January 24, 2023

Parc de Laberint d’Horta takes you back in time if you visit this historic and well preserved park. As the title says the main attraction is the famous laberynth.

Parc de Laberint d’Horta Barcelona with its most notable element of the park and the main reason to visit, is its historic and very unique hedge maze. All in all, Parc Laberint d’Horta is a well-preserved historic garden with many historic and unique featuresThis laberynth has over 750 meters of trimmed cypress trees to make the maze. The gardens have a vast selection of historic pavilions, sculptures, monuments, and decorations. There are also waterfalls, fountains, and a canal.

Parc del Laberint d’horta is a well-preserved 18th century neoclassical garden and 19th century romantic garden. The park opened in 1791, making it the oldest park in Barcelona. The park was conceived by Joan Antoni Desvalls i d’Ardena who along with Italian architect Domenico Bagutti created the neoclassical part of the park. The 19th century romantic garden was designed by Catalan architect Elies Rogent who also taught a young Gaudí at the Barcelona Provincial School of Architecture.

The most notable element of the park is its hedge maze, with over 750 meters of trimmed cypress tress. The gardens have a vast selection of historic pavilions, sculptures, monuments, and decorations. There are also numerous waterfalls, fountains, and even a small canal.

At the time of writing entrance is free on Wednesdays and Sundays.

A Unique Park To Visit In Barcelona

It’s quite a rare find to come across a park as historic and beautiful as the Parc Laberint d’Horta. A well-kept site full of history that garden lovers will simply cherish. The park is also a great attraction to visit with children, as they will simply love getting lost in the giant hedged maze. The park enjoys its status as the oldest park in Barcelona, and we think its charm and history is truly worth visiting.

It is not only the well-kept gardens to enjoy, the site has some interesting architecture to enjoy as well. The park would take around one or two hours to explore, maybe longer if you get lost in the hedged maze. A visit to this park during the summer months would be best in the morning before the hotter temperatures in the afternoon.

If you enjoy visiting historic parks, don’t miss out on the fantastic Ciutadella Park. This historic and enjoyable park is just up from Barceloneta metro station in the heart of Barcelona city. The park is classical in its design and features a boating lake with rowing boat hire. It is certainly much different than Parc Laberint d’Horta, but a very enjoyable place to visit.

How to get to Parc de Laberint d’Horta Barcelona

The Parc Laberint d’Horta opening times for 2023 are from 10am until 8pm. These opening times may be subject to change during the high season and summer months. Furthermore, public holidays and local fiestas may affect the opening times displayed on this website.

The Parc Laberint d’Horta is situated at Passeig dels Castanyers 1, Barcelona. The nearest metro is Mundet and is just a couple of minutes walk from the entrance. You can also arrive by bus with the bus routes 27 and 76 stopping near the park. A taxi from the city centre is also an option, but avoid travelling in the rush hour.

Don’t forget to purchase your Hola Barcelona travel pass. This will give you unlimited journeys on the metro, bus, trams, and trains for as many days as you need. This travel card is perfect if you are going to spend time travelling around Barcelona and visiting the many attractions in the city.

Plaça Sant Jaume Barcelona

Parks and Squares

BCN GUIDE

January 24, 2023

Plaça Sant Jaume Barcelona found in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. The square is a crossing point of some of the main sights and attractions on Barcelona.

Plaça Sant Jaume Barcelona is located directly in the center of the old Roman city of Barcino (Barcelona). Which is in the heart of the historic Gothic Quarter area of Barcelona. The square is also home to City Hall and Palace of the Generalitat of Catalonia. Now the main home to the politics of Catalyuna. Plaça Sant Jaume Barcelona has been a public square since the Roman Coty of Barcino.

As a square, it has around 2000 years of history. The square was at the heart of the Roman city of Barcino. Many of the streets led onto this square, which also had the forum and Temple of Augustus adjacent. The original four columns of the temple have been preserved and can be found at nearby Carrer Paradis. Today, most of the buildings date from the 19th century and the square as it is today dates from 1823.

This square is close to the Cathedral of Barcelona, Plaça Reial and many other historic sights. A trip to this square should be done at the same time as exploring the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. You can also take part in a walking tour of the attractions and sights of Barcelona old town.

The Sant Juame square is a little more reserved compared to the larger and busier public squares. Much of its 2000-year history has now been built over. The square, in a sense, looks quite similar to many public squares around Spain. Due to its position within the Gothic Quarter, chances are you will discover it as you navigate the old town of Barcelona.

What To See And Do Near Plaça Sant Jaume?

Plaça Sant Juame can be visited, or at least passed through, when you are visiting nearby attractions. Barcelona Cathedral, Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi and the Plaça Reial are all within a ten-minute walk. The Picasso Museum and Chocolate Museum are also about 12 minutes from Plaça Sant Jaume.

It makes sense to combine a visit to Plaça Sant Jaume when you are visiting some other the mentioned attractions that are close by. Alternatively, you could simply pass through the square when you are exploring the historic Gothic Quarter. There are many guided tours that will explain the history of the Gothic Quarter, Plaça Sant Jaume and the Roman City of Barcino.

The vibrant Plaça Reial is just a 10-minute walk from Plaça Juame I, as is La Rambla. Plaça Catalyuna is 15 minutes walk from the Plaça Juame I.

Placa Juame I, being so centrally located, can be visited whilst visiting many of the Gothic Quarter attractions. You can also book guided walking tours that not only explain the history of the Gothic Quarter but show you all the hidden sights. On such guided tours, you will find out more about Plaça Sant Juame I and it’s history that goes right back to Roman times.

How to get to Plaça Sant Jaume Barcelona

This historic square can be visited between La Rambla and Via Laietana in the Gothic Quarter area of Barcelona. The nearest metro station is Juame I or a Liceu on La Rambla. Bus services are numbers 47, 67, V13 and V17.

The square is located in the center of the Gothic Quarter. This means you can visit Sant Jaume when you are visiting other nearby by sights. Some great places to visit close to Sant Jaume include Barcelona Cathedral, La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter.

Industrial Park Barcelona

Parks and Squares

BCN GUIDE

January 22, 2023

Industrial Park Barcelona is a unique industrial park with an almost mechanical feeling to the place. Very close to the Barcelona Sants train station a great place to unwind if your train is delayed.

Industrial Park Barcelona prides its self pn being a modern park. Constructed in 1985 within the old textile factory complex. The park designed by the architects Lluis Peña Ganchegui, Francesc Ruis i Camps, Antón Pagola and Montserrat Ruiz.

An interesting park designed in an industrial abstract style that gives visitors a chance to walk, relax and a view a different type of inner-city park.

The park seems to have a very 1980s abstract design and feel to it. As Barcelona is well-known for its more traditional modernist designs, the park offers something unique. The design of the park is quite different to anything else in Barcelona.

We wouldn’t recommend that this park should be top of your agenda. Of course you should visit the Sagrada Familia first! A visit to this park could be added to your itinerary if you are in the area and have half an hour of free time to un-wind. It is a great place to visit to relax on a warm summer’s day. It is also a good place to visit with kids as there is a boating lake and dragon slide. Since it is close to Barcelona Sants train station, it could be away to pass some time if you arrive too early or your train is delayed.

The park has several historic and modern sculptures on display. It also has a boating lake, sports complex, a giant dragon with slides and children’s play areas. The park is in the Sants and Hostafrancs district and within walking distance of the main RENFE station Barcelona Sants.

Is The Industrial Park Barcelona Worth Visiting?

Probably not, there is nothing wrong with the park, it’s actually very different from most other parks. Maybe you just want to find a nice bit of space away from the hectic city life. In that case, this could be the place you are looking for. However, on this website we are very passionate about Barcelona’s great places to visit and wonderful attractions to enjoy. So, if you love parks, then you will enjoy the Industrial Park, Barcelona. However, if you have a few nights, we truly recommend that you use every minute wisely to visit All the great things Barcelona has to offer.

