BARCELONA GUIDE INCLUDES A DAY TRIP TO MONTSERRAT BARCELONA CITY GUIDE A compelling mixture of imposing Gothic and Art Nouveau style architecture, Spanish cuisine, sangria, sunshine, beaches and chilled vibe make Barcelona one of the greatest getaway cities at any time of year. Summers here can be hot and humid, while winters very pleasant compared to much of Europe. Money wise, Barcelona is still relatively affordable, however the main attractions such as the grand Casa Mila or a visit inside the Sagrada Familia, can set you back over €20 per person. BUGETING FOR There are so many things to see and do in Barcelona. Depending BARCELONA on your budget, you can spend an entire weekend doing fun things around the city. However, if you are on a tight budget, ATTRACTIONS select the attractions you definitely want to see and stick to those. For example, both Gaudi apartments, Casa Mila (La Pedrera) and Casa Batllo are extremely expensive to visit. So maybe choose just one of them to go inside and admire the other from the outside. From our own experience, Casa Batllo always has the longest queues. If you want to skip the line, you can purchase a ticket (plus FastPass) for €28.50 per person, otherwise it will cost you €23.50 for the regular line. This Gaudi masterpiece is a joy to look at from the outside so if you are short on cash, you can always appreciate the exterior from the street level for free. Casa Mila (La Pedrera) on the other hand, is an excellent choice for discovering the life and work of one of the greatest Catalan architects, Antoni Gaudi. Even though sometimes lengthy, the queueing is much faster than at Casa Batllo. 2 At €22 per person you get a sneak peek into the This delightful and slightly elevated zone will also amazing courtyard, the apartments, the attic and allow you to have a glimpse at the azure the fascinating rooftop maze. Mediterranean sea glimmering in the distance. The panoramic views of the city and Sagrada Take your time to explore this fairy tale like Familia from the rooftop are fabulous. playground and absolutely bring your children here, they’ll love it. Otherwise, you can budget €34.00 per person for the spectacular night show after dark. Bear in mind that the access to the Monumental Zone of Park Güell is limited to 400 tickets Unless you are a massive Gaudi fan, think twice every half hour due to its size, so it’s best to whether you want to spend €15 for a wander purchase tickets online prior to your visit. inside the famous Sagrada Familia. It’s a time saver! Of course, it is an amazing piece of architecture, While visiting Barcelona, we highly recommend however, if I am completely honest, the inside taking a trip to Montserrat, a fascinating somehow doesn’t feel as grand as the exterior. monastery perched on top of the famous mountain But if you love stained glass windows and overlooking the city. complex constructions, go ahead. Though you will need to factor in additional cost Gaudi Park (Park Güell) is a fun place to visit. of around €22-32 per person for a round trip, it’s General ticket costs €7 per person and gives you truly worth it. access to one of the most charming and unusual But did you know that you can explore parks in the city. Barcelona smarter and skip the queues? You The park is overflowing with colourful details put can do it with Barcelona Pass. Save time and your together from broken tile shards and gingerbread hard earned pennies! like houses. 3 FREE THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA You will be hard pushed to be bored in Barcelona even with a limited budget. So don’t worry, there’s plenty free stuff to do and see and that is one of the reasons why Barcelona is such a great destination for a quick break. Having said that, I can guarantee, you will want to stay here longer and leave the city wanting to come back here again and again. Now lets look at all the great free things to do and see in this loveable capital of Catalunya. Familia Sagrada at night. You will probably be reported to hang around here, but it’s generally a heading to look at the cathedral in the day time, pretty safe area. but remember to come back here later in the day and see how stunning it looks at night. Also, less As you wander through the Old Quarter, touristy, big bonus! visit Barcelona Cathedral, a wonderful Gothic style monument open for everyone. While Las Ramblas isn’t something to rave about too much, but it’s still a nice pedestrianised street The dimmed interior complete with shimmering to stroll through while hiding from the