Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most popular cities in the world. No sense to describe it, so, as usual in such cases, we show our routes through the city. Believe me, it's difficult to create your route here.

Of all the major cities in Europe, which we visited, Barcelona is the most confusing. You will lost here without a good map and a good paper guidebook. Moreover, the map must be really good, otherwise you will not find anything in the old town. Here for example is one of the areas which you will definetely visit. Very easy to make wrong turn.

In total we spent 3 days in Barcelona. Of course we saw not all, but that is not a problem as we definetely will return here. Since we had four people, we lived in an apartment that can advise - Apartaments St. Jordi Comtal, 144 euros per night. If you think that this price is expensive, check hotel rates :)

In the subway buy a T10 ticket in the machine, it works for 10 trips (or 5 trips for 2 persons), it is the easiest and cheapest option.

So, our route:
Day 1 - Montjuïc, Barceloneta and Rambla
Day 2 - Park of the Citadel, Old city, Gothic Quarter, block of discord, Sagrada Familia
Day 3 - Park Guell, monastery of Montserrat

More clearly you can see the route on the map. In the old town we did not paint a detailed route, just marked this area.


Watch Barcelona on a larger map

Day 1

The route starts from the Plaça d'Espanya


We move along the territory of the former World Expo, pass the Magic Fountain in the direction of the National Museum of Art (http://www.museunacional.cat/ca?lan=003).






Then we went for a walk up the hill of Montjuic, where you can walk all day. The most visited place here is Spanish Village (http://www.poble-espanyol.com/). But we already visited many villages in Spain during the trip. On the cable car (Teleferico de Montjuïc) we went up to the fortress.






The top offers the best views of the port of Barcelona




From the fortress went down to another cable car, which leads to the port (Transbordador Aeri del Port). This cable car is definetely worth a visit.








Next, we continue to explore the area of Barceloneta. There are beaches here, as well as numerous narrow streets and lots of restaurants.








Catalonia currently (Sep 2014) is trying to hold a referendum about independence. That's why many windows have flags of Catalonia.


Next we walked around the harbor with yachts and crossed a very interesting bridge in the direction of the square with the monument to Columbus.


By the way, on every corner are automatic stations with bikes to rent.


The last place for today is Rambla, the main tourist street of the city.


Symbols of Rambla are the famous mimes




Virtually every house here is a work of art. The most interesting is the house with umbrellas.








Do not miss the cozy Plaza Real, which is 10 meters from the Rambla.




Near Plaza Catalunya, which is considered the center of the city, stands small Canaletes Fountain with drinking water. It's not popular with tourists, but from here begins Rambla and it is here Barcelona players are celebrating the victories.


Day 2

On the second day we got to the metro station Ciutadella / Vila Olímpica. Here is the entrance to the zoo. But we did not plan to visit it and went around the zoo along the cozy street to the entrance of Citadel park.




In the park of the Citadel there is one very beautiful and interesting place - Cascading fountain. The rest of the park is quite usual.




Old town begins directly near the park. There is simply no sense to say where to go and what to do. We just walked around and looked for beautiful streets, squares and courtyards.
















Protests against bullfighting


Sant Jaume Square


Cathedral of Barcelona


Street with ceramic tiles in every home.












After the Plaza Catalunya we went to the block of discord. Casa Batllo is possible to visit, but price is high (22 euro, http://www.casabatllo.es/en).




Next to Casa Mila (http://www.lapedrera.com/en/visitor-information), but it was under renovation, so we went to the Cathedral of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia), where we have been previously purchased tickets. On the way found another courtyard. There are a lot of such secret places in Barcelona.


Cathedral is gorgeous.








Rised up to the tower






Dined near the cathedral, just to wait for the evening lights




Then on the metro went to Diagonal station and walked along Passeig de Gràcia one more time. In the evening, this street is also beautiful.




Day 3

On this day, in the morning we went to Park Guell. We were there at 8 am, just before the opening.
















After that went to the monastery of Montserrat.

Useful links for Barcelona:
  - Cableways in Barcelona (from the port to Montjuïc and on Montjuïc).
  - http://www.eltiempo.es/barcelona.html - weather
  - Restaurants Fresc Co "buffet for 10-12 euros"
  - Tickets to the Cathedral of the Holy Family
  - Tickets to Park Guell
  - http://www.museocerabcn.com/ - wax museum
  - http://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/en/ - bus touristic
  - http://www.tibidabo.es/ - amusement park
  - http://www.zoobarcelona.cat/ - zoo
  - http://www.casamuseugaudi.org/ - Gaudi museum
  - Barcelona card
  - http://www.barcelonasegwaytour.com/en/ - segway tours

Bicycle rentals in Barcelona:
 - http://www.bornbikebarcelona.com/
 - http://www.bcnrentabike.com/
 - http://www.rentabikebarcelona.com/
 - http://www.rentabikebarcelona.com/
 - http://www.budgetbikes.eu/
 - http://www.deviantbikes.com/
 - http://e-bikerentbarcelona.com/
 - http://www.terradiversions.com/eng/
 - http://pedalsbarcelona.com/
 - http://www.planbikebarcelona.com/

Getting to Barcelona

The airport of Barcelona is located near the town, but a taxi is still cost at least 25 euros to the center. Near the exit of the terminal stand buses of the company http://www.aerobusbcn.com/, which make 4 stops: Plaça Espanya, Gran Via - Urgell, Plaça Universitat and Plaça Catalunya. The fastest and cheapest way is train RENFE R2 Nord, which goes to Sants (18 min), Passeig de Gràcia (24 min) and El Clot-Aragó (30 min).