My opinion of the Industrial Park Barcelona is that it is a great place to visit as a family. There is a great slide for the kids, and enough to keep the rest of the family interested. The only negative thing is that the park is a bit away from other attractions. This means it will take a bit of time to get to, unless you are staying nearby. Overall, visit this park if you have time, if you don’t have time, then keep to Park Güell, Sagrada Familia and the Gothic Quarter.

How To Get To The Industrial Park Barcelona

To get to the Industrial Park in Barcelona, you can arrive at Sants Estació lines 3 and 5. The Industrial Park about 300 meters walk. You can also arrive at Hostafrancs metro station by line 1, the park entrance is also about 300 meters walk from the station. The Industrial Park Barcelona is generally open from 10 am to about 11pm. Entrance to the park is free. During the winter months the parks lakes and pools may be drained for mantenance works.

You can also arrive by the many bus routes ot arrive at the bus station next to Barcelona Sants train station. As always, if you have the spare cash, taxi is the quickest and best option to get to the park. If you are arriving from Plaça Espanya, the walk would be in the region of 700 meters.

Atoni Tapies Foundation Museum

Museums in Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 22, 2023

Discover the artistic creations of Antoni Tapies housed in a Catalan modernist building.

One of Spain’s famous post-war artists Antoni Tapies was born in Barcelona in 1923 and died in 2012. This museum opened in 1990 and features the most complete collection from the artist and also other artwork and exhibits from other contemporary artists. The Antoni Tapies Museum contains collections of contemporary art and sculptures and also hosts temporary exhibitions. Many of the paintings were donated by Antoni and Teresa Tapies. The museum’s main task is to highlight and educate visitors on contemporary art.

The Antoni Tapies museum is inside the historic Montaner i Simon publishing house by the renowned architect Lluis Domènech i Montaner. The building which is designed in Catalan modernism style is historically important to the city of Barcelona. The building has been restored by architects Amadò i Lluís Domènch Girbau, and is well worth visiting.

Who Is Antoni Tapies?

Antoni Tapies was a Catalan artist and sculptor, born 13th December 1923 in Barcelona. After studying law for 3 years, Tapies was drawn to a career as an artist and was devoted to this from 1943 until his death. His artistic styles included many forms of contemporary art, such as Dada, surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and Tachisme. Tapies art, like most artists, developed and changed through the years, brining new ways for an artist to express himself.

Antoni Tapies also delved into Graphic work and essays, providing an entry into publications as a form of artistic expression. Tapies also brought Pop Art as another way of creating art. Overall, Tapies has an incredible range of artistic talent, that brings new ways of working throughout the years. During his lifetime, Antoni Tapies has been awarded many recognitions, including being made Marqués de Tapies by Spain’s monarch, King Juan Carlos I.

Visiting Antoni Tapies Museum

As you arrive at the Antoni Tapies Museum, the first thing you will notice is the distinct modernist building that houses the museum. On the building’s roof, you can see tangled metal wire and metal beams, giving you a clue this is no ordinary building. Inside the museum you will be pleased to discover many of the artists works.

The Antoni Tapies Museum also displays and exhibits by other well-known artists. Many exhibitions will be displayed at the museum, and current or future exhibitions can be found on the foundation’s website. The museum also shows other subjects such as film, video, photographic art, publications, and even architecture. There are also works with Oriental and African styles, giving the museum an international insight into art from other continents.

The core base of the Antoni Tapies Museum is the artist’s own works. Many unique pieces of art by Antoni Tapies are displayed at the museum and can be viewed among other exhibitions by other artists. In our opinion, the Antoni Tapies Museum is an essential stop for all those with interest in contemporary art. The museum is modern, well laid out, and the exhibitions updated regularly. The museum is among the most popular in Barcelona for contemporary art.

How to get to Antoni Tapies Museum Barcelona

The museum is on the Carrer d’Aragó 255 in the L’Eixample district of Barcelona, close to other such modernist buildings by the likes of Antonï Gaudí. A minute from the Passeig de Gràcia train and metro stations served by lines 2, 3 and 4. You can also arrive here by bus with the following bus routes 7, 22, 24, 39, 47, 63, and 67. Also, B24, H10, V15 and V17.

If you are staying in the center of Barcelona, the Antoni Tapies Museum is about 10 minutes walk from the Plaça Catalyuna. If you are staying further down La Rambla or within the Gothic Quarter, about 20 minutes walk.

Centre of Contemporary Culture Barcelona

Museums in Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 22, 2023

Centre of Contemporary Culture Barcelona

Contemporary art exhibitions in El Raval can be found at the CCCB Centre of Contemporay Culture.

One of the best places for contemporary art exhibitions within a very modern and trendy building. This gallery and exhibition center is in El Raval district of Barcelona, within walking distance of La Rambla. As there are no permanent exhibitions it is best to check their website to find out which art exhibitions are being exhibited during your stay in Barcelona.

How to get to the Centre of Contemporary Culture (CCCB)

The nearest metro station is Universitat and the museum of the CCCB is just 2 minutes walk. The Centre of Contemporary Culture is situated on Carrer de Montalegre 5.

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art

Museums in Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 22, 2023

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art opened in 1995 in a modern and stiking building in the El Raval district of Barcelona. This museum features regular contemporary art exhibitions and is well worth a visit.

Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) is an art museum / exhibition center in El Raval area of Barcelona. Famous for its contemporary art exhibits but also famous for its urban skateboarders outside the building. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary art is well worth a visit. It is also recommended that you check their website to see the current exhibitions on display. One of the best contemporary art centers and one of Barcelona’s most famous skateboarder spots.

How to get to the Barcelona Museum of Contempory Art (MACBA)

The nearest metro station is Universitat lines 1 and 2. Plaça de Catalyuna lines 6 and 7 or Catalyuna lines 1 and 3. The museum is about 5 minutes walk from each of these metro stations. You will find MACBA in Plaça dels Àngels, El Raval district in Barcelona.

Barcelona Chocolate Museum

Museums in Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 22, 2023

Barcelona Chocolate Museum is a delightful small museum telling the story of how chocolate is made. Also see the unique sculptures made entirely out of chocolate. A great place to visit with the kids in between the more historic sights of Barcelona.

When you think of Museums in Barcelona, you may edge towards thinking of historic exhibitions or ancient Roman artifacts. While these museums are plentiful in Barcelona, the city does have a surprisingly unique museum. Allow me to introduce you to the rather tasty Barcelona Chocolate Museum, in the El Born district of the city. You know when your museum ticket is made of chocolate, you have arrived at the right place. The museum itself is fantastically well laid out and easy to explore. It might not be the best place to arrive at an empty stomach, but you will be pleased to know there is a gift shop that sells many delicious treats.

There is also a chance to understand and learn more about the chocolate making process. While you explore the numerous exhibits, you will also find out about the chocolate making process. The museum does a fantastic job of explaining how the cocoa beans are harvested from the plantations, to the final stages of chocolate production. So, when you leave the Barcelona Chocolate Museum, you will be much wiser when you bite into your souvenir chocolates about how they were manufactured.

So, Everybody Loves Chocolate…

Everyone does loves chocolate, and the Barcelona Chocolate Museum is one of a handfull of chocolate museums in Spain. The Museu de la Xocolata in Catalan, or the chocolate museum, is in El Born district of Barcelona and opened in 2000. Interestingly, the museum is located in what was once the Convent of Sant Agustí. The museum features many sculptures of Barcelona landmarks and other well-known things made entirely out of chocolate. There are also exhibits of old chocolate making machines and a small café with some sweet treats to enjoy. Workshops are available for all chocolate fans, these can be booked in advance by contacting the museum.

