Barcelona

Barcelona can be yours! Are you into Barcelona?

Wheter you do a city tour or you visit one of the concerts from famous artists and bands like Madona, Shakira, James Morrison, Lenny Kravitz, UB40, The Cult or another artist/band, shopping is unmissable. Now even more! As Barcelona becomes more and more a ´Walhalla´ for fashion shows and cloth designers.

Barcelona

Barcelona:
From sports to relaxing
From historical remains to hyper modern architecture
From culture to shopping

Always good to knowNo matter what kind of holiday you prefer, it's a fact, Barcelona is the place to be! Also for sun worshipers we have a perfect spot at one of the various beaches. Your visit doesn't need to be perfectly planned, this keeps it possible to let this great city surprise you by its mix of historical and high-tech influences merged with natural aspects. One thing's for sure: No matter what your age is, weather you are with your family, romantically together or with a group of friends, Barcelona has always something miraculous to discover and to encounter the South European rhythm. Find out what's in it for you!

Find your villa in Barcelona area here

General
Location of Barcelona: on the Mediterranean northeast coast of Spain near the Costa Maresme.
Time zone: GMT+1
Language: Catalan and Spanish. Official street signs are written in both languages.
Currency: euro €

Opening hours
Opening hours shops, shopping centers etc: 10:00h – 20:30h or 21:30h
Opening hours traditional shops: 10:00h – 14:00h, 16:30h – 20:30h or 21:30h The 'siesta' can variate a bit, depending on the company.

Payments
Opening hours bank: workdays 09:00h – 14:00h, some are opened on Saturday from 09:00h – 13:00h
Passport/ID card: When you pay by bank card or credit card you may be asked to show your passport or ID card.

Sales
Winter sales starts in the second week of January. For the summer sales you are good between July and September.
Residents from outside the EU may have a restitution of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Emergencies
112 all emergencies
092 local police (Policia Local)
061 medical emergencies

Climate and weather
Throughout the year Barcelona has a pleasant climate, even though the temperature can go up to 40 degrees during the high summer. The spring and autumn are most appropriate (comfortable) for city trips. August is experienced to be the most busiest period of the year, though you have a chance from half August till early September 10% of the traditional shops, restaurants, etc. are closed as it is the Spanish holiday period.

Advice
Before you go to explorer Barcelona it is advisable to do some preparation. This way you prevent missing a spot you wanted to see or find out when you are here that you have a lack of time, because when you are out here you can be distracted by so many things or getting overwhelmed and do not end up anywhere but only the main street. On for hand you can easily decide how much time you like to spent in Barcelona and what you are able to see during your stay. No matter what, as plans are there to be changed, make sure that after you wandered around up here, you have enjoyed what you have seen and what you have done!

Transport

Let´s Seg your Way in Barcelona.
With guide or just you and your family/friends.

- In Barcelona
There are a lot of ways to travel around in Barcelona and its surroundings, as Barcelona has more then approximate 633 sq km to explorer. Although you see a lot when you go by foot, it is not possible to reach everything in a limited time. Therefore you can rent a car, scooter or Segway, travel by public transport (train, bus, metro), by boat or by bike.

Tickets public transport
For public transport there are offered all kind of tickets. Of course you can collect a single ticket, but depending on your purpose in Barcelona and your plans, maybe a T-10 (10 travels per ticket), T-día (ticket for 1 day, also possible for 2, 3, 4 or 5 days), T-mes (ticket for 30 days) or a T-50/30 (50 travels in 30 days) suits better for you.

When you want to see so much, but you do not know where to start, you can make advantage of a good organized way to see the highlights of Barcelona in a short time, but still being independent!

Barcelona Bus Turístic
Take your chance and make your city trip with the 'Barcelona Bus Turístic'. The bus is without roof. Though down stairs you can sit nicely inside. There are tree lines running through Barcelona. The blue, red and green line stop at you all kind of sight-seeings and well-known places in Barcelona: Plaça Cataluña, Casa Batló, La Pedrera, Francesc Macià, Parc de l'Espanya Industrial, Creu Coberta, Poble Espanyol, Anella Olímpica, Telefèric de Montjuic, Olympic Museum, Miramar, Castell de Montjuic, Port Olímpic, Barcelona Zoo, La Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, Tramvia Blau Tibidabo , Mercat de Sarrià, Palau Reial, Playa del Bogatell, Avenida Diagonal, Paseo de Garcia, Camp Nou,... It is up to you how long your tour is going to take and where you exactly hop on or hop off.

Barcelona City Tour
Another company is 'Barcelona City Tour'. It has two different routes, green and orange, to guide you through the city and let you pass by and give you the ability to hop off at 34 stops. The good thing about the 'Barcelona City Tour' is that they have sliding roofs. So you are high and dry, just in case it starts to rain.

Do you like to know more about Barcelona without reading half of the library, but still get a lot of back ground information? Take advance of one of the other guided tours!

Barcelona Helicopter tour
(Plaça Catalunya - Marina Port Vell)

Bike Tours Barcelona
Make a guided bike tour. Discover the beauty en the culture of the city, while you pass by the highlights, phenomenal squares and narrow alleys.

Barcelona Walking Tour
Professional guides lead you through one of the districts of Barcelona. Another option is to combine it with tapas, with the so called 'Tapas Walking Tour'.

