In and Around Barcelona

Our Local Expert Says:

Although it's a massive tourist trap, Las Ramblas is a great place to shop for gifts. Check out the jewelry stands at the bottom of Las Ramblas, even locals buy things there.

Description:

Whether or not you've been to Barcelona, everyone's heard of Las Ramblas. One of the most renowned walkways in Europe and perhaps the world, this incredible stretch starts at el Colon (Christopher Columbus Statue) by the sea and extends all the way until Plaza Catalunya. Sprinkled with street vendors selling everything from fine jewelry to caged pigeons, the greatest attraction on Las Ramblas is the one of a kind street performers. Depicting the most innovative costumes it's possible to stare at a man sitting perfectly still on a toilet for as long as it takes until someone drops a Euro in his bucket and he makes a funny face. Overcrowded and a hot spot for pickpockets and prostitutes, Las Ramblas is still a definite must see if you're coming to Barcelona.

Our Local Expert Says:

Take note of the exceptionally narrow bed in the Casa Museu Gaudi, it's a wonder he was able to sleep on it.

Description:

Nestled in a ceramic mosaic wonderland, Antonio Gaudi spent most of his life with his niece, living in Casa Museu Gaudi,a building designed by his colleague Francesc Berenguer and situated in the mesmerizing Park Guell. From 1906-1926, Gaudi lived in this modernist building which is equipped with half a dozen rooms that are split between two floors. Casa Museum Gaudi is right in the middle of the park and today it has been converted into a museum. If you have an extra 4 Euros it's definitely worth a look inside as the entire place (on the inside) was furnished and designed by Gaudi himself. Gaudi's Casa is open daily from 10am-8pm and closed on Catalan holidays.

Description:

Next door to the Casa Amatller, Casa Batlló was designed by Gaudí in 1905, and is hands-down the superior of the three works in the manzana. Using sensuous curves in iron and stone and glittering, luminous trencadis (collage of broken tiles and ceramic) on the facade, the Casa Batlló is widely thought to represent the legend of Saint George (the patron saint of Catalonia) and his dragon. The balconies are protected by imposing skull-like formations and supported by vertebrae-like columns representing the dragon's victims, while the spectacular roof is the dragon's humped and glossy scaled back. St. George can be seen in the turret, his lance crowned by a cross. The building was opened to the public in 2004, and although its admission price is steep compared to many other Gaudí attractions, the interior of the building is no less spectacular than the exterior, with sinuous staircases, flowing wood paneling, and a stained-glass gallery supported by yet more bonelike columns. Custom-made Gaudí-designed furniture is scattered throughout.

Our Local Expert Says:

Check out Chiringuito 23 on the main Barceloneta beach. Great view, reasonably priced food and efficient, friendly service. Everyday after 4pm there's an original happy hour cocktail.

Description:

What used to be one of the dodgiest neighbourds in Barcelona, is now thriving with tourists, locals and all those who appreciate living by the sea. Barceloneta is a diamond in the rough as it posseses both that genuine barrio feel, while at the same time its home to some of the most delicious and well known touristy restaurants in the city. Visit the many seaside patios and chiringuitos for the must try Spanish paella and daytime sangria before hitting up the beach. A perfect place for Sunday strolls with the family, bike rides, surfing and kite surfing or ideal for just working on the tan, Barceloneta is never dull, especially between the months from May-September. The best time to make a beach appearance is in the morning, as it doesn't usually fill up until 1 pm when it often overflows with people. Barceloneta is also home to the Maritime Museum, the casino, as well as some of the most popular (and cheesy) night clubs the city has to offer. There's also a great little plaza across from the market equipped with ping pong tables and a small park for the kids.

