Barcelona Insights, The First Guide from Real People Experiences
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Table of content Introduction ........................................................................................................... page 3 Attractions ............................................................................................................. page 4 - Amusement parks......................................................................................................... page 4 - Other attractions.......................................................................................................... page 5 - Recommendations ....................................................................................................... page 5 - Address list................................................................................................................... page 6 Shopping ............................................................................................................... page 7 - Where to shop ............................................................................................................. page 7 - What are you looking for? ........................................................................................... Page 8 - Recommendations ....................................................................................................... page 9 Gastronomy Shopping ............................................................................................ page 12 - Markets ...................................................................................................................... page 12 - Bakeries ...................................................................................................................... page 13 Cultural Barcelona ................................................................................................. page 16 - Museums .................................................................................................................... page 16 - Exhibitions with themes............................................................................................... page 18 - Recommendations ...................................................................................................... page 18 Natural escape...................................................................................................... page 20 - Recommendations ..................................................................................................... page 20 Feeling hungry? .................................................................................................... Page 23 - Menu del Día............................................................................................................. page 23 - Great Catalan experience Calçotada ........................................................................... page 23 - Where to go eat / Restaurants .................................................................................... page 24 - Recommendations ..................................................................................................... page 25 - Coffee shops and Cafés .............................................................................................. page 28 - Recommendations ..................................................................................................... page 28 Going out ............................................................................................................. page 31 - Bars ............................................................................................................................ page 31 - Discotheque ............................................................................................................... page 34 - Address list ................................................................................................................ page 36 Barcelona Beaches................................................................................................. page 37 Transport to get around ......................................................................................... page 41 Thank you ........................................................................................................... page 44 Share Barcelona insights ......................................................................................... page 45
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Get Barcelona Insights Barcelona Apartments and Flats is a business owned and run by people who live in Barcelona and who LOVE Barcelona. We, the team of Barcelona Flats, try to be innovative, interactive and provide you with quality. We want you to have the best stay possible in Barcelona. Because we have been living in Barcelona for a long time, we have a lot of information, tips and tricks for the City that will be useful for your stay. We believe that good personal recommendations are the best, therefore we have created this E-book to give you insights. It includes all the necessary information you need and all the information that will make your stay special. In addition to sharing our expertise, our service is to provide self catering accommodations for your holiday, vacation, business trip or whatever good reason you may have for being in this beautiful city. Our apartments are located all over the Catalan Capital and with a wide range of facilities to make sure you will find an accommodation that fit your needs. If you are looking for choice, high quality and an unforgettable stay, Barcelona Flats is the right choice. To make the best content, the information is gathered from our own experiences but also our customers and social media followers’ experiences in Barcelona. We hope you enjoy this book!
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Attractions
Is their anything you can’t do in Barcelona? We don’t think so.
Barcelona has got it all including lots of attractions. Things to see and things to do! No matter what you enjoy there is something for everyone. Culture, museums, parks and so on. In this chapter we will get more into different attractions that you can enjoy with your friends and family.
Amusement parks: The small amusement park is placed on one of the mountains in Barcelona. The park has an amazing view and really nice nature. What makes it special is its old fashion style which is charming, it has been the scene for movies like the famous Vicky Cristina Barcelona of Woody Allen. The entrance fee is 25,20 euro. However, there are some age dependant discounts and offers online. Check out the website for info on how to get there, opening hours, prices.
This amusement park is really big and perfect for a day trip. You will enjoy a gorgeous setting, shows and exciting attractions. It is about an hour outside of Barcelona. There is a price package where you get a train ticket from Barcelona centre to the park. There is not much else than the park in the area, therefore its better to just take a one-day trip. There are some discounts to get on the website.
The aquarium in Barcelona is a big attraction. It is beautiful and you can dive with sharks if you like. It is located at the harbour. The entrance free vary from 11€ to 35€, you can check the different offers in the website. At the end of the tour there is a cafeteria with nice playground for children. It is educational and a great option on the rare day when the weather is not good.
The Zoo of Barcelona is quite big. It was first created thanks to Lluís Martí Codolar who offered his collection of exotic and native animals to the city of Barcelona. In 1893 it was made into a public urban space and the formation of the Zoo began. It is situated inside the Parc de la Ciutadella, in the city centre. The entrance is 17 euro pr. Adult, but you can check the website for discounts.
This aqua park is just 30 minutes away from Barcelona by car, you can also get train and bus to get there. It is the perfect place to spend a fresh day when Barcelona gets hot in summer. Families will enjoy some relaxing as well as exciting activities for adults and children. Of course you will find lots of cafeterias there but because of prices and quality you may want to bring your own pic-nic. The park is also open on Saturday night! You can check the offers in the website. 4
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Other attractions: The FC Barcelona stadium is a huge attraction in Barcelona due to the big success of the football team but also because of the special atmosphere. The Spanish people have a loving relationship with football. It is a culture and it is something you attend as the whole family. During a match in Camp Nou, you will never find such a devotion to the sport and the players as here. You can go on guided tours, walk around on your own or attend some of the events in the stadium. You can even book some of the numerous room for private or corporate events which all have a FC Barcelona feel to it. The price per Adult is 22 euro but there are other prices for students, pensioners and members. The price includes entrance to the stadium, the museum and the multi media area.
The magic fountains at Montjuic. The fountains are in front of the stunning Palau Montjuic. In the evening the show of water, music and lights is amazing! It is an absolute must-see when you are in Barcelona! It is a huge experience. During summer, they start at around 21.00 and go on with shows of 15 minutes until 23.00.
From the Barcelona harbour, (Plaça del Portal de la Pau at the end of La Rambla in front of the Monument to Cristopher Columbus) you can find fun and exciting boat trips which take you around the coast of Barcelona. You can find both big and smaller boats and both long and short trips. The average trip is about 1h20. You can also rent boats with a captain. In the evening, some boats are having theme nights, The Jazz trip is really nice. The biggest company is Catamaran Orsom. If you would like to take a trip, check the website of this company or just go down to the harbour.
Recommendations: “I have been to the Imax in Port Vell. It is a 3D cinema with a 900m2 dome in the middle of Barcelona port! Even if we are now more used to big screens I really appreciated it. It is a big room with very comfortable seats and I love the travel movies they show. I know there are also movies for children and some that would make me afraid, like with huge dinosaurs... I would recommend it.”
“Park de Atraciones at Tibidabo, the view is spectacular... and the rides are old and fun.” 5
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Address List Park Tibidabo Plaça Tibidabo, 080035 Barcelona http://www.tibidabo.cat
Port Aventura Av. Alcalde Molas, 43480 Vila-Seca www.portaventura.co.uk
L’aquarium Moll d'Espanya 7, 08039 Barcelona www.aquariumbcn.com
Barcelona Zoo Parc de la Ciutadella s/n, 08003 Barcelona www.zoobarcelona.cat
Illa Fantasia Aqua Park Finca Mas Brassó s/n, 08339 Vilassar de Dalt www.illafantasia.com
Camp Nou Carrer d'Arístides Maillol, 08028 Barcelona www.fcbarcelona.com
Font Mágica de Montjuïc Avinguda de Rius i Taulet, 08038 Barcelona
Boat Trips
Plaça del Portal de la Pau
Imax Port Vell Moll d'Espanya, 08039 Barcelona www.imaxportvell.com
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Shopping Who says shopping isn`t healthy? Enjoy Barcelona's 5km long shopping Street
If you like shopping, Barcelona is definitely a good place to be! In Barcelona you find a lot of shops and shops of all kinds. Whether you are looking for clothes, shoes, antiques, books, second-hand or whatever, Barcelona has got it! In fashion, Barcelona is counted as one of the leaders of Spain and is placed among Europe's top cities. You will find clothing stores for any taste whether you want to go shop cheap or expensive. TIP!! Barcelona has two attractive sales periods. First one in January and next in June. They last for two months, and you can definitely find yourself a good deal! It is called rebaixes in Catalan and rebajas in Spanish
Where to shop:
The main area to shop is the famous 5km long shopping street Paseo de Gracia which starts from La Rambla and ends at Avinguda Diagonal. On your way you will find all the shops you know as H&M, Bershka, Pimkie, Top Shop an so on. When you walk along Paseo de Grácia you will find designer shops, such as Gucci and Versace. Paseo de Grácia is a very lovely boulevard with a lot of great shops. If you can not afford Gucci it is still worth going, just for window shopping.
