a lot of fine clubs, bars, restaurants and cafés, such as Buda Bar, Sweet Cafe, and City Hall. It is also known one of Barcelona's gay villages, and thus often nicknamed as gaixample. It has many gay-oriented establishments, such as gay bars or pubs, nightclubs, bathhouses, restaurants, bookstores, and other businesses. It is also famous for its remarkable avenues, such as Passeig de Gràcia, and Avinguda Diagonal.

The Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village) on Montjuic (Sants-Montjuïc) also has some of the nice bars and discotheques. The illuminated fountains of Montjuic are very popular after dark venue. The funicular ride up the Tibidabo (Serra de Collserola) is also popular after dark. The Olympic Village in Poble Nou (Sant Martí) is also known its good selection of bars and discotheques. You can also find a number of bars lined up in the areas of Carrer Avinyo, Rambla del and in the streets of El Born in La Ribera. Additionally, Barcelona beaches have some of the nice bars the offer late night fun on beaches.

Modernist architecture in Barcelona is marked by the works of one of the most outstanding 20th-century architects, Antoni Gaudi. The most prominent of his creations include the Park Guell, a garden complex on a hill remarkable for its curving lines and beautiful mosaics, the Palau Guell with its parabolic arches, intricate forged iron decoration and original receiving room design, La Pedrera (Casa Mila), a building without a single straight line, more of a sculpture than a work of architecture, with an astonishing sculptured roof, and, of course, the Sagrada Familia, the unfinished shell of a church, something out of this world, particularly when lit up at night. 

Palau de la Musica Catalana (the Palace of Catalan Music) is another brilliant example of Modernist architecture in Barcelona and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The concert hall designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner was inaugurated in 1908. Its stage is apse-shaped, a grand central skylight adds to the effect of the stained-glass windows, its façade features colourful mosaic decorations and a large sculpture of Catalan Popular Song.

Your nights in Barcelona often turn mornings! Barcelona is the city that comes rocking after dark. The Catalonian jewel, known for its art & architectural magnificence during daytimes, unveils its cabaret character after dark. Barcelona becomes dazzling after dark. The after dark fun often begins with evening strolls. Its streets and squares start getting thronged early evening, and they are the common places for alfresco drinking, which is pretty popular in Barcelona. The atmosphere at bars, clubs, lounges and cafés is electrifying after dark. Music is the real fuel of Barcelona after dark life. The nightlife typically features all types of music including Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul, House, Techno, Rock, Razz, Jazz, Flamenco, etc. Flamenco is not as popular as it is in Seville and Madrid, but Jazz certainly has lots of fans in the city. You can feel music in air and everywhere in the street, concerts, halls, clubs and even private parties.

The evening fun usually begins from around 6 to 8pm. The moderate clubbers enjoy in their favorite clubs and bars from 10 to 12pm. However, the fashionable clubs open their doors at 1am; actually, time from 11Pm to 2/3Am, is the peak time for hardcore nightlife. If you are looking to have great after dark fun in Barcelona, you may get started with twilight promenading along Les Rambles. During high season nightly entertainment for young or old is of a very high standard, a good night will be had by all.

During high season nightly entertainment for young or old is of a very high standard, a good night will be had by all. A bus service from the campsite entrance operates every 15 or 20 mins which takes you into the bustling Spanish town of Vilanova i a Gelru with its many high street shops, piazza's, restaurants, bars etc. Next to the towns marina is the most magnificent safe sandy beach in Spain all within 1.5 km away from the Spanish campsite near Barcelona which has a huge range of facilities and services the campsite is located on the Costa Dorada, with good weather all year round.

Being close to Barcelona, Tarragona, Salou, Universal Studios Port Aventura etc makes Vilanova-i-la-Geltrú the perfect base for campsite camping holidays near Barcelona. The camping holiday park near Barcelona and campsite Spain is situated on the outskirts of the town in a natural park, with a wide range of animals and vegetation, including a mini-zoo also.

Taste Catalan culture in Barcelona

If you're only visiting Barcelona during a short break, perhaps over a weekend, you'll likely find the city can be overwhelming as there are so many things to see and do. On top of this, you'll also need time to relax as well as sample some authentic Catalan cuisine while and hopefully, squeeze in enough time to experience the city's abundant nightlife. As a result, it may be worthwhile planning an extra day or two in order to balance cultural with recreational pursuits and maintain a relaxed pace.

To tick the culture box, head to the Picasso museum. There is no mistaking why this is the most visited museum in the city, as it houses some of the very early works of the artist. Most known for his abstract works, such as his cubist style, the early drawings and artwork on display reveals first hand the natural talent and precision Picasso exhibited throughout his life. The museum also houses works from his dark blue period and Las Meninas series; major draws for art fans.

Once in the city you will hear the distinct Spanish that is spoken there. The Spanish dialect in Barcelona is highly influenced by Catalan, the other major language of the region. It becomes quickly evident why the Catalan people are known for being extremely proud of their regional identity, culture and language. The city is clearly different from other Spanish cities in terms of the people, architecture and culture, while for a glimpse deeper Catalan culture, head to the Gothic Quarter and old port areas. On you way, don't miss a stroll down the famed Las Ramblas - arguably Spain's most famous boulevard. Although often packed with tourists, it hard to beat for people-watching, shopping and eating.

When it comes to food, the cuisine of Barcelona is distinct from traditional Spanish fare, despite using similar ingredients such as garlic, olive oil and tomatoes. Catalan cuisine also reflects the food found in other countries that lie on the Mediterranean, such as northern Africa, and you'll likely find dishes which include raisins, nuts, snails and meat cooked with fruit on many menus.

Although quite distinct from the rest of Spain, Barcelona also prescribes to the same eating patterns: a lengthy, late lunch followed by an afternoon snack and a similarly lengthy, late dinner. If not travelling to anywhere else in Spain, having little plates of food called 'tapas', accompanied by a pitcher of sangria is a must.

The architecture of the city is highly influenced by the works of Antoni Gaudi, and for a more in depth look at his creations, a visit to La Sagrada Familia is a must. Gaudi devoted much of his life to the building of this cathedral, where work still continues today. The work is intricate, unique and like no other cathedral ever visited.

A Barcelona city break is perfect for a quick getaway. Accommodation ranges from impossibly cheap to five star hotels. Any taste can be suited for and any whim practically guaranteed from this Spanish city. The prevalence of flights leaving from Britain also makes Barcelona an easily managed destination - especially if you are keen to brush up on your Spanish.