A great place for people obsessed with chocolate, or as an add-on for families wanting to incorporate something for the kids to see whilst in Barcelona.

The museum can be visited quickly, however it is still a very unique and interesting place to visit. Unless you are chocolate fanatic, we wouldn’t recommend that you avoid seeing other more important attractions in Barcelona. However, if you are in the area, and have a spare hour, it is well worth visiting. The museum could also be visited at the same time as the nearby Barcelona Zoo or the Picasso Museum. Families with kids may want to add this to their itinerary to give the younger members of the family a chance to have a bit of fun. As the Chocolate Museum is a few minutes from Ciutadella Park, a visit to Barcelona Zoo is possible on the same day. We can’t think of anything better than a trip to a Chocolate Museum and the zoo. What a great afternoon if you are travelling with children to Barcelona.

How to get to the Barcelona Chocolate Museum

To get to the Museum you can get the metro de the Arc de Triomf station, line 1. A bit further away is Barceloneta metro station, line 4. You can come by the following buses to the Arc de Triomf 14, 39, 51 and 120. The museum’s address is Carrer Comerç 36.

As we mentioned in the article above, the Barcelona Chocolate Museum would make a great addition when you visit nearby attractions. You will be easily able to add the chocolate museum to your schedule if you visit the following attractions. Barcelona Zoo, Ciutadella Park, Arc de Triomf are near of Barcelona Chocolate Museum. The gothic Quarter and Barcelona Cathedral are about 15 – 20 minutes walk from the museum.

Pablo Picasso Museum Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 22, 2023

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is an exhibition of the life and works of Pablo Picasso. Filled with many rare and unique Picasso exhibits.

A unique journey into the life and works of Pablo Picasso from youth to old age. The Pablo Picasso museum Barcelona highlights the transformation of his artistic style through the years. This gallery can be visited in the El Born area of Barcelona. Although you wont find his masterpieces housed in this gallery, you will find other works by Picasso. The journey will take you through a chronological journey of his works from a serious artist to a cubist pioneer. Many museums are displaying Picasso’s more famous pieces, but this museum has many rare and unique items. The idea of the museum is to go beyond the art and focus on the artist himself. In this sense, it is quite a unique place to visit.

Who is Pablo Picasso?

One of Spains greatest artists, Pablo Picasso was born in Malaga on the 25th October 1881. Picasso’s father (José Ruiz Blasco) was a painter and art teacher who helped guide his son who was already showing artistic promise from a very young age. Picasso pionered the cubism movement along with George Braque and a few other artista. The movement became exceptionally popular during the early 20th century. It is considered one of the most influential art movements of the 20th century. Some of Picasso’s earlier works divided opionions and also even deemed inmoral such as Les Demoiselles d’Avignon (1907). Picasso has become known as one of the influential arists of the 20th century. He is also one of few who achieved huge fame and fortune whilst still alive.

Why you should visit the Picasso Museum Barcelona

Pablo Picasso didn’t sell all his painting and personally kept a huge private collection of his artworks. Many of these paintings and sculptures are exclusive to the Pablo Picasso Museum of Barcelona. The museum opened in 1963 in Barcelona. At the time the only museum exhibiting works approved and coordinated by the artist himself is the Picasso museum. The main exhibition rooms within the museum contain over 4250 collections of art, sculptures, and other earlier rarities. Pablo Picasso museum Barcelona is home to two of his first major works. The First Communion and Science and Charity from 1896 and 1897.

A rare chance to view rare items from one of the world's most renowned painters. The museum was conceived by Picasso's’s friend Jaume Sabertés and coordinated by Picasso himself, who donated many rare and personal items.

Picasso not only wanted a museum to show his paintings, but also to show his connection to Barcelona. A city which Picasso lived in for many years. In 1970 Picasso donated a further 920 paintings and items from his childhood to be included in the museum alongside the other exhibits. The Picasso museum of Barcelona has expanded several times in size and the number of exhibits on display. We think you should visit this museum just for the opportunity of viewing these historically important works. Picasso without doubt is one of histories most famous and unique artists.

How to get to the Pablo Picasso mueum Barcelona

The Picasso museum can be visited in Carrer Montcada 15 – 23 in the El Born district of Barcelona. The nearest metro is Juame I, line 4. You can get a bus to the Via Laietana with numbers 45, 120, V15 and V17. Admission price for The Pablo Picasso Museum Barcelona for 2023, is just 13 euros if paid at the ticket of the museum. If you buy tickets online they are only 12 euros. These prices are valid during 2023.

La Pedrera Casa Mila by Antoní Gaudí

BCN GUIDE

January 20, 2023

La Pedrera Casa Mila is one of Gaudí’s most famous buildings in Barcelona. You can visit this unique piece of Catalan Modernism in the Gracia area of the city.

If you enjoy Catalan modernist architecture, then you have arrived at the right place with La Pedrera Casa Mila. Casa Mila or La Pedrera, as it is also known, is one of Gaudí’s most famous buildings. Along with Casa Batllo, it is Catalan modernism at is very best. The uniqueness of this building attracts over 1 million visitors a year, a testament to the popularity of Antoni Gaudí. The building is within the L’Eixample district of Barcelona and is one of the essential sights to visit.

In 1905 Pera Milà and Roser Segimon commissioned renowned architect Atoni Gaudí to build a house on the Passeig de la Gràcia in Barcelona. They would choose to live on one main floor of the building while renting out the other apartments. Construction started in 1906 and had several complications both legal, controversial and financial. Little did they know that the building would, in the future, become one of Barcelonas most iconic landmarks.

Problems for Gaudí At La Pedrera Casa Mila

During construction of the building Gaudí kept changing the plans as the project developed. It was over budget and also did not keep in line with the city building codes. Gaudí was altered that an inspector has been sent to the project. Gaudí threatened that if the inspector ordered the removal of a column, he would erect a plaque stating the missing column, was the result of the city council.

The Eixample commission eventually certified that the building was a monument of nature and therefore did not need to conform strictly to the municipal bylaws. The Milàs took Gaudí to court over the Gaudís fees, with Gaudí winning the case and donating the compensation to a nun convent. After such teething problems, La Pedrera Casa Mila was finally completed and ready for its first tenants.

From its first tennants to UNESCO Heritage status

The first tenants moved in 1912 with all of them living in the building many years. In 1929, the first shops opened on the ground floor and in 1946 the building was sold to a real estate company by Roser Segimon who lived in the building until her death in 1964. The finished building is renowned for its modern and abstract facade, which was quite like nothing ever seen before. Waves and curves flow naturally around the 33 balconies, giving a sense of waves of the sea. There are also many ornamental decorations incorporated in to the building’s design such as octopus and stars. This building is a perfect example of the importance of using nature in the architecture. This was something that Gaudí was a master at.

The Catalan modernist building was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The building was restored and opened to the public in 1996 where it now enjoys considerable popularity. The building remains without doubt, one of Barcelona’s top attractions to visit. There is an exhibition room to visit and access to the inner courtyards. A visit to the famous “Garden of Warriors” room terrace is also possible. Tickets and tours are available to visit La Pedrera Casa Mila and like most popular attractions in Barcelona booking in advance is always recommended.

How to get to La Pedrera Casa Mila?

To get to La Pedrera Casa Mila which is in the L’Eixample district of Barcelona. The nearest metro station is Diagonal, which is served by metro lines 3 and 5. You can arrive by RENFE train alighting at the Passeig de la Gràcia station. You can also get one of the many buses that operate in Barcelona. The following bus routes pass by La Pedrerea / Casa Mila – Numbers 6, 7, 22, 24, 33, 3, V15, V17, H8, and H10.

