Barcelona Travel article

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01 Designed by architect Antonio Gaudí, the yet to be completed Sagrada Família is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI.

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Invigorating artistic splendor awaits in Barcelona Siobhán Corley

Whether visiting the city for a quick mini break or a longer stay, it won’t take long to discover the surprises that are revealed around every street corner. Brimming with vibrant art and laced with that vivacious Mediterranean fiesta spirit, it’s easy to see how the colorful Catalonian capital of Barcelona can capture ones imagination. Join us while we explore the winding streets and uncover raft of wonderful sights and sounds.

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The seaside city of Barcelona is a bustling energetic city with an unforgettable artistic streak.

04 An example of tiling by Gaudí featured in Parc Geüll.

05 The Formula 1 Barcelona Grand Prix 2011 was held on May 20th - 22nd.

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he seaside city of Barcelona is a bustling energetic city with an unforgettable artistic streak.

It’s Spain’s second largest city and is home to nearly two million people, one of the most famous football clubs in the world and a rich 2,000 year history. This colorful heritage is displayed along its streets like a museum of architectural genius through the ages, the most notable contributor of which was the exceptional Antonio Gaudí. In 1992 Barcelona gained international recognition as the host of the Olympic Games. Renovated neighborhoods and a fresh take on contemporary design transformed the town into a cosmopolitan city with very old roots, leaving much for the visitor to explore.

Although the metro system is reliable and widely used, the best way to discover this wonderful city is on foot. Offering everything we have grown to love about European cities, such as vast outdoor markets, intriguing museums, fantastic cuisine and even a beautiful sandy beach, Barcelona still has so much more.

Before taking on the sights, it’s time to drop off the luggage and check in to one of Barcelona’s vast array of pensions. We highly recommend W Barcelona, a popular spot with the local and international glitterati. A symbol of some of the more contemporary architecture in the city, W Barcelona emerges from the shoreline like a glistening diamond. Designed by Ricardo Bofill, the W has everything your body craves after a day of sightseeing, shopping or just lounging on the beach. From Spain’s first luxurious Bliss Spa to panoramic views of the city and sumptuous accommodation, it manages to capture the spirit of the Mediterranean and the heart of the international jet setter.

Starting right in the center of Barcelona, in the Ciutat Vela, or Barri Gothic as it’s also known, the city streets branch out in a maze of winding lanes, which are well worth exploring. Displaying the gothic architecture that inspired such talent as Gaudí, these streets are alive with quirky cafés, street entertainers and extraordinary boutiques.

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02 02 Considered one of the best players of his generation, Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona.

03 The Palau de la Música Catalana is a concert hall built between 1905 and 1908. The architectural decoration in the concert hall is a masterpiece of creativity and imagination.

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It’s a well known fact that Spain is passionate about football and Barcelona boasts one of the most high profile teams in the country, FC Barcelona.

While having a wander no doubt you will find yourself drawn on to the infamous La Rambla.

The long straight avenue of La Rambla is a pretty tree-lined pedestrian walkway and the liveliest street in the city. It’s a huge attraction for tourists because of the diverse street stalls and impressive entertainers. La Rambla leads right down to the water so it’s a good site to take in before a lunch of traditional tapas at one of the many waterfront cafés and restaurants. Otherwise simply pass through on your way to some of the side streets, which offer a more authentic experience of Barcelona.

A useful way to get the most out of a visit to the city’s famous art nouveau buildings is The Ruta del Modernisme guide that takes you round all the best modern art structures. Visiting the breathtaking architectural works of Gaudí will transport you right into the heart of Barcelona and what makes it so unique. The most exceptional, and indeed most visited, sites include the Parc Güell, the still unfinished Sagrada Família and the houses of La Pedrera/Casa Milà and La Casa Batlló.

Gaudí’s Parc Güell is a on a hill that looks out over the city. A relatively steep walk unveils a view that is well worth every step! Not only do sweeping views across Barcelona await, Parc Güell boasts a sculpture park full of walkways and colorful structures that reflect Gaudí’s playful nature.

Originally designed to be a residential garden community, Parc Geüll is now classed as a World Heritage Site and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. Gaudí mixed elements of nature, ceramics and stone to create a wonderland reminiscent of a child’s story book. Even the much photographed caretaker’s lodge looks like the gingerbread house from Hanzel and Gretal.

Demonstrating Gaudí’s more symbolic gothic influences is the striking and majestic Sagrada Família. By far one of his most famous works in the city, this enormous temple has been under construction since 1882 and is remarkably not expected to be completed for another 30 or 40 years.