Our Local Expert Says:

Check out, Tapas 24, a great tapas restaurant on Paseo de Gracia and Diputacio. There's always lineups so get there as early as possible. (before 2 to avoid the 2:30 lunch crowd)

Description:

The Champs-Elysees of Barcelona, Passeig de Gracia is the best place to go to do a little shopping, enjoy some entertaining people watching while sipping a café on an outdoor patio, or just a great place to stroll up from Placa Catalunya and into the Gracia neighbourhood. Showcasing popular names and brands such as, Louis Vitton, Gucci, Armand Bassi as well as trendy Spanish stores like Zara and Mango, Passeig de Gracia is one of Barcelona's chicest streets. Full of wide sidewalks, interesting people and tasty restaurants and tapas bars, Passeig de Gracia always has an energetic and exciting buzz. It is also one of the most easily accessible streets, as it's in the center of the city and has direct connection to most of the metro lines including the yellow and green lines. If you want to shop in 'peace' try to come during the week, as weekends are packed.

Description:

Founded in 1940, this old wine tavern is one of the more authentic options in this ritzy boulevard of franchised eateries. It specializes in Catalan sausage (botifarra), salamis, and cheeses. Wash them all down with vermut or inexpensive Spanish wines from the barrel. It's loud, no-nonsense, and a favorite with students.

Our Local Expert Says:

If you're a museum buff save money on entrance fees by buying the Articket at participating museum ticket offices, tourist information centers, or on-line at www.telentradas.com. It includes seven museums: Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, Fundació Caixa Catalunya, Fundació Joan Miró, Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Museu Picasso.

Description:

The Casa Milá is a fine example of Modernism, which is Cataluña's version of Art Nouveau. Organic and flowing with images of nature at every turn, this is one of Gaudí's many masterpieces. The sea comes to mind with the curving balconies perhaps lined with wrought iron kelp. The octagonal tiles inside forming starfish and other sea shapes are also used along Passeig de Gracia's sidewalk, the street on which the Casa Milá sits. The building is held up by pillars and not by supporting walls creating a greater flexibility in design especially in the façade's windows. The rooftop could be the icing on the cake with its chimneys shaped like medieval warriors with helmets on. Everything practical is turned into art. While the Casa Milá was one of Gaudí's last secular buildings, there are still inscriptions of Ave María in Latin demonstrating the architect's strong religious self.

Our Local Expert Says:

For everything and anything foreign, check out FNAC department store, right across from the Plaza. It contains all types electronic gadgets, magazines in all languages and also has a nice coffee shop below. Best to go early in the morning to avoid the crowds.

Description:

If coming to Barcelona, you have to frequent Placa Catalunya. One of, if not the most popular plaza in Barcelona, this 5000 meter square is the cross roads between where the old city and the new city meet. Sitting at the top of the Gotico and Raval and leading into the Eixample and Gracia neighbourhoods, Placa Catalunya is not only a landmark but a gathering point for locals and tourists alike. Hosting outdoor, free concerts and celebrations, Placa Catalunya is right next to El Corte Ingles, FNAC and an abundance of other popular shops and cafes. There's always something happening in the plaza, even if it's just hippies sitting and playing guitar while children run around screaming, it's never dull.

Description:

Gaudí's incomplete masterpiece is one of the city's more idiosyncratic creations -- if you have time to see only one Catalan landmark, you should make it this one. Begun in 1882 and incomplete at the architect's death in 1926, this incredible temple -- the Church of the Holy Family -- is a bizarre wonder. The languid, amorphous structure embodies the essence of Gaudí's style, which some have described as Art Nouveau run wild.

The Sagrada Família became Gaudí's all-encompassing obsession toward the last years of this intensely religious man's life. The commission came from the Josephines, a right-wing, highly pious faction of the Catholic Church. They were of the opinion that the decadent city needed an expiatory (atonement) temple where its inhabitants could go and do penance for their sins. Gaudí, whose view of Barcelona's supposed decadence largely mirrored that of the Josephines, by all accounts had a free hand; money was no object, nor was there a deadline. As Gaudí is known to have said, "My client [God] is in no hurry."