Palau de la Musica Catalana

BCN GUIDE

January 19, 2023

Palau de la Musica Catalana could be one of the world’s most splendid concert halls. Decorated with incredible modernist architecture that will amaze you from the outside and astound you from the inside.

One of the world’s most beautiful concert halls and also a world heritage site. This amazing building is a must-see historic attraction of significant architectural importance. Designed in the Catalan modernist style by the architect Lluis Domènch i Montaner and built between 1905 and 1908. The concert hall inaugurated on the 9th February 1908.

If you have arrived in Barcelona to visit some Catalan modernist buildings, make sure you add this gem to your list. The architect Lluís Domènch i Montaner was also responsible for the design of the Hospital de Sant Pau. In some regards, there are many similarities in design and influences between both Catal Art Nouveau buildings.

The design is typical of other Catalan modernism buildings, with curves and shapes and detailed decorations. The facade of the building has elements from Spanish and Arabic architecture. The building has red brick and exposed iron, mosaics, stained-glass and glazed tiles.

The concert hall has seating for 2200 people is the only auditorium that can be illuminated by natural daylight. This is due to having an amazing skylight of stained glass with the centre piece in a large inverted dome in gold and blue to represent sun and sky. The concert hall still gives regular performances of classical music, jazz, chamber music and Canço.

Why Visit this Unique Concert Hall

There are many reasons to visit this stunning concert hall in Barcelona. The first reason for visiting is its amazing Art Nouveau architecture. This is a unique example of Catalan Modernism at its very best.

Another reason you should visit Palau de la Musica Catalana is that it is truly a one of a kind building. The attention to detail, both on the exterior and inside, you will discover is of a quality you don’t see on newer buildings. A visit to this building is an opportunity to see a style of Catalan modernism that you may never get the chance to witness again. Take the opportunity, and make sure you visit the Palau de la Musica Catalana Barcelona.

When you enter the building of the first thing you will see is its Foyer with wide brick arches and unique ceiling details. The Lluís Millet Hall with its decorative ceramic columns and stained-glass windows let natural light filter through the decorative windows. The highlight is, of course, the main concert hall with its central skylight, stain glass window and endless intricate design details.

Of course, the second reason to visit this incredible concert hall is for the music, as it name suggests. Although this building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is still a fully functioning concert hall. There is always a full line up of local and international performers, musicians, and artists that perform at this venue. If you feel like a night of music in a truly unique setting, you can view concerts and times on the official website.

How to get to the Palau de la Musica Catalana

Urquinaona (line 1 and 4) is the nearest metro station for the Palau de la Musica Catalana. Buses 47, V15, V17, N8 and N28 will take you close to the concert hall. There are currently works on the Via Laietana, so it is possible that bus routes may change. The Mercat de Santa Caterina and the Barcelona Cathedral are all within walking distance from The Palau de la Musica Catalana and are well worth a visit.

Barcelona Cathedral

BCN GUIDE

January 19, 2023

Historic and monumental Barcelona Cathedral sits in the middle of the Gothic Quarter. With its magnificence design and historic importance it should be explored for its architectual importance.

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia also known as Barcelona Cathedral is in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. You will find the cathedral just a few minutes walk from the Rambla and Plaça Reial. Construction started in 1298 and the cathedral completed in 1420. The neo-Gothic style facade and central tower were completed in 1913. The cathedral is 93 meters long and 40 meters wide and has a total height of 70 meters. The cathedral named after the patron saint of Barcelona Santa Eulalia whose crypt remains in the cathedral.

Inside the Cathedral, the amazing cloisters built in the 14th and 15th centuries and are in gothic style. Inside the garden are thirteen geese always present, one for each year of the age of Saint Eualalia. It is possible to take a lift to the top of the cathedral’s rooftop. It is here where you will be able to see more clearly certain details such as the bell towers and roof.

The Jewel In The Gothic Quarters Crown

The sheer dominance of this towering gothic building truly makes you feel you are at the heart of the historic center. You can feel the intimate history of the building, and the hundreds of years of history it hides. Standing majestically from the medieval times to the age of the iPhone, you can’t help but wonder that the structure has seen it all. A visit to the cathedral must be top of your itinerary when visiting the Gothic Quarter. Admission at certain times of the day is free, however leaving a donation to help preserve this building is recommended. Guided tours are available for visitors wishing to learn more about this building. Dress code should be respectful when visiting religious buildings or places.

Once you have visited Barcelona Cathedral, you may also be able to add to your day’s itinerary other nearby places to visit. The historic square of Plaça Sant Jaume is a few minutes walk from the cathedral. This square that dates back to the Roman times is also home to Barcelona’s town hall. The Plaça del Rei is a minute or two away from Barcelona Cathedral. It is in this square you can view the city’s Roman ruins in the MUHBA underground museum.

Alternately, you can explore the historic Gothic Quarter with the narrow streets that are great for your Instagram photos! The nearby Plaça Reial is also worthy of visiting, if not just to see Gaudí designed street lampposts. If you enjoy Gothic churches, the nearby Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi is very much worth visiting.

How to get to Barcelona Cathedral

This must visit historic attraction is in the heart of the Gothic Quarter. You can get to the cathedral by taking the metro line 3 to Liceu and then walking straight in to the Gothic Quarter. You could also take the metro line 4, to Jaume I, the cathedral is about 5 minutes walk. The metro station Jaume I is the closest metro to the Cathedral.

Since there are many narrow streets, a GPS navigation app or Google Maps will be an aid worth having to navigate the maze of streets of the Gothic Quarter. However, getting lost in this historic part of Barcelona is never a bad thing to happen as you explore and discover. You can also get to this attraction by getting one of the cities many buses to the Via Laietana. The cathedral is about 10 minutes from the famous Plaça Catalyuna.

Christopher Columbus Monument Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 19, 2023

Christopher Columbus Monument Barcelona is a tall column at the bottom of La Rambla. This historic monument can provide a birds eye view of the city of Barcelona.

The Christopher Columbus Monument Barcelona, also known as Mirador de Colum, a 60-meter tall column designed by Gaietà Buïgas i Monravà. The monument was constructed for the Barcelona International Exhibition in 1888 in honor to Christopher Columbus. The monument stands at the bottom of La Rambla, and honors Christopher Columbus in discovering the Americas. The original idea to construct a monument came in 1856 and in 1881 a resolution to build the monument passed. The monument construction started in 1882 and completed in 1888.

The monument features a 7.2 meter bronze statue at the top, and the monument’s designs features a 40-meter Corinthian column. The statue conceived and sculpted, by Rafael Atché. The monument stands on an octagonal pedestal or plinth. The pedestal features four bronze winged creatures that take flight to the four corners of the world. Furthermore, visible on the pedestal are two griffins and portrait medallions of people related to Christopher Columbus. The unique features on the pedestal are of great detail, as was typical for monuments constructed at the time. The monument depicts Columbus pointing to the New World, but in effect points to Algeria.

You can actually get to the top of this 60 meter monument by lift. Once at the top you can enjoy some exclusive views over Barcelona city and port. Tickets are very reasonable for this attraction. A visit to the Columbus Monument should be done within the same time as a visit to La Rambla and Gothic Quarter. Both of which are a few minutes work from this historic monument. Also, Port Vell marina is just 2 minutes walk from this monument.

Is It Worth Visiting The Christopher Columbus Monument Barcelona?

The Christopher Columbus Monument Barcelona may not be the most important attraction to visit in Barcelona, but is it worth visiting? The pros to visiting these monuments are the following. It’s centrally located, cheap to access, good views at the top, quick to visit and great for kids. The cons for visiting are that it might take up precious time that you may need to visit more iconic attractions, especially if you are visiting Barcelona for a night or two. Furthermore, due to the height of the monument, it might not be suitable for people with a fear of heights.