TIP!! If you feel like the 5km are too long, you can take a “shopping bus” from Plaça Catalunya (goes every 7 minutes). The bus drives the shopping route and stops various places.—Regular ticket: 1,50€ (Sold on the bus)
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What are you looking for? Mainstream shops: Many mainstream stores like H&M, Zara, Pimkie, Bershka and so on are located around Plaça Catalunya. Here you will also find El Corte Ingles, which is a group of shopping malls. It is Spain’s Macy’s. Every Corte Ingles has different offers, so you can visit sever-
High end designer shops: Passeig de Grácia and Avinguda Diagonal gather all top brands
Small designer shops: If you are looking for some more unique shopping then Grácia, El Born and Gothic are really nice areas. Here you will find lots of small shops, the streets are really cosy and you can combine shopping with a lovely lunch. In Gràcia you will find more bohemian style and lots of Spanish designer boutiques. Clothes are created directly in the workshops here. In El Borne and Gothic you will find everything you look for from basic to unique items, and here are many international designers.
Vintage: If you go down the Rambla from Plaça Catalunya, try to go in the small streets on your right and you will end up in Raval. Here you find a lot of different, eclectic, exciting shops. Also a good place to find vintage.
Outlets: If you are looking for outlets you are also in the right place. On the street Calle Girona you will find a lot of outlets for example Mango outlet. If you are interested in luxury outlets there is a place out of Barcelona called La Roca Village. Here you find outlet for brands like: Versace, Nike, Vans, Swarovski, Hugo Boss, Burberry, Diesel an so on.
Souvenirs You will definitely find souvenirs at La Rambla. All the way down the Rambla you will find a lot of tourist shops with all kinds of souvenirs!
There goes a bus from Fabra I Puig bus station, to La Roca Village from Monday to Friday. The bus ride takes 50minutes and the price is 3,05 euro per journey. www.larocavillage.com
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Recommendations Les Punxes— Catherine Hart “Lovely bookstore in a great location! It has existed since the 60ties, got all kinds of books and the owner organises activities every week.”
La Trocante— Gemma Rawsthorne “In this large second hand store you can find a good deal! Great furniture and junk store.”
H&M— Nina Wild “Not because of the clothes, which most people know, but because this particular H&M, at first sight looks more like a nightclub than a clothing store. Worth to go there just to see the building and decoration inside.” It is located in a great shopping street in the city centre.
Nekane—Sam Mardell “The women's clothes Nekane is a good find. They have a few shops round Barcelona. The clothes are dreamy romantic designs and at lot of the time they will only stock one or two examples of a design. I find myself mysteriously drawn inside whenever I am passing.”
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Openhouse—Gnam Box “Once you enter in, you would never go out. Openhouse is a concept store where you can feel at home and where you can find an amazing selection of furniture, art, clothes, plants, perfumes and more.”
Dolores Promesas—Barcelona Flats
Nice clothing store. There is also one on Rambla de Catalunya. The decoration in the store is really nice and gives the store a wonderful atmosphere! Worth seeing just for the beautiful decorations, but some clothing could sneak home with you, because the clothes are great as well!
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Locas de Atar—Anna Juarez
“My favourite shop in Barcelona is ʺLocas de Atarʺ. They sell nice clothes with a vintage touch and it is located in the area of Gracia. They propose really original and not expensive products. Actually ʺLocas de Atarʺ means to be crazy”
Veneno
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Flats
Looking for a very nice dress for a special occasion, try this place, they make beautiful ball gowns and cocktail dresses. The shop is beautiful as well, and you will get a lot of help from staff to pick out the best dress for you.
Librería Fabre—iFaboo
“A special Bookstore called: Librería Alemana Fabre, there you can find, not only the most amazing books in german for children but also many original gifts for the little ones at home. I always pass by just to look at the soft toys, books and so. Normally at the end I would buy something ;)”
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Gastronomy shopping Looking for some delicious shopping for your hunger or thirst?
Markets: Barcelona has an amazing cuisine. It is very good regarding gastronomy partly because of high quality Spanish cuisine you can get in the big city, but also because of the international gastronomy. Barcelona offers especially very good Japanese, Indian and Italian food. However, if you are looking to cook for yourself you will experience a whole world of specialised food stores, big supermarkets, and small bakeries with everything the heart could desire. Also Asian shops, cheese shops, butchers and fishmongers. The gastronomy shopping in Barcelona has something for everyone. We have tried to track down some of the most special ones.
Is the most famous market. It is placed in the middle of La Rambla, on the right hand site when walking down towards the Harbour. The market is a treat for the senses. The colours, the smell and the Mediterranean feeling hit you right away! This market is always full of people and they are most often walking around with a fresh smoothie or fruit box. You can have freshly pressed fruit for 1-2 euro in all kind of colours and flavours. Walking around the big market, you will also find lots of fresh fish, fruit, cheese, the famous dried Jabugo ham (jamon iberico)! Spanish people buy the whole leg of the pig and hang it at home. You can also get part of the leg & they slice it for you. A Jamon can cost from to 40-200 euro.
It is the same principle as the La Boqueria – but bigger and with less tourists! The market offers everything you could wish of seafood, vegetables, nuts, chocolate, meet, bread and so on. If you come here, you will have a great experience with true Catalan feeling. You can also buy very cheap clothes here and on Sundays, there is a book and coin market. This market is surrounded by bakeries and cafes where people have their espresso after shopping.
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In Eixample area is the oldest market in Barcelona. It has got food but it is known as the best and biggest flower/plant shopping place in the city. It is a truly awesome display of flowers for sale and covers two blocks
This is also a food market – but it is the newest one in Barcelona. It was renovated in 2005 by the architects Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue of EMBT. He also designed the Scottish Parliament. The market roof is in the shape of a wave in beautiful colors! This market also have a stand with the best Jabugo ham and a small supermarket. So actually, you get it all if you choose this for your shopping. However, the markets are not only for shopping. The Catalan people go there for the daily shopping and afterwards they have their (depending on the time of the day) tapas or coffee.
Bakeries
Remember that you can ask to taste the food before you buy it, if you are in doubt!
Spanish people eat A LOT of baguette (almost as much as the French people) and it is so tasty. Therefore you can buy baguette in almost every shop, supermarket and kiosk. They get it delivered from the closest bakery. It is approximately 0,70 euro for one but prices vary a lot depending on the shop. Allthough, if you go to a bakery they can be a bit more expensive but the quality will match the price. You can also get whole grain, with sesame and all kind of different types. A famous one is El Fornet, where you can also get big breads, cakes and pastries. Barcelona has many small bakeries where you can get bread from all over the world in all kind of shapes and types. It is a Mecca to enter these bakeries as can only get tempted by the seductive smell and the eyes can not get enough! To find the small and good bakeries you have to go to the small areas. It is almost impossible to find a bakery at La Rambla, Plaza Cataluña, Diagonal, Passeig de Gracia, the beach promenade and the main streets. The shops called “FORN de Pa” use to be artisanal.
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Butchers and ham Butchers can be a little hard to find in Barcelona. Most of them are placed in El Raval. This is due to the fact that the Spanish people buy the meat at the markets or in the big supermarkets. The dried ham is best to buy at the markets or the big supermarkets such as Carrefour. You can find small shops who specialises in the hams.
Chocolate and candy Barcelona
Cheese
Cheese, cheese, cheese.. In Spain, cheese is a part of the Tapas and therefore you can find many kinds. There are special cheese shops and you can buy cheese in the markets. Goat cheese is called Cabra and is in a lot of dishes. For your cheese tapas at home just buy Queso Manchego (even in supermarkets) and cut slices, here you go...
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Chocolaterías. Shops which are specialised in chocolate, and the good kind! Often, these shops also sell the traditional Catalan cookies which are really nice. These shops are a little bit expensive, but it is definitely worth the price. One of the most famous is Escriba, right in La Rambla. On top of this there is a lot of Candy shops where you will walk into the most colourful shop, grab a plastic bag and start mixing your favourite candy.
