Things To Do In Barcelona

There are few cities in Mediterranean Europe as rich in historical and cultural attractions as Barcelona. It’s a delightful city to explore on foot and boasts a unique character typified by the bizarre architecture of the eccentric Antonio Gaudi and the world’s most famous pedestrian street; Las Ramblas. With famous former residents such as Picasso and Dali, the city also has some wonderful museums and galleries. It’s also a city of parks, waterfronts and sweeping squares which are attractions in themselves.

Las Ramblas and the Barri Gotic quarter

Las Ramblas and the Barri Gòtic quarter: Barcelona’s ancient quarter is full of cobbled lanes and medieval buildings and is bisected by Las Ramblas, known throughout the world for its congregation of people, artists, buskers and restaurants. The Barri Gòtic area has several notable buildings but the Cathedral is the most famous. The Museu d’Història de la Ciutat is very worthwhile and occupies several Gothic buildings around the Placa del Rei – the palace of the medieval monarchs of Aragón. There is also a good subterranean walk as an introduction to the city’s Roman and Visigoth past. The Barri Gòtic is also a convenient place to sample local paella and tapas, while Las Ramblas is brilliant for people watching or simply ambling along.

Port Vell

Port Vell: at the lower end of Las Ramblas is a statue of Christopher Columbus and beyond that, the modern Port Vell which was re-developed for the Olympics and features trendy restaurants and boutiques and a small marina. Adjacent to this is Platja de Sant Sebastià – Barcelona’s principal beach and a great place for sunning yourself.

Placa de Catalunya

Placa de Catalunya: this is the heart of Barcelona where you’ll find some of the city’s most prestigious and modern shops. It’s easily reachable on foot from Las Ramblas and this enormous square serves as a transport hub.

Mont Juic

Mont Juic affords spectacular views of Barcelona from all sides and is the site of the main facilities that served the 1992 Olympic Games. The original stadium pool and gymnastic complex are set among pretty parks. This old district at its base is home to the luminous Gaieta Buigas fountain stretching down the boulevard from Espanya. It is here where you will find the best selection of the fine art galleries, leisure attractions and parks. The Museum Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is also located here.

The Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila

The Sagrada Familia and Casa Mila: these two highlights of Barcelona, which are perhaps the most distinctive of the city’s landmarks, are the creation of the eccentric genius of architect Antonio Gaudi. The Sagrada Familia is a breathtaking unfinished cathedral with soaring spires and complex symbolism. The unusual colours, shapes and unconventional appearance of Casa Mila is even more typical of Gaudi’s bizarre creations that are dotted about the city. But these are the two most famous and are located on or near Passeig de Gràcia area along with several other modernist creations.

Parc Guell

Parc Guëll is another strange but beautiful Gaudi legacy that blends unusual materials and form into the natural surroundings of a park located against the hills that form a backdrop to the city. Mosaic lizards and enchanting fairy tale-like villas (including one that the master himself retired to – now converted to a museum) make the trip out here worthwhile, as do the views.

Montserrat Monastery

Located in the stunning bolder strewn craggy mountains west of Barcelona, this remote monastery sits impossibly on a mountainside and would have been a very inaccessible retreat for Gregorian monks until a cable car brought thousands of day trippers. Photographers will be particularly keen on the spectacular setting it enjoys.

Museums

Barcelona is also noted for its fantastic museums and most of these are found in La Ribera, east of the Barri Gòtic area. The Picasso museum is the most popular and the medieval stone mansions on Carrer de Montcada in which it is located are worth admiring.  The Museu de Geologia is the oldest of Barcelona’s museums with an extensive display of rocks, minerals and European fossils dating back 120 million years. Of interest to others might be the Castell de Mont Juïc, a military museum in a large castle that is situated at the top of Mont Juïc hill. The Fundacio Jean Miro is full of modern art for discerning experts and several museums dedicated to the work of Gaudi can be found at the various sites of his work. There are three Dali Museums – another of Barcelona’s famous ‘offspring’. Although these compete with similar collections in Paris and London, they none-the-less reveal plenty about this eccentric character.