User:(WT-en) Zserghei/Barcelona

See
See the district articles: Ciutat Vella (Gothic Quarter), Eixample, Gràcia and Barceloneta for detailed listings of sightseeing, museums, churches and other individual places to see in Barcelona.

Overview
Walk around the winding streets and hidden squares, fountains and palaces in the Barri Gòtic (Ciutat Vella).

If you are thinking of visiting several museums, an "articket" will save you some money. It is a combined ticket costing €20 and covering admission to eight museums.

Attractions spanning several districts

 * The 1450 metre long harbour aerial tramway with red cars connects Montjuic and Barceloneta. It starts in Barceloneta on the top of 78 metre tall Torre San Sebastian tower, which has also a restaurant on its top accessible by an elevator. It has an intermediate stop at Torre Jaume I tower (close Columbus monument), which can be reached by elevator from ground--107 metre tall tower, the second tallest aerial tramway support tower in the world. The final point of the tramway is Montjuic. Overall, the tramway is quite old (built in 1929), and the car is packed with tourists during the daytime--particularly sensitive for a stroller or a wheelchair. Currently, the Torre San Sebastian tower in Barceloneta is temporarily closed for renovation, while two other stops work as usual.

Sants-Montjuïc "district"



 * A fake village built in 1929, with replicas of characteristic buildings in Spain (like the Avila walls, the Vall-de-roures town hall, etc). The village hosts the Fondation Fran Daurel, where you can enjoy an interesting Modern Art collection boasting Miró, Picasso, Tapiès and other, mostly Spanish and Catalan, contemporary artists. The audio tour is very worthwhile here. Also worth seeing- the flamenco show at Tablo de Carmen. You can also step into several of the workshops to see craftsmen at work such as glassblowers and leather workers.


 * Miramar viewpoint. This is where you arrive by a harbour cable car. Marvelous place in the spring, full of roses and fountains. Entrance to the cactus garden is nearby.


 * The Montju&iuml;c Castle. Provides a beautiful panorama view over the rest of the city. The Montjuic Castle is in the Montjuic Mount. From the Montju&iuml;c Castle, take the harbor cable car to Barceloneta for more splendid views. [[Image:Barcelona Panorama.JPG|thumb|350px|A view of Barcelona from Montjuic]]


 * Telefèric de Montjuïc cable cars . Newer analogue of the harbour cable car that opened after total renovation in May 2007. Runs between Montjuic Funicular (Parc Montjuïc station) and Castell (Montjuic Castle). Open hours: Apr, May and Oct: daily 10AM-7PM; Jun-Sep 10AM-9PM; Nov-Mar 10AM to 6PM. Adult: one-way: €6, round-trip €8.30. Child (4-12yrs): one-way €4.70, round-trip: €6.30.


 * Montjuic Funicular . Runs from Metro Parallel to Joan Miró Museum.


 * Plaça d'Espanya. Once used for public hangings, Placa d'Espanya was created for the 1929 World Exhibition. The fountain in the center of the square is a great attraction and plays music during the summer. Plaça Espanya is located at the base of Montjuic mount.




 * FC Barcelona, . If you're a football fanatic, then you can't miss a visit to Camp Nou, the home ground for Barcelona's biggest and most popular team and one of Europe's greatest footballing 'cathedrals'. FCB are the only major football club in the world that does not sell advertising space on its strip, and because the club does not want to spoil the aesthetics of its famous red and blue jersey. While they now have a logo on their jersey, they pay for the privilege of using it—FCB contributes millions of euros a year to UNICEF. During the Franco era, FCB were the only way that suppressed Catalans could vent their anger against his dictatorship. Because of that, it became and stil is a symbol of Catalan identity. Camp Nou is the biggest stadium in Europe with a capacity of 98,600 people, with shops and a museum of the club's history. Match tickets start at about €42 and games hardly ever completely sell out, unless it is a match against the hated rivals Real Madrid (a match commonly dubbed El Clásico), one of the other top teams (currently Valencia or Sevilla) or in the Champions League. With the quality in the current team, there are always a few goals, and it is nearly always a resounding win for Barca. Stadium tours are not fantastic, and the audio tour is not really worth it also, but for a quick recent history of matches played there, consult the backs of the doors in the cubicles--most have a lot of graffiti championing their team that played here. It is also unfortunate that the home team changing rooms are not open to the public, only the somewhat dated away dressing rooms, which are not that impressive.