Super Markets
There is a lot of “small supermarkets” to buy the most necessary things around Barcelona, but it is much more expensive than the big ones. The biggest one near the centre is the international Carrefour. It is on the beginning of La Rambla. It is a typical Mediterranean supermarket. It has everything the heart desires in meat, vegetables, candy, chips, wine, sausage, bread, cosmetics, and so on. It has got a lot of international brands. If you want a more local one, there is Consum. It is Spanish and smaller and you will be able to find Spanish specialities. If you want real discount, there is also the German Lidl and Schleker. For a 7/7, 18/24h open supermarket, you can go to OpenCor. Nevertheless, to find fresh fish and meet the markets are better. 14
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Fruit and vegetables
Of course you can buy it in the supermarkets, but if you are looking for choice and really nice and fresh products you can go to the markets or one of the many special shops for buying vegetables and fruit. It is in almost every street and they boom with fresh vegetables and fruits.
Wine
You can buy wine in every shop in Barcelona, but by law the supermarkets has to stop selling alcohol by 22.00. It is still possible to find small stores selling you wine after 22.00, even though it is illegal, but it would be more expensive for less quality and choice. In order to get some better and more unique wine you can find wine-stores with international and local wine. Decantalo is located at Passeig de Gracia (119 Travessera de Gracia, Barcelona 08012) is really good. Cava, a sparkling wine, and Sangria are the national drinks of Spain. In fact, 95% of all cava comes from Cataluña.
Recommendations:
When you go out, remember that Spanish people often drink most of their wine chilled and the House Wine is often the best choice if you do not want to spend a fortune.
Celler El Vinyet—Heather Anderson “Recommended to me by a sommelier that used to work at El Bulli and now works at Monvinic. The staff are able to recommend new wines to their clients at a very reasonable price. Excellent service, Great wines, The price is right!”
Alcohol and tobacco
As wine, all alcohol can be bought in supermarkets until 22.00, and can be found in small stores after. If you want more choices and something special there are liquor stores which have everything within alcohol and they can help you choosing with some expert advices. Tobacco is bought in special stores called Tabaco where you have all kind of cigarettes, cigars and equipment. The Tabaco’s close at 20.30 but in most bars there is a machine where you can get cigarettes, but they cost more and the machines only accept cash. On average, a pack of cigarettes is 4 euro. 15
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Cultural Barcelona Just walk the streets and you will be able to enjoy a lot of culture for free! Barcelona is definitely a cultural city and consists lot of museums and exhibitions all along the year. As you will certainly not have time to visit those 55 museums and the uncountable exhibitions we will tell you about those that we have experienced and liked at Barcelona Flats. Here is our selection.
If you like History, you will find a very rich patrimony in Barcelona. Before entering any Museum you will just have to stroll into the Gothic and Born districts of the city. But beware that in fact Gothic has been totally reformed in the 20th century and its medieval aspect is not that old... So to make sure you really get into history we propose you to visit the Church Santa MarĂa del Mar, which is 700 years old, the Ancient Synagogue, which original structure was built in the third or fourth century and of course the Cathedral of Barcelona, which work started in 1298.
Barcelona City Museum It is more interesting than it might first appear. It is set in a grand palace and part of it is under Plaça del Rei in the old part of Barcelona. There you will see mosaics, wall paintings, graves and a pool, excavated remains of ancient structures, documents, engravings, etc. It is very complete and not to big, so it is a good plan to spend part of your day. Great for children and excellent for a wet day.
Carrer
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You can also visit Carrer de Montcada, close to the Park de la Ciutadella. You will find the old homes (Palaus) of Catalan noble families along this narrow street. Moreover, the medieval or Renaissance buildings are now home to important museums and art galleries if you want to pursue your cultural path between History and Art. It includes the Picasso Museum, Textile Museum, Barbier-Mueller Museum of pre-Columbian art and Maeght Gallery. 16
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Museum of European Modern Art The little street Barra de Ferro is not on the normal tourist route. It does not actually go anywhere but has an entrance at each end. Hidden at No. 5 of the street is the newly opened Museum of European Modern Art (Museu Europa D’Arte Moderna MEAM). Wandering in through the wide doors you come into the internal courtyard, an oasis in the El Borne district of Barcelona. If you are as lucky as we have been, you will find there a Jazz duo playing, the sound of which drift through the whole museum and is a wonderful accompaniment to a stroll through the museum. The art and sculptures are really of the highest order. There are three floors in the museum and it is worth making it all the way to the top floor. A self portrait entitled “Yo” (of course!) is so compelling you think the artist is going to engage you in conversation. For a bit more history, Picasso had a study just round the corner from here!!
TIP!! Buy your museum ticket online at Ticket bar
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Of course, the essential of Barcelona is Gaudi's architecture. Several tours are organized to see all Gaudi in a day but if you prefer to just see some of its best works, Park Güell and Casa Batlló are our favourites. From the outside the Casa Battló's façade looks like it has been made from skulls and bones. In fact Gaudi used colours and shapes found in marine life. He designed the building for a wealthy aristocrat called Josep Battló, as an upmarket home. It was built 1877 and remodelled in 1904-06. It is all an experience to visit. Moreover, what people may not know is that Casa Battló and Casa Milà use to host concerts in their terrace and roof every summer… Anna Juarez recommend Casa Milà: “I know that Gaudi's master piece is supposed to be The Sagrada Familia but I really enjoyed the Casa Milà (known as La Pedrera). Buying a ticket you have access to the museum, the roof and to the apartment. I love to see how the rich people in Barcelona lived at the beginning of the 20th century!”
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Exhibitions are more focused on actuality and are very creative and interactive.
El Bulli (also recommended by iFaboo) El Bulli exhibition will make you enter in the universe of one of the best Cooks worldwide. This free exhibition is all about Ferran Adría's history and a show of his
Poble Espanyol If you would like to enjoy an outdoor exhibition, Poble Espanyol is very nice place to spend your afternoon. It is an open-air, walled village museum gathering the most famous and beautiful architecture from all Spain and representing all the Spanish regions. It is also a place for art and shopping with lots of small shops and restaurants. This is a wonderful environment to enjoy outdoor and indoor shows and events are organized throughout the year.
concoctions. You will be able to experience his cuisine with very creative video and sounds platforms and get a close-up look at some of the restaurant’s more unusual tools... The exhibition is open until February 2013 at Palau Robert, a beautiful house in the top of Passeig de Gracia. To avoid queues, it is better to visit it during the week.
Caixa Forum— Heather Anderson This museum is situated on the beautiful Montjuic hill and houses a variety of collections ranging from contemporary to classic exhibits. “ it changes often and it is always free”. One of the exhibitions was Routes of Arabia which are routes themselves, showcasing pieces that have been on a journey through space, time and culture.
Picasso museum—Heather Anderson & Christine-Marie Esteve In the heart of El Born district the Picasso museum is housed in a beautiful building. There you will get a small cassette player that will guide you through the museum and explain all about the paintings. It is free the first Sunday of the month but go early if you want to avoid a long queue. The evolution of Picasso's work from his early years is very great to see. “It is a classic” (Heather). “One of the best visits” (Christine-Marie).
Contemporanean Culture Centre in Barcelona—Anna Juarez “I love the CCCB. Their exhibitions are really interesting, engaging, dynamic and you never get bored or tired. The price is really good value for money!” 18
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Dali Museum— Heather Anderson & Christine-Marie Esteve “The best visit has to be an hour outside of Barcelona in the foothills of the Pyrenees and the home/ exhibition of Salvador Dali at Figueres” (Christine-Marie) “I love the Dali Museum in Figueres” (Heather) From Barcelona to the first of the picturesque coastal towns & villages of The Costa Brava is approx 1 hour either by car, coach or train. You will find the town of Figueres in the Costa Brava, slightly inland from the coast, famed for being the home of the great Spanish artist, Salvador Dali’s Theatre Museum, housing much of his art, sculptors and even jewellery. “Wired and wonderful - from the courtyard presentation of an old Ford in which the waterfall rains supreme inside, the giant egg adorned battlement and the astonishing painting of Abraham Lincoln, which through a camera lens turns into the Venus di Milo - an extravaganza for the senses. Not just someone with an amazing imagination but an artist of fantastic technique. Most of it was a subtle condemnation of the Franco Regime. They simply could not understand him and so wrote him off as mad. In his bedroom you will see the original iconic sofa modelled on Marilyn Monroe's lips, next to which is the gilded skeleton of a gorilla holding an icon of the Virgin and Child - a tribute to the ideas of Darwin but condemned by the pro-Franco Catholic Church at the time” (ChristineMarie).
