Barcelona |
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Barcelona The Gateway to Spain
By Edward Kirwan
By Edward Kirwan
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| Use this drop-down-menu to find your way |
| Barcelona Card |
When booking Barcelona hotels or 'hostals' be
sure to check the area as some are a little less
desirable than others. You can get more
information through one of the Barcelona travel
guides. Make a note that a 'hostal' in Spain is a
hotel but normally a family run establishment.
You will still find good accommodation and meals
, so don't think it is a youth hostel!
sure to check the area as some are a little less
desirable than others. You can get more
information through one of the Barcelona travel
guides. Make a note that a 'hostal' in Spain is a
hotel but normally a family run establishment.
You will still find good accommodation and meals
, so don't think it is a youth hostel!
Moving along, the Rambla del Centre is where the Liceu, the famous
opera house can be found and opposite is another popular meeting
place, the Café de l'Opera. With plenty of time on your hands a small
diversion to the Placa del Pi is worthwhile. The small surrounding alleys
and side streets are brimming with antique, art and craft shops. Pass the
floor mural of Joan Miro (he pops up everywhere) and you enter the next
section of the Rambla.
Barcelona's main market, the spectacular Boqueria, borders one side of
this part of the Rambla de las Flors while opposite is the Palau de la
Virreina. The Boqueria is a huge open market teeming with life,
fragrances and colour. Innumerable types of meats, fish, fruits and
vegetables are sold daily from the packed stalls to the nonstop throng of
noisy customers. This is a wonderful experience.
The Ramblas del Estudis is for the ever popular booksellers. Competition
is keen so the prices are very reasonable but you would be hard pushed
to find much for sale in any language other than Catalan or Spanish. The
Palau Moja and the Betlem Church are in this area and worth perusing.
The final part of the Rambla includes the Font de las Canaletes where the
aficionados gather to discuss the plight of their beloved Barcelona
football team. The Café Zurich at the head of the Rambla is a great place
to rest if you walked this far. Handily the metro station is conveniently
situated here for your onward or return journey!
To get away from the hubbub of the city centre, Ciutadella Park is where
you will find the Barcelona Zoo, The Aquarium, botanical gardens and the
Museum of Modern Art (Museu d'Art Modern). Ciutadella Park is a large
peaceful area to the northeast of the port.
South of the park is Barceloneta which has a somewhat small town feel
to it as you walk under the billowing washing hung out to dry. Being so
close to the port and the coast the aromas of both fresh and cooking fish
mingle in the salt air. The once neglected beaches of Barcelona are here
and now restored, are once again very popular.
When visiting Barcelona it would be a shame to miss the most famous
work of the city's most famous son. Antoni Gaudi's work can be seen all
over Barcelona but to the north of the city is Greull Park and the
incomplete cathedral, El Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia (The
Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family). The park's colourful mosaic entrance
is much photographed as are the sculptures found there and the
cathederal is a spectacular monument to its creator.
The restaurants in Barcelona are as varied as locals and visitors
themselves. Apart form the typical regional dishes you can find exactly
what your heart desires from Japanese to Mexican, from pizzarias to
haute cuisine.
opera house can be found and opposite is another popular meeting
place, the Café de l'Opera. With plenty of time on your hands a small
diversion to the Placa del Pi is worthwhile. The small surrounding alleys
and side streets are brimming with antique, art and craft shops. Pass the
floor mural of Joan Miro (he pops up everywhere) and you enter the next
section of the Rambla.
Barcelona's main market, the spectacular Boqueria, borders one side of
this part of the Rambla de las Flors while opposite is the Palau de la
Virreina. The Boqueria is a huge open market teeming with life,
fragrances and colour. Innumerable types of meats, fish, fruits and
vegetables are sold daily from the packed stalls to the nonstop throng of
noisy customers. This is a wonderful experience.
The Ramblas del Estudis is for the ever popular booksellers. Competition
is keen so the prices are very reasonable but you would be hard pushed
to find much for sale in any language other than Catalan or Spanish. The
Palau Moja and the Betlem Church are in this area and worth perusing.
The final part of the Rambla includes the Font de las Canaletes where the
aficionados gather to discuss the plight of their beloved Barcelona
football team. The Café Zurich at the head of the Rambla is a great place
to rest if you walked this far. Handily the metro station is conveniently
situated here for your onward or return journey!
