If you are seeking low cost holidays or simply a break in one of Europe cities full of fun, Barcelona must be your choice. Being one of Europe’s best city destinations, it is a place to be enjoyed whether you are going alone, with friends or family. Barcelona’s surrealistic architecture, vibrant culture, tasty food, shopping and beach, offer the best of both worlds for those who desire a weekend break visiting the city in the morning and relaxing in the afternoon. If you are passionate about art and history you should certainly visit Gaudi landmarks and check out the wonderful monuments of the city. Please bear in mind that this is not a conventional travel guide. Instead, this guide was entirely created by me, and I only recommend here what I consider to be relevant to show the authenticity of this city. Deliberately, some famous monuments/museums are not referred in this guide because I don’t consider them worth to be visited. Yet, I am sure you will enjoy this guide. There are countless ways to discover Barcelona and Travel With Mario London City Break Travel Guide will help you, don’t worry!
symbols Aerobus Barcelona Card Bus Ferrocarrilles Home Information Metro Opening Times/Hours Prices
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Day-by-day
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Useful Information
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Getting There Getting Around Metro Map A Slice of History Useful Phrases in Spanish Tourist Information (Tourism Offices) Embassies & Consulates Safety & Security Weather Averages Emergencies Payments & Debit/Credit Cards
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What to Visit?
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What to Visit & My Favorite “Barrios” Map
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My Favorite Barrios "
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Where & What to Eat?
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Tapas Awesome Sandwiches & Snacks Full Meals Veggie Where & What to Eat Map
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Alternative Plans | Day
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Nightlife
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Bars Clubs Shows Nightlife Map
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Where to Sleep?
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Hostels Apartments 1 Star Hotel 2 Star Hotel Bed & Breakfast 3 Star Hotel 4 Star Hotel 5 Star Hotel Where to Sleep Map
Tips
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Tips & Secrets
Train
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Festivities & Events
Wifi
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Day Trips Outside Barcelona
Day-by-day
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carrer ferran, el gótico
If you have no clue where to start I’m sure you will enjoy your short-break in Barcelona following my day-by-day recommended travel plan. Are you feeling intellectual today or you rather go for a romantic outing or even, perhaps, a bit of beach? No problem, Travel With Mario day-byday plan covers them all in a day.
DAY 1
Morning: Parc Güell > Parc del Laberint d’Horta or Hospital San Pau > Sagrada Familia. Lunch: quick snack at “Frankfurt St. Jaume” or “Bó de B”. Afternoon: Barceloneta > Beach. Evening: follow my tapas tour > La Champañeria “Can Paixano” > “Tropezón” > “Bar Celta La Pulperia”. Nightlife: El Born or El Gótico (depending on the day and the mood chose from the bars listed below).
DAY 2
Morning: Passeig de Gràcia > Casa Batló (or Pedrera) > Plaça Catalunya > La Rambla > Sant Antoni Market (for old and rare books in a uncommon market) > Raval (Rambla del Raval, La Boqueria Market) > El Gòtico (Plaça de Pi, Gothic Cathedral, Plaça Sant Jaume). Lunch: Cuines de Santa Catarina (El Born). Afternoon: walking aroun El Born (Palau de la Musica Catalana + Basilica Santa Maria del Mar + Picasso Museum). Evening: Parc de Ciutadella + Arc de Triomf. Dinner at ‘Tapeo, anem de tapas’ (El Born). Nightlife: El Raval or El Gòtico + Disco (depending on the day and the mood chose from the discos listed bellow).
DAY 3
Morning: Plaça de Espanya > Poble Espanyol > MNAC > Fundación Miró > Monjuic Tour (Gardens, Teatre Grec, Olimpic stadium and Montjuic Castle). Late lunch: Nou Candanchú (Gràcia). Afternoon & Evening: walking around Gràcia (Plaça del Sol, Plaça Vila de Gràcia). Nightlife: Gràcia or a show (Flamenco, live music, theatre). Check my recommendations
All these day-by-day tours are intensive but flexible. Thus, you must adapt them to your own interests. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Airport, Tourist Cards, Safety, etc.