Joan Miro Museum—Maria Bonde Sorensen & Gnam Box To get insight into this Catalan artist's work you can have an audio-guide which is really informative, and easy to use (ipod style). In addition to the museum you will enjoy “a beautiful view looking over the city” from an amazing modern building. “It is located on Montjuic, which is also worth seeing. I really liked the museum and think it is worth going there!” - Maria “Exhibitions are always very studied and Miró was a genius!” Gnam Box
Museu de la Xocolata— Bar del Convent's team “it is Fantastic place + chocolate : impossible better!” You will find it in the heart of El Born district, close to Park de la Ciutadella. We won't comment further, you can imagine it by yourselves…!
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Natural Escape Escape and enjoy the beauty of Barcelona Even though Barcelona is a city, it offers lots of possibilities to have a break from the noise and excitement of the city. Barcelona offers: Parks, gardens, hills and other natural escapes! Here you have the opportunity to relax, have a look at the flowers and trees, read a book or just have a nice time with friends and family. Spanish people often take the chance to relax at the nature escapes Barcelona offers. They go as whole families to enjoy a picnic, do sport or to just chill. The parks provide small fountains with drinking water. Also the 5 km long beach counts as a natural escape – however, it is not as quiet as the parks! There are many types of parks and gardens in Barcelona and many with different purposes. We will tell you about the most special ones.
Parc Ciutadella— Gnam Box & Anna Juarez This park is free (except the Zoo, which is also a part of the park) and it is located in the El Borne area. It is about 10 minutes from the Beach. The park was designed by Josep Fontserè in 1715 but it has been through some major changes since. It was later made public and was expanded, with new buildings designed by, among others, Antoni Gaudi. The buildings still stand and ageing have only made them more beautiful. There you will find Castell dels Tres, museums and the Cascada. (waterfalls) The park is great for sports, visiting building or just as a place to chill. There is also a small lake in the middle where you can rent a rowing boat. Another really great thing is that during the summer there are lots of free exhibitions, concerts and other cultural activities.
Parc Laberint— Heather Anderson This park is very special and considered the most beautiful one in Barcelona. It was build as a Labyrinth in 1791 with small twists such as romantic statues and pavilions. It is considered very romantic. One of our co-writers recommended it. There, she played a game with some friends to see who could find the end of the Labyrinth the quickest. They all got their childhood back for an afternoon... The park closes at 9pm during the summer season and the entrance cost is approximately 2,50€ per Adult. However going there can be a bit of a Labyrinth as well. The best way to get there is to take the main metro line (L3 green) to Mundet and walk the rest of the way. The park is on a hill, but it is worth the effort! 20
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Hospital Creu
The main attraction here is the building, which is an old hospital where Antonio Gaudi passed away. It has now been turned into the national library of Cataluña. The building is absolutely beautiful. But what caught our curiosity was the attached garden. It is small, but so special and pretty. You enter from the street. It’s like crossing a country boarder – from the noise and people on the street to the small, lovely, quiet garden with such a comfortable atmosphere. Nevertheless, the uniqueness is that you can borrow books from the library and take them out into this garden and read or use their free Wifi. It is small but we appreciate the uniqueness. One of La Raval’s hidden treasures!...and it is free!
Roserar de Cervantes This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Barcelona. It is filled with over 235 different species of roses, 5 ha in size. Just the smell when walking around is amazing! You would not think, but this garden is very quiet and you should set aside 2-3 hours for visiting this wonderful place.
Parc Güell This is Barcelona’s most famous parc. The incredible Park Güell dates from 1914, and was designed by Antonio Gaudí. The park is really big and it is free! It is filed with spectacular architecture, a wonderful view of Barcelona and nice nature too. You can walk up hill and this area is big enough for a small hiking trip. However, it is very touristic and stalked with people, so try to go on a week day. It is also very hot, so remember to take water and try to avoid the busiest time between 12 -14:30 pm. Getting there can be a little bit of a challenge. You take the metro L3 to Vallcarca and go straight up the moving escalators or go to Lesseps (L3) and walk up the more gentle hill. Be prepared for about a 20 minute walk, You should not go to Barcelona without seeing this emblematic free park!
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Montjuic Montjuic is a hill inside the city of Barcelona. It is 184,8m. high and faces the harbour. If you go to the top of the hill by bus (lines 50 and 55) you can stroll down crossing many lovely parks with fountains and views over the city. There are many attractions on Montjuic (the Olympic Stadium, the Castle, National Palace etc.). But most important it can take you away from the big city excitement.
Botanic Gardens These Gardens are situated at the top of Montjuic, beside the Olympic Stadium. There, you can stroll along the numerous paths surrounded by Mediterranean, African, American and Australian vegetation and of course views of Barcelona. You can also visit a Bonsai exhibition for the enthusiasts. The garden runs according to the seasons rhythms, if you have the chance to visit it in Spring you will be amazed by the variety of shapes and colours. Tip: Visit the Botanic Garden on a Sunday after 15h or the last Sunday of each month to enter for free!
Monserrat—Heather Anderson “Sitting high on a mountain overlooking the Catalan wine region lies Montserrat. The views from the teleferic cable car that leaves from the train station up to Montserrat are fantastic. Numerous trails, restaurants and museums are at your disposal. Bring a picnic, your hiking boots and a camera and enjoy the spectacular views. A must-see when visiting Barcelona.�
Over-all there are many natural escapes in and around Barcelona. You do not have to go far out of the city to experience true Catalan living. A 30 min train ride takes you to lovely Sitges or small, but beautiful Montgat which has really beautiful beaches. There are so many small parks, back-yards with flowers, small playgrounds and much, much more where you can have a break and just enjoy the nature.
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Feeling hungry? Eat, drink and dine well in Barcelona! In Barcelona you will find lots and lots of restaurants, bars and coffee shops. You will find food from every country in the world. The city has many great restaurants whether you are looking for gourmet, Michelin-Star restaurants, or just a little bite on the way home. BUT! It is also VERY easy to get trapped in a tourist-trap and pay a lot for not such good food! Therefore we think this is a very important chapter. Of course we are aware that the taste of food is very personal, but we will list some of our own recommendations and recommendations that we have received from our co-writers.
Menu of the day! This is a very well known concept in Barcelona. Locals flock to restaurants from Monday to Friday 1.30p.m - 4.30p.m to enjoy the affordable Menu Del Dia. It is averaged around 9€ and includes starter, main course, dessert and drink.
TIP!! Look for menu del dia and get a great deal!
It is possible to find a Menu del Dia during the weekend too!
At Can Joanet you can get a Calçotada menu, which is very Catalan. It consist of an entree of bread, plus a tomato & garlic clove, which you’ll have to do yourself (rub the tomato and garlic on the bread). Then you will get the 1st course of the Calçotada which is a kind of spring onion that you dip in a great sauce, consisting of almonds etc. You eat it by holding it in the air and pulling the outer layer off and then eating it from the bottom first (this takes practice!) you have plastic gloves and a bib to keep your clothes clean under the battle! Afterwards you will get a meat mountain! with all kinds of different meat from the grill! Be sure you have not eaten too much before going, because here you will get a lot of food. And last but not least pudding - crema Catalan. All this for 30€ per person. Did we mention that red wine and water are included in the price? We recommend that you book as the calçotada is a very popular dining experience in and around Barcelona. A great fun experience, although we will have to mention that the waiters do not speak a lot of English, you will just get flooded into the Catalan culture! Carrer Tajo 6, 08031 Barcelona
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Rambla:
There are plenty of bars and restaurants to eat out in Barcelona, the matter is not which restaurant to choose but more where you choose to look for one.
First of all Las Ramblas is a no-go for dining! Mainly because comparing it to other areas, they will overcharge you – greatly! Sometimes you may see great menu del dia signs, down on La Rambla, you sit down and eat, you get the bill and realize that you have had to pay 5-6€ for a coca cola! You did not notice that because the drinks were not on the menu card. Sometimes IVA is not included in the price you see on the sign either, so be careful! Instead of eating on La Rambla go down the smaller side streets, (it is almost like the price will decrease the further you go! ..It is not completely like that, of course)
The beach: Are you a fan of seafood? Then you will find very good restaurants along and by the beach. Especially at Barceloneta and Port Olympic. On the street Plaça Pau Vila some of the places can be a little expensive, and along Barceloneta beach you will find a lot of nice places to eat. You will find restaurants if you follow the beach, all the way from Barceloneta to Port Olympic. Around Port Olympic there is more cafè dining, at places like Shôko and CDLC. If you go further along, after the twin towers, you will also find a lot of great seafood restaurants, where locals & tourists will be queuing for a table for paella on a Sunday lunchtime.