Helicopter Tour
High in the sky you can enjoy in a special way perfect views on the coast line, the network of the streets and the squares of the city. Depending with which company you fly with, you can fly over Port Olímpic, Port Vell, Montjuïc, La Barceloneta, along the WTC, Torre Agbar and La Sagrada Familia.

Limousine Tour
Do something unique! Make a night trip and drive around through Barcelona in one of the exclusive limousines.

Segway Tours
More and more popular is the so called 'Segway'. It is a funny way to go with experienced guides along with the officially safe routes.

Discount for your city trip

Why not pay less? Hereby some possibilities with discount tickets.
- ArqueoTicket
Entrance with 1 ticket for 5 museums!
1. Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya
2. Museu Barbier-Mueller d'Art Precolombí
3. Museu Egipci
4. Museu d'Història de la Ciutat
5. Museu Marítim

- ArtcoTicket
With this ticket you have entrance to 6 museums in Barcelona.
1. Fundació Alorda Derksen - National and international contemporary art.
2. Fundació de les Arts I els Artistes - It houses the 'Museu Europeu d'Art' (MEAM).
3. Fundació Foto Colectania - Photographs from 1950 until today.
4. Fundació Francisco Godia - Spanish ceramics and medieval art.
5. Fundació Suñól - Exhibition of contemporary art of Josep Suñol´s collection. A great chance, as some of the pieces have never been shown in public before. Including art works of Picasso, Miró, Gaudí and Tàpies for example.
6. Fundació Vila Casas - This foundation consists out of 3 contemporary art museums and 2 galleries for temporary exhibitions. The art is from the 60s until today.

- Barcelona Card
Are you experienced in traveling, do you like to do things on your own instead of organized, do you know where you want to go or do you like a challenge? Make a city trip with the Barcelona Card. This great card gives you endless options for a day of sight-seeings or a short visit to for example 'La Sagrada Família'. You have free unlimited travel on Barcelona's public transport, including metro and city buses. When you arrive at the Airport of Barcelona you are already able to collect your card. As soon as you use the card, it will be activated for the numbers of days you have indicated.

If this is not already a great offer, you also receive special offers to have free entry to Barcelona's top visitor attractions.

- Barcelona Metro Walks

With the 'Barcelona Metro Walks' there are 7 routes to discover Barcelona. Besides a manual guide you will get a 2 days ticket (consecutive) to use the metro and the bus in this metropolitan.
Information points
More, detailed information and material (like a city map, the sale of tickets of the Barcelona Card e.g.) can be provided at the 'Turisme de Barcelona' and 'Turismo de Cataluña'.

Where can you find a tourist information point?

Just a few things to keep in mind

What to wear

When you visit Barcelona during the main summer season it is possible the temperature rises up till 40 degrees. If you have the energy to go out on the streets, you might feel more comfortable to wear your bathing cloths. For some people it is normal to walk with naked torso, just realize this is not appreciated as well. Nonetheless, please notice that it is not appropriate to wear these kind of cloths in shops, at the streets or in a supermarket. The same thing counts (of course) when you visit one of the highlights.

During the low season and the winter the temperature between day and night, morning and afternoon, can have a very big gap. Therefor, do not let yourself seduced by the nice temperature and the warm and bright sun during day time. Just take a sweater, jacket or something else with you which can keep you warm when it starts to get chilly.

Safety

The good thing is: Barcelona is generally a very safe city! Aggressive and violent behavior is shown only rare in nightlife. On the other hand: Supervise and control your personal belongings! It is not without reason there are officially published city guide cautions.

When somebody tries to warn you, it is seems to be an unthinkable story this could ever happen to you, but...

Prices

Be aware of prices. When you take a diner in one of the restaurants or you take a drink somewhere,... check the menu before you take a seat. And keep in mind some bars, cafés or restaurants have an extra charge when you are sitting at the terrace, outside.

Tips for what to do or to visit in Barcelona

Flamenco (diner) show
Have a great evening at one of the 'Flamenco (diner) shows' and see passionate dancing, the authentic Spanish gypsy dance style which is really extraordinary. An spectacular evening for everyone.

From -5 to 45 degrees; a ultimate experience of summer and winter
Combine sun and ice! This is possible in the 'Barcelona Ice Bar'! Prepare yourself for -5 to 10 degree temperatures in this bar. Luckily you will be equipped with coats and gloves when you enter. Take a seat at one of the chairs or lounges and take a cold drink, all made of... ice! Do you like to warm up a bit? No worries and grab a cocktail on the beach terrace.

Holiday time: Chill and relax
Take a rest during your stay and relax in one of the Spa Centers or Arab Pools in Barcelona, which you can find among your way through the center for example.

To introduce you the Spanish temperaments of lthe life outside, you can join a tapas tour. During this tour you taste all kind of tapas in various tapas bars and restaurants. This way you will get a whim of the life of Barcelonesas.

The districts of Barcelona

The Olympic area which has been drastically renovated for the Olympics in 1992

A lot of the history of Barcelona has remained. Per district you can read some tips of what is most worth to visit. This may help you to make your preparation for your city trip a bit easier.