Overall, we recommend a visit to the Christopher Columbus Monument Barcelona. It’s a fun attraction to visit, and you will find great views at the top for some panoramic photos. The fact that it is at the bottom of La Rambla means if you do have a spare half hour it could be visited on route to Port Vell Marina or the Gothic Quarter.

How to get to the Christopher Columbus Monument

You will find the Christopher Columbus monument at the bottom of La Rambla next to the metro station Drassanes. The monument is also one of the first things you will see when walking from the cruise ship terminal. The nearest metro station you will find next to the Christopher Columbus monument is served by metro line 3. All buses that pass near the bottom of La Rambla will get you to the monument.

Opening times in 2023 to visit the Columbus monument are currently 08:30 until 14:30. Entry price for 2023 is 8 euros. A view of the exterior of the monument is free from La Rambla. There is access for people with reduced mobility. The Christopher Columbus Monument can be easliy visited within a 5 to 10 minute walk from the Gothic Quarter or Plaça Catalyuna.

Barceloneta Beach

Barcelona City

BCN GUIDE

January 19, 2023

One of the busiest and most popular beaches in Barcelona we explore Barceloneta Beach and also some of the ajoining beaches in this seafront area.

Many people forget that Barcelona, not only is by thecsea, but has some great beaches. One of the most popular beaches of Barcelona situated in the Barceloneta district of the city is Barceloneta Beach. Barceloneta beach is also quite close to the aerial tramway cable car that takes you to Montjuïc and also Barcelona Zoo. These two popular attractions could be visited before or after visiting Barceloneta Beach, due to their proximity.

The beach has an abundance of amenities such as lifeguards on duty, showers, beach volleyball and plenty of bars and ice cream kiosks. Around the Barceloneta beach are the beaches of Sant Sebastia Beach, Sant Miquel Beach and Somorrostro Beach. These form all the beaches in the Barceloneta district.

The beach also has good facilities and access for people with mobility issues. The busiest months are July and August when school and work holidays takes place, and also with extra tourists in the city.

Pickpockets and petty thiefs are present on this beach during the busy summer months. Leave valuables in your hotel saftey deposit box and what you must take with dont leave unguarded. Be very carefull not to leave your mobile phone when swimming or getting refreshments.

A Day At A Barcelona Beach

Barcelona is blessed that it offers a city break, but also a beach holiday experience. Having a day lounging on by the Mediterranean Sea is not only possible in Barcelona, but recommended. Barceloneta Beach, thanks to its proximity to Barcelona city center, attracts many tourists. The idea of a city break and beach holiday is too much to resist for many in the summer months. However, July and August can be very busy when the school holidays have started.

Barceloneta Beach has almost enough room for everyone at 1.1 km long; however, this may still be a challenge in July and August. Don’t forget to try the seafood at many of the nearby restaurants. Barceloneta beach has a long history of fishermen leaving for their daily catch, so you can be sure of great seafood, Remember, Barcelona’s beaches prohibit smoking, so don’t be tempted to light up a cigarette!

Barceloneta Beach is considered a family-friendly beach. This means it is safe for children as long as an adult supervises them. The lifeguards are on hand for extra safety, as is a strong police presence for extra security. The beach is generally a very safe and enjoyable place to visit in the summer months.

After a day at the beach, and if there is enough tine, Barcelona Zoo and Ciutadella Park are close by. About a 10-minute walk, you will be at Barcelona Zoo, a great place to visit for a few hours. The nearby Ciutadella Park is another great place to enjoy, much better as it has free entry.

How To Get To Barceloneta Beach

You can walk along from La Rambla or Port Vell areas of Barcelona towards Barceloneta. You can also take the metro line 4 to Barceloneta metro station. The walk from La Rambla, to Barceloneta may be uncomfortable for some during the hot summer months. Another great way to arrive at Barceloneta beach is by E-Bike or electric scooter.

L’Eixample District Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

The modernists architects and their creations is the best way to describe the fantastic district of L’Eixample Barcelona.

L’Eixample district Barcelona is a great example of the of modern architects looking to the future and changing the districts of the past. Grid street plans and wide avenues are charecteristic of a Barcelona moving towards the rise of cars and transportation. This district has an area of 7.4 km2 and a population of just under 300,000 habitants. This district is where you can see many of the works of Antoni Gaudí. Such buildings as the Casa Mila, Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Família are in this area. You can also see many other influential 19th century modernist buildings within this district.

Ildefons Cerda Sunyer, The Master of Urban Planning

The revolutionary block and grid design of L’Eixample, an idea conceived by urban planner Ildefons Cerda Sunyer. He visioned Barcelona streets with “sunlight, space, ventilation, and greenery”. Despite Ildefons Cerda Sunyer creating a masterpiece for modern city design, he died impoverished in 1876. Ildefons did not get paid for designing the famous and revolutionary district of L’Eixample.

Todays L’Exiample District Of Barcelona

Today the district of L’Eixample is a wealthy area of Barcelona with wide streets and cafés. This district is a must for fans and admirers of the Modernist architecture. There are many such modernist examples visible in this part of Barcelona. The district of L’Exiample also has many great restaurants to visit, with the evenings coming to life with vibrant activity. There are many great cafés along the district’s tree lined streets and a good selection of shops. The district of L’Exiample overall has a very metropolitan feel, with many people of different nationalities passing through.

Best Attractions To Visit In L’Eixample

The L’Eixample district Barcelona has a variety of interesting places to visit. The most popular attraction is the Sagrada Família, the most inspiring building in Barcelona. Designed by Antoni Gaudí, the Sagrada Família should be top of your list of places to visit in L’Eixample. Also within the neighborhood are Gaudí’s Casa mila / La Pedrea and Casa Batllo, both highlighting Catalan modernism. Another modernist building worth visiting is the Casa Amatller which is also situated nearby. Close to these modernist gems, you will find the Egyptian Museum for those interested in the history of Egypt.

The large square called Plaça Catalunya where La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter meets L’Eixample district. This busy square is also a major transport hub, with metro and regional trains stopping here. Also, worth mentioning is the fantastic El Corte Ingles department store. This large department store sells just about everything you can think of. You can find it by the side of this square, close to the Hard Rock café.

If you enjoy shopping, you must visit the Passeig de la Gràcia, Barcelona’s trendy shopping street. Here you will be able to explore the best designer shops, while enjoying the atmosphere of this lively main street. Also within L’Eixample district Barcelona, you will discover fantastic bars and restaurants, just as you would expect from this cosmopolitan district. The best thing to do in L’Eixample district is to explore and enjoy the many great sights on offer.

How to get to the L’Eixample District

There are three metro lines that will take you to Passeig de la Gracia metro station. Which you will find is in the very heart of this neighborhood. The metro lines are the lines 2, 3 and 4 will get you to the Passeig de la Gracia metro station. This street is also a great place to do some shopping. The lower end of this district can be reached quite easily from Plaça Catalyuna, this will lead on to the Passeig de la Grácia street.

Barcelona City Guide App

Free Barcelona Travel Guide APP

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

A full travel guide app for Barcelona that you download and use from your mobile phone. Everything you need to know about Barcelona is in our Barcelona City & Tourist Guide app.

Our brand-new app, Barcelona City Guide App has now been published on the Google Playstore. We have put many hours of work and a lot of effort to give you the best possible travel and city guide for Barcelona in a mobile phone friendly app. We wanted to create an app that covers in full all the attractions and sights in Barcelona, features the best hotels and restaurants and highlights the best bars and nightlife. Not only that, but we also wanted to create an app to show all the best places within 2 hours from Barcelona that are worth visiting. You can download our app from the Google Playstore –

Download Barcelona City Guide App For Free

Barcelona Travel Guide App

We have been spending the last few months adding more content to our Barcelona Travel Guide app. Everything is now updated with content that includes important changes for the 2023 season. We are working on a new update that will further improve the users experience. Our app is fully optimised for mobile phone use, but also works great on tablets.The Barcelona Travel Guide app news section features a Barcelona news and magazine section. This new section of the app is great to find out about Barcelona tourist news as well as a general magazine style posts.