Literally dripping in symbolism, the Sagrada Família was conceived to be a "catechism in stone." The basic design followed that of a Gothic church, with transepts, aisles, and a central nave. Apart from the riot of stone carvings, the grandeur of the structure comes from the elongated towers: four above each of the three facades (representing the apostles) reaching 100m (329 ft.), with four more (the evangelists) shooting up from the central section at a lofty 170m (558 ft.). The words SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS, HOSANNA IN EXCELSIUS (Holy, Holy, Holy, Glory to God in the Highest) are written on these, further embellished with colorful geometric tilework. The last tower, being built over the apse, will be higher still and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is the two completed facades, however, that are the biggest crowd pleasers. The oldest, and the only one to be completed while the architect was alive, is the Nativity Facade on the Carrer Marina. So rich in detail, upon first glance it seems like a wall of molten wax. As the name suggests, the work represents the birth of Jesus; its entire expanse is crammed with figurines of the Holy Family, flute-bearing angels, and an abundance of flora and fauna. Nature was Gaudí's passion; he spent hours studying its forms in the countryside of his native Reus, south of Barcelona, and much of his work is inspired by nature. On the Nativity facade, he added birds, mushrooms, even a tortoise to go along with the rest of the religious imagery. The central piece is the "Tree of Life," a Cyprus tree scattered with nesting white doves.

On the opposite side, the Passion Facade is a harsh counterpart to the fluidity of the Nativity Facade. It is the work of Josep M. Subirachs, a well-known Catalan sculptor who, like Gaudí, has set up a workshop inside the church to complete his work. His highly stylized, elongated figures are of Christ's passion and death, from Last Supper to the Crucifixion. The work, started in 1952, has been highly criticized. In the book Barcelona, art critic Robert Hughes called it "the most blatant mass of half-digested moderniste clichés to be plunked on a notable building within living memory."

Despite his and dozens of other voices of dissent, work moves forward. In 1936, anarchists attacked the church (as they did many others in the city), destroying the plans and models Gaudí had left behind. The present architects, aided by modern technology, are working from photographs of those models. The central nave is starting to take shape and the Glory Facade is limping along. It is estimated that the whole thing will be completed by 2026 (the centenary of Gaudí's death), funded entirely by visitors and private donations.

Admission includes a 12-minute video on Gaudí's religious and secular works as well as entrance to the museum, where fascinating reconstructions of Gaudí's original models are on show.

Description:

Fried green tomatoes, fajitas, fresh salads and a range of Mediterranean dishes are what the menu offers in this colourful restaurant. It attracts the young and trendy in large numbers for drinks—try the house cocktail: Margarita Blue—and Mexican tapas, so you'll be lucky to find a free table. The music is good and the atmosphere is informal, friendly, romantic and stylish. Book a table, or go early and be prepared to wait.

Our Local Expert Says:

The dancing water fountain performance is one of Placa Espanya's biggest selling points. Best to be seen at night, this combination of dancing water, music and lights is an unforgettable experience. Night shows are only on Friday's and Saturday's from 7-9pm.

Description:

Situated at the foot of Montjuic, in the distric of Sants-Montjuic, lies Placa Espanya. One of Barcelona's most well known squares and designed by one of Gaudi's disciples, Placa Espanya is a great place to visit not only for its famous 'magic fountain' performance, but because of its close proximity to almost everything. It's just a short walk from the up and coming barrio, Poble Sec and is also walking distance to cool sites such as the National Art Museum of Catalonia, one of Spain's finest. Originally built in 1929 to be used for the Universal Exposition, today Placa Espanya is used by the public for all types of gatherings and events.

Description:

This little champagne bar, my favorite in Barcelona, has been operated by the same family since the 1930s. When the Picasso Museum opened nearby, its popularity was assured. On this ancient street, the tavern is adorned with colored tiles, antique curios, marble tables, and barrels. With your sparkling wine, you can order fresh anchovies in vinegar, impressively fat green olives, or other tapas. If you don't want the cava, you can order fresh cider at the old-fashioned zinc bar. Closed in August.