The old center 'Ciutat Vella', 'La Rambla' & the seafront

Do not stay behind and visit like every other visitor of Barcelona at least 'La Rambla', the most famous street of Barcelona, which runs through the old center of Barcelona, from Plaça Cataluña to the east, to the 'Monument of Colombus' (where he came ashore in 1493), the old harbor 'Port Vell' (recognized by its ‘new’ swing bridge and Barcelona Aquarium, IMAX cinema, terraces, Maremagnum with its shops e.g.), 'Barceloneta' (the maritime district built in the 18th century), the beach of 'Barceloneta', and 'Port Olímpic' (the old industry area destructed and rebuild for the Olympics in 1992) with the highest building of Barcelona on its background. You can not miss the kiosks, stands with birds and flowers, musicians and mime players. And of course famous buildings as the classic building 'Palau Moja', the Boqueria market (colorful food market, also called Mercat de Sant Josep), the opera building 'Gran Teatre del Liceu', 'Plaça Reial' decorated with Palm trees and neoclassical carriage lanterns designed by Gaudí, the museum with waxen figures ‘Musea de Cera’ and various other impressive manors are worth a walk along the 'La Rambla'.

During day time it´s an impressive palace in Barcelona with innocent fountains. When the dark falls, the fountains start to live. They dance on the music and change colours.

Nearby you find the 'Museu Picasso', housed in 5 medieval quarters on 'Carrer Montcada'. These refurbished buildings retain their original external appearance and their spacious interior contains a unique pictorial treasure which makes this museum one of Barcelona's biggest tourist attractions.

Other interesting places to visit are for example 'Palau Güell' (Gaudí’s first big assignment), 'La Llotja' (stock market) and 'Barcelona Aquarium'. This marine center let you see more of the Mediterranean, where you can walk under the sea surrounded by sharks and other underwater creatures. During the evening there are legendary attractions: The 'Magíc Fountains', a spectacular show combining color, light, motion, music and aquatic acrobatics. And of course 'Plaça La Mercè' can not be missed as 'La Mercè' is one of the great festivals celebrated around the 24th of September. The square is named after the 'Church of La Mercè', featuring an imposing fountain depicting Neptune.

Before the renewal of the urbanization, before the Olympics in 1992, it was divided into three stretches including Barcelona beach. Specially for the Olympics they improved Barcelona's seaside drastically.

Barri Gòtic

Barri Gotic is a real nice area with the gothic architecture combined with other styles. And of course don´t forget the shops which are less touristical.

The 'Barri Gòtic' consists out of a maze of small streets and squares, which are the remains of influences out of the Roman ages, as the Roman choose this place to establish a new colony and the existence of Barcelona's medieval

Plaça Reial is near the Cathedral of Barcelona, not to be confussed with
La Sagrada Familia

Jewish Quarter (El Call, in Catalan). The area 'Barri Gòtic' has a beautiful Gothic cathedral with a roman 'Capella de Santa Llúcia' and monastery entrance, a Roman temple as fundament and a Morish mosque. It took more than 600 years before it was finished. A lot of authentic buildings are remained and even still in use, either in another setting, like the community offices at 'Plaça de Sant Jaume', 'Palau de la Generalitat' (Catalan government building) and 'Casa de la Ciutat' (town hall of Barcelona). Probably on your way to this area you will pass 'Carrer del Bisbe' or 'Carrer Petritxol' with superb architecture.

The Roman trail is still visible when you walk through the streets of Barri Gòtic: 'The Temple of Augustus', the aqueduct, city walls. At 'Plaça del Rei', one of the best-preserved squares, you can still see the splendor of medieval Catalonia. Do you like architecture, art or do you like to see more of the history of Barcelona? Find your way to for example the 'Church of El Pi', the 'Temple of August' and 'Barbier-Mueller d'art precolombí' which has prestigious collections of art from America's pre-Hispanic cultures

El Born & La Ribera

You will go back in time in the area 'El Born' with the church 'Santa Maria del Mar' and the numerous manors from the 14th century. For people who love animals and of course families 'Parc Zoològic' or 'Zoo de Barcelona', the zoo of Barcelona without balusters, is unmissable. It has more than 400 species of animals, including aquariums in which are dolphin and whale shows. And when you are there, take a breathtaking moment in 'Parc de la Ciutadelle' with sculptures and boat lake. Or just grab some fresh air in a nice environment.

Chocolate dream in Barcelona. The Chocolate Museum where you can even taste a bit!

Chocolate lovers be aware! Always wanted to discover the origins of chocolate? Take a look in 'Muesu de la Xocolata'. Even though you are not really a person to visit museums, this is definitely different than all the others! And when you can not get enough of it, start a 'Chocolate Tour'. Do not forget shops as Oriol Balaguer, Xocoa, Cacao Sampaka and Ochiai.

Fresh fruits and vegetables? Mercat de Santa Catarina has happily coloured fruits and vegetables, that much that its roof has an expressive structure and reproduces the colours aswell. And if it is not for what they sell, the building is already a spot itself.

El Raval

Art goes trough the whole immense exquisite city Barcelona. This former 'no-go' area has grown to a 'must have been' with a lot of colours and atmosphere with all the bars, restaurants and lounges.

Take a look at 'Rambla del Raval' with Botero's giant cat sculpture, 'Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu' and the MACBA. The 'Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona', which is in a light, airy building, hosts a wide variety of exhibitions and artistic, academic and recreational events.

A special piece of culture and architecture together is 'Sant Pau del Camp Romanesque monastery' dated from the 10th century. The church, cloister, chapter house and abbot's residence were built between the 12th and 14the centuries, and painstakingly restored in the 20th century.

Of course Gaudí's art can not be missed. Unfortunately a lot of tourists pass by his art work 'Palau Guell' quite unnoticed. Which is totally undeserved. The melting of structure and decoration and the influence of the Moorish architecture. When you are out there, do not forget to take a look at the roof, which is very spectacular.