 * FC Barcelona Tickets, Barcelona Football Club . Official Ticket agent for FC Barcelona Tickets. It is a little overpriced than in the stadium but you skip long queues and are assured with the seats you want, and the tickets will be sent to the hotel. Tickets can also be purchased online from a number of websites, such as fc barcelona tickets -  and Spain Ticket Bureau.


 * FC Barcelona basketball: FC Barcelona has professional teams in many other sports, with the most notable being their basketball team . Barça's basketball section has boasted countless Spanish and international stars, and it regularly contends for top honors in both the domestic ACB and continent-wide Euroleague. Note that unlike Barça's football team, the basketball team does have a sponsor's name on its jerseys, namely Spanish insurer Regal. FCB basketball plays at Palau Blaugrana, next to Camp Nou; tickets range from €12 to over €60, depending on the quality of seats and desirability of the match. FCB members receive discounted prices. Barça provides basketball ticket information in English here.


 * Botanical Garden farther after the stadium.

Museums

 * Caixafòrum, Avda. Marquès de Comillas 6-8 (Plaça Espanya), phone 934768600, open Mon to Sun 10am to 8pm, Sat until 10pm. This place hosts great exhibitions. Admission free.
 * Joan Miró Museum (Fondacio Joan Miró), . Parc de Montjuic s/n. Phone 934439470. Open Oct to Jun Tue to Sat 10am to 7pm, Thu 10am to 9.30pm, Sun 10am to 2.30pm, Jul to Sep Tue to Sat 10am to 8pm, Thu 10am to 9.30pm, Sun 10am to 2.30pm. This museum is on the Montjuïc accessible by the metro (L3 Parallel and then the funicular). Treasured museum dedicated to Joan Miró and always has interesting temporary expositions on display. Admission €8,50.
 * Military Museum. In the military fortification on the Montjuic. The museum was closed definitively on 24th May 2009.
 * Palau Nacional. Hosts the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (Catalan National Museum of Art).
 * MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) in the Palau Nacional, . Has the single best collection of Romanesque art in the world, and a fine Gothic collection as well. Includes the Pantocrator from the Taüll Romanesque church. Free on the first Sunday each month (but they close at 14:30).
 * Futboll Club Barcelona Museum, . This is one of Barcelona's most visited museums near the stadium.
 * Catalan Archaeological Museum, . Situated on the Montjuic, it exhibits archaeological findings from Catalunia from different periods.
 * Museu Etnologic (Catalan Ethnographical Museum), . Passeig Santa Madrona, 16*22 (Montjuic); 934 246 807‎. This museum mainly exhibits exponents, which were imported by Catalan sailors as they explored the new world. Free on the first Sunday each month (11:00AM to 3:00PM)
 * El Museu de l'Esport Olímpic
 * The German Pavillion (El pavelló Alemany) A must-visit if you like architecture, it was designed by Mies van der Rohe.

Many museums have free entry on the first Saturday or Sunday of each month.

Other districts

 * Tibidabo. Located on the mountains of Barcelona (farther north from Gracia) and offers a spectacular view of the city (532 m high). This is a place where according some legends, the Devil tempted Jesus Christ offering him the whole world in exchange for his worship. At the top there is an awesome church, which offers panoramic views of the city. The church is almost surrounded (bizarrely) by a big funfair. You will also find an observatory and an ascendable communications tower nearby. To get there, take the metro to Av. Tibidabo Station, then Tramvia Blau, and then Funicular up to the mountain. It takes a good hour or more from Sants, and a little longer from the center. The beautifully scenic walk down is lined with some un-missable Spanish architecture for your photo album. You can not take photos very well from the tram, but the walk is wonderful. The cafe con leche at the cafe near the church is terrible. Try at the bottom of the funicular.