El Borne/Gothic: If you are on the look out for really nice and typical Spanish dishes, you should go to El Borne and Gothic. Here you will find a lot of tapas and pinchos bars. At a few of the places you will see a lot of small bites on sticks and people sitting in the bar eating all kinds of dishes on these sticks (those are pinchos) while enjoying a glass of cava. They are less famous but equally typical and it is ideal to taste lot of different things. In this area you will of course also find other kinds of restaurants to have a full hot meal. Definitely worth going to. El Borne and the Gothic areas are also very nice for a short stroll around.
Carrer d'Enric Granados:
Raval: La Ravel and around Sant Antoni are great places for ethnic food. If you are searching for Middle-Eastern and Asian food, you will find it here. One of the reasons, of course, is that La Raval is the place where many of the immigrants live. It is possible to find really good eating places where the food is also very cheap.
Las Arenas: The bullring at Plaça Espanya is now a big shopping mall, and if you go all the way to the top of the arena, you will have a beautiful view over Plaça Espanya and Barcelona. It is worth going there just for that! At the top you will find a lot of restaurants, of all kinds, for
In Eixample you will find this street that we love! It is a long street and in the middle of it, you will find a “little mini Rambla”. It is in the middle of the big city, but this street makes you forget it, just for a little while, but the best part is that the street is filled with good restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Many of them also have terraces to sit out at. You will find all kinds of food here and a lot of the places offer Menu Del Dia for a good price. (around 10€)
example Japanese, Italian and Spanish. It is easy to find a good place for a good price.
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Barnabier— Cristina “For the best paella in the city head to Barnabier. The Valencian paella is the freshest and most flavoursome I have ever tasted! The home-made seafood croquettes are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. A pitcher of Sangria and authentic Crema Catalana is a must try. If you're dining as a couple, the atmosphere here is wonderfully romantic. Right on the Marina at Port Olympic, the scenery is stunning in the evening when the boardwalk illuminates. Ask for a table outside. The price is superb! Dinner for two, including traditional seafood paella, appetizer, dessert, and Sangria to share is about 50€. Best part of all, Barnabier was first recommended to us by our local friends for its authenticity. It truly lives up to it.”
Montiel—Heather Anderson Small cosy restaurant in El Born. With a very warm atmosphere. It is decorated with mustard yellow walls, stone walls and wooden tables. It is a great Catalan restaurant, where the chef takes pride in bringing you the best food made from the ingredients of the season. “When someone asks me for a restaurant recommendation I always tell them to go to Montiel. I have been there at least 5 times and it gets better every time I go.”
7 Portes—Christine-Marie Esteve The best paella restaurant in Barcelona is the Restaurant 7 Portes behind the Port. Best to book because it is the place to go and takes it's name from the seven red doors on to the streets. silver ser-
Some of our Cowriters’ recommendations are competing, so we let you judge!
vice, smart waiters and a lively atmosphere, mixed with the intoxicating smell of fish and saffron.”
Cinco Jotas (Las Arenas)—Lisbeth Jensen Cinco Jotas has more than one restaurant in Barcelona, but try the one at Las Arenas, then you can enjoy the beautiful view as well. “My family and I eat at Cinco Jotas on the top of Las Arenas, There are a lot of places to eat but we chose Cinco Jotas. We got the menu del dia and it was really good and value for money. (Around 12 euros per person). Great for a lunch.”
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Aqua—Barcelona Flats Does the idea of sitting back on a Terrace on the beach, enjoying splendid Mediterranean seafood, from steamed mussels, grilled turbot with noodles cut from squid, to a thick steak with red wine gravy sound like something quite special to you? This is the perfect place, especially since the price is just right! It belongs to the Tragaluz Group, so look out for their other restaurants - e.g. Tragaluz, Acontraluz, Bestial and the new Pez Vela at the W Hotel.
Tapas 24—Barcelona Flats The restaurant of the Chef Carles Abellan makes it possible to eat tapas all day and every day from 8am to midnight, from breakfast to dinner. Enjoy a fun and friendly atmosphere offering traditional tapas, and, which is just off the famous Passeig de Gracia shopping street, so, ideal for a bite after a spree at the shops!!
El Bestiari—Anna Juarez “I go there when I want to impress someone and it never fails. They offer good Mediterranean food cooked with a lot of love.“
El Xalet—Barcelona Flats Located on the top of mount Montjuic, this restaurant offers spectacular views, private lounges and great Mediterranean and Catalan dishes; all attributes of a perfect evening. For dinner or just a coffee, its exquisite decorations make it a privileged place for its customers to enjoy the impressive panoramic views of Barcelona.
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Mercante di Venezia—Barcelona Flats Fantastic place! The menu is typical Italian and it tastes so good! They make the best Italian pizza & pasta. From outside the place does not look like something special, but inside it is very cosy and with a relaxed atmosphere. The price is medium, but, as it is just next to La Rambla, we would call it extremely cheap! Pizza from about 11 euros, one bottle of the house wine about 9 euros. If you like Italian, go!
Racó de la Vila —Tobias.V “first restaurant in (metropolitan) Spain - authentic decor, delicous food” There you can savour classical Spanish food for resonable prices. It is a very popular restaurant.
Murmuri—iFaboo The Restaurant Murmuri has Asian cuisine nicely done, fantastic desserts and cheese! Just 16,50€. The music they had on was the same I had on my iPhone….quite odd but awesome.”
Miu Japonès—Barcelona Flats Looking for great Japanese food, you found it. The restaurant looks beautiful, very atmospheric and you will enjoy an incredible lunch menu for less than 12euros.
Atril—Barcelona Flats Atril restaurant is located in a plaza in Upper Born. There is a varied menu including vegetarian options. It has a quality menu of the day at a very reasonable price, which is also offered at the weekend! There is also a terrace to sit out at to enjoy lunch or dinner.
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In most restaurants you can get just a coffee or drink, maybe a little snack if that is what you feel like. Most restaurants also have something to offer for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you go to Port Olympic you will find great café/restaurants such as Shôko, CDLC and Opium. More in the mood for a little snack and a coffee? Around Sant Antoni you will find a lot of small bakeries, some of them have tables so you can eat in. Enjoy a drink/coffee and a little snack in one of these bakeries, they are AMAZING!
Pudding—Sam Mardell Pudding is a very nice place with spectacular decorations. “You can get coffee and cake surrounded by the surreal surroundings of giant mushrooms and plenty of books. They have a wide selection of beers too. Better to go in the evening if you don't have kids.”
Kiosko Burger—Connor Robinson
Looking for a really nice burger? You just found it! Here you can enjoy a great gourmet burger. It is a small, nicely decorated place, with great details (i.e. the walls of the toilet are covered in comic book pages!) You can either eat in or take away, as you please. The price is from 5€. “Best burgers in Barça”
Woki Wok—Zabrina Lindegaard Kjeldsen Woki wok is a franchise, which consists of an Asian and organic food market, take away food, eat-in and home-delivery. “You can have china-boxes with all kinds of meat, vegetables and sauces. It is a more healthy way of fast-food and this one is located just by the beach! It is very popular so expect a wait of 10-20 minutes to have your bowl which is freshly made just in front of you, but it is worth the wait!” 28
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Cosmo—Ana de la Vega Cosmo is located at the beginning of Carrer d'Enric Granados, where you will find a lot of great places to eat. Cosmo is actually an art gallery and a café in one. You can enjoy a coffee, hot chocolate, juices, a sandwich or piece of cake in a very relaxed atmosphere! Nicely decorated. At the weekends they also serve
Lolita Bakery—Barcelona Flats
This place is a must go if you are in to cupcakes and cute things. It is a small place and it has two locations in Barcelona. The place has really nice decorations and the cupcakes look amazing!! (The taste also) We went there for a cupcake and we talked to the shop assistant, who was very nice and kind! You can enjoy a hot drink with a cupcake or different kind of cake here.
Salero—Ana de la Vega A bar/restaurant/coffee shop decorated nicely in white. It is located in El Borne. Has a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. They have great fusion food between Asian and Catalan. Lunch menu is around 12euros.
