Two days of Musica

Description:

Recently renovated as a part of the city's historical heritage, Raco Del Pi sits in the Gothic Quarter among hip coffee shops, ancient cathedrals and a maze of winding cobblestone roads. Beautifully designed tile bathroom walls, wood floors, and comfortable furniture provide a clean, relaxing atmosphere. With the subway a few blocks away, and the airport just a twenty-minute ride, it is easy to maneuver around the city. Between the elegant restaurant, bar, and lounges, which are equipped with computers and telephones, all of the necessary services are provided.

Description:

A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, this concert hall welcomes an estimated 500,000 people a year to over 300 musical performances of various types: symphony, chamber, choral, instrumental, jazz and flamenco. It's also used for social functions and conferences. Leaders of the Orfeó Català choral society commissioned modernist architect Lluís Domenec i Muntaner to design the building in 1891. He gave free rein to his creative imagination, and the result is a masterpiece. The concert hall seats 1,970 people, it's perfectly proportioned and the acoustics are exceptionally good. The stunning interior decor changes continually according to the amount of light that streams through the huge skylight and the stained-glass windows.

Description:

In the 10th century, the Islamic population of Barcelona was banished from the city and sent outside the city walls, to where Carrer Argenteria now lies. With time, the population of this quarter became more diversified and it expanded notably. This is the area that became the Ribera quarter. The neighborhood was full of economic activity, and in it lived merchants, aristocrats, sailors and Jewish money-lenders. The most important commercial street was Montcada and the old boat factory was also here, before moving beside Las Ramblas.

Description:

This restaurant is large with hard-to-define decor. It is an ideal place to recharge your batteries after wandering through the Old Town and visiting the cathedral. The restaurant attracts a lot of tourists due to its location. They serve market cuisine, with lots of light, well-prepared dishes including salads, vegetable cakes, fish, fricassee and delicious desserts, such as tiramisu, yogurt, and fruit and ice-cream combos.

Our Local Expert Says:

Calle Ferran in the Gotico, has some of the chicest and unique designer stores in the city. Watch your bags though, the Gotico is infamous for theft.

Description:

One of the oldest neighbourhoods in Barcelona, the Gotico remains at the heart of Barcelona's downtown district. Both grungy and trendy, this neighbourhood is filled with small nooks and crannies, bars, cool restaurants, niche shops and eclectic jewelers. Just a stone's throw from the Born and the beach, the Gotico is home to Barcelona's magnificent Cathedral which dates back to 14th century. It is also home to Placa Reial, the most well known square for backpackers as it's home to the ever so popular Kabul Hostel.

Description:

This square "of the King" is located at the very end of Carrer Baixada de Santa Clara and boasts of an impressive collection of architectural marvels. It used to just be farmyards, but as time went on it became an important business area and eventually grew into the architecturally beautiful center it is today. In this small space you will find Palau del Lloctinent (Lieutenant's Palace), the Main Royal Palace, the Chapel of Santa Àgata, and Casa Clariana-Padellàs (the city museum). Just next to the museum is the most recent addition to the square, a sculpture by Eduardo Chillida.

Description:

This was once the Counts of Aragón's Barcelona residence. In the Roman period, it was the residence of the local governor, and later belonged to the Visigoth Ataulfo. Its Roman origins can be seen clearly in the façade. Now, after a series of renovations and expansions and a whole slew of Barcelonan counts, we're left with a Gothic building with one tower, called King Martin's Tower, which was used as a viewpoint and observatory.

Description:

The Cathedral la Seu is also known as the Cathedral of Santa Eulalia, a saint whose crypt is in the cathedral and is one of Barcelona's patron saints. This place of worship can be viewed from the square in front of it only because several years ago it was decided that an entire block of buildings should be torn down to better appreciate the grandeur of the construction. The interior is a treasure box full of elaborate chapels. The first one on the left displays a marble baptism basin which is said to be the very place where Christopher Columbus brought the first six "Indians" from the Americas to be blessed. An impressive choir, located in the center of the central nave, is a typical characteristic of the interiors of Spanish cathedrals. Walking through the cloister visitors can step over the burial grounds as the tombs of the rich and important line the floor.

Description:

This one-room museum is located in the old cathedral school next to the cathedral cloisters and displays an exhibition of sacred paintings and sculptures, liturgical ornaments and priestly habits. The most outstanding pieces are Bartolomé Bermejo's magnificent Piedad, Martín I of Aragón's silver seat of honor and two 15th-century masterpieces: the royal crown and a belt made from precious stones.