Gaudí sadly did not live to see its completion but his work is clearly evident. It’s best to visit on a week day in low season if you wish to take the elevator to the top, otherwise you may be in with a long wait.

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06 The MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya) in the Palau Nacional has the single best collection of Romanesque art in the world along with a fine Gothic collection.

07 Originally designed to be a residential garden community; Parc Geüll is now classed as a World Heritage Site and attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

08 Gaudí mixed elements of nature, ceramics and stone to create a wonderland reminiscent of a child’s story book including the caretaker’s lodge which looks like the gingerbread house from Hanzel and Gretal.

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09 The Agbar Tower, another architecture marvel in Barcelona by French architect, Jean Nouvel.

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Simply standing at the entrance and looking up at the Sagrada in all its glory is enough to inspire even the most unlikely art enthusiast. There isn’t any other building in the world quite like it.

Pablo Picasso is another influential artist that has left his mark on Barcelona. Picasso lived and studied here at the turn of the 20th century. The Museu Picasso was opened in 1963 and contains over 3,800 of the artists’ early work and tells the story of Picasso’s deep relationship with the city. Even though he left to live in Paris in 1904, Picasso couldn’t quite keep away from his much loved Barcelona and returned many times over the years. Such visits and their inspiration can be seen in his work.

The MNAC (Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya) in the Palau Nacional is also well worth adding to your itinerary if you have the time. It has the single best collection of Romanesque art in the world along with a fine Gothic collection. So plentiful and vibrant is the art and cultural scene in Barcelona

that I could fill a book and still have more to write.

But this city also offers innumerable options if a break from art and culture appeals.

It’s a well known fact that Spain is passionate about football and Barcelona boasts one of the most high profile teams in the country, none other than FC Barcelona (FCB). Even if you’re not a football fanatic you would be sorry to miss a visit to Camp Nou, the home ground of FC Barcelona and one of Europe’s footballing ‘temples’. Housing a capacity of 98,600, it’s the biggest stadium on the continent. A shop and museum built at the ground brings the fans and tourists alike, in their droves.

The FC Barcelona logo became an icon during the suppression of the Franco era. Catalans wore it as a badge of pride that symbolized their anger against his dictatorship. If you can get to a match at Camp Nou while in Barcelona, jump at the chance, it’s the best way to see the stadium in all its glory and no doubt see Barcelona score a few winning goals!

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10 Take time to visit La Boqueria market to pick up some local produce.

11 Seafood Paella, a delicious Spanish dish of rice, seafood and mixed vegetables.

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The best thing about being a tourist in the Catalonian region of Spain is that you have the opportunity to enjoy life as the locals do. While they love the fiesta lifestyle, down time is an important part of the day too. Their custom for a ‘siesta’ or a daytime nap, feels very civilized in today’s hectic world. And after a long day of sightseeing it’s the perfect way to freshen up before a night out. Usually taken during the hottest part of the day (from 12pm2pm) a siesta will leave you ready to take on the rest of the afternoon and evening.

Evening adventures are much more relaxed, but no less lively, in Barcelona. Because of the heat in summer, dinner is served later in the evening and locals take their time. After all, many of the nightclubs and other late night venues are open until dawn, so there is no rush and there is plenty of time to indulge. To try some of the most highly regarded cuisine in the city, Alkimia on Career Industria is an exquisite choice. A minimalist, yet chic, white interior means the indulgent and unusual food is given center stage. Serving a new style of Catalan cooking, which goes beyond traditional into the contemporary realms, its diverse dishes have attracted a much coveted Michelin Star.

After a leisurely dinner it would be a shame to retire without dropping in to one of Barcelona’s many diverse entertainment venues. Razzmatazz, near the Marina station, represents the pinnacle of Barcelona’s nightlife. By offering an eclectic mix of music across a number of rooms, with each room playing a different style, it has something for everyone and has been attracting locals and tourists alike for years. That is of course out of fiesta season, when the people of Barcelona take to the streets. It’s difficult not to happen upon a fiesta of some sort when visiting the Catalonian capital.

From ‘Sonar’, a three day music festival in June, to one of the many religious week long celebrations, it’s clear that this is a town that likes to party.

Barcelona is such a breathtaking city that it’s hard to grasp the one feature that makes it so. For some it’s the incomparable architecture, for others it’s that energetic fiesta spirit, while some just like to enjoy a relaxing ramble along the street of the same name. Without a doubt Barcelona is sure to captivate and should take a prime position on everyone’s ‘must see travel destinations’ list.