Our Local Expert Says:

To experience a little more of the local side, walk slightly off the beaten path and further into the garden. There's often groups of hippies chilling, playing guitar and hanging out in the sun. They always welcome visitors.

Description:

One of Barcelona's greatest attractions and one of the few that are absolutely free, is Gaudi's incredible Park Guell. Get anywhere near the Vallcarca stop on the green line and you'll see tourists lumped together, maps in hand, asking locals for Park 'Guay'. Designed and built by Gaudi between 1900 and 1914, this spectacular mix of garden, park and architectural dream is a small oasis within Barcelona. From the mosaic benches, to the meticulously tiled rooftops, Park Guell is both fascinating as it is serene. One of the best places to spend a sunny day, the park is a great place to listen to music, enjoy a few copas of vino or just relax with a good book.

Description:

Pep Manubens, the owner, greets customers from behind the bar, where he delights them with amazing fish and seafood dishes that are very well presented. Simple, yet hearty dishes are cooked there and then in front of the customer. When ordering a drink, it is best to ask for Pep's recommendation. The wine list is vast and the choice goes from famous labels to original vintage wines. There are not many tables to eat at, but the real pleasure is trying the food at the bar. A well-managed restaurant, with friendly service indeed!

Description:

This music club hosts a range of live concerts and DJ sets featuring both local and international artists. From indie rock to techno pop, there is sure to be something that gets you moving. Plus, the club does not close down between concerts, so you can continue to party while you wait for the next set. There are several rooms within the space that offer guests the chance to pick their ideal ambiance - and you can even head to their Irish pub for a taste of Guinness.

Our Local Expert Says:

On Paseo Del Born there's a few great tapas bars where all you have to do is buy a drink and you eat for free. Best to arrive before 9pm, as most places stop serving at 10pm and all the good food usually comes out between 6-8pm.

Description:

Combine gourmet food and Catalan culture on a pre-dinner walking tour of Barcelona's famous tapas bars. It's a great way to begin your visit of Barcelona – not only do you get an overview of this fabulous city, you also learn how to order tapas (bar snacks) and discover some of the best bars and cafes Barcelona has to offer. Plus, your friendly, informative guide can offer suggestions to help you get the most from your stay in Barcelona.

Your tapas walking tour of Barcelona begins at a restaurant offering a wide selection of local, delectable tapas. Here you will enjoy three tapas with a glass of wine or beer, while your food and wine guide provides insights into the flavors of the wine, the cuisine and Spanish culture.

From here your guide will lead you to Barcelona's most famous street, La Rambla, with its bird cages, tapas bars and local restaurants. On your stroll down La Rambla you will make a detour to La Boqueria, the city's famous food market which offers an array of fresh produce including fruit and vegetables, live seafood, cheeses and every type of meat imaginable.

You'll continue to the Gothic Quarter, where you will discover the architecture, atmosphere, language and gastronomy that are unique to Spain, and some of the gourmet shops which are over 100 years old.

Your last stop will be at a Basque bar in a historic 14th-century building, an ideal spot to take a break on your trip through the Gothic Quarter. Here three tasty tapas and a glass of wine, beer or cider will be waiting for you.

Description:

This street runs from Carrer Ferran to Carrer Ample, and is very typical of an old town street, with lots of places to eat, drink and socialize with the hoards of young people that populate them. Picasso found the inspiration to paint his famous Las señoritas de Aviñón in a brothel located here, too; the painting does not refer to the French town, as people often assume. It is an agreeable place for a late-afternoon stroll; it still maintains all the charm it once had centuries ago.

Our Local Expert Says:

There are a couple of ice cream parlors on this street which can save you on a hot day.