On our Barcelona travel app, you will be able to create your own itineraries by saving to favorites all the places you wish to visit, hotels you would like to book or restaurants you would like to dine in. Save these favorites and view later. Furthermore, you can find out about public transport, keeping safe and also book tickets to all of Barcelona’s best attractions.

Barcelona Travel Guide App trailer

The best thing about having a Barcelona City Guide or Barcelona Travel Guide on your phone is the ease of use. On our travel app, you will find everything laid out in a way you can quickly find what you are looking for. The app also updates content without the need to keep updating from the Playstore. This means you will find new content or the latest Barcelona news when you open up the app.

Barcelona City & Tourist Guide App

We have tried to fit as much information as possible in to our Barcelona City Guide app. Whether you need to find a chauffeur or an Escape Room attraction, we have it all covered. You can see our Barcelona City & Tourist Guide best features below.

Detailed information on each attraction in Barcelona, including find on maps, nearest metro station and a fully complete and detailed description.
Save all the places you wish to see or visit to your personal favourite list.
Barcelona news and magazine section, check on latest news, upcomming events and everything Barcelona.
Book hotels and tickets to all the attractions, including fast track entry and VIP visits.
Explore outside of Barcelona with our additional guide of unique places to visit near Barcelona.
Keep safe, practical advice on keeping safe in Barcelona.
Full guide on coffee shops, restaurants, bars and nighlife.
Find out the best hotels, hostals, apartments rental and campsites.
Learn about Barcelona trains, Metro and public transport to help you get around Barcelona.
Special section on all the places and attractions to visit within 90 minutes from Barcelona.
And much, much more… Download for free from Google Playstore HERE

We will be continuing to add much more content to our Barcelona City & Tourist Guide app. We aim to keep improving and adding great places to visit, in and around Barcelona.

The Most Complete Barcelona Travel App

When we first decided to create an app, we outlined three important things to make a great Barcelona travel app. Those three critical factors were to make the app easy to navigate, include absolutely everything a tourist in Barcelona needs to know and create full and detailed articles about the city of Barcelona. In short, our objective is to create a full and complete Barcelona travel guide app that you can view on your phone. Our Barcelona travel app now features almost 200 places to visit in and around Barcelona.

Another point is that we wanted to create a Barcelona city and travel guide app that has everything. As well as explaining everything to see, do and visit in Barcelona, we also included the surrounding area. Great day trips to Tarragona, Girona, Portavetura and even Andorra are all included in our app. Also you can purchase tickets directly from our travel app to all of Barcelona’s best attractions. All tickets purchased on our app can be scanned from your mobile when entering Barcelona’s top attractions.

Overall, our Barcelona City Guide App has been created to help you navigate Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Our app will explain public transport, tips on keeping safe and where to est and drink. We are already working on updates, so make sure you keep the app on your phone, as much more will soon be added.

Download Barcelona City Guide App For Free

Port Vell District Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

Port Vell district of Barcelona has a marina, an aquarium, and a shopping center, all these constitute the Port Vell area of Barcelona. A great place for a walk on a warm summer’s day and just a few minutes from the famous La Rambla street.

Port Vell district of Barcelona is the area surrounding the port of Barcelona. It was modernized for the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and now attracts around 16 million visitors each year. This area of Barcelona contains Europe’s largest aquarium, an IMAX cinema and a shopping center. There is also a marina with many yachts and boats moored. It is 5 minutes walk from the bottom of La Rambla.

The great thing about Port Vell district is that it is a great place for a walk and to get some space from the city. As you explore Port Vell you will many yachts in Barcelona’s marina. The shopping center is a good place for a visit; however, it is a bit neglected recently. Barceloneta beach and the Aerial Tramway are a good few minutes walk away. The Aerial Tramway will take you up to Montjuïc Castle.

Port Vell district can be visited at the same time as La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter. It is important to remember that in the summer month it can get quite hot. You may want to take this into account if you plan to walk from the center down to this marina on a very hot day. Passengers that arrive from the cruise ship terminal will pass the Port Vell district as they head towards tLa Rambla.

NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS –

Columbus Monument

Barcelona Aquarium

Maremagnum Shopping Center

Museo D’Historia Catalyuna

How to get to Port Vell

The best way to visit the Port Vell district is to walk down La Rambla street and keep going ahead. You will arrive at the marina and will ne able to walk across the wooden decking towards the shopping centre. If you are arriving from another part of Barcelona you can take the metro, line 3 to Drassanes which is at the bottom of La Rambla and you should see the marina on exiting the metro station. If you arrive at Plaça Catalyuna, you can walk straight down La Rambla. Port Vell district is at the very end of La Rambla.

El Raval District Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

El Raval district Barcelona or neighbourhood of El Raval also know as Barrio Chino. This part of the city has a long history of a mainly immigrant population. This brings an energetic mix of races and cultures.

El Raval district Barcelona is a neighborhood with around 50,000 habitants. You will find El Raval on the opposite side of Las Ramblas to the Gothic Quarter. It has also been known as “Barrio Chino” or China Town due to numerous immigrant inhabitants. Within this district of Barcelona almost half of the population of El Raval have been born abroad.

The great thing about El Raval district is that it gives you a chance to see life in Barcelona. The streets are energetic with the habitants of this district working from their businesses or going about their daily lives. This is one district of Barcelona that shows you the faced paced life of urban living within Barcelona. The El Raval district also has many people from different cultures, so there is a true multi cultural feel to this district.

El Raval area may not have as many historic sights such as the Gothic Quarter. Although it has an energetic night-life and does feature some more trendy museums and also Gaudi’s Güell Palace. Some streets in this neighborhood can be dangerous at night. It is important to keep your senses active if you are walking home late at night.

Notable Attractions In El Ravel District

Gran Teatre del Liceu (La Rambla) – Historic opera house that is situated on La Rambla. The Liceu theatre is a unique structure both inside and out and well worth viewing.

Güell Palace – A large mansion built for the Güell family to live and entertain the many socialites at the time. Designed and built by Antoni Gaudí, this is a unique historic building that should be visited.

Mercado de la Boqueria – An outstanding historic indoor market that visitors to Barcelona seem to love to visit. Lots of fresh produce and unique items to purchase.

Barcelona Museum of Contempary Art = Contemporary art gallery in El Ravel, with regular exhibitions by selected artists. One of the more popular of Barcelona’s modern art galleries.

Barcelona Maritime Museum – As the name suggests, a maritime museum showcasing Barcelona’s naval and maritime history. The maritime museum is located close to Drassanes metro station.

Mercat de Sant Antoni – Another historic indoor market with fewer tourists than La Boqueria market. This old market has more of a neighborhood feel to it as it is used mainly by locals,

How To Get to El Raval

To explore this neighbourhood, you can take the metro line 3 to Liceu which is on La Rambla. You can also get the line 3 metro to Drassanes and walk up into this district. Both metro stations Liceu and Drassanes are less than 5 minutes walk from Güell Palace, one of Gaudís famous buildings.

If you are already on La Rambla you can enter El Raval district from the Liceu opera house or La Boqueria market. The El Raval district of Barcelona can be found on the opposite side of La Rambla from the Gothic Quarter.

How Safe Is Barcelona And What To Do If Your A Victim Of Crime.

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

How Safe Is Barcelona And What To Do If Your A Victim Of Crime. — Crime in Barcelona

Barcelona is generally a safe city to visit, but it does have a problem with pickpockets and petty crime. We explain what to do if you fall victim to crime when your are in Barcelona.