Barceloneta & Port Vell

Barceloneta and the old harbour, 'Port Vell', has berths for pleasure cruisers and yachts, various of shop, offices and leisure amenities, services for boats and quays used by the fishing fleet. 'Las Golondrinas' offer harbor rides and cruises along the coastline as far as the Forum.

A lot of typical restaurants serving a wide variety of rice dishes, fish and seafood.

Explicit buildings in this area:
Maremagnum - 7 days a week Maremagnum has its doors open, except on the 25th of December and the 1st of January. It has various shops: shoe shops, accessories, jewellery, cafés, chocolate shops, toys, decoration, souvenirs, photography, computer, nightclubs, bars, gastronomy, etc.
World Trade Center Barcelona - At 'Moll de Barcelona' is a convention center (430 seater auditorium), offices, retail area and 5-star hotel.
Torre de Jaume I - The second highest cable-car tower in the world, offers you breathtaking views of the waters in the harbor below (as it is 100 meters above the sea).

Sant Martí (Vila Olímpica & Forum)

Immersed in a complete process of renewal, the Olympic Village, built near the seafront to house the athletes for the 1992 Games. At the opposite is the Olympic Marina 'Port Olímpic', used by sailors and the local community. Besides sailing facilities and schools it has a wide variety of restaurants and bars. At the foot of one of the towers in 'Port Olímpic' is a giant fish, designed by Frank Gehry in 1992. It is a huge structure of 35 meters high, made from woven strips of copper-coloured steel.

One of the latest urban planning interventions is 'Forum Precinct', one of the biggest cultural and recreational public spaces, consisting out of the Barcelona International Convention Center and the Photovoltaic Cell, providing solar energy. It also has a marina, an innovative bathing area and vast plaza.

'Vila Olímpica' consists out of more than 200 buildings all in different kind of styles. This modern area has in general spacious accommodations. 'Avinguda d'icària' is the main artery in the Olympic Village. Enric Miralles designed expressive pergolas with abstract shapes.

'Gran Casino de Barcelona' in 'Port Olímpic' with slot machines, table games and other games. And to complete the day you are able to have diner in one of the restaurants or have a nice dance in de discotheque.

Like in every place you adapt to the place where you are. In a casino it is common to follow strict dress code, so no offensive behavior, cheating, sport wear, shorts, t-shirts etc. are allowed. Maybe unnecessary to mention, the minimum age to enter is 18 years and you will have to bring your passport or identification card with you.

Let your holiday get a finishing touch by a moment on the beach! The 'Nova Icària' beach is a great place to relax and enjoy the nice weather. Get some fresh air by walking along the beach. Do you like to eat something or just take a drink? There are some nice restaurants with even a terrace and a garden right on the beach!

A real advice to go to is the 'Cementiri del Poblenou'. It is the first of its kind in Barcelona since 1775, when Bishop Climent blessed it. Napoleon's troops destroyed it in 1883, but this could not prevent the rebuilt in 1849 what let the architects, modernist and new age sculptures keep exist.

Are you more into nature aspects? 'Parc Diagonal Mar' has 14 hectares of green areas alternated with lakes, metal pergolas, trees and skyscrapers with spectacular views.

Maybe a bit awkward but it is true, this modern district is not the best place to be for shopping, though there is a small shopping mall. 'El Centre de la Vila' offers some shops and a supermarket. Is shopping your sport? In the district nearby, 'El Born', you can find some nice, unique boutiques and more.

Eixample-Gàrcia

The heart of Barcelona is 'Eixample-Gàrcia', with its rational grid layout, in which 'Eixample' expresses Barcelona's personality, with its modern houses and contemporary view, and 'Gràcia' epitomises the old rural villages which were annex by Barcelona, without losing their character.

Spectacle versus religion as mass tourism versus faith: The last forty years Antoni Gaudí dedicated his life to build this fascinating cathedral. 'La Sagrada Família' is the face of Barcelona, which has been blessed and officially been consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on the morning of the 7th of November 2010, 128 years after the first stone was laid in Barcelona. The church is steeped in religious symbolism to intertwine the natural and the spiritual. When Gaudí was fatally hit by a tram in 1926 others went and still continue his devotion. Luckely Gaudí left large plaster models, key elements and blury drawings. Nevertheless these left behinds leave much undefined as much as Gaudí changed his mind all the time during the development of La Sagrada Família. Architects, like Oriol Bohigas, Jordi Bonet, joined the completion of the church. For a long time a lot of people thought it was a permanent ruin, unfinished and unfinishable project. According to Gaudí time and budget is not a matter of issue “In the Sagrada Família, everything is providential”. Until now nobody has any idea about how much money has been spent to the church, neither anybody knows how much they will spent. The source of income exists of a never-ending source, more than 2 million people visit 'La Sagrada Família' and pay 12,50euro to go inside, together with the gifts and investors all the architecture works are possible.

The last project before Gaudí started with La Sagrada Familia, 1 of the symbols of Barcelona.

Other works from Gaudí is for example 'La Perera' (better known as Casa Milà) and 'Park Güell'. 'Casa Milà' is officially designed as a residential block, today a part of the building is a cultural center. The roof is impressive with its forest of sculptural chimneys. Barcelona would not be anywhere without 'Park Güell', a master piece where in you find the finest examples of Gaudi's fantastic imagination.