Description:

Extending from the Liceu on the Ramblas to Plaça Sant Jaume, this is where Saint James' Church was constructed in the fourteenth century, on the site of an ancient synagogue. Today only the facade of this church remains, the rest of the building dates from the XVI and XVII centuries. The rest of the buildings on the street are from later periods. It has been changed to a walking street, making it much more pleasurable to stroll along. There are a lot of shops and cafés here as well - check out the grocers' shops that still have wonderful display windows like in past.

Description:

A typical old-fashioned Madrid tavern that serves a wide range of home-produced and imported beers, along with over 100 different varieties of wine. All the usual tapas and raciones (larger portion) feature on the menu. The interior is all decorated in aged wood, but the clientele are mainly youngsters.

Description:

Just follow the ruins of the Roman wall to get to this little hotel. The impressive view of the wall is one of the hotel's strong points, along with the friendly service. The fading elegance of the early 20th-century building gives it character, too. The external appearance is misleading, however, as the interior has been totally renovated and all bedrooms have full bathrooms. The hotel is just a few steps from Via Laietana, which is the main street connecting the old part of town to the port area. It is, therefore, quite noisy.

Description:

This pride of the Born District is the business venture of Carles Abellan. A restaurant-cum-tapas bar, the venue also serves certain Asian, American and Italian specialties. There are three distinct seating areas, but the tall pillars, high ceiling, spotlights and yellow tone run through the whole interior. Besides delectable drinks, the bar with its individual table-space also features cold dishes prepared right in front of you. The dining section accommodates around 40 people and can be rented for private events. A visit here is a must; make sure to reserve a table in advance.

Description:

On any given day, one of the most popular questions to be asked while strolling around Barcelona is: Where can I find the Cathedral? One of the most poignant landmarks in the city, this Romanesque architectural vision, is located in the Gothic Quarter (barrio Gotico) of Barcelona and attracts streams of tourists day and night. The Cathedral has been reformed and rebuilt several times and when looking closely it's easy to see the architectural differences from across the centuries. In addition to the Cathedral, the Gotico has a host of incredible Gothic style buildings, small quaint squares and of course the Picasso Museum.

Description:

Five medieval mansions on this street contain this museum of the work of Pablo Picasso (1881-1973). The bulk of the art was donated by Jaume Sabartés y Gual, a lifelong friend of the artist. Although born in Malaga, Picasso moved to the Catalan capital in 1895 after his father was awarded a teaching job at the city's Fine Arts Academy in La Llotja. The family settled in the Calle Merce and when Picasso was a bit older, he moved to the Nou de Les Ramblas in the Barrio Chino. Although he left Spain for good at the outbreak of the Civil War -- and refused to return while Franco was in power -- he was particularly fond of Barcelona, where he spent his formative years painting its seedier side and hanging around with the city's bohemians. As a sign of his love for the city, and adding to Sabartés enormous bequest, Picasso donated some 2,500 of his paintings, engravings, and drawings to the museum in 1970. All of these were executed in his youth (in fact, some of the paintings were done when he was only 9), and the collection is particularly strong on his Blue and Rose Periods. Many works show the artist's debt to van Gogh, El Greco, and Rembrandt.

The highlight of the collection is undoubtedly Las Meninas, a series of 59 interpretations of Velázquez's masterpiece. Another key work is The Harlequin, a painting clearly influenced by the time the artist spent with the Ballet Russes in Paris. It was his first bequest to Barcelona. In addition to the key works here, many visitors are transfixed by his notebooks containing dozens of sketches of Barcelona street scenes and characters -- proof of his extraordinary and often overlooked drawing talents. Because the works are arranged in rough chronological order, you can get a wonderful sense of Picasso's development and watch as he discovered a trend or had a new idea, mastered it, grew bored with it, and then was off to something new. You'll learn that Picasso was a master portraitist and did many traditional representational works before his flights of fancy took off. The exhibits in the final section ("The Last Years") were donated by his widow Jacqueline and include ceramic and little-known collage work.