POLICE STATIONS

If you are unfortunatly a victim of crime there are many police stations to make a report (denuncia). It is important to follow some of the following steps when reporting a crime to the police –

Make a report as soon as possible at the nearest police station after crime taking place or witnessing a crime.
If there were any witnesses to a crime it is important that you get their names and phone numbers.
Take note of the perpretators and and write down any important information such as nationality, appearance, tatoos, clothing etc.
Report the direction they went, if they had a car or scooter and if so make, model and registration plate.
If a mobile phone was stolen report to the police any numbers that were called after the phone was stolen by contacting your mobile phone provider.
Dont touch anything the perpretators may have touched, the police may check for fingerprints.
If a friend or family member goes missing do not wait 24 hours to report, you can report missing persons at anytime.
If your hotel room or apartament is burgled make sure you do not touch anything such as doors, windows or objects. Do not touch cigarrette butts or any items left by the thiefs.
Make a list of stolen belongings or items before going to a police station. Also take any invoices, make and model of item stolen and serial numbers.
Take a copy of any travel insurance policies or documents.

THE EMERGENCY NUMBER IN SPAIN IS “112” Add this number to your contact list incase an incident arises that you need to contact the police or any other emergency service urgently.

TO STAY SAFE IN BARCELONA FOLLOW THESE RULES –

Keep to busy areas and avoid quiet side streets when out late at night. If possible, get a taxi to your hotel, especially if you have been drinking alcohol. If anyone approaches you be cautious, keep a tight hold on your wallet, phone and valuables, keep your distance and don’t let strangers get too close. Pickpockets use diversion tactics, they may work in groups and can create a theater of circumstances to get you off guard and try to steal your valuables.

Keep valuables in the hotel safe deposit box and only take out what you need for the day. Think about your bags and remember items can be stolen easily from handbags and rucksacks, especially on the metro. Invest in a good waist belt for valuables and cash that is unreachable of pickpockets.

Keep your mobile phone safe in Barcelona

Before travelling to Barcelona (or any large city) make sure you back up your mobile phone family photos, videos, and contacts to cloud storage. Create a pin screen lock or similar. Activate fingerprint / biometric logins. Select find my phone if you have this feature. Make sure you have any important contact numbers, flight or train times, bookings, boarding passes or anything else written or printed on paper and kept safe and hidden in case your mobile phone is stolen.

Never keep pins or passwords in your phone. If you are keeping pins or passwords in photos, notes, doc files or anywhere else on your phone, then delete them. Thieves check the phone docs for passwords or sensitive information. Never have the same pin you use at cash machines to unlock your phone. Thieves are now trying to view your pins at cash machines (shoulder surfing) to steel your phone and attempt to use the pin they saw at the cash machine to unblock your phone and even enter banking apps.

Most crime in large cities can easily be avoided by not creating a situation to attract pickpockets or thieves. In busy areas, keep on your guard and keep a tight hold on your valuables and belongings.

So, how safe is Barcelona? If you take advice from this article, and don’t give picket pockets or thieves an opportunity to steal from you, Barcelona is quite a safe city to visit. The city still has an above-average crime rate, with most crimes being more petty crimes rather than violent crimes.

Historic Gothic Quarter of Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

Narrow medieval streets within a never-ending labyrinth, this is the historic Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. Situated just off La Rambla the narrow streets give a sense of being transported back in time.

Historic Gothic Quarter of Barcelona (Barrio Gótico) is the historic centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana and from the seafront to the Ronda de Sant Pere. It is a part of Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona.

The History of the Gothic Quarter

History of this district started around 133 BC with construction of city walls by the Romans who ruled Barcelona until 410 AD. In 714, the city surrendered to the moors, who controlled Barcelona for around a century. The Roman name for this area of Barcelona is Barcino, and the old city of Barcino founded around 15 BC by Emperor Augustus.

The quarter encompasses the oldest parts of the city of Barcelona, and includes the remains of the city’s Roman wall and several notable medieval landmarks. Much of the present-day fabric of the quarter, however, dates to the 19th and early 20th centuries. El Call, the medieval Jewish Quarter located within this area.

The Gothic District has many building that actually does not date back to the Middle Ages due to transforming the district in to a tourist attraction in the early 19th and 20th centuries mainly to give the city a positive image for the 1929 International Exhibition. Restoration of buildings in this district was ongoing until the 1960s. Despite this, the area is well-preserved with some picture-perfect narrow streets for taking some great photos. The best part of visiting the Gothic Quarter area is that it really does feel you are back in time as you explore many of the streets and squares.

NOTABLE ATTRACTIONS –

Barcelona cathedral

The Roman and Medieval Walls

Roman Temple Remains

Placa del Rei

Placa Reial

Basilica of La Mercè

The Gothic Quarter has most of the cities defining historic landmarks in one area, making it perfect to explore on foot. You can also vists La Rambla which joins the Gothic Quarter at the same time. This area is great for daytime shopping as the area has a range of small and unique shops. Also, the district comes to life at night where there are many small bars and restaurants to enjoy. Exploring the Gothic Quarter is an enjoyable experience due to the maze of small medieval streets. Many of the streets lead on to large squares, at times with some interesting historic finds. There is always a sense of adventure exploring the Gothic Quarter, as you never know what you might find exploring the maze of narrow streets..

How to get to the Gothic Quarter?

To get to the Gothic Quarter area of Barcelona take the line 3 metro to Liceu station. This will take you out on to the famous La Rambla street, from here you can access the Gothic Quarter from Carrer de la Boqueria. You can also walk slightly down La Rambla and enter the Gothic Quarter from Plaça Reial which is also an interesting historic square. You can catch any bus that takes you to Plaça Catalyuna or Via Laietana.

La Rambla street Barcelona

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

Every city has its core centre where everyone and anyone meets on the main street and in Barcelona that street is the famous La Rambla.

The Historic La Rambla of Barcelona

La Rambla street Barcelona is one of the most interesting streets to visit in Barcelona simply because it captures the life of the city within one long never-ending street of interesting things and interesting people. Starting at Plaça de Catalunya and ending at the Christopher Columbus monument, this journey will take you along 1.2 KMS of tree lined street down the middle of the Gothic Quarter and Raval districts.

La Rambla originally served as a sewer stream before being transformed to a street in 1440. In 1703 around 280 Birch trees were planted, giving the street its famous tree lined look and much needed shade for the summer months. Walking down Las Ramblas from top to bottom, you will find to the left the Gothic Quarter area and to the right the famous Liceu theater. Las Ramblas is filled with artists, entertainers, and street artists that give the street a certain urban vibe. You will also find flower sellers, souvenir kiosks and street cafés.

What To See And Do Near La Rambla

La Rambla street Barcelona is a long street that divides both El Raval and the Gothic Quarter. So, when you visit La Rambla, you have three choices, the first is to explore the street itself. La Rambla has such a mixture of interesting characters that it is one of the most interesting streets in Spain. Here, on this iconic street, you really will find the good, the bad and the ugly.

There are many performers such as acrobats and street dancers, cartoon artists, and even magicians. All these performers make a living from the many tourists that arrive at this famous street. It is the mixture of the wonderful and the bizarre that this, to me, is one of my personal favorite streets to visit.

If you walk down the street from Plaça Catalyuna, and turn left, you will enter the Gothic Quarter area of Barcelona. This district is the old medieval district of Barcelona, that was once the city Roman city of Barcino. You can still see some remains of the original Roman wall and towers. The Gothic Quarter is also home to the marvel that is Barcelona Cathedral, well worth visiting.