Gaudí's landmark continues in the north of Gràcia with for example 'Casa Vicens', Gaudí's first major project. Another impressive building is Casa Batlló, with the eccentric chimneys and the giant dragon part on the roof.

In this row of Gaudí's influences 'Park Güell' can not be missed. Up a hill, 'Carmel', Gaudí got the assignment to built a garden with different kind of architectonic elements, recreation areas and ornamental buildings. With the purpose to built an exclusive residential district. The project, of 17-18 hectare, fail, though it left the most original breathtaking park behind, including 'Casa Muesu Gaudí' and Casa Güell. The design Gaudí used shows the merging of his work with nature. Besides that Gaudí used a lot of mosaic with glass or ceramic. Of which the long undulating couch has been made, the i-catcher of 'Park Güell'. And do not forget about the lizard, which is the symbol of 'Park Güell'. When you wander around you will notice that in none of Gaudí's work a straight line can be found, just as in this astonishing park. If you really want some nice panoramic views of the city, go to 'Park Güell'!

In the heart of Gràcia is 'Plaça de La Vilas de Gràciasurrounded' surrounded by a maze of streets with in the center of the square a clock tower with a belfry at the top.

You do not want to miss modernism architecture? In the early 20's Lluis Domenech I Montaner built 'Hospital de Sant Pau'. It is an impressive building, covers a surface area equivalent to nine blocks of the Eixample.

Imagine it is a nice evening and you just have had diner. You can go out in one of the pubs to do a drink, walk along the beach or something. It is a great idea to go to 'Cinemes Verdi'. It is Barcelona's leading art house cinema for original language-version films.

Quadrat d'or

Shop alert! Fashion outlets on the Passeig de Gràcia: Furest, Miró, Armand Basi, Loewe, Camper, Mango, Replay, etc.

Barcelona wouldn't be Barcelona without art, culture and historical remains. 'Fundació Francisco Godia' offers medieval art, ceramics, modern painting collection. For the ones who can not get enough of modernism, you will be totally happy with a visit to the 'Museu del Modernisme Català'.

Les Corts, Sarriá and Sant Gervas

Sports is all about fun and being the best. In general sport is a part of education. Here in Cataluña especially football is a part of it up here. Traditionally the most important clubs of the autonom regions Cataluña and the city Barcelona, are FC Barcelona (founded in 1899) and RCD Espanyol (founded in 1900). 'Camp Nou' is the home base of FC Barcelona, designed by architects 'Fransesc Mitjans Miró' and 'Josep Soteras Mauri' in 1957. With the collaboration of 'Lorenzo García Barbón' 'Camp Nou' is the cathedral of the football world ! It has a capacity of 99.354, which makes it the biggest stadium in Europe. At first the official name was 'Estadi del FC Barcelona', which all changed after a vote made by the club membership during the season 2000/2001. The official name is since then 'Camp Nou' (new ground). Besides the football field, Camp Nou offers inside a chapel next to the dressing room, a presidential box, a VIPs lounge, a perss room, several television studios, a sport medicine center, a veteran players area, the FC Barcelona club museum, the nursery and offices.

The famous road, Avinguada Diagonal.
You can´t get lost on that way. Both sides are the enterances and exits of Barcelona.

The districts (Les Corts, Sarriá and Sant Gervas) are cut in two by Avinguda Diagonal, Barcelona's broadest and most important avenue, which also cuts Barcelona itself in two from west to east, for 11km long. And of course for shoppers there are massive department stores such as 'El corte Inglès', shoe stores, exclusive shopping mall, brand-name shops, jewelery shops, prefumeries, art and plenty of great gifts.

Do not miss 'Pavellons de la Finca Güell', one of Gaudi's most richly imaginative works, and 'Muesu-Monestir de Pedralbes'. This monestry has been home to a community of nuns from the Order of Saint Clare since 1327, and in 1983 opened some of its rooms to the public, converted into museum galleries with collections of paintings, ceramics, silver and goldware and furniture. Of course the chapel of Sant Miquel belongs to it.

As Barcelona is a mixture of architecture and historical remains combined with natural aspects, green areas are unmissable. For example:

'Maternitat'. These gardens are worth a visit because of its intersting artitectural ensemble combining modernisme and noucentisme.

'Cosmocaixa' innovative educational centre of fosters scientific experimentation through observation of natural phenomena.
With the 'Tramvia Blau' (a blue train, operating for over 100 years), you can transfer to the funicular, which runs to the top of Tibidabo. On top of this mountain you find 'Parc d'atraccions Tibidabo', an amusment park features some 30 rides and attractions, such as the 'Museu dels Autòmates', the watchtower or 'Talaia' (the ferris wheel and plane).

Through the 'Parc de Collserola' you have unique a viewing point, besides that it is an popular place for walkers, joggers and cyclists.
One of the prettiest squares is 'Plaça de la Concòrdia', the heart of the former village of 'Les Corts', annexed by Barcelona in 1897.

22@

A very explicit piece of art is 'Torre Agbar', the city's symbol of an emerging Barcelona that holds its head high among the great business centres of the world. Because of that it is situated in the new technological and business district known as 22@. The 4.500 coloured lights which show 40 different colours make the tower stand out to conquer the sky and become the center of everyone's attention. Inspired by what Gaudí left behind and the hills of Montserrat, it rises from the ground with the power of lightness of a geyser. The 2 non-concentric oval cylinders crowned by glass and steel dome (250.000kg of steel ) is 142 meters high, excists of 2 skins, where in ara 31 spacious floors. Places from where you can see Torre Agbar: Montjuïc, Poble Sec, Portvell, Port Olímpic, Carrer Casp, Meridiana, Bac de Roda, Teatre Nacional de Catalunya, Avinguda Diagonal, la Sagrada Família and Parc Güell.