Federal—Ana de la Vega & Gnam Box The place is very unique with modern decoration. Nice service and good food for reasonable prices. There might be a wait for a table. “We really like for brunch or for a coffee break” -Gnam Box
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Tarannà by Gnam Box Actually it would go as a bar / Cafè, but Gnam Box also suggested this as great for dinner. "Really nice place where you can eat very well. Good design and the staff are very kind. They are special because the mood is great and it is a comfortable place to eat at."
Creperia—Lucile “They make the best crepes!” Go here to enjoy a sweet crepe, with a coffee or come to have your full lunch - salad, crepe with ham and egg and a dessert. They also serve cocktails. They have 4 other places in Barcelona. We tried this place and loved it!
Pasta Fresca Bar—Barcelona Flats The place to grab a quick lunch. It is the same concept as at Woki Wok but with pasta! Choose your pasta, your sauce and your ingredients and then it is prepared in front of you. It is good value for money.
Picnic—Barcelona Flats
Enjoy a nice brunch at this place. It is cosy and it is a favourite and always busy at the weekends. It is also good for a lunch menú, or a great cocktail! But be aware of their opening hours! From Monday to Friday they open at 13.30 and serve brunch and lunch until 16.30. From Tuesday to Saturday they open at 20.00pm again and the kitchen is open until 00.30, they serve cocktails until 2.00am.
Pim-Pam—Anna Juarez
“In C/Rec, there is the popular take-away called Pim-Pam. The dishes they serve are very tasty and really homemade. The price is more than reasonable.”
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Going out? In Barcelona you have until the sun rises to go out!
The right way to start your night in Barcelona, is to go to a bar. If you want to stay out longer head to a discotheque after. There are a lot of bars around Barcelona and not only bars you go to at night. The locals like to have a beer and a snack in the afternoon, so there are bars for this, where you go just for a beer, snack and a talk with a friend, and then there are the bars where you can go to start your night out. All areas of Barcelona are filled with bars. Around La Rambla you will find a lot of Irish pubs, and many of them offer you a free shot when you pass by them. The Eixample area is also a good area to find a great bar with more locals.
La Fianna—Ana de la Vega Definitely a place to go with friends. It is a great chill out spot in Barcelona. It is very cosy and has a great atmosphere. The staff are really nice. Enjoy a cocktail for about 7 euros. You can also eat there, and the food is very good. They care about the quality of the dishes they send out of their kitchen! They also have a wide wine selection. It can be hard to find this bar, because it is located down one of the small alleys around Santa Maria del Mar, but do not give up, it is worth the search! You can easily be tempted to spend the whole night there.
Bar Calders—Ana de la Vega Enjoy great “Patatas Bravas”, but also try a Mexican snack at this nice bar too, with good service, relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices. You will find Bar Calders in the area of Sant Antoni. This bar is also a homage to one of the most important Catalan writers from the 20th century, Pere Calders. The paintings that decorate the walls of the bar have been painted by one of the owners. Great bar!
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Can Paixano —Christine-Marie Esteve “Also not to be missed is the definitive Cava Bar - Can Paixano in the Carrer Reina Cristina 7, where each bocadillo or sandwich is served with a bottle of Cava. Choose from the smoked meats hung on racks behind the bar. The floor has traditional wood shavings and every hour or so the MC blows a whistle. Everyone troops outside while someone appears with a giant headed brush and sweeps the remnants of the feast and corks out on to the streets. Then the fun begins all over again.”
La Rosa Negra —Barcelona Flats A Mexican restaurant. The food is great and a reasonable price. It is food such as fajitas, burritos, nachos etc. The crowd tends to be youngish (age group 20-30). They serve really good cocktails, and very good mojitos with different tastes for only 3,5 euro!!! Come enjoy a snack, mojito and the great vibrant atmosphere in this bar/ restaurant.
Eclipse bar, W Hotel—Barcelona Flats Come here to enjoy a drink, while gazing out over Barcelona from the top. The Eclipse Sky-bar has an amazing view! The atmosphere is classy and dress code elegant. Worth a visit. A little expensive (drinks from 12euro) Enjoy a delicious Sushi here as well. Open until 4.00a.m on Fridays and Saturdays.
Dry Martini—Barcelona Flats They know how to make a cocktail and they do it with a smile! Of course you can enjoy some tapas as well, their croquetas are great. Takes you back in time with the nice atmosphere and decorations. Around 10 euros for a cocktail, but it is worth it.
Mosquito—Ana de la Vega This is a very nice and popular place. It is small, therefore it can take some time to get a table. If you like Asian food, this is your place. They have fair prices, great service, great handmade dumplings and a wide beer selection. Open until 2.30 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Margarita Blue—Barcelona Flats Another Mexican restaurant...with nice atmosphere and cocktails.
Belmonte—Ana de la Vega Calm and pleasant place. Traditional homemade Catalan food made from quality products at reasonable prices. Closed Mondays, Sundays and Wednesday and Thursday lunchtimes.
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Discotheques In Barcelona you will find so many clubs. The city is filled with them, and all kinds of discotheques. No matter what kind of fiesta you prefer you will find it in Barcelona, if you just know where to look for it. Don't worry we will help you!
Main areas to go out are around Las Ramblas, at the Beach (Port Olympic) and in El Eixample. During the summer the discotheques along the Beach promenade are filled with people, both locals and of course tourists from all over the world. Normally the entrance for clubs in Barcelona is around 10 euros, sometimes up to 15 euros, but in most clubs it does include a free drink, and the drinks are quite expensive at the clubs. You pay around 10 euros for a mixed drink of vodka and soda. If you have a jacket or bag you can leave it in the cloakroom for about 2 euros per item. Most clubs play dance, clubbing and house music. All the new hits in different mixes, and many clubs have different and famous DJ's visiting their clubs to play. Especially during the summer. It is also possible to find clubs where they play RnB/Rap music and clubs where they mainly play rock. The clubs are open everyday and have a lot of different events for the different days of the week. Maybe a Ladies night, RnB night, mask party etc.
So.. Where to go? We talked with a young girl from Scandinavia living in Barcelona, we asked her about the clubs in Barcelona and where she went out. She loves going out in Barcelona and says that the city offers everything, but where to go depends on what you like and expect of a club.
TIP!! In Barcelona it is easy to get home at night. The metro goes until 2.00am on Fridays and all Saturday night. Night busses are running everyday of the week. (N0窶年9) Use your metro tickets here as well.
NB: See what she highlights on the next page.
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If you like classy, expensive clubs with lots of MOËT and dress-code, you should go to CDLC, which stands for (Carpe Diem Lounge Club) and the Sutton club. Opium is also an option. (Even though Eclipse Bar is not a discotheque but a bar, she really wanted to highlight it, for it's beautiful view and atmosphere). In these places people with a lot of money sit in the VIP lounge “popping” champagne to house beats from great DJ's from around the world. The dress-code is elegant, and if you wear the wrong shoes you will not get in. So make sure to look good! It is also the clubs where celebrities go. Paris Hilton has had a private party at CDLC and has visited the Sutton night club too. If you prefer something a little more local, you can try out Solo Club. It is very trendily decorated and is located in Eixample near Diagonal metro station.
CDLC Nightclub Sutton Nightclub
TIP!! Many of the nightclubs are really nice cafés during the day. Shôko, Opium and CDLC have nice open terraces out by the beach!
If that is too much for you, but you like house beats/new hits mixed by DJ's, you can try out some of the other discotheques at the beach. Shôko is a very good alternative. The club is different for its nice decoration. At Shôko there is a dress-code but not as strict as CDLC and Opium. Shôko also has an advantage if you are a smoker, with its big smoking area. Many clubs in Barcelona do not have a smoking area. At Shôko there is usually a really nice, happy atmosphere and people enjoy dancing. Catwalk and Sotavento are also based at the beach just beside Shôko, Opium and CDLC.
Shôko
Catwalk
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If you do not know what kind of music you would like to listen to in the clubs, or which club is for you, then you should try Razzmatazz in Poblenou. It has five clubs in one. For example, you can listen to Techno in the Loft and Lolita, if you like Indie rock go to Razz Club downstairs. The Pop Room and the Rex Room play pop, electro and disco. So, here you can get it all. The atmosphere is more relaxed.
Try out La Fira at Carrer Provenza. It is one of the most fun and different nightclubs in Barcelona. It looks more like a fairground than a bar/club. You can enjoy a cocktail sitting in a rocking horse, or look at yourself in a magic mirror, get predictions for your future and much more! TIP!! Look on the internet for guest-lists to the nightclubs and get in for free, in most clubs!