To get away from the hubbub of the city centre, Ciutadella Park is where
you will find the Barcelona Zoo, The Aquarium, botanical gardens and the
Museum of Modern Art (Museu d'Art Modern). Ciutadella Park is a large
peaceful area to the northeast of the port.
South of the park is Barceloneta which has a somewhat small town feel
to it as you walk under the billowing washing hung out to dry. Being so
close to the port and the coast the aromas of both fresh and cooking fish
mingle in the salt air. The once neglected beaches of Barcelona are here
and now restored, are once again very popular.
When visiting Barcelona it would be a shame to miss the most famous
work of the city's most famous son. Antoni Gaudi's work can be seen all
over Barcelona but to the north of the city is Greull Park and the
incomplete cathedral, El Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia (The
Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family). The park's colourful mosaic entrance
is much photographed as are the sculptures found there and the
cathederal is a spectacular monument to its creator.
The restaurants in Barcelona are as varied as locals and visitors
themselves. Apart form the typical regional dishes you can find exactly
what your heart desires from Japanese to Mexican, from pizzarias to
haute cuisine.
From the port of Barcelona you can catch a ferry
to the beautiful Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza,
Menorca and Formentera.
Barcelona, in the north east of Spain, is the
capital of Catalonia. A hectic modern city on the
Mediterranean Sea considered by many as
Europe's gateway to Spain.
It is bilingual as both Catalan and Castilian
Spanish are its official languages and it enjoys a
large degree of autonomy.
to the beautiful Balearic Islands: Mallorca, Ibiza,
Menorca and Formentera.
Barcelona, in the north east of Spain, is the
capital of Catalonia. A hectic modern city on the
Mediterranean Sea considered by many as
Europe's gateway to Spain.
It is bilingual as both Catalan and Castilian
Spanish are its official languages and it enjoys a
large degree of autonomy.
Particularly famous for Antoni Gaudi's unique and
radical style of architecture, Barcelona has also
produced great artists of note. Among them
Pablo Casals, Josep Carreras & Joan Miro whose
work is celebrated in the park named after him.
Pablo Picasso, although a native of Malaga,
spent much time here and his works can be seen
at the Picasso Museum northeast of the
magnificent port. This collection focuses on his
early works.
The port itself can be viewed from Barcelona's
sea-front hill, Montjuic which was also the
principal site of the 1992 Olympic site. Montjuic
with its Majic Fountains and amusement Park can
be accessed by cable car from the port. The hill
attracts many visitors not merely for the far
reaching views but the old fortress, the Museum
of Catalan Art, the Archaeological Museum, the
Miro Foundation and Spanish Village (Poble
Espanyol) are all very popular.
From Montjuic you can pick out the Columbus
Column at the foot of Las Ramblas. This famous
mile-long, tree lined pedestrian street is the hub
of Barcelona. You can idle away hours wandering
its length passing book sellers, beautiful flower
stall and all manner of street vendors along the
way.
.
The Rambla is divided into sections and has many
meeting places along the way. A popular place at
the foot of the Rambla is the Placa Reial where
there is a colourful collection of café's and bars.
Enjoy a beer with a tapa of calamres (squid),
patatas brava (spicy, hot potatoes) or whatever
takes your fancy. A word of warning, this is not a
good place to be at night and beware thieves at
all times.
radical style of architecture, Barcelona has also
produced great artists of note. Among them
Pablo Casals, Josep Carreras & Joan Miro whose
work is celebrated in the park named after him.
Pablo Picasso, although a native of Malaga,
spent much time here and his works can be seen
at the Picasso Museum northeast of the
magnificent port. This collection focuses on his
early works.
The port itself can be viewed from Barcelona's
sea-front hill, Montjuic which was also the
principal site of the 1992 Olympic site. Montjuic
with its Majic Fountains and amusement Park can
be accessed by cable car from the port. The hill
attracts many visitors not merely for the far
reaching views but the old fortress, the Museum
of Catalan Art, the Archaeological Museum, the
Miro Foundation and Spanish Village (Poble
Espanyol) are all very popular.
From Montjuic you can pick out the Columbus
Column at the foot of Las Ramblas. This famous
mile-long, tree lined pedestrian street is the hub
of Barcelona. You can idle away hours wandering
its length passing book sellers, beautiful flower
stall and all manner of street vendors along the
way.