How many lights can you put on a building? The Torre Agbar in Barcelona shows it are quite a lot.

Summer lighting schedule (28th of March till 31st of October):Winter lighting schedul (1st of November till 27th of March):
weekdays from 19:00 – 23:00h
holidays and eve of holidays from 20:00 – 23:00h

weekdays from 21:00 – 23:00h

holidays and eve of holidays from 21:00 – 24:00h

District @22 is the sign of the future and technology, nevertheless there is a combination with nature as Parc del Centre del Poblenou shows with its shady oasis of calm in the middle of the city offering a new experience to visitors. Outstanding features include the different pictorial and sculptureal elements lined out in this park. The park stretches along the Avinguda Diagonal at the site of Poblenou. With a lot of industry combined with offices blocks, housing, university buildings and other services like L'Auditori and Teatre Nacional de Catalunya.

Sants & Montjuïc

Safe and sound up in the air in a cable car in the Montjuïc area in Barcelona.

The largest district, covering a surface area equivalent to a fifth of the municapl territory, is Sants and Montjuïc. A well-known area for the 1929 Exhibition and the 1992 Olympics: the Olympic Ring, Picornell swimming pools, major museums, the Botanical gardens and more nature beauty. All around the world artists are trying to make stunning video clips for their songs and film produceres create their best movies on special places.

Barcelona has been and is still used as a decor for a lot of clips and movies, maybe not always clear for everybody, but just take a good look at:
- Video clips:
'Evanescence' with 'My immortal' in 'Barri Gòtic'.
'Shakira' with 'Loca' at the beach of Barceloneta, in/around the famous fountain 'Plaça del Palau' and through the streets of Barcelona.
'Kylie Minogue' with 'Slow' in the Olympic swimming pools at the Montjuïc
'Vengaboys' with 'We like to party!' (The Vengabus) in 'Barceloneta' and 'Ciutadella Olimpica'
- Movies:
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Actresses (1996)
All about my mother aka Todo sobre mi madre (1999)
The forging of a rebel (1994)

During the year the fountains of Montjuïc still steel the show. In the 'El Poble Sec' area regularly the beautiful fountains rise up in all kind of colours, joined by different styles of music. At the foot of the Montjuic three concentric circles of water jets create a water sculpture of constantly changing, flowing forms. Depending on the time of the year the fountain's show is with music and color light effects, which is during the main season from 21:00 – 23:30h.

Shops & markets

Shops

A fascinating city as Barcelona has of course a good assortment of shops. Well-known shopping malls:
Boulevard Rosa - shoe shops, boutiques and accessories
El Corte Inglès - Glories Shopping Center at the Ramblas with shops like Zara, Pepe Jeans, restaurants and a giant cinema
L'ila - L'lla is a beautiful design warehouse, built connecting with the Olympics in 1992. Fashion shops you can find are Zara, Mango, Jack&Jones, La Coste, Bennetton and more...
La Roca Village - The outlet center at only 30 minutes by train from Barcelona. Get your Tommy Hilfiger sweater, Burberry bag, Ralph Lauren or any other famous brand... with discount!
La Maquinista - La Maquinista has various shops, restaurants, bars and a cinema!

Shopaholics can really go mad at 'Passeig de la Gràcia', which is the 'Kalverstraat in Amsterdam', the 'Via del Corso in Rome', 'Bleecker street in New York' or the 'Istiklal Caddesi in Istanbul'. As in a lot of large cities there is a H&M, a Zara, a Mango or a Berschka.

Markets

Catalans like to get their daily shopping from one of the markets. Experience Barcelona's daily life with the locals! Most markets are colorful, noisy and a positive atmosphere. One of the reasons is that the buildings in which they are housed are a reflection of the history of the city and its people. There are various of markets every week, month or on special occasion of festivities, for example:

Foodmarkets

Top list for a splendid time in Barcelona

Art & Culture: Museums

As the fundament of Barcelona consists out of art and culture, there are so many things to mention as it is about museums. A selection out of the numerous museums which are worth to visit in Barcleona:

Caixa Forum offers inside art, but don´t forget to take a look at the outside. Which is quite interesting aswell.