Description:

One of the most well known Tapas joints in the city,  Tapas 24 features high quality food with a greasy flare. Their menu is diverse with a variety of Spanish, Catalan and Mediterranean options. The restaurant itself is tiny with a few outdoor tables on the patio, ideal during summer and heated in the winter. You can't make reservations and the place is always packed so it's best to go early especially on weekends.

Our Local Expert Says:

Sitges boasts some of the most beautiful beaches along the coast. Head to the far right to avoid mass amounts of tourists and crowds. The beaches are usually wider and less packed over there.

Description:

Visit three outstanding attractions on a full-day trip from Barcelona. You'll tour the famous Torres Winery, ride the rack railway to the top of Montserrat, pay a visit to Montserrat Monastery and relax by the beach at colorful Sitges. Best of all, this is a partially guided tour and you will have plenty of time to spend at your leisure at each attraction.

First stop is the Torres Winery (Bodegas Torres), where you will take a tour to find out how Spanish wine is made. Then you'll continue to the Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat, founded in the 11th century. The Montserrat mountains provide a mystical backdrop for the Virgin of Montserrat, the patron saint of Catalonia, who is worshiped at the shrine in the monastery's Royal Basilica.

While at Montserrat, you'll ride to the top of the mountain on the rack railway for panoramic views, and enjoy the monastery's audiovisual presentation, Montserrat portes endins (history of Montserrat).

Next you'll travel to cosmopolitan Sitges, which was a meeting place for Modernist writers, musicians, critics, sculptors and painters in the 1980s, and was called the Mecca of Modernism.

At Sitges you can relax on the beach, stroll along the promenade and spend some time shopping. Your ticket includes discounts at numerous shops, restaurants and places of interest in Sitges.

Description:

Managed by the Ritz-Carlton chain, this hotel occupies 33 floors of one of the tallest buildings in Spain, and one of Barcelona's landmark skyscrapers. It lies about 2.5km (1.6 miles) southwest of Barcelona's historic core, facing the sea and the Olympic Village. Planned as a key project of the 1992 Olympic Games (but not finished on time), the Arts wore the luxury hotel mantle and remained the shining example of "New Barcelona" for over a decade. All its rooms have recently been renovated and new amenities such as a luxury spa added. Privileged clients flock here for the incredible skyline and the Mediterranean views, club rooms with their open bars and free snacks, state-of-the-art executive suites, Aqua de Parma toiletries, and a million other details that make this hotel top of its class. Its decor is contemporary and elegant. The spacious, well-equipped guest rooms have built-in furnishings, generous desk space, and large, sumptuous beds, flatscreen TVs, DVD players, and B&O sound systems. (Four units are equipped for guests with disabilities). Clad in pink marble, the deluxe bathrooms have fluffy robes, Belgian towels, dual basins, and phones. The hotel features the city's only beachside pool -- overlooking Frank Gehry's bronze Peix (fish) sculpture -- and its new in-house bars and restaurants, such as Arola, are jump-starting nightlife into the neglected Olympic Marina. The young staff is polite and hardworking, the product of Ritz-Carlton training.

Our Local Expert Says:

You have plenty of options to soak or swim. There's a lap pool, a pool to take a dip, a hot tub, and on top of that a sauna.

Description:

The Barcelona Princess hotel is perfectly located in central Barcelona next door to the Convention Centre, 24 kilometres from El Prat International Airport. Four kilometres away is Las Ramblas, where guests can enjoy street theatre, cafés and shopping. The Picasso Museum and the Gothic Quarter are both two kilometres away from the hotel. Guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities along the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea, just 600 meters from the Barcelona Princess. The cities integrated bus and metro systems provide inexpensive and efficient ways to reach other interesting sites.
Guests at the hotel can keep up with their workout routines in the fitness centre, and relax in the steam room, sauna or hot tub.
Two outdoor heated pools offer guests opportunities to swim or relax in a lounge chair with a drink from the poolside bar. Business travellers will appreciate the hotels business centre and complimentary high-speed Internet access. The main restaurant at the Barcelona Princess serves local and international dishes, buffet-style, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The restaurant features modern décor, glass walls and views over Barcelona. Guests can enjoy a variety drinks, snacks, continental breakfasts and stunning views of the city at the hotels bar.
Air-conditioned, contemporary-styled guestrooms feature high-speed Internet access, direct-dial telephones, minibars and complimentary bottled water. Premium bedding, slippers, bathrobes and hydro massage showers help guests feel right at home.
The Barcelona Princess hotel is an ideal choice for guests who want upscale comfort and convenience in centre of Barcelona.

