1 Welcome to arcelona

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2 IN THIS ISSUE

TRANSPORT 47. El 5. Metro 48. The Fisherman of Barceloneta 7. Other Transports 49. Others Things To Do 8. Rental Transports 50. Sport Entertainment

NEIGHBOURHOODS FOOD AND DRINK 10. 52. Restaurants and Bars 11. 53. 5 Best Restaurants in Barcelona 12. The Gothic Quarter 54. 5 Best Tapas Bars in Barcelona 13. Barcelonetta 55. Best Catalan Desserts 14. Barcelona Do’s and Don’ts 56. Tips for a Tasty Catalan Meal 15. 58. 5 Best Bars and Pubs in Barcelona 16. 59. Story of Vermouth 17. Gracia 60. Markets in Barcelona 18. 19. Vila Olimpica SHOPPING 62. Top Shopping Malls BEACHES 63. Shopping Hotspots 21. Beach in Barcelona 64. La Roca Village 22. Barceloneta - San Sebastiá 65. Special Shopping Services 23. Beach Fitness 24. Beach: Do’s and Dont’s EVENT AND NIGHT LIFE 67. Traditional Feasts MONUMENTS 68. Fairs and Festivals 26. Casa Batlló 69. Nighlife in Barcelona 27. La Sagrada Familia 70. 5 Best Clubs in Barcelona 28. La Pedrera 29. Other Monuments BH PROMOTIONS 30. How Do You Say It? 73. Free Gifts 32. Squares of Barcelona 74. Our Partners 34. Parks of Barcelona USEFUL INFO MUSEUMS 75. Useful Info About Barcelona

36. Picasso Museum Editor: Javier Seisdedos Borges 37. MACBA Editorial Assistant: Giorgia Tono 38. MNAC Contributors: Anne-Celine Casse, Edoardo Bedeschi, 39. Figueres Dalí Museum Sarah Bahloul, Valentino Chiavarini Marketing: Giorgia Tono ACCOMODATION Design: Arnaud Domergue & Thérèse Hylander

41. Best Apartments in Barcelona While the publishers attempt to ensure accurate content, we can’t accept any respons- 42. 5 Best Venues for Events ability for mistakes or ommission, or for writers contribution opinions. All rights reserved. 43. 5 Best Boats for Rent Contact: THINGS TO DO Advertising: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/BarcelonaHomeOfficial 45. Explore the City Like a Local Twitter: www.twitter.com/barcelona_home 46. Barcelona Street Art Tour Website: www.barcelona-home.com

3 4 METRO

The is definetly one of the most used resources that are available for tourists. It is safe to use at any time of the day, covers most of the city and it is far from expensive! Frequent trains and clearly indicated arrival times make travelling by underground a fast and simple option. Wher- ever your are, a Metro station is not far by, and on every map you can view which stop is the nearest to a par- ticular sight to always know where you are going. Attached on the next page you will find a picture of the route network. Escalators are usually available but for those with prams, lifts are few and far between. Main interchange stations will usually have lifts, although you may have to walk a way to find them.

Operating hours Monday-Thursday / Sunday 05:00 – 00:00 Friday 05:00 – 02:00 Saturday 24h.

Tickets The metro operates an integrated fare system enabling passengers to obtain a free transfer from one means of public transport to another within a period of 1 hour and 15 minutes. Single Ticket: 2,15 € T10 Ticket: 10 Jouneys for 9,95 €. T10 can be used by more than one person if travelers make together the same ride. T día: one day travelcard for 7,60 €

Barcelona for its tourists, also offers special cards to enjoy free entry to museums and attractions, special discounts at many shops and restaurants and unlimited travels on public transport!

Read more about the metro here: www.barcelona-home.com/blog/the-barcelona-metro-guide/

5 METRO MAP 2017

6 OTHER TRANSPORTS

These are others excellent and inexpensive ways to travel around in the city.