If you want to stay by La Rambla, you have a lot of options, even though a lot of people think by the beach and Eixample are preferable! At La Rambla you can find a nice club called Boulevard. Here you have 3 different rooms with different kinds of music - RnB, Soul, Pop, Tech-house, Rock and Indie-rock. If you are just walking along La Rambla you will for sure be stopped by a lot of people offering you either free entrance tickets, a free shot or something at different clubs. Some of them are good, some of them not so good, but it also depends on the day. But no one can stop you from getting a free shot and then leaving if you do not fancy the club.
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Address List Shôko Passeig Marítim 36, 08005 Barcelona (Port Olympic) www.shoko.biz
CDLC Passeig Marítim 32, 08005 Barcelona (Port Olympic) www.cdlcbarcelona.com
Opium Passeig Marítim 34, 08005 Barcelona (Port Olympic) www.opiummar.com
Catwalk Ramon Trias Fargas 2, 08005 Barcelona (Port Olympic) www.facebook.com/pages/CLUB-CATWALK-BCNOFFICIAL-PAGE/159709508116
Sotavento Passeig Marítim 38, 08005 Barcelona (Port Olympic)
Eclipse Sky-bar Plaça de la Rosa del Vents 1, 08039 Barcelona www.w-barcelona.com/eclipse-bar
Solo Club Passatge de la Concepció 7, 08008 Barcelona www.soloclub.es
La Fira Carrer Provenza 171, 08036 Barcelona (Eixample) www.lafirabcn.com
Sutton Carrer tuset 13, 08006 Barcelona (Eixample) www.thesuttonclub.com
Razzmatazz Carrer Almogávers 122, 08018 Barcelona www.salarazzmatazz.com
Boulevard Ramblas 27, 08001 Barcelona www.boulevardcultureclub.com
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Beaches Looking for a nice tan and just want to relax and enjoy If you visit Barcelona between May and September, you can't miss its famous beaches. The amazing experience of Barcelona beaches is not just a legend, you can get everything you expect along those 4.5 km of coast line and more, if you extend your perimeter a little around Barcelona. Feel the warm sun on your skin, reading a (e)book or having a nap. Be a spectator of the compulsive Barcelona life - people coming and going and their stories. Be a fashion judge examining people’s dress codes which are as varied and original as the city culture. Chill-out to the sound of the waves and your feet in the sand. Go shopping with the daily beach-sellers and perhaps find your summer sunglasses, sarong or even a fresh cocktail with a piece of coconut. Sculptor your body playing beach volley or wind- surfing. Cycle along enjoying the Mediterranean air. Plan your night by collecting nightclub invitations.
That is just a sample of the variety of activities you can experience and enjoy on Barcelona’s beaches…
GET READY! Barcelona has 5km of beach and it is split up into 7 beaches, each of them with different commodities and atmosphere to offer.
The closest beach to the city centre is Barceloneta. It is 1.1km long and has a metro station dedicated to it. This is certainly the one that you will find first. It is the favourite one of tourists - crowded, noisy and very jolly. There are 3 volley-ball courts, a leisure area with ping pong tables and a gym area. You will also find a series of American-style eateries (pizzas and Tex-Mex mostly).
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To the right of Barceloneta, (standing front to the water) you will find Sant Sebastià beach where the famous W hotel is located. The beach is one of the oldest in Barcelona. It is the same length as Barceloneta (1,1km) and is at one end of Barcelona’s beach. Most people here are Spanish. The beach is broad and very pleasant, and some restaurants have their terrace directly on the beach enabling you to enjoy sea-food and cava without leaving the beach. You will cross some very old areas to get to this beach from all bus stations (lines 14, 16, 17, 39, 40, 45,
51, 57, 59, 64, 157) , and then, you will suddenly feel in the heart of a typical Spanish village, this contrast is very pleasant.
TIP!! During the hottest and busiest period on Barcelona beaches, you will always be able to enjoy some calmer and cooler atmosphere in the evenings. Plus, on some parts you will even experience live music & DJs on the actual beach!…
On the left side of Barceloneta, (again standing front to the water) the rest of the beaches are waiting for you. They begin with Nova Icària, one of the quietest beaches in Barcelona, ideal for families with children. Claire Elizabeth Terry describes it as “nice and peaceful”. You will find a lot of restaurants and services around. The best way to get to get to this beach is to take bus line 41 from Universitat or Plaça Catalunya. It goes directly along the littoral, along the beach from Port Olympic and as far as Diagonal Mar Park
The next beach is Bogatell, 640m of beach, lined with a promenade, so, perfect for jogging, rollerblading and cycling.
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Then, is Mar Bella beach, where most young people meet. If you want to practice windsurfing and kayaking you will find a school there with board rentals. Behind a long hillock of rustling bamboo is Barcelona’s naturist beach (even though going-topless is usual on any of Barcelona’s beach). Indeed, Zabrina Lindegaard Kjeldsen has shared the following experience with us: “I enjoy Mar Bella. It pretty much looks like the other beaches, but it is a bit less crowded. But mostly I like it because I had a special experience there with some girlfriends. We went there on a day where it was a little bit cold just to see it. It was really nice. There were windsurfers and the water had pushed the sand so it made a kind of high edge. To finish off this beautiful day – we experienced that we where apparently on the edge of a nudist beach. Meaning that suddenly there was about 4 naked men on towels around us. We decided that we had had enough beach (and nakedness) for the day and went for lunch!” Don't worry, this story is only possible before June since the installations of the naturist beach are not yet set up to mark the boundary of their area.
After Mar Bella you will meet Nova Mar Bella beach. Anna Juarez alias Barcelonina tells us that: “Nova Marbella is a big beach, less noisy than the Barceloneta one and there is a big parking area close by.” So, it is less crowded here and most people are locals. There are several bars along the beach called Chiringuitos.
Finally, the last beach is Llevant, the furthest beach from the city centre. It is in front of the newly constructed area Diagonal de Mar. The beach is only 380 meters long. 39
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It is not a beach but a neighbourhood with Barceloneta and Nova Icària beaches in front of it. Port Olympic is a much more modern area, where you will find restaurants, bars and clubs and even Barcelona’s Casino along by the beach. It is a very good place for young people, mainly on the Barceloneta side of this area. It is very dynamic here with places like beach cafés such as Shôko, CDLC and Opium (which turn into discotheques at night) serving a nice lunch or bite while playing “discotheque” kind of music. In front of the cafés people play beach volley and have a great time with friends. You have easy access to this area. There is a metro station to get here easily from the city centre Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica (L4). (You have to walk about 5-7 minutes to get to the beach) It is also very easy to take a bus to Port Olympic. Bus lines: 36, 45, 59 and 71 all go to Port Olympic. (They stop right at the beach)
May to June and September to October are the best periods to enjoy the beach while it is quiet and clean. Anna Juarez alias Barcelonina suggests that:
“if you want to go to the beach while visiting Barcelona in summer, I think it is better to take the train (line R1) and in just 20 minutes you are going to be in Montgat or Ocata, which are much better.” Indeed, from June to August beaches can be crowded in Barcelona and the little towns around offer lovely beaches where tourists don't often think of or know how to get there. Now you have the tip …
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Transport
Get a around in the big city easily with our help
What transport type do you prefer? The metro covers all of Barcelona. Since 2011, the Barcelona Metro system has consisted of 11 lines with 166 stations and 125km in total. L3 is the central line which takes you to the most commonly visited places. The metro runs everyday from 5am till 12 midnight except on Fridays when it runs until 02.00 and on Saturdays when it runs all night. The frequency is about every 2 and a half minutes for the central stations during the week, which makes it a very convenient form of transport. The metro stations are situated within a fairly short distance from each other. It costs 2€ for 1 ticket and you can use this for 1 hour 15 minutes to go in all directions, unless you exit the metro area. You can also use this ticket for the tram, train and bus. You can choose to buy a 1 day ticket, a 10-journey card, which is the cheapest option if you are here for a short term stay. You can also choose between different monthly travel cards, see your options here.