 * Monestir de Pedralbes, Baixada del Monestir, 9. A beautiful Gothic monastery near the university, there are a picture gallery (the Thyssen Bornemisza Collection), a museum which depicts the monastery life, a church, and a marvelous chapel covered with medieval frescoes.

Museums

 * Museu de Ceramica (Ceramic Museum), Avenida Diagonal 686. At the Gaudi Pedralbes Palace,


 * CosmoCaixa, . Isaac Newton 26; 932 126 050. The city's science museum and probably one of the best places to visit in Barcelona. One of the best science museums in Europe. Located near Avinguda del Tibidabo.

Gaudi architecture and Modernist Barcelona
Gaudi architecture includes the Parc Güell, the still unfinished Sagrada Família and the houses; La Pedrera/Casa Milà and La Casa Batlló.

The Ruta del Modernisme run by Modernisme Centre (Pl. de Catalunya, 17, subterráneo; phone +34 933 177 652): guidebook and discount voucher book for €12. Takes you round all the best Modernisme (art nouveau) buildings in Barcelona. The main part of the route can be walked in a couple of hours, providing you don't stray too far from the main routes. The Tourist Offices offer a pack that includes discounted tickets to many attractions such as La Pedrera and La Casa Batlló. All can be seen from the outside for free.


 * The first building Gaudi has built himself in Barcelona. Can be seen only outside, as it is a property of a private owner. The only exception is May 22 every year, when it is open to "neighbours and citizens". In Unesco World Heritage Sites list since 2005


 * Hosts a large exposition of Gaudi works, covering Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlio, not only La Pedrera itself. The exposition is a good place to start your exploration of Gaudi; it reveals many hidden details for the art novice.


 * This is on a hill overlooking Barcelona, so expect a relatively steep walk to the top (Gracia, Lesseps metro station, then follow arrows that are every 300 m); you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the whole city. For more off the beaten track, the park can be also reached from metro Vallcarca. The park has two distinct parts, a relatively undeveloped (and uncrowded) natural area near the top of the hill, and the more famous sculpture park below (really crowded most of the time). The sculpture portion is full of walkways and other structures exhibiting the distinct and colorful style of Gaudi, including the famous terrace. The undeveloped part is isolated(?) from the sculpture park with a fence. If you take the bus 24, it is full of pickpockets--be careful)




 * Sagrada Família. Getting up to the tower by elevator costs €2.5, and believe the signs that tell you that the wait could be 120 minutes to ascend. Previously, it was possible to go up the spiral stairs, but now, they allow you only to get back down. The most impressive thing is to see Sagrada Família at night with lights on, this is the time when you understand why people say that it is built of bones. Entrance costs €12. Get the audio commentary for €4 as it is well worth it. You will gain a much better appreciation of the Sagrada Família. Sagrada Família metro station. At busy times, you would be well-advised to take snacks, refreshments and maybe even a personal music player to pass the time in the queue. As of August 2010, there will be a new service of fast entering. Visitors can buy their tickets at any Servicaixa ATM (part of 'La Caixa' bank, easily recognizable by their blue logo and also because there is one just across the street from the entrance) or servicaixa.com https://www.servicaixa.com/nav/landings/es/mucho_mas/sagrada_familia/sagrada_familia.html?loce=es-home-right-3-1-LASAGRADAFAMLIA), they will get a code with which they are going to be allowed to enter the Temple by a fast line. The service has a fee of 1'30€ extra.


 * Often overlooked for La Pedrera, (also by Gaudi), La Casa Batllo is equally as stunning with its unique architecture and infamous two ornamental pillars in the entrance to the terrace. Open for visitors from ground floor to a roof, and down by an old-time elevator.

