- Barcelona parks and gardens
- Religious buildings
- Barcelona landmarks
- Theatrical program
- Barcelona for kids
- Note to shopaholics
- Delicious points on the map
Encyclopedic sources report that Barcelona is not only the largest commercial and industrial center in Spain, but also one of the most popular routes among tourists from all over the world. Fans of the architectural heritage of Gaudí, gourmets of all ages, football fans who are passionate about Barça, and adherents of active family holidays are honored with their attention. The capital of the Mediterranean Union is another well-deserved title of the main city of Catalonia, whose port first appeared on the world map 2,000 years ago. In short, the question of where to go in Barcelona can be easily answered by any traveler who is looking forward to packing his bags and waiting for his flight to the capital of Catalonia and all Spanish tourism.
Barcelona parks and gardens
The most famous park in Spain in the heart of Barcelona is always full of tourists. The green area of Guel is famous for Gaudí's masterpieces, built by the great architect at the beginning of the twentieth century. At the entrance, visitors are greeted by gingerbread houses, the roofs of which resemble gingerbread cookies covered with sweet glaze. A mosaic bench decorated with broken tiles surrounds a huge terrace, and the vaults of a hall with dozens of columns inscribed on a hillside are inlaid with bottles from perfume bottles.
The green Tibidabo hill, like huge lungs, fills Barcelona with fresh air, and its visitors - with peace. Tibidabo offers panoramic views of the Catalan capital, and everyone who decides to spend an active day in nature is offered the opportunity to get acquainted with the most interesting basilica on the mountain and take part in the experiments of the CosmoCaixa natural science museum. An amusement park is open on Tibidabo, where the whole day flies unnoticed by rides of various properties.
Horta Labyrinth is the oldest botanical garden in Barcelona. He "lit up" in the film "Perfumer", having watched which, the world learned about a living green labyrinth with a statue of the god Eros in the center. In addition to the intricate paths in the garden, you will find fountains, waterfalls and plants of rare species, and in summer, outdoor music performances take place.
Religious buildings
Among all Barcelona attractions of a religious nature, the most famous long-term construction of the planet - the Sagrada Familia - stands out. The author of her project was the great Gaudi, but even after his death, the temple remains unfinished. Somewhat overshadowing other churches by its own grandeur, Sagrada Familia is the first to attract the attention of a tourist. However, having enjoyed the majestic spectacle, guests of the city pay attention to other religious buildings, which are worth going to, once in Barcelona.
The main facade of the cathedral of the Catalan capital overlooks the square de la Seu. The temple is a magnificent example of the Gothic architectural style. Its construction lasted from 1298 to 1420, when the cathedral was consecrated in honor of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia. The symbol of the purity of thoughts and the life of the saint was and remains the white geese living in the chapel at the temple.
At the top of the Tibidado hill stands another neo-Gothic temple, called the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Christ. The basilica is an unusual structure: the author of the project, architect Enrique Sagnier, put two churches on top of each other. Climbing to the terrace, and then to the base of the upper dome of the basilica, you can look at Barcelona from half a kilometer in height and admire the panorama of the city and the sea.
Barcelona landmarks
In the capital of Catalonia, there is a huge number of architectural monuments, museums and other attractions, for the sake of which millions of tourists come to the city every year:
- On the Rambla you will find the 19th century Canaletes drinking fountain. and the temple of the Bethlehem Mother of God, built two centuries earlier; the Palace of the Viceroy and the Liceu Opera House; the monument to the discoverer of the New World Christopher Columbus and the sidewalk on the Plaza del Os, decorated with mosaics by Joan Miró.
- Antoni Gaudí's list of creations is not limited to the Sagrada Familia. In Barcelona, you can go to Park Guel, where Gaudí created several pavilions and mansions, as well as admire the famous houses - Mila with fancy balcony gratings and Batlló with a "dancing" facade and colorful mosaics.
- In the Gothic Quarter, your attention will certainly be drawn to the Royal Square with its neoclassical mansions, the Black Cat cabaret, which was frequented by Picasso himself, and the ruins of the palace of Octavian Augustus, built a couple of millennia ago.
