Friday, October 20, 2006
Spain!
Welcome to the
Barcelona Travel Guide
Barcelona is one of the nicest cities to visit. Its museums, theaters, art galleries and nightlife are of an impressive high standard. Besides that, this art and design centre has a lot of interesting sights to offer to its visitors. The best place to watch people go by, to stroll or simply relax, is 'Las Ramblas', a pedestrian street with dozens of outdoor cafes. Here, you’ll find flower-stands, book kiosks and small market stalls where they sell birds and small animals. You’ll also find an endlessly fascinating flowing receptacle of pageant-jugglers, singers, dancers, puppeteers, sidewalk artists, living statues and assorted oddballs on parade. Nearby is 'Plaça Real', with plenty of bars and restaurants, and 'Palau Guell', built by the Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudí in his undulating art-nouveau style. After having seen these sights, stroll the narrow winding streets of the 'Barri Gotic', the medieval Gothic quarter full of interesting tapas bars and cafes. Check out Picasso’s old hangout, 'Els Quatre Gats', which has been renovated without losing its bohemian charm. Or head for the old Barceloneta section on the waterfront. This working-class area, which was always slightly rundown and scruffy-looking, is now packed with paella restaurants. The new beach area, which runs from Barceloneta to the Olympic village, is much cleaner than the old beach area. Although some people believe that it has been cleaned up considerably, it might be a wise idea to stay out of the water. Fortunately, the beach itself is already a feast for the eyes (and ears), with its huge and roaring waves. Catalans are known for their independent spirit and their sense of humour. Salvador Dali was a Catalan and his bizarre sense of humour is just one example of the region’s endearing weirdness. Spring is the best time to visit Barcelona, you can expect a temperature of round and about 20 degrees. During summer, it can get very hot (about 35 degrees) and crowded (because of the cultural events). Barcelona will be as expensive as you want it to be. Attention: Barcelona is pretty rich and so prices are much higher than somewhere else in Spain. Still, restaurants are relatively cheap (at lunch time you can find a two course meal and desert for 7-9€) and for a hotel, three meals and a night out, count on some 145 Euro for two persons.
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Check out www.justspain.org :) I'm reading off it now... it's got lots of info on it! haha.. check this line: "In summer , the city can be unbearably hot and humid with temperatures averaging 28°C." heheheheh. DOTS. the site also has some maps to use :)
Best of Barcelona
Bars of the Old Town
Enjoy a drink or some tapas in an atmospheric fin de siècle bar.
Las Ramblas
A stroll down Barcelona's famous thoroughfare is a must for both tourists and locals alike.
Montjuïc
The largest open space in the city, with a host of fascinating museums and the impressive buildings from the 1992 Olympics.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Barcelona's favourite park and a Sunday afternoon rendezvous for families, friends and ducks.
Modernisme
The spectacular modernista creations dotted around the city by the architect genius Antoni Gaudí and his contemporaries.
Camp Nou
Home of F.C. Barcelona, one of Europe's premier sides with a cabinet full of trophies to prove it.
The Seu cathedral
Built from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries on the site of a Roman temple, La Seu is one of the great Gothic buildings in Spain.
Boqueria Market
This cavernous iron and glass market in the city centre, filled with fresh produce and colourful characters, is the perfect place to get picnic provisions.
Barri Gòtic
The Barri Gòtic's evocative narrow streets were the centre of Barcelona's medieval prosperity and are now home to much of the city's nightlife.
The Sardana
Traditional Catalan dance, performed weekly outside the cathedral and at national festivals, with everyone encouraged to join in.