Non-Gaudi modernisme:
 * Casa Amatller, by Puig i Cadafalch, is a fine work of Modernisme. Open for visitors (free entrance), only ground floor. Check detailed photos and explanation of facade sculptures. It also has a shop that sells fine chocolate (the Amatller family made its money out of cocoa).

With children

 * Museum of Natural History in the Ciutadella Park (Barceloneta)

Do

 * Stroll along the following famous streets:
 * Las Ramblas, a gorgeous tree-lined pedestrian walkway, the busiest and most lively street of the city. Mostly occupied by tourists, expect to pay higher prices for food and drink. Avoid the groups of people supposedly betting on a game played on a cardboard table, they are thieves. Head off into some of the side streets for a cheaper, more local, and authentic experience of Barcelona.
 * La Plaça Catalunya. Connecting all the major streets in the city, the Placa is known for its fountains and statues, and the central location to everything in the city.
 * El Portal de l'Àngel. Large pedestrian walkway with many new and stylish shops to browse in.


 * Cruise miles of beachfront boardwalk starting from Barceloneta or get a tan on the beach.


 * Sit on a wooden bridge to Maremagnum and cool your toes at the waters edge: with a book, sandwich or just for a short rest.


 * Wander the Barri Gotic, the largely intact medieval center of the city.


 * Enjoy your Sangria at La Placa Reial, near the La Rambla Street. Great place to sit,relax and drink.


 * While visiting La Placa Reial, check out a Flamenco show at Los Torantos for just 7 euro . Tarantos is a small bar and theatre on the Placa Reial just off La Rambla. If you just want a half hour taste of Flamenco then check it out. Admission is €7 (2009 prices) for a a 30 minute show of flameno song and dance. Three performances nightly at 20.30, 21.30 and 22.30. There are plenty of other clubs on the Plaza Reial, but watch out for pickpockets in the early hours of the morning!


 * Shake to the beat and dance the night away at one of Barcelona's 200 or so nightspots.


 * Walk in Born, a very popular area with great restaurants and places to have a few drinks. If your accommodation is on Rambla, Born is a great place to escape the crowds, enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and meet off-the-beaten track travellers and non-tourist-industry locals--especially in the evenings.


 * Stroll across the sand on the beach every Sunday night throughout the summer for live music, drinks and swimming.


 * Check out Gràcia: a neighbourhood just off Park Guell, full of local culture, few tourists, and tons of places for relaxing and eating.


 * Visit a Flamenco Show in a real tablao. Tablao de Carmen, which is situated in Poble Espanyol, offers a spectacular flamenco evening. The entrance fee (€31) includes the 1.5-2 hour show, drink and free of charge entrance in Poble Espanyol. A cheaper alternative is the flamenco night in jazzclub Jazz Si in the Raval neighbourhood.


 * Ride the Cable Way to get from the sea front to Montjuïc mountain. €7.50 for one-way ticket. Rides on the Montjuic cable are not included in transit tickets like the Barcelona Card.


 * Check out Montjuïc and its green surroundings, where you can also admire the German minimalist Ludwig Mies van der Rohe 1929 Pavilion or the interesting Caixa Forum building (right in front of the Pavilion).


 * Sit and sip on a coffee in Plaça dels Àngels, while admiring the whiteness of the MACBA and the best street skate tricks in town.


 * Catch a performance at the beautiful Teatre del Liceu and the Palau de la Musica Catalana.




 * Cooking class on traditional Spanish dishes. Get ingredients from La Boqueria; then together with a small group led by a profession chef, cook a few dishes: tortilla, paella and crema catalan; enjoy the meal you prepared.

Sants-Montjuïc

 * In the summer months July and August the outdoor swimming pool is open for public. This pool offers spectacular views over the whole city. The pool is close to exit from the funicular that departs from metro station Parallel; metro ticket is a valid for the funicular.