Getting There
A cosmopolitan, dynamic, Mediterranean city. Get to know it from the sea, by bus, on public transport or on foot. There are countless ways to discover the city and Travel with Mario Barcelona city break guide will help you, don’t worry.
Airport
from 6am to 1am.
“El Prat” 16km south of Barcelona
Route Barcelona - Airport: Plaça de Catalunya (in front of El Corte Inglés department store) Sepúlveda/Urgell - Plaça d’Espanya/Creu Coberta - Barcelona Airport (terminals T1 and T2). Airport - Barcelona: Airport (terminals T1 and T2) - Plaça d’Espanya/ av. Reina M. Cristina Gran Via de les C. C./ Comte d’Urgell - Plaça de la Universitat - Plaça de Catalunya. Price: 5.90 € (single); 10.20 € (return). Ticket is bought inside the bus.
Terminals: T1 and T2 (A, B and C): The terminals at Barcelona Airport are organised in terms of carriers and not according to the destination or place of origin.
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barcelona from montjjuic
Useful Information
- moyan brenn berkut83@hotmail.it
Aerobús (A1 & A2) easiest Daily service between Plaça de Catalunya and Barcelona Airport. 5.90€ (single); 10.20€ (return). Ticket is bought inside the bus. Approximate journey time: 35 minutes Frequency: every 10 minutes Departures from Pl. de Catalunya, from 5.30am to 12.30am. Departures from Barcelona Airport,
RENFE Daily connections with Barcelona Airport from Sants Station (RenfeSpanish rail). Single ticket price: 3,80€. Ticket bought in the ticket office/ticket
machines. Journey time: 19 minutes. Frequency: every 30 minutes. Departures from Sants (5.13am to 11.14pm). Departures from Barcelona Airport, from (5.42am - 11.38pm). For further information about the train to Barcelona airport: www. renfe.es. TMB – Regular city bus The 46 bus runs from Pl. d’Espanya to Barcelona Airport (T1 and T2). Single ticket price: 2€ (integrated fare). Ticket bought inside the bus. Frequency: every 25 minutes. Departures from Pl. d’Espanya, from 5am to 11.50pm. Departures from Barcelona Airport, TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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from 5.30am to 11.50pm. NITBUS - Night bus Single ticket price: 2€ (integrated fare). Ticket bought inside the bus. The N17 night bus operates from Ronda Universitat / Plaça Catalunya to Barcelona Airport T1, stopping at Pl.
d’Espanya. Departures from Pl. Catalunya, from 11pm to 5am. Departures from Pl. d’Espanya, from 11.10pm to 5.40am. Departures from Barcelona Airport, from 9.55pm to 4.55am. The N16 night bus operates from Ronda Universitat / Plaça Catalunya to Barcelona
Airport T2, stopping at Pl. d’Espanya. Frequency: every 20 minutes. Departures from Pl. Catalunya, from 11.30pm to 5.10am. Departures from Pl. d’Espanya, from 11.42pm to 5.19am. Departures from Barcelona Airport, from 23.37pm to 5.11am.
Getting Around
The best way to move in Barcelona is to take the metro. The network covers all the extension of the city, it’s quick and efficient. Plus with T10 Ticket, Hola BCN Card, Articket (1 ticket/30€=6 Museums) or Barcelona Card, you save money on your everyday tickets. Even though there is an effective public transportation all over the city I suggested you to pack your sport shoes. Walking is always a great alternative and actually, my favorite. You will have to walk a lot if you don’t want to miss the best spots and live the favorite city of many travelers at its fullest.
Hola BCN Card
Multi-day public transportation travel card
transport (metro and bus (TMB), local train (FGC), tram (TRAM) and regional train (Rodalies de Catalunya). 13.40€, 19.20€, 24.20€ and 29€ for 2, 3, 4 and 5 days, respectively.
Articket BCN Unlimited journeys on Barcelona public TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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1 ticket/6 Museums = 30€ Museu Nacional
d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), the Fundació Joan Miró, the Fundació Antoni Tàpies, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) and the Museu Picasso. 30€. Where to buy: tickets are available at the ticket desks of the participating
art centers.
Click in logo BCN to see where discount uply.
in one of these available Tourist Offices: Pl. Catalunya, 17-S: Open - (daily) 8.30am to 8.30pm Closed - 1st January and 25th December Cabina Colom Plaça Portal de la Pau, s/n: Open - (daily) 8.30am to 20.30pm Closed - 1st January and 25th December. Pl. Sant Jaume:
Ciutat, 2. Open - (monday to friday) 8.30am to 8.30pm (saturday) 9am to 19pm (sunday and holiday days) 9am to 14pm Closed: 1st January and 25th December. Airport Terminals T1 and T2: Open - (daily) 8.30am to 8.30pm Closed - 1st January and 25th December.
Barcelona Card Valid for 2, 3, 4 or 5 consecutive days (calendar days, not 24hour periods) Highly Recommended Free unlimited transport (including to/from the airport) and discounts or free entrance to attractions, shows, restaurants and souvenir shopping. Benefit: It can save you a lot of bother in buying tickets and save you money. Allow you to skipe queues, gives you a general map of Barcelona. Prices: From 33.30€. Where to buy: buy the ticket online and collect it
See the section “Main Tourist Offices” of this guide to see the closest tourist office to you.
Barcelona Bus Map - Click to see
Theft and pick pocketing in Barcelona is a problem particularly at stations where tourists have to purchase transport tickets. With the Hola BCN card or Barcelona Card you do not need to take out your wallets to purchase tickets as your transport has been all paid for. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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parc güell
- son of groucho
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Parc Güell
Güell Park I Carres da Olot, 1-13
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las ramblas
What to Visit?
- bert kaufmann
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Güell Park
Lesseps (L3) (access through the main gate) or Vallcarca (L3) (access through escalators). 116, 24, 32, H6 Free entrance 8am - dusk At the entrance to the park, you will find the main staircase with a dragon fountain made of broken bits of glazed ceramic tile (trencadis). This leads to the Salon of the Hundred Columns, which was supposed to be a market place. The columns really number only 84 and are Doric in form. The ceiling of the Salon has tiled mosaics with designs on the ceiling. On top of the salon is a public square with a very large undulating bench in the form of a sea serpent that has backrests adorned
with the broken bits of glazed tile. The bench was made by the architect Josep Maria Jujol. At the top of the park is the Closed Chapel, which has a large cross on top of it. You may find it more rewarding to discover the beauty of Parc Güell without the hassle of the weekend tourist visits. I recommend choosing a quiet time to head up the hill walking all the way from Gràcia neighborhood (or taking the Metro to Lesseps (L3)).
Exciting and astonishing panoramic views of Barcelona and place for the famous undulating ceramic benches and wonderful gardens. A must-visit heritage site architected by Gaudi.
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- jun seita
- david berkowitz
basílica santa maría del mar
- trioptikmal palau de la musica catalana
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Palau de La Musica
Catalana
Palau de La Musica (El Born) 17
Palace of the Catalan Music
Urquinaona (L1, L4) 17, 19, 40, 45 and N8 Adults (17€). Students, pensioners and unemployed (11€). Children up to 10 years (free). Discounts: Barcelona Card and Barcelona Bus Turístic Daily from 10am-3.30pm. Easter and July: from 10am-6pm. August: from 9am-8pm. Other times: consult availability. Visits every 30 minutes. Length of tour 55 minutes Declared a world heritage site in 1997 by UNESCO, Palau de Musica has seen some of the greatest artists of the 20th and 21st century and over 300 concerts and dance shows are organized here each year. It was much criticized during the aesthetically somber 1939-75 Franco regime but it continues to be the city’s prime concert venue and an exciting place to hear music. Palau de Musica is well worth a visit if to see something a little different TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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parc de la ciutadella
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Basílica Santa María del Mar
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Plaça Santa María, 1 (El Born) Ciudade Vella from the usual sights and sounds of Barcelona and get a real taste for the culture and history of this exceptional city. I recommend to watch one of the weekly concerts happening at this venue. Often described as the flagship of Barcelona’s Modernisme, Palau de la Musica Catalana is a beautiful and decorated theatre by the modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montane. An unbelievable ceiling made of stained glass makes any visit to this site unforgettable. 18
Santa María del Mar Cathedral
Jaume I (L4) 17, 19, 40 and 45. Barcelona Bus Turístic, stop “Pla de Palau” 3€ is super hyper worth the visit Monday to Saturday 9am-1.30pm & 4.30pm-8pm. Sunday & Public Holidays, from 10.30am-1.30pm & 4.30pm-8pm.
Parc de la Ciutadella
Avenida del Marques de L’Argentera Accessible to people with reduced mobility Santa Maria del Mar, also known as the Cathedral of the Sea, is a gothic church that was built between 1329 and 1383. However, unlike the vast majority of churches built around this time, it was built by the people; everyone contributed money and time during its construction. Burned back to its original bare-bones structure by a fire at the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, it was restored by post-Bauhaus architects who saw the purity of stonemason Berenguer de Montagut’s original 1329 design and maintained the elegant lines of the seafarers’ waterfront basilica. Really peaceful and enjoyable. Symmetric and Mediterranean Gothic at its classical best, Santa Maria del Mar is a cathedral built in the fourteenth century. It is an important religious center and one of the best kept secrets of Barcelona.
Main city park and quite awesome place to relax a bit from the city hustling, to have a picnic, sunbath or to go for a run. It’s lovely! 19
Ciutadella Park
Arc de Triomf (L1), Ciutadella/Vila Olímpica (L3) or Jaume I (L3) 14, 40, 41, 42, 141, 39, 51, 92, 71 Free entrance Besides walking and relaxing you can came across the cascading waterfall with sculptures of Baroque style, a large lake, a sculpture of a mammoth, and many sculptures by 19th and 20th century Catalan sculptors. Still, the most impressive is the amount of different people enjoying their time. From families with their children to hippies, sportsmen, lovers and musicians. Everybody has a place here and all around you can see people trying to perfect different activities and shows. Head over to the park at the sunshine time. Be careful with your wallet. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Click on the image to see an interactive version of map.
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What to Visit map: Parc Güell 2 Parc del Laberint da Horta 3 Hospital de Sant Pau 4 Catedral Sagrada Familia 5 Barceloneta Beach 6 Nova Icària & Bogatell Beach 7 Mar Bella Beach 8 Passeig Gràcia 9 Casa Batló 10 Casa la Pedrera 11 Plaça Catalunya 12 La Rambla 13 MACBA 14 Rambla del Raval 15 Plaça del Gótico 16 Mercado la Boqueria 17 Palau de la Musica Catalana 18 Basílica Santa Maria del 1
Mar 19 Parc de la Ciutadella 20 Arc de Triomf 21 Museu Picasso 22 Plaça Reial 23 Plaça de Espanya 24 Parc de Montjuïc 25 Poble Espanyol 26 MNAC 27 Fundación Juan Miró 28 Castell de Montjuïc 29 Fontana Magica de Montjuïc 30 Camp Nou (Football Stadium) 31 Tibidado 32 Cosmo Caixa (Science Museum) 33 Teatre Grec
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12 16 C
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B 18
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My Favorite Barrios map: A
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B C
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D E F
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El Gótico El Born El Raval Barceloneta L’Eixample Barrio de Gràcia Montjuïc
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- amaianos
- mo riza el born
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el gótico
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El Gótico
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On the right side of Via Lateana
Between La Rambla and Via Lateana
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barrio gràcia
My Favorite "Barrios"
- bert kaufmann
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Ghotic Quarter
With its charming streets, this is the lively old part of the city where there’s always something cool happening when you turn the corner and you find yourself back in time in medieval time. Famous and historical monuments in this neighborhood include the Gothic Cathedral, Basílica Santa Maria del Pi, Plaça de Sant Jaume and Carrer del Bisbe. Not an ideal neighborhood to stay if you’re looking for a peaceful night’s sleep.
All of them have easy metro and bus access.
El Born
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Born Quarter
El Born has an identity all of its own (sorry). Lots of eateries, bars, small independent art galleries and designer boutiques. Rapidly gaining a name for itself as the epitome of cool, the area is a fashion magnet by day and party central by night. Famous and historical monuments in this neighborhood include the Church of Santa Maria del Mar (coming all the way from Plaça Sant Jaume through Carrer de l’Argenteria), Picasso Museum, Passeig del Born, Santa Catarina Market, Palau de la Musica Catalana and still Ciutadella Park and Triumph Arch (on the right side of El Born). TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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Tapas
It’s really common to move around when you are eating tapas for dinner. You eat one tapa here, another tapa there. Here is one circuit I recommend.
In El Gótico 1 Can Paixano (mostly known as “La Champañeria”)
la champañeria can paixano oh-barcelona.com
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Carrer de La Reina Cristina, 7 (Barcelona)
A landmark in the gastronomy of Barcelona. If there’s one you can’t miss, this is the one. It’s an old tavern with such a nice atmosphere. No places to seat. All you have to do is to drink cava (kind of a Spanish champagne) while tasting the tapas and the special ‘bocadillos’ (small sandwiches) made with amazing sausages. My favorite cava is cava rosat (red sparkling wine).
5 paella
Where & What to Eat?
Barceloneta (L4) Or better: walk all the way from Barceloneta to El Born by the seaport. From 4€-10€ Monday to Saturday from 9am10.30pm. Closed on Sunday, holidays and from 18th August to 8th September. Founded in 1969, it is a place where the ambiance of the Barceloneta’s (a typical seaside neighborhood) old bars is revived and also where famous cavas can be enjoyed. Can Paixano also offers the opportunity to shop in the store located on-site. It’s fun but be careful with your wallet.
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Tropézon
Regomir, 26/ Carrer D’en Gignàs 18 Do you want to try the best papas bravas of Barcelona? This is the place. Jaume I (L4) or walking all the way from Barceloneta. From Metro St. Jaume I, walk up to Plaça Sant Jaume (where Palau de la Generalitat (City Hall) is located). When you reach the square turn first left and go almost until the end of Carrer de la Ciutat. You will eventually cross Carrer d’En Gignàs. The restaurant will be on the right side. If you are coming from Barceloneta, cross to Passeig de Colom to Via Laetana and walk about 100m. On your left you will find Carrer d’en Gignàs. El Tropézon will be 200m later. from 4€-10€ Every day except wednesday from TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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In El Gótico 14 Vegetalia
Escudellers, 54 Delicious and fresh, cool people and best value for money vegan restaurant in Barcelona. Liceu (L3), Drassanes
(L3), or Jaume I (L4). Close to George Orwell Square. €11-€20 Every day from 11am11.30pm. try their vegetable fajitas and the seitan with mushrooms. Great option for breakfast/brunches and late dinners too.
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Teresa Carles
Jovellanos, 2 (Pelai - Tallers, beyond Catalunya Square) The fresh, local food and the environment makes this restaurant amazing. You will be satisfied even though it’s a bit pricey.
Catalunya €9-€23. Expect to pay €70 for four (three courses with wine). Monday to Sunday 9am to 11.30pm. Everything is fresh and every day they cut top quality, local ingredients to produce the best breakfast,
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salads, natural juices, desserts, coffees and infusions.
In El Raval 16 Sesamo
Sant Antoni Abat, 52 A veggie restaurant both chic-looking and really innovative, using
the freshest organic produce. A Barcelona rarity. Sant Antoni (L2, L5), Liceu (L3). 15€-25€ Tuesday to Sunday from 7.30pm-12am (midnight). Friday and Saturday until 3am.
What & eat map: 11
where to
Can Paixano Tropézon 3 Bar Celta La Pulperia 4 Bilbao Berria (Pintxos) 5 Tapeo, Anem de Tapas 6 Nou Candanchú 7 Frankfurt St. Jaume 8 Bó de B 9 Chiringuita Princesa 23 (Beach Bar) 10 Can Manuel 11 Cuines Santa Caterina 12 Can Majó 13 Pollo Rico 14 Vegetalia 15 Teresa Carles 16 Sesamo 1
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Click on the image to see an interactive version of map.
Hands-on cooking classes in La Boqueria by PegBcn
Shopping & Recuerdos (Souvenirs)
Liceu(L3) 14, 49, 91 €65/person. In July and August the classes are on Friday during the afternoon (4pm to 7.30pm) and Saturday morning (10.30am to 2pm). Under the slogan Buy, Cook and Eat like a local, the participants of this gastronomic tour will be guided in doing the groceries at La Boquería. After having the ingredients together, the group will cook them in a hands-on cooking class in the Aula Boqueria. Reservations: yves@pegbcn.com or 0034 605 371 792 (WhatsApp available). The seats are limited. They speak Spanish, English, German, French and Swiss German.
Catalunya (L1, L3, L6, L7) 9, 14, 16, 17, 24, 28, 41, 42, 47, 55, 58, 62, 66, 67, 68 and 141. Night buses N1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15 S1, 2, 5, 55, L6 and 7 Having Plaza Cataluña as your starting point, head down through Av. Portal de l’Angel. You will find all kind of stores including H&M, Pull & Bear, Ryman Ryman, Pimkie, Benetton, Levi’s, New Yorker, Springfields and many others. At the end of Carre Portaferrisa when you reach La Rambla there are thousands of opportunities for buying ‘recuerdos’ of Barcelona.
Around Plaza Cataluña
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boat marina
Learn how to cook a Paella, Fideuà, Gazpacho and other traditional dishes at a cooking class at La Boqueria while enjoying of a glass of wine. Handson experience guaranteed.
shopping
Alternative Plans I Day
- moyan brenn berkut83@hotmail.it
- ishi.ca
La Boqueria Market
Bars
sugar bar
- jurvetson
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There is an endless nightlife in Barcelona. Here are some of my favorites...
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Sugar bar
Carrer Rauric, 21 (El Gótico)
- rightee
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bar manchester
Nightlife
Just behind plaça Real, it’s a gem of a bar. Well-hidden, small, intimate, a good hideout from the hubbub of Gótic. It’s an amazing place for one, two, three, four drinks or more. For a group of friends, couples or travelers alone.
Metro Liceu (L3) Tuesday night two long drinks for 5euros! In the summer, mojito’s for 2,50euros between 8pm-10pm. The cheapest you can get in Barcelona, still, amazing! Monday to Thursday 6pm-2:30am; Friday to Sunday 6pm-3am.
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L’Antic Teatre
Carrer de Verdaguer - Callís, 12 (close to Palau de La Musica Catalana) Looking for a Beer Garden Barcelona style? L’Antic Teatre is exactly that! Located right close Palau de la Musica Catalana, this bar does not attract tourists, reason why prices are kept down and makes for a more relaxed atmosphere. A great place to start your night.
Urquinaona (L1, L4) or Jaume I (L4) Very reasonable at 2€ per glass of wine! Sunday to Thursday 4pm-11pm/ Friday & Saturday 4pm-11.30pm. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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There’s no shortage of accommodation to choose from in Barcelona. Whether you’re after a cheerful hostel, a boutique 5 star hotel or a cozy apartment, you won’t be struggling to find what you want in the list below. Take a look at these accommodation suggestions for an idea of what’s the best on offer. I do recommend you to book your stay in advance, especially in the spring and summer when the city is crowded.
Cheapest Recommendation.
Hostel Barcelona Central Garden
From 27€ (shared room), 36€ (Double Room w/shared bathroom) and Roger de Lluria, 4 (quiet, cheap and 42 (double room w/ private bathroom). They also have an exclusive good) - right L’Eixample apartment. Located in a charming Art Nouveau Quiet and relaxed central place to enjoy building, there’s a chill out terrace to the city with a friendly and helpful staff. Free: | lockers | sheets | blankets | relax and escape the stress of the breakfast not included city. Excellent location in the center of Barcelona close to many restaurants and bars. Urquinaona (L1, L4) 16, 17, 45, 19, 39, 40, 41, 42, 55, 141, B20, B25, 62, 47 3 Generator Barcelona Hostel Low season: from 13€ in a 6-bed Corsega, 373-377 (funky and party mixed dorm. Hight season: 22€ in mode) - Gràcia a 6-bed mixed dorm. For groups of friends there is the possibilty to rent A party, stylish, electric and fun hostel. 2-,3- and 4-bed shared rooms as well. Free: | breakfast not incl. (costs 4€) The location is central for walking to the main sites in Barcelona in friendly Diagonal (L3, L5, L6), Passeig de social environment. Easy to meet Gràcia people and go out to find a party. 20, 45, 47, 20, 6, 15, 33 Provença 2 Casa Kessler Boutique Hostel (from airport) to Passeig de Gràcia. Enric Granados, 30 (entresuelo - for From 14€ (6-bed female dorm), 16€ chic and sophisticated travelers) (8-bed mixed dorm), 20€ (private 3-,4Passeig de Gràcia bed) and 28€ (Private single/double). Private en-suites rooms available (for Unique design rooms in a cozy and couples). warm environment. Being a hostel, it’s Super stylish, sociable and brilliant. contemporary while all the time being Free: | breakfast not incl. affordable, safe, fun and central. An electric atmosphere with big common Diagonal (L3, L5, L6), Passeig de areas, outdoor patio and a bar. Gràcia Recommended for big groups and 44, 6, 67, 16, 17, 68, 63, 66, 54, 58 party-mode travelers as well. Provença (from airport) to Passeig de Gràcia. 4 Albareda Youth Hostel
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- moyan brenn berkut83@hotmail.it
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barcelona from montjuic
Where to Sleep?
Hostels
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Barcelona free public WiFi
- wolfgang staudt
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Rent a bike to visit the city
parc güell
Tips & Secrets
You can now walk around Barcelona and connect to free WiFi pretty much at all times. Barcelona free WiFi is a Barcelona City Council service that enables you to connect to the Internet through free WiFi access points, or hotspots, located in various municipal amenities and various public access points. All you need is your mobile device (iPhone, iPad, Tablet) to connect to one of the available 500 hot spots. The speed of internet is restricted to 256kbps, meaning only simple internet browsing is allowed. VoIP applications (like Skype) are not allowed. Look for a free WiFi hotspot, and once you are there find the ‘Barcelona WiFi’ network on your mobile device. Once you have made the connection, you simply open your browser and enter the address of the site you wish to visit and then the home page of the Barcelona WiFi service will open. Accept the terms and you can now experience Barcelona on-line! No prior registration is required for using the Barcelona WiFi service. Click here to see a map of the free Wifi hotspots closer to you.
Born Bike Barcelona
Calle Marquesa, 1 - El Born You can rent a bicycle and enjoy visiting Barcelona in a funky way. Barceloneta (L4) – just 50m away from the metro exit. 2hours - 6€; 3 to 5 hours - 10€; 24
hours - 5€; 2 days - 25€ Reservations: +34 933 190 020
Flamenco Concert Agenda of ongoing
Flamenco Concerts in Barcelona
Different (cool) Locations Monthly agenda with the concerts of Flamenco Guitar music played in different locations around Barcelona as Palau de la Musica Catalana, Basílique or Crypt of Santa María del Pi and Sant Jaume Church. Prices vary from 19€ to 32€. I really recommend if it fits well in your budget to see a concert of Flamenco. Click here to check the agenda for the week.
Flops - What not to do There’s always places that tourists go which in my opinion are not worth the experience. Here are a few recommendations: Sitting and lunching in La Rambla. It’s crowded, it’s noisy and it’s expensive. You will most probably be much better served if you follow my ‘Where to Eat’ recommendations; Sightseeing touristic buses.It’s a fact that those buses go around the city showing you some of the most relevant touristic places but I assure you if you do it on your own, especially if you walk around the city which is beautiful, you will enjoy 3x more the details of the city, have fun and you still have the opportunity to interact with Spanish locals. TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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- photographyeah! la mercè
For updates on the programs and schedules of the festivals please click here to visit Barcelona Official Tourism website.
La Mercè
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the boqueria market
Festivities & Events
- maurizio costanzo
Several locations If there is one festival you should not miss in Barcelona, it is La Mercè. This mass festival transforms the city into an enormous stage overflowing with fantasy and imagination. Street parades, music shows, traditional giant dolls, traditional human castles, night projections and much more you can’t miss.
normally starting at 20th of September and lasts the whole week It’s guaranteed that it will put you in the party mood. This 200-year tradition is Barcelona’s biggest festival and a carnival mood takes over the city, helped by plentiful amounts of Cava,
and the place is full of fire-breathing dragons, people running from devils (!!!), music, dancing, and all-round revelry. For the update program of the festival click here. Please, do not miss the Human Castles. Building human towers is typical to Catalunya and it was declared by UNESCO an intangible heritage of humanity.
Fiestas Major de Gràcia Gràcia neighborhood
The most colorful and one of lively festivals in Barcelona. If it happens you TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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- wombok sitges
Figuerés (Salvador Dali Theatre-Museum) & Cadaqués Cota Brava (recommend for summer; +/- 1H30MIN by car)
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cadaqués
Days Trips Outside BCN
- mário mouraz
Figuerés holds the house museum of Salvador Dali, the world most famous surrealistic painter. Cadaqués is a magical and beautiful white fishing village. The combination of this two visits makes an unforgettable day out.
How to get there: Even though there are buses and trains to Figuerés, there aren’t to Cadaqués. I recommend to rent a car here. For a full day (from 8am-10pm) renting a small car of 4 seats will cost around 25€ plus gas. What to do in Figuerés: visit the Dali Theatre-Museum. 12€ (standard). Free for children under 9 years. 9€ for students, >65 years and unemployed and holders of
Carnet Jove (Euro<26). arrive early to avoid the queues. Lunch time will be in Cadaqués. Salvador Dali decided in the 1960’s to construct his museum at the ruins of the Municipal Theater. This had been constructed in 1850 but was destroyed by fire at the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1939. In 1961 the Mayor of Figueres, Ramon Guardiola, convinced Dali to build his museum at this site. Dali was enchanted to participate actively in its design. Dali worked on the museum for more than a decade and designed the smallest details. The museum was inaugurated in 1974. The museum is characterized by a geodesic dome that crowns the building, designed by the architect Emilio Perez Piñero. The museum is called the world’s largest surrealist object. In 1982 Dali drew up his will and left all his artistic work to the Prado Museum. He died on January 23, 1989. The TRAVEL WITH MARIO ©
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