BUSES TAXI BIKE

Barcelona has a large transport Taxis are another easy way to Cycling in Barcelona is a fun system of over 1000 buses oper- move around the city! They are and fit way to explore the city.It ating on 80 different routes and easy to spot with their distinctive is very easy to explore and see connecting all the city. Their low black and yellow colour and all the main sights of the city floors adapt for citizens with- re are found throughout the city by bike, whether it’s along the duced mobility. Transport cards can offering a 24/7 service 365 days beachfront, through the Arc de be used also on metro, tram, Ferro- a year. If a taxi is free you will see Triumf, or in El Born and the carrils de la (FGC) and a green light on top and the sign Gothic Quarter. Several rental The Night-Bus Ser- Renfe trains. in the front window saying lliure/ companies offer you the possi- vice (Nit Bus) serves most of the libre (free). There is a minimum bility to rent a bike for a cou- city and its suburban area during all night. The running times may vary fee of 2.05€ and 15 minutes ple of hours or for your entire according to the bus route with costs about 10€. Costs vary de- holiday. An other way to get a an average frequency between 20 pending on the time of the day bike in Barcelona is the bike and 30 minutes. A ride costs ap- and if it is the weekend or a pub- sharing, and Donkey Repub- proximatively 2,15€. From and to lic holiday. If you are travelling to lic is the best company offering the airport Aerobus (T1,T2) is the airport, bear in mind that if this service in the city. You only the easier and faster way to reach you have a lot of luggage you will need to download their app, the city center, it passes every 5-10 be charged a supplement. Taxis to pick up the closest bike and minutes, makes only 3 stops and from the airport to the center discover the city in a fast, green costs 5,90€ one way. will cost about 45-50€. and enjoyable way !

7 RENTAL TRANSPORTS

In Barcelona you can rent a vehicle depending on your needs!

CAR MOTO LIMOUSINE

As in every city, a lot of car If during your holiday you really If you want to explore Barcelo- companies allow you to rent want to feel like a local, the best na in style you can always book a a car for the time you need it way is to rent a scooter! Also in stunning limousine! When you with the only condition of a de- this case a lot of companies offer make a reservation, a limousine posit and a valid driving license. this service for really short period arrives to your BH apartement Barcelona is also a Smart City of time, like the moto-sharing ser- to pick you and your friends up and even more in its streets vice paid by minute (eCooltra) and guarantee a wonderful night are circulating electric cars and to the short rental that can cover in the city while sipping a glass of vehicles. Are you looking for a one day or your entire holiday. cava and enjoying all the beautiful new way to see the city? Try an For those who decided to spent sights and hot-spots of Barcelona. exciting way to explore it with more than one month in Barce- You can also rent a limousine for a little yellow convertible car. lona, there is also the opportuni- other events, such as weddings, GoCarBarcelona is a mini- ty of a monthly scooter rent- parties or special occasions. The car with a GPS system which al service. Cooltra designed a limousines can accomodate a tells you how to get around, as product with which you can have group of maximum 8 people and well as stories and information a motorcycle and use it as if it there are several options with dif- about the sights of Barcelona. were your own vehicle, by hiring ferent prices available for different You can choose between dif- your scooter only for as long as tour lengths. ferent tours and also enjoy a you need it. BH-discount.

8 9 CIUTAT VELLA

Ciutat Vella is the oldest part of Barcelona and includes Barri Gotic, el Raval, El Born, and the old fishing district Barceloneta, the southern area of Ciutat Vella bordering the sea. Each district has its own carácter that allow you different sights and different kind of activities. La Rambla the most famous street in the city, was laid out in 1766 and is famous today for its flower stalls and street performers. It is a tree-lined pedestrian mall and stretches for 1.2 km connecting Plaça Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus Monument at PortVell. The course of La Rambla was originally a stream to collect watery waters, after the heavy rainwater flowing from the Collserola hills; Along La Rambla, are located some historic buildings as the Palace of the Virreina and the famous Theatre. market opens off La Rambla and is one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, housing a very diverse and fresh selection of foods.

In the area after Via Laetiana you will find La Ribera. This area was established in the 13th century when the wealthier members of society moved outside the city walls as Barcelona was becoming increasingly crowded. Notable buildings in this part of the city are the de Santa Maria del Mar and the palaces along Carrer de Montcada, including the , the Museu Barbier-Mueller d’Art Precolombí, and part of the Textile Museum. The northern part of the quarter, between Arc deTriomf and , in contrast to the southern part, is not frequented by tourists so much, appearing a much poorer area with a large number of migrant workers. The southern section of La Ribera is El Born, one of the most fashionable places in the city, a great place to so- cialize as there are many trendy tapas and cocktail bars.

10 EL RAVAL

The term Raval derives from the Arabic word ‘Rabad’ which means Neighbourhood. Raval is part of the historic district of Ciutat Vella and is one of the two neighborhoods that border La Rambla. Its construction dates right back to the Middle Ages when it was an area occupied mostly by fields until the nineteenth century when a number of textile factories and workers houses were established. Because of this, and its close proximity to the port, the Raval developed a strong immigrant population. Since 1990s the Barcelona City Council carried out a number of