The city's museums can be added to the list of places to visit in Barcelona. The collections collected in them are able to compete with those in the capital.
For example, in the Egyptian Museum, founded by Jordi Clos, the public is presented with a collection of artifacts that once belonged to the pharaohs and priests. You will see sarcophagi and ancient papyri, masks and jewelry, cult items and household items of the Egyptians.
The museum on the grounds of the Pedralbes monastery exhibits picturesque masterpieces by medieval and Renaissance artists.
The collection in the Museum of Textiles and the History of Costume will seem interesting not only to the fair sex. The process of the appearance and evolution of accessories is exciting and a strong half of humanity.
Still, men will love the Barcelona Football Club Museum. The halls display all the awards of the legendary Barça, jerseys and boots of famous team members and videos of goals scored by players in world championships.
Theatrical program
If you understand Spanish and love theater, Barcelona has a lot to offer with Catalan troupes playing.
The basis of the repertoire of the National Theater of Catalonia is Spanish drama and, a little less often, world classics. On small stages, of which there are several in the theater, you can watch black and white films or modernist performances.
The troupe of the Lliur theater prefers its own interpretation of classical plays, and therefore its performances often perplex the viewer accustomed to strict canons of drama. At Lliur, you can listen to classical music concerts and watch dance performances by a renowned troupe that promotes contemporary choreography.
Barcelona for kids
The capital of Catalonia is ideal for families and young tourists will surely remember their Barcelona holidays. To begin with, you should go to the Aquarium, where an 80-meter glass tunnel with sharks and rays is laid through the water column. Smaller fish splash in mini-aquariums, and in total 14 ecosystems have been reproduced in the marine center, representing different climatic zones and seas of the planet.
The second popular place to go with children in Barcelona is the city zoo. Dolphin shows are regularly held there, and all the inhabitants of the park live in spacious open-air cages that optimally correspond to the natural habitat of animals.
The Chocolate Museum was founded by the confectioners' guild, placing the exhibition in a former convent. The austere walls did not prevent the sweet story from being realized: after examining the collection, you will learn absolutely everything about the process of making chocolate! After the excursion, the kid can be pleased with gatherings in the museum cafe, where the exhibits turn into delicacies.
After all the children's trails in the Catalan capital, head to Port Aventura, the country's largest amusement park. The road will take about two hours, but the time spent will more than pay off with a sea of delight and positive emotions.
Note to shopaholics
The popular department store El Corte Ingles has several branches in Barcelona in different parts of the city. You can go to any of them if you need high-quality clothing from European brands. Especially fashionable brands are represented in pompous boutiques on Boulevard de Gràcia, and Spanish fashion products on the Rambla de Catalunya.
Another large shopping center Bulevard Rosa is a concentration of expensive brands and goods in the “expensive-rich” style. In the Maremagnum near the Columbus monument, on the contrary, interesting things are presented at affordable prices.
A wide selection of gastronomic delicacies awaits the tourist at the Boqueria grocery market, which has existed on the square of the same name since at least the 13th century. In the Boqueria shopping arcade you will find the best Iberian jamon, fresh olive oil and excellent Spanish cheeses.
Delicious points on the map
The cult of food is about Barcelona and you definitely cannot stay hungry in the city of the world's best paella. Where to go for dinner to get a lot of positive impressions? There are addresses that are passed on to each other by experienced travelers with wishes of bon appetit:
- If you've dreamed of trying a blue oyster soup called The Sea Within, Michelin-starred Alkimia is for you. The chef is young but very ambitious in his quest to achieve fame, which is very beneficial for the cuisine and the status of the restaurant.
- Another signature cuisine with a nautical touch is offered to guests at the Enoteca at the Arts Hotel. The special advantage of the restaurant is sea urchin dishes and a menu based on white truffle. The seasoning is the panoramic view of Barcelona.
- Where to experience traditional and simple Catalan food? Try to book a table at Llamber in the Born district. The popularity of this restaurant among local residents is a clear sign that they love and know how to cook in it.
By the way, queues at a restaurant are quite frequent in Barcelona. If you come across a similar institution on your way and not only tourists, but also the Catalans themselves, crowd in front of the entrance, be sure that you can look further, but you should not waste precious time on this.