Our Local Expert Says:

Interior rooms are quiet, exterior rooms have windows overlooking the entertaining street.

Description:

Located in between Plaza Espanya and the University, the innovative and minimalist Hotel Soho, designed by Alfredo Arribas, gives its guests the privileged opportunity to get to know Barcelona from the heart of the Eixample.

The hotel welcomes guests with a fabulous glass-paneled lobby, and features 51 rooms, an outdoor pool on the terrace with incredible panoramic views of Gran Vía, a Media Center with free ADSL Internet access, a mezzanine with terrace on the first floor, free wireless Internet access throughout the building, and private parking with a special discount for hotel guests.

Among the many tourist destinations within walking distance are some of Barcelona's most cherished landmarks: Plaza Catalunya, the Passeig de Gracia, la Rambla, the Gothic neighborhood and cathedral, as well as some of Gaudí's most famous buildings, the Pedrera and Casa Batlló. Multiple forms of public transportation accessible from the hotel can take you across the city and to other popular destinations in minutes.

Description:

The mountain of Tibidabo has been a popular retreat for Barcelonese since 1868, when a road was built connecting it to the city. You arrive there on the creaky old funicular -- or less dramatically by bus -- to find yourself confronted by an amusement park that combines tradition with modernity. In summer, the place takes on a carnival-like atmosphere, and most of the credit for this can go to a wealthy pill manufacturer by the name of Dr. Andreu who believed (quite sensibly) that fresh, mountain air was good for your health. He created the Sociedad Anónima de Tibidabo, which promoted the slopes as a public garden and was instrumental in installing both the blue tram and aforementioned funicular which get you there. Some of the attractions in the park date back from Andreu's time. L'Avio, for example, is a quaint replica of the first plane that served the Barcelona-Madrid route. In the Tibidabo version, you are treated to a whisk over the summit in a toy-like craft suspended from a central axis. Another dated attraction designed to scare you out of your wits is Aeromàgic, an exhilarating mountain ride which is greatly enhanced by the elevated position of the park itself. On a more relaxed level you can also visit a charming museum of period automatons.

The church next to the amusement park is Temple de Sagrat Cor, an ugly and highly kitschy building dating from 1902 that was meant to provide Barcelona with its own Sacré Coeur. Its distinctive mountaintop silhouette can be seen from all over the city.

Description:

Barcelona's most formal park is also the one most steeped in history. The area was formerly a loathed citadel, built by Phillip V after he won the War of the Spanish Succession (Barcelona was on the losing side). He ordered that the "traitorous" residential suburb be leveled. Between 1715 and 1718, over 60 streets and residences were torn down to make way for the structure, without any compensation to the owners (although many were relocated to the neighborhood of Barceloneta). It never really functioned as a citadel, but was used as a political prison during subsequent uprisings and occupations. Once the decision to pull down the old city walls was made in 1858, the government decided that the citadel should go, too. Work on the park began in 1872, and in 1887 and 1888 the World's Fair was held on its grounds, with the nearby Arc de Triomf serving as the event's grandiose main entrance.