• CaixaForum - An exposition center with a collection of more than 700 masterpieces of Spanish and international artists. There are temporarily expositions and a few pieces are on a permanent exposition.
• CosmoCaixa - The renovated science museum with the imitated Amazon rain forest, the planetarium, a geological wall with all kind of rocks, all areas completed with fish, amphibians, insects, mammals, reptiles, birds and plants.
• Museu de la Xocolate - Devoted to chocolate? In Barcelona are many shops which sell chocolate, but 'Museu de Xocolate' is a special in its kind. During the tour you start with the history of chocolate, how to make chocolate, Barcelona made of chocolate and a very nice part of tour in the museum is that you are able to learn how to make chocolate sculptures!
• Museu de Geologia - Geologic aspects are shown with over more than 15.000 different minerals, 14.000 rocks and 100.000 palaeontological pieces.
• Museu del Perfum - Who does not like to smell nice? The subject perfume from the days of the Romans till now. With over 1.000 perfumes from different parts of the world and different kind of cultures; Egyptians, Israelian, Etruscans, Romans, Arabs and other ancient cultures.
• Museu d'Història de la Ciutat (MUHBA) - In a new concept, by moving around the city, this museum explains the history of Barcelona to you. With protagonists, as Plaça del Rei, Temple d' August, Via Sepulcral, Domus de Sant Honorat, El Call, Santa Caterina, Monestir de Pedralbes, Vil-la Joana, Refugi 307 and Park Güell, it counts more than 2.000 years of history!
• Museu Europeu d'Art Modern (MEAM) - Are you interested in impressive modern art? Do not forget to visit the MEAM. This museum exhibits fine modern art of the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st century. There is a special concept with the 'Funcació de les Arts I els Artistes' to support the artists of the museum. This is inherent to the economic and financial situation of the 21^st century. If you can't get enough of the art, 'Museu Picasso' is only a few steps away.
• Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC) - 1.000 years of art in one museum of general history of Catalan art made between the Romanesque period till the mid 20^th century. In the sculptures, art work/objects, paintings, drawings, posters, photographs and coinages you see in all kind of styles of Modernism, Noucentism, Baroque, and Renaissance. Masterpieces from anonymous artists and artists like Bernat Martorell, Pere Sanglada, Francisco de Zurbarán, Rubens and Ramon Casas.
• Museu Picasso - Get to know the works of Pablo Ruiz Picasso in 'Museu Picasso', divided over 5 large edifices characterized by the Catalan civic gothic style. According to art experts this is one of the world's largest collection of Picasso's work.
• Palau de la Música Catalana - An incredible theater of 1908 taking you back to the turn of the century if it is up to its architecture.

Pick your spot on the beach of Barcelona! Ideal place with the sunny beach and even palm trees.

Beaches

Barcelona is one of the unique cities, besides for example Miami, Sydney and Rio de Janeiro, who can say they have several beaches and even one near the center! Most of the beaches are not very wide as they are artificial made with coarse sand. Though this does not change the fact that Barcelona has a huge coast line of more than 4km beach!

All the beaches are adapted for people with reduced mobility. During the summer season there are lifeguards, sunbeds and showers. The season is usually between the end of May till the end of September. From the south to the north coast:

Tips for Barcelona by night

Metropolitan nightlife

Barcelona is well-known for its nightlife. Have a dance in one of the coolest clubs where famous people come aswell. Go out in style or have fun during a foam party. Even if you are not a real disco dancer or you prefer to chill in one of the fancy bars, it is really worth to go out!

Various clubs do not have a set price, it depends on the night: which DJ is playing, how many are already in before (around) 01:00h and if you have one of the flyers wit special offer(s).

Thursday evening is, like in more student cities, student night. Because of that, it is often quite rewarding with the free entrance. Friday and Saturday night are the most popular ones.

Please pay attention to the fact that alcohol ingestion is prohibited in Spain. And also not unimportant, there are certain dress code. A very common one is no sneakers/sport shoes for guys.

Amazing nightlife in Barcelona. It´s marvelous and something you got to experience yourself

'Bikini' one of the best gig to enjoy concerts, alternative music and more. Officially there are two rooms, but they can be joined together by a movable partition wall. Depending on the night the music variates from salsa, latino, house, 80s, 90s, Hip Hop and everything what is in between.

• 'Costa Breve' gives you the vibes of hits, pop, rock, dance and house! All under one roof. From the 60s it was a classic in Barcelona.
• A night with minimum techno is possible in 'Magic Club'. Have a stunning night full of 80s, pop, soft rock and disco classics.
• 'ElRow' is one of the places to go to for live tech-house beats. Artists who are on stage, are for example Carlo Lio, Marc Maya, Luca Bachetti, Sydney Blu, Toni Varga, Oscar Aguilera and more of this caliber.
• 'Opium Mar' is ideal to spent the early evening for a drink in the lounge area and a good diner in the unique restaurant. Meanwhile you can enjoy the beach views from the large terrace. The night you can start with house music in its nightclub.
• 'Otto Zutz' is a trendy, cool club though not over the top. Every floor has another type of music: Funk, Hip Hop, RnB, Soul.
• 'Razzmatazz' is a huge club with 3 floors, 5 dance sections, a lot of bars and a terrace to get some fresh air. This amazing place is very popular, which makes it often quite crowded, but it is worth it with the regular and guest DJ's
• 'Sala Becool' is a nice place to enjoy electronic music and concerts. If you want some good quality house, techno, deep house and disco,... do not forget to spent some time in Sala Becool.
• 'Sutton' is for locals and tourist a place to be! Two floors filled with Hip Hop, house and funk. Like to catch the eye of a famous football player, artist or movie star? This glamorous club is one of the places you are able to find them who ever is in Barcelona!
• 'Plataforma Club' offers space for more than 500 music and dance fans of Drum'n bass, dubstep, ragga jungle, etc. Thursdays is the essential drum'n bass night.

The intense Spanish music flamenco can not be missed in this part about the nightlife in Spain. Flamenco is a form of art from Andalusia, the gypsies from the South of Spain. For them it was a way to express their pain and suffer. During the years it became a popular attraction in the rest of Spain. During one of the live shows in for example 'Los Tarantos' or 'Tablao Cordobes' to have a dynamic and cosy evening with live flamenco combined sometimes with other Latin music.