.
The Rambla is divided into sections and has many
meeting places along the way. A popular place at
the foot of the Rambla is the Placa Reial where
there is a colourful collection of café's and bars.
Enjoy a beer with a tapa of calamres (squid),
patatas brava (spicy, hot potatoes) or whatever
takes your fancy. A word of warning, this is not a
good place to be at night and beware thieves at
all times.
| Barcelona Attractions |
| The Dali Route Small group tour from Barcelona |
You will be picked up in an airconditioned
minivan & accompanied by an English-
speaking guide to Figueres, the birthplace of
legendary surrealist painter Salvador Dali &
home to the world famous Dali Museum-
Theatre.
See the place where he was born on
Monturiol Street, just off the popular La
Rambla. Visit the Dali Museum, designed by
Dali himself and home to one of the largest
collections of his work. Even the building itself
is a work of art and like no other you would
have seen before.
11 ½ hours
minivan & accompanied by an English-
speaking guide to Figueres, the birthplace of
legendary surrealist painter Salvador Dali &
home to the world famous Dali Museum-
Theatre.
See the place where he was born on
Monturiol Street, just off the popular La
Rambla. Visit the Dali Museum, designed by
Dali himself and home to one of the largest
collections of his work. Even the building itself
is a work of art and like no other you would
have seen before.
11 ½ hours
| Thanks for visiting Barcelona - The Gateway to Spain on Finca Fantastica Travel |
| FC Barcelona Football Tickets |
| Finca Fantastica Travel for the independent traveller |
| Barcelona - The Gateway to Spain |
With its cosmo-politan atmosphere, art
museums and thriving cafe life, Barcelona is
always able to give your imagination a kick
start. If you need an energy boost - Barcelona
might be just what you need.
museums and thriving cafe life, Barcelona is
always able to give your imagination a kick
start. If you need an energy boost - Barcelona
might be just what you need.
Barcelona Airport - El Prat Aeropuerto
(International airport)
Airport code: BCN
Barcelona Airport ranks the second Airport in
Spain in terms of passenger traffic. It serves
destinations including Barcelona City itself and
all points along the Costa Brava.
(International airport)
Airport code: BCN
Barcelona Airport ranks the second Airport in
Spain in terms of passenger traffic. It serves
destinations including Barcelona City itself and
all points along the Costa Brava.
Of course the Catalan dishes are prominent and Basque dishes are to be
recommended for the hearty eaters. Accompany this with the wide wine
selctions of the region and you will be ready to experience Barcelona's
lively nightlife.
The weather in Barcelona is reliable warm from spring to autumn with
summer temperatures averaging 25C. Occasionally a strong wind can
come in and a sudden downpour may drown you but generally these
phenomena do not last long and it's back to bright sunshine quite quickly.
recommended for the hearty eaters. Accompany this with the wide wine
selctions of the region and you will be ready to experience Barcelona's
lively nightlife.
The weather in Barcelona is reliable warm from spring to autumn with
summer temperatures averaging 25C. Occasionally a strong wind can
come in and a sudden downpour may drown you but generally these
phenomena do not last long and it's back to bright sunshine quite quickly.
| Acebuchal Barcelona Ferries Granada Madrid Malaga Nerja Seville Spain Torrox Travel-Guide Vacation-Rental |
Once you have your flight tickets to Barcelona
you will arrive at the dynamic El Prat Aeropuerto,
Barcelona's Inter-national Airport. It is 13km from
the city and if you are using a hire car head for
Autovia C-246 by Castelldefels.
A taxi to the center of Barcelona will cost around
€15 and the journey time is approximately 15
minutes.
Barcelona airport transfers can be arranged in
advance or alternatively the train and bus
services are regular and reliable.
you will arrive at the dynamic El Prat Aeropuerto,
Barcelona's Inter-national Airport. It is 13km from
the city and if you are using a hire car head for
Autovia C-246 by Castelldefels.
A taxi to the center of Barcelona will cost around
€15 and the journey time is approximately 15
minutes.
Barcelona airport transfers can be arranged in
advance or alternatively the train and bus
services are regular and reliable.
| Barcelona Port Transfer |