Today lakes, gardens, and promenades fill most of the park, which also holds a zoo . Gaudí contributed to the monumental, Italianate fountain in the park when he was a student; the lampposts are also his. Other highlights include the Hivernacle, an elegant, English-style hothouse with an adjacent cafe and the unusual Umbracle, a glasshouse that contains no glass but whose facades are of bare brick with wooden louvers. Both these structures are on the Passeig de Picasso flank of the park. On the opposite side bordering Calle Wellington is the old arsenal, which now accommodates the parliament of Catalonia.

Our Local Expert Says:

Explore new bars that are slightly less touristy yet very trendy in the Raval. Check out the Betty Ford Bar, where everyone goes to see and be seen. But get there before 10 or you'll be standing all night.

Description:

One of the most controversial, yet interesting places to visit in Barcelona, is the Raval. It is said that in ten years the Raval will be one of the most desirable barrios to live in and over the past few years it has made great strides in 'cleaning up its act.' Once known as the city's 'red-light distrcit', since 1988 the government has invested a lot of money into urban regeneration projects making the area both modern and safer. Full of life, the Raval is one of Barcelona's most authentic and vibrant neighbourhoods as it's filled with tons of cafes, bars and restaurants. The Raval is also home to the very popular MACBA (museum of modern art) and CCCB, the exhibition center next to it, where one can see young Catalan skaters practicing on their boards in the square almost any time of day. Centrally located, the Ravel is right beside Las Ramblas and is walking distance from the Gotico, the beach and Placa Catalunya.

Our Local Expert Says:

Head to the back of the Olympic Stadium and check out the Galeria Olimpica where you'll find a great narration with videos, posters and images showing the history of the Olympic Games in 1992.

Description:

Home to some of the greatest football matches, rock concerts, festivals and most importantly, the main attraction for the 1992 Summer Olympics, Estadi Olympic de Montjuic (Olympic Stadium), has become a center piece for Barcelona events. With a capacity of 56, 000, Olympic Stadium has played host to RCD Espanyol since 1998, the Barcelona Dragons American Football Team and has seen rock icons such as Bruce Springstein, The Rolling Stones, Tina Turner, Guns n' Roses, Madonna and Bon Jovi grace its stage. Even if you're not in town for a specific concert or event, it's worth just passing by this monstrous building which is located in the Anella Olimpica on Montjuic, as the view overlooks the harbour and is quite spectacular.

Description:

The Born goes from the apse of Santa Maria del Mar Church up to the market and is where the legendary jousting matches of the Middle Ages took place, as well as numerous fairs and marches. This is also where men were knighted. However, in the 18th Century the Ribera area went into decline and the mansions that use to line the avenue began to disappear, one by one. The only one left is at number 17, and you can still see the 14th-century Gothic façade. Nowadays the area is positively packed with stylish bars and restaurants and is a favorite haunt for locals.

Description:

This neighborhood was a town in its own right until it was swallowed up by Barcelona in 1897. The streets are narrow and winding, with little squares dotted here and there. The buildings are low-rise, which shows how old they are (compare them to those anywhere else in Barcelona). One of Gaudí's first works can be found here, Casa Vicens (1883-88), on Carrer Carolines. It's a very lively area with lots of bars and street life. There are numerous theatres, cinemas and cultural centres as well as good vegetarian restaurants and health-food stores. The August festival is a major event in the city.

Description:

The name of this place is the abbreviation of the Catalan quasi queviures, which means 'almost provisions'. It is a clever mixture of a tapas bar and deli; you access the bar through the shop. The shop is specialized in cheeses, cooked pork and sausages and other delightful products, which give you a good clue of what you are to expect at the bar. At the bar you can have omelettes, toast, Russian salad and freshly made dishes. Their patatas bravas and Iberian sausages are superb.

Description:

This establishment is named after the butler of Tintin and Captain Haddock, the famous characters of Hergé comics. This joint is an ideal spot for Hergé's comic fans, because the ambience and the decoration are centerd on objects connected with stories of Tintin comics. The bar is spacious and warm lighting and wooden tables and sofas help make the the clientele comfortable. The music is from the 1980s and cocktails are the speciality of this bar