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:

This street stretches from Las Ramblas to Plaça de la Catedral. One of the gates to the city of Barcelona was built here. The street is a wonderful mélange of people buying, looking, walking, talking, and generally living life. It is one of the most popular streets for shopping. There are a lot of cafés and milk bars, especially in the Petritxol Street beside Portaferrissa where one can have a hot chocolate and rest a while after shopping. What a charming area!

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:

This charming 19th-century square is just off the Ramblas and Carrer Ferran. It was the site of a Capuchin convent that was demolished in 1835 when Barcelona underwent a period of urban renewal. Architect Francesc Daniel Molina was put in charge of filling the vacant space. Plaça Reial has undergone a number of renovations since then. The street lamps in the shape of trees were designed by Antoni Gaudí. The Las Tres Gracias fountain in the center dates from the end of the 19th Century. Now Plaça Reial is a meeting point for young people on their way to and from the nearby clubs and bars.

Description:

Smack bang in the middle of the bustling Boqueria market, lies this small tapas bar. A favorite among the locals, it is known for its fabulous Catalonian breakfast offerings. Mouth-watering fare like Tortillas, Sautéed Squid (with garlic, olive oil and eggs) and Lamb Strips (in dark beer) and lots more are available at reasonable prices. So grab one of the 18 seats available and enjoy your drink and Chef Quim Márquez Durán's delicious offerings.

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.

Description:

Font de Canaletes is also referred to as the Rambla de la Font de Canaletes as it is located on the Rambla. The fountain and the street both are very well known in Barcelona as they serve as an active spot of discussions and celebration for the Barça fans. Previously the fountain was fed by small pipes that threw water in a trough. However after the demolition of the old city the fountain was rebuilt and received its water from the Montcada mine. It is also said that 'whoever drinks the water from the fountain will forever keep coming back to Barcelona'.

Description:

The flower vendors on the Rambla Sant Josep make for a colorful and scented background to the fantastic Mercat de la Boquería. The food market started as much smaller stalls, perhaps on the scale of the flower stalls. It was originally a traveling market dispersed on the outside of the city walls. However the Ramblas soon became a pedestrian throughway and the stalls merged into one official and permanent market on the Rambla Sant Josep in 1827. Several years later the convent of Sant Josep was demolished and the market moved into the space where shoppers continue to buy delicacies today. The variety and quality of fruits, vegetables, sweets, and meats are unbeatable and perfect for a traveler's picnic. At the entrance fruit stands always offer fresh squeezed tropical juices, and throughout the market the best lunches are had at bars and restaurants which serve the freshest ingredients possible...from the stands to their kitchens.

Description:

Here, the Ramblas grows wider and carries on all the way down to the sea. At the very end, you will see the statue of Columbus atop his high pillar, pointing to the New World. The name of this section comes from an ancient convent that is used as the base of the Centre d´Art Santa Mónica, an exhibition centre. In this area, there are painters doing portraits and caricatures for tourists, as well as landscapes. There are also musicians, fortune tellers and tarot card readers. On weekends there is often a crafts market selling leather goods, jewelry, clothes.

Description:

This second section of the Ramblas is also known as the Rambla of the Birds, where you will find kiosks selling small animals, mostly birds. There are also chickens, parrots, turtles, hamsters and fish for sale. You'll also see mimes, musicians, clowns and other street performers here. As far as architecture is concerned, there are two impressive baroque buildings: Betlem Church and Virreina Palace.

Description:

Located in the old town close to the renovated Opera House, this restaurant offers good food and fine ambiance. The menu features traditional Catalan favorites and the dishes are changed seasonally. Try its unique version of Tortel De Hojaldre Con Cabello De Angel (puff pastry with angel hair).

Description:

Barcelona's most important theatre was built in an eclectic style by J.O. Mestres and M. Garriga i Rocato to house the city's Operatic Society. Regular opera seasons began here in 1847 and the venue soon overshadowed its main rival, the Teatro Principal. It became a potent symbol of the power and wealth of Catalunya's 19th-century middle-classes, the same people who commissioned all the city's impressive modernist buildings towards the end of that century. There was a devastating fire in the theatre during 1861, an anarchist bomb-attack in 1893, and then it was completely burned down in 1994. The new building stages an exciting programme of operas, concerts and ballets by the world's best performing companies and houses its own symphony orchestra and choir that perform all year round.

Description:

Recently renovated as a part of the city's historical heritage, Raco Del Pi sits in the Gothic Quarter among hip coffee shops, ancient cathedrals and a maze of winding cobblestone roads. Beautifully designed tile bathroom walls, wood floors, and comfortable furniture provide a clean, relaxing atmosphere. With the subway a few blocks away, and the airport just a twenty-minute ride, it is easy to maneuver around the city. Between the elegant restaurant, bar, and lounges, which are equipped with computers and telephones, all of the necessary services are provided.