If you walk down La Rambla street and enter the right, you will be inside El Raval district. This district is mainly a neighborhood for the immigrant residents of Barcelona. The district is always buzzing with life and has very much a multicultural diversity, more unique to this district than any other. One major attraction is Gaudis Güell Palace, designed and built for Gaudís friend and confident, Count Güell. Other attractions worth visiting include the Maritime Museum, Mercat de Sabt Antoni, El Liceu opera house and La Boqueria market, the latter two sit on the border of La Rambla and El Ravel.

Some Important Advice

La Rambla street Barcelona is a hotspot for pickpockets and thieves. Our advice is to be wary of anyone at all approaching for any reasons. The pick pockets usually act out a certain distraction and may act in groups or alone. If anyone attempts to make contact, make sure you hold on to valuables and try to move away from them.

Las Ramblas is best avoided late at night, especially if you have been drinking. Thieves will watch for people with impaired judgment due to alcohol.

Bars and cafés can be expensive and there have been reports of tourists being overcharged. Make sure you see what the prices are before ordering.

How To Get To La Rambla Barcelona

La Rambla street Barcelona is straight forward to visit. Just 5 minutes from Plaça Catalyuna and just outside the Gothic Quarter. The best way to arrive at La Rambla is by taking line 3 metro to Liceu. Once you come out of the metro station, you will find yourself on La Rambla.

Arc de Triomf Barcelona A Monument Of Importance and Pride

BCN GUIDE

January 18, 2023

Arc de Triomf Barcelona A Monument Of Importance and Pride

In 1888 Barcelona was building big and grand ready for the International World’s Fair Exhibition of 1888. One of these big and grand monuments is the Arc de Triomf and now an iconic symbol of Barcelona.

A Monument Of Historic Importance

The Arc de Triomf Barcelona is a large arched gateway situated close to the Ciutadella Park, Barcelona. Although similar in name to the Paris monument, it is completely different both in design and purpose. The large arch stands a towering 30 meters high and 50 meters wide. An iconic symbol of Barcelona, a time when the city started to be projected on to the world’s stage. The Arc de Triomf conceived and designed as the main entrance for the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The 1888 International Exhibition, one of the two World Fairs held in the city. This inspiring monument stands over the central walkway of Passeig de Lluis Companys. This magnificent monument designed by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas still stands proud.

Arc de Triomf 1888 Barcelona Worlds Fair Entrance

The arch built in red brickwork in a Moorish Neo Mudéjar style and colour. The arc has some fine detail designs in bedded such as bats that were the emblem of King Juame I who saw them as lucky charms. Some intricate features of this monument include at the top the coat of arms of Barcelona and the shields of the 48 provinces of Spain displayed on both sides of the monument. The design of the arch and many other sculptured details by artists such as Père Carbonell and Manuel Fuxà who sculpted Les Fames (winged figures) some of many artistic details the monument shares.

Make Sure You Visit Ciutadella Park At The Same Time

Walking from the Arc de Triomf down the Passeig de Lluis i Companys you will reach the Parc de la Ciutadella. Just a few minutes of a pleasant walk along the scenic Passeig de Lluis i Companys you will arrive at the city’s historic 77 acre Ciutadella Park. Built over 100 years ago, this unique open space has lush greenery and a large boating lake. The large fountain designed by Josep Fontserè was aided in its design by Antoni Gaudí. The park itself gives a plesant feeling of a time gone by with its many historic features.

Within the Ciutadella Park, you will find Barcelona’s Zoo. Opened in 1892, Barcelona Zoo has been updated and modernized during the last few years and is now a very popular attraction. Visiting the Ciudatella Park and Barcelona Zoo should be done at the same time as visiting the Arc de Triomf. The proximity of the Ciutadella Park and the Arc de Triomf, will make for a very pleasant afternoon.

How to get to the Arc de Triomf in Barcelona

The Arc de Triomf has both a train station and a metro station right outside the famous monument. The metro station named after the Arc de Triomf is served by lines 1 and 5. The RENFE train station is served by commuter lines. You can arrive by the following buses – 19, 39, 40, 41, 42 and 52. On foot, the Arc de Triomf is about a 15 minute walk from the Gothic Quarter. Walking from the Plaça de Catalyuna it will take about 10 minutes.

The monument is available to view 24 hours a day. Unfortunately there is no access inside or any possibility to climb to the top of the monument. The Arc de Triomf monument would take about 10 or 15 minutes to view. If you decided to visit Ciutadella Park at the same time, it would be best to allow around two hours. If you have a full half day to spare, a visit to the Arc de Triomf, Ciutadella Park and Barcelona Zoo could all be visited.

Sagrada Familia Barcelona find out how to visit this masterpiece

BCN GUIDE

January 15, 2023

Sagrada Familia Barcelona find out how to visit this masterpiece

Antoni Gaudís work of brilliance, The Sagrada Família is Spain’s most visited historic attraction and Gaudís most famous work. We explain its history and how to get there, so see for yourself this iconic Gaudí building.

The famous Sagrada Família Barcelona, described as one of Gaudí’s most iconic and famous buildings. It sheers dominance over the skyline of Barcelona creates a sense of marvel today, just as it did as construction began over 140 years ago. The incredible magnitude of this basilica is a symbol not only of Gaudí, but of Barcelona and Catalunya. Today, more than ever, visitors come each year in their millions to view this unique historic landmark.

Antoni Gaudi & The Sagrada Familia

Born in Reus on the 25th of June 1852 Antoni Gaudí set out to become one of the world’s most distinct and ahead of his time architects. Gaudís father was a pot smith and Gaudí learned aspects of this trade from his father. In school Gaudí excelled at Geometry and arithmetic which no doubt helped him in the tasks ahead. The most important influence for Gaudi is nature, this influence, clearly seen in nearly all of Antoni Gaudís projects.

The most famous and visited attraction in Barcelona, is the Sagrada Família and is a masterpiece of modernist architect Antoni Gaudí which forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site as does several other Gaudí creations. Gaudí dedicated a remarkable 40 years of his life to the Sagrada Família project and as a religious man he was devoted to seeing its completion but famously said that his client (God) was not in rush. The last 12 years of Gaudís life was entirely dedicated to this project.

140 years in construction and still to be completed
Sagrada Familia Barcelona

Inside the Sagrada Familia Barcelona by Antoni Gaudi — Inside The Sagrada Familia Barcelona

The Sagrada Família, described as gothic, Catalan modernism or art nouveau. Its unique design still creates hot debate, with many finding this a unique masterpiece and other calling it hideous. The fact that this iconic landmark creates so much debate only adds to its appeal. An incredible 3 million people a year choose to visit Gaudís masterpiece. While the exterior may be breathtaking, the interior is almost magical. The unique Gaudí designed support columns branch out like trees and the central vault an incredible 60 meters of height. Visitors may be surprised to know that the Sagrada Família is still in construction. The current completion day currently set at 2026.

How to get to the Sagrada Familia Barcelona

Today you can visit this masterpiece of Gaudí by a simple entrance to the basilica. You can also choose one of many guided tours. To get to the Sagrada Família situated on the Carrer de la Marina you can get the metro lines 2 and 5 to Sagrada Família metro station which is directly opposite the basilica or arrive at the following buses 19, 33, 34, D50, H10 and B24.

Opening times are at the time of writing Monday – Saturday 9am – 6pm and Sundays 10:30am – 6pm. These times could change due to any special events taking place.

There will be long ques for entry during the summer months, so we recommend purchasing your tickets in advance for quick admission to the basilica. Dress code should be respectful as you will be visiting a historic religious building. There may be certain rules on using mobile phones, such as keeping on silent mode or recording videos.

OUR GUIDES TOP TIP

When visiting the Sagrada Família check the weather forecast. Why do this you ask? Well, it’s all to do with the projection of sunlight through the churches stained-glass windows. On a sunny and cloud free day, the natural sunlight at certain times of the day shines through the stained-glass window, creating a magical light spectacle within the interior of the church.