sun. gold chandeliers and a faded light coming through stained glass windows creates an eerie, Although, due to the high volume of visitors, the but rather enchanted atmosphere. stroll might be somewhat stressful. To escape the city center, head to the green But there’s something very amazing hiding just space of Parc de la Ciutadella on the across the road from Las Ramblas. northeastern edge of Ciutat Vella area. It’s a hidden pot of wonderful smells and It’s a tranquil oasis from the hustle and bustle of tastes, La Boqueria, one of the best food the historic centre and has a lot to offer. markets in Europe. Enjoy the walk along flower beds and palm Pop in here to grab some refreshments or just for fringed promenades or hire a rowing boat if you a wander. The market is jam-packed with fresh have a few pennies to spare. and beautiful produce to suit everyone’s taste. Check out The Cascada on the northern side of Great photo opportunities too for those into food the park, sculptures and museums such as the photography. Natural History Museum of Barcelona. Don’t miss the gorgeous Gothic Quarter and its For a chilled walk, head to Port de narrow charming streets, beautiful balconies and Barcelona and have a refreshing stroll along the windows with colourful shutters. waterfront. For extra ambience come here early in the Explore the details of The Arc de Triomf located morning at sunrise to see the city waking up. in Passeig de Lluís Companys in the Ciutat Vella area. For a softer light in that picture-perfect snap, come back here at dusk, just before the sunset. It’s a 30 meter tall structure adorned with stone carvings, statues and beautiful ceramic tiles. The quarter is especially atmospheric in the darkness, so come here late and have a wander It’s not very often you get everything in one city, through the winding streets. the culture, great food, and the beach! Barcelona really has it all. Pack your swimwear, a little While the place is buzzing with visitors, make sure picnic and you have your afternoon sorted. you stay alert in the later hours, pickpockets are 5 Conveniently located just 10 minutes away from Hear the powerful ‘Barcelona’ by Freddie the city centre, Barceloneta Beach is great for a Mercury as you walk around and see the fun day out or a layzy sunset walk. Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo lighting the Olympic flame cauldron by a flaming arrow. A little further away from the centre, towards the Olympic Village, you will find the Icària Located in the Montjuïc neighborhood, the Magic and Marbella (nudist) Beaches. Fountains is a must see show and it’s free! The Sitges Beach is located approximately 30 A wonderful setting with fantastic panoramic minutes outside Barcelona so you will need to views makes this place a highly visited spot in either rent a car or catch a train. Barcelona. Take your time to explore the Parc de But don’t fear, there’s plenty of space for Montjuïc and hold your breath while looking down everyone to watch the spectacular show of light, to the magnificent Plaza Espana framed with music and colour. the Torres Venecianas. The fabulous display takes place from Thursday to A spectacular view that will not cost you a penny! Sunday in the summer months and every Friday and Saturday during winter, but check the official The Olympic Park is a fun place to visit and relive website for exact timings and any changes, just in those emotions of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. case. 6 FOOD AND DRINK If you find yourself hungry in between visiting La Pedrera and Casa RECOMMENDATIONS Batllo, a few blocks away you will find Cerveseria Catalana (Carrer IN BARCELONA de Mallorca, 236, 08008 Barcelona). It’s a walk-in restaurant, but don’t be put off by the lengthy queue. Just leave your name and be patient, it will be worth it in the end! We waited for around 20 minutes to get a table and I am so glad we did. Their patatas bravas here are to die for. There is no queue for the bar, so if you just want a quick drink and some tapas, don’t hesitate. Although all seats were taken when we were there. But, a busy place means a good place, right? Another great place and a favourite of ours was Euskal Etxea in the heart of El Born (Placeta de Montcada 1, 08003 Barcelona). Definitely the best and very reasonably priced pintxos, great atmosphere and friendly staff. During our visit we found ourselves coming back there again and again. For good times in the evening head to the H10 Montcada Boutique Hotel (Via Laietana, 24, 08003 Barcelona).