Numbers of lines: 11 (L1-L11) Covers: All of Barcelona Main line: L3 (Green) Runs: Mon.—Thu. 5am-12am Fri. 5am-2am Sat. 5am-all night Frequency: 2m30s (Central station, during week) Single ticket price: 2 Why use metro: Clean & safe network any time of day. Get you everywhere in Barcelona. Meet a musician or two in the tunnel
When changing your platform you will certainly come across musicians of all sorts playing in the tunnels, who are promoted by TMB. It makes people hum, whistle or even do a step or 2 of a dance, which makes a cool atmosphere. You may also come across people telling everybody about their poor and jobless situation and trying to sell you lighters, paper tissues etc. in the carriages. Most people use the metro for their transport around the city and it is a clean and safe network at any time of the day.
Covers: Covers all of Barcelona Frequency: Every 10 minutes (main lines) Single ticket price: 2 Why use busses: Get you everywhere in Barcelona, but with a view. Remember: There are many buses and they go all over Barcelona, so plan which bus you are going with Goes to beach: 41 & 59 Goes to Plaça Catalunya: 9, 22, 28, 42, 47, 58, 66, 67 & 68
Buses also cover all of Barcelona and are an easy way to get around. The advantage by bus is that you have the views of Barcelona while travelling, and, sometimes it is even faster than the metro, due to the fact that you might not need to change lines, so you save waiting time. However, the disadvantage is that the bus stops can be a little hard to find. Plan your route well before getting a bus, if you don’t want to get the wrong bus or go in the wrong direction. The buses run at least every 10min and many stops have electronic boards which shows the waiting time for each line, so you know if you have time to check your guide before the bus arrives. You can use the same tickets as for the metro, but be aware that if you buy a single ticket directly on the bus it will not work on the metro. See the different bus lines here. The numbers 41 and 59 go down to the beach at Port Olympic and Barceloneta. The numbers 9, 22, 28, 42, 47, 58, 66, 67, 68 go to Placa de Catalunya. To get to La Ramblas you can easily walk from Placa Catalunya, but if you prefer to go by bus the numbers 14, 59 and 91 all stop on Las Ramblas.
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Tram: Numbers of lines: 6 (T1—T6) Covers: Surrounding areas The tram runs on either side of the city, but does not go Single ticket price: 2 through the middle. The ticket is the same as for the metro. The tram lines are: Why use tram: Pleasant way to Trambaix T1, T2, T3 and Trambesòs T4, T5, T6. Trambaix runs from Francesc move around, avoiding traffic Macia, one of the main roundabouts on the Diagonal, alongside shopping malls and with nice avenues to see on (Lilla) and near Camp Nou. Trambesos runs from Ciutadella Park, a beautiful park your way close to the city centre, alongside more shopping malls (Glories & Diagonal Mar) Train: and by the Forum where lots of events and conferences take place. It is a very Main train station: Sants (from pleasant way to move around Barcelona avoiding traffic and with nice avenues to here you can get to all of Spain) see along your trip. See tram routes here.
Covers: Surrounding areas Single ticket price: 2
The local train is called FGC or Ferrocarril. It is good if you are travelling outside Why use train: If you want to travthe city centre or to the nearby towns (Sant Cugat, Sabadell, Terrassa), widening el in the surrounding areas of the transport network of Barcelona. Here again you can use the same ticket as the Barcelona. It will take you to nearmetro. Take the FGC (L7 Tibidabo stop) to visit Tibidabo hill and the Tibidabo by towns like Terrassa. Take you Theme Park, or, take FGC L8 (from Pl. Espanya) to visit the famous mountain of to the famous mountains Montserrat and lots of other places Montserrat for hiking and visiting the Monastery there. To go walking in the vast worth to visit. Colserolla Park just outside the city and to enjoy a typical countryside restaurant take an FGC train also. FGC’s homepage: www.fgc.es/eng/ From Barcelona’s main train station, Estació de Sants, it is possible to take RENFE trains to all of the rest of Spain. You can get to the station by metro L3 (green) and L5 (blue) or FGC’s L1 and L2. You will find several information points to help you find your way and facilities in and around the station. Renfe’s homepage: www.renfe.com
TIP!! Use your metro ticket on the buses, trains and trams!
City bikes (Bicing) are rental bikes situated at stations placed all around the city. Bike: These bikes are for the use of people living in the city and you need to register for Where: Bike rental companies a card with the Ajuntamiento. around the cities The best way to rent a bike for a few days is to go to specialised bike rental Cost: Around 30 for one day. 80 companies. There are a lot of these around Barcelona. You can rent a bike to get for one week. Why use bikes: Great way to get around the city on your own or you can book tours with a guide. Some are around Barcelona. Go wherever thematic tours like a Tapas Tour. If you plan to go around the city by bike, it costs you want, stop wherever you about 30€ per day and 80€ for a week. Barcelona is one of the most pleasant cities want. Be outside to enjoy the to travel around by bike in Europe. weather and the surroundings
TIP!! Rent a bike here: My Beautiful Parking. Carrer de Cervantes 5—08002 Barcelona Tel.: +34 933 041 580 www.mybeautifulparking.com
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Taking a taxi is a comfortable and fast way of travelling. It is possible to take a taxi almost anywhere and the prices are reasonable. The taxi drivers in BCN are generally very trustworthy, although they might drive you around a little bit longer to get to your destination! Take note that the city has a lot of one-way-streets.
Taxi phone number: +34 123 456 789 Covers: All of Barcelona Runs: Non-stop Where to find: Look for the black and yellow cars. They are everywhere in the city and there are many. It is very easy to find a taxi here. Why use taxi Comfortable and very easy, but more expensive.
Near the beach it is possible to take a taxi bike. It is a fun experience and it is very nice to go all along the Littoral of Barcelona enjoying the views and the fresh air without walking a single kilometre! They run every day from 11am
Runs: Everyday from 11 a.m.—8 p.m. Where to find: Near the beach Why use taxi bikes: Fun experience! Relax and enjoy Barcelona and the fresh air, see the beach promenade without walking a km!
to 8pm. It is about 6€ for 15 minutes and you can choose tours.
different
This is a Cable Car which was built in 1929 and then renovated in 2007. There are 2 lines. One runs from the harbour (Torre San Sebastian) and across to the hill of Miramar Montjuic. It is 10€ one way and 15€ for a round trip. Teleferico homepage www.telefericodebarcelona.com From the harbour (Torre San Sebastian—Miramir Monjuic The other line runs from Park Montjuic to Castell (the Price: One way: 10€ Roundtrip: 15€ Castle) with a mid-way station at Mirador. This line is From Park Monjuic— Mirador—Castell 8,30€ for a return trip. It is a really beautiful experience Price: Return ticket: 8,30€ above Barcelona. Why use taxi teleferico: It gets you beautiful places!
Girona: is located 94km north of the city. Airport buses from Girona to Barcelona takes 1h 15min and cost 12€ for a single ticket. BCN (El Prat) is the closest and busiest airport in Barcelona. It’s just 13km outside the city and it costs 5,30€ to get into city centre by airport bus which starts from Plaça Catalunya, with other stations en route. TIP!! If you want to save money you can take the L3 (green) or L5 (blue) metro line to Sants Estacio and from there take a train to El Prat. You can use your metro tickets all the way and it is easy if you are ok with changing your transport type. Reus: Reus airport is 74km and 90min south of Barcelona, and is an alternative to the two other airports. A private bus company called Hispano Igualadina will take you into BCN for about 12,50€. It is definitely recommended to take the bus from the airports to your destination, as it is cheaper and easier than car rental, a taxi and quicker than a train.
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Thank you We would like to thank all of our fantastic co-writers for making this eBook possible! We appreciate both sharing your experiences and photos with us. Without you, it would not have been as personalized and unique as it is. We are very proud to launch the eBook based on own experiences and personal points of views and we could not have done it without you!
We have now gathered together the best experiences in Barcelona! Thank you.
Our Co-writers: Lisbeth Bonde Jensen Bar del Convent Juho Mäkinen
Claire Elizabeth Terry
Heather Anderson
Catherine Hart
iFaboo
Gnam Box Sune Kjeldsen
Nina Wild
Zabrina Kjeldsen
Sam Mardell
Maria Bonde Sørensen Lucile fournier Christine-Marie Esteve Anna Juarez
Cristina @thetravolution
Sophie Chiquiti Tobias V.
Jacob Møller
Connor Robinson
Gemma Rawsthorne Kirsten Rasmussen 44
Catherine Hart
Text and pictures are proberty of BarcelonaFlats
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You are Ready to experience Barcelona!
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Text and pictures are proberty of BarcelonaFlats
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