Film & theater

• IMAX - In Port Vell Barcelona is 'IMAX', a large cinema where you can choose out of different kind of technologies to watch one of the movies. Which of the 416 seats is going to be yours?.
• Teatre Nacional de Cataluña (TNC) - The appearance is eccentric in the shape of a Greek temple can be found in 'Teatre Nacional de Cataluña'. The complex exists out of 2 different parts: The main building contains Sala Gran, Sala Petita and some offices. The other part, in traditional modern look, is Sala Tallers. In the 3 theaters there are performances of Catalan and Spanish plays and of course world classics. Also performances for children are nowadays part of it (opera, circus, dance and other performances).
• Palau de la Música Catalana - An incredible theater of 1908 taking you back to the turn of the century if it is up to its architecture.
• Gran Teatre del Liceu - An old world opera building with 3 sections. If you are interested you can join the tour, including a guide who tells great historical and interesting stories. Therefor you do not need to read all the books and surf the web. Mostly every guide has its own extra personal touch on a story, which makes it even more attractive.

Tips for kids

Tibidabo Amusement Park

• One of the oldest amusement parks in the world! No matter what your age is, there is for everyone something: 25 rides (including the Falkirk Wheel), great shows and all kind of theater. The 'Tibidabo Sky Walk' is a big event. From 500 meters you have a stunning view of Barcelona! Time for a break? Of course there are plenty of places to have a drink or something to eat. For the ones who prefer to sit outside, get a spot on one of the picnic areas!

• Museu de la Xocolate
  Devoted to chocolate? In Barcelona are many shops which sell chocolate, but 'Museu de Xocolate' is a special one of its kind. During the tour you start with the history of chocolate, how to make chocolate, Barcelona made of chocolate and a very nice part of tour in the museum is that you are able to learn how to make chocolate sculptures!

• FC Barcelona stadium and FC Barcelona museum
  
  Football is a part of life in Spain. Barcelona is pretty well represented in the world of football.
  
  Kids will have the time of their live in this 5 star of its kind, the FC Barcelona stadium. Feel the Barça vibes with your kid(s) or just chill by yourself: walk through the welcome area of the Camp Nou Experience, take a look in the press boxes, follow the way of the players in the players' tunnel including appropriate music on the background, keep on going and end up in the pitch, just as the players you go to the changing rooms, the mixed zone and the press room. You will probably recognize the walls from one of the conferences when one of the players spoke with the media.
  
  And this is not all! Together with your kid(s) you can see the triumphs, get to know more about the history of Barça on an interactive way, in the multimedia zone is a big touch screen where you can find information and statistics about the presidents, managers, supporters clubs and much more in the museum of FC Barcelona.
  
  Note: Check before your visit if it is a match day. Because for example 3 hours before the kick-off the museum closes.
• Barcelona Aquarium
  The second largest aquarium in the world! More than 14 million people visited this great underwater world. It consists out of 3 sections, with each its own highlights. Walk along with the sharks and other 11.000 animals while you go through the 80 meters long tunnel in the Oceanarium. Who does not want to do that at least once in a lifetime. There are permanent exhibitions to discover on a active way the underwater world.
  
  For families there are all kind of activities, like sleeping with sharks, various of workshops and guided tours. One way or the other, you have a nice day where you see and even learn a lot in a pleasant way.
  
  There is always sunshine somewhere, but unfortunately once in a while there is a cloudy, rainy day in Barcelona aswell. What is a nice thing to do, as kids like to run and enjoy themselves? There are some indoor parks like Aventura Park, Chupipark, Jocland, Malup Parc, Waki Park, etc.

Sports & active

• Abseiling and rock climbing (12 meter rock face) - at only 40 minutes outside Barcelona.
• Bridge jumping - from a height of 40 meters at 50 minutes outside Barcelona.
• Bungee Jump - in about 1 hour outside Barcelona
• Canyoning - a combination of potholing, swimming, hiking and mountaineering. Only 50 minutes outside Barcelona.
• Horse riding - at 'Escola Hípica' in Sant Cugat
• Ice skating - 'Pista de Gel del FC Barcelona's
• Potholing - with potholing you will discover hidden underground secrets of Cataluña.
• Rafting - in about 3 hours outside Barcelona
• Scuba diving - within 1 hour outside Barcelona
• Swimming pools (piscines municipales) - Piscines Bernat, Picornell, Palau Sant Jordi
• Tennis court - 'Centre Municipal de Tennis Vall d'Hebron'
• Water sports - at the beach of 'Mar Bella', 'centre Municipal de Vela Port Olímpic' for sail lessons e.g.
• Winter sport - in a 2-3 hours drive from Barcelona and on the mountain of the Montjuïc is an artificial ski slope.

WiFi spots

Around the world internet is almost unthinkable in a lot of people's life. In several public areas you will be able to go online, like in coffee shops, restaurants, bars and shopping malls. Nowadays Barcelona also provides WiFi areas in various parks. A few examples are Parc de la Ciutadella, Parc de l'Espanya, Pista Poliesportiva del Parc de la Creuta del Coll, Casal de Gent Gran del Parc, Parc de Cervantes, Parc de la Pegaso, Camp Municipal de Futbol Parc Catalana, Parc del Labirint d'Horta, Parc de Joan Miró, Parc Guël and Jardins de la Casa Elizalde.

Festivals

There are, like in all countries over the world, national (official) holidays and local festivals, on which most of the banks and shops are closed. So it is always useful to be aware of these days. Besides the National festivals of Spain, Barcelona has famous, local and national festivities: