Barcelona
Barcelona is an old industrial city that is the capital of
El Raval
At the top of la Rambla is Placa
Catalonia (Catalunya in Catalan). The official language
Catalunya, a public square that is
is Catalan, so you will see it on most signs, but don’t
also a major bus and metro inter
worry as all the locals speak Spanish and many people change (you can get the airport bus speak English.
here). Going away from Placa Catalunya the area off La Rambla to the right towards the sea is El Raval, an ethnically diverse neighbourhood with a high Asian population (and thus lots of yummy Indian sweetshops, including my favourite, on Carrer de l'Hospi tal, pictured on the right). It is also quite bohemian there are lots of small bars and cafes (especially on Carrer Joaquin Costa), small art galleries and record shops and vintage shops. There are many, many 99 cent stores. There is a large modern art gallery called MACBA in a modern white cube building
Barcelona’s most famous street is La Rambla, which leads down to the har
outside which lots of skaters congregate (Barcelona is very famous for skateboard ers!).
bour (pictured seen from a cable car).
La Ramba is extremely crowded and touristy and lined with mime artists, flower stalls and
Most of the streets are very, very narrow. This heart decoration is suspended
pet stalls. Be aware of pickpockets and prosti
between two houses in one street. It has been there for years, gently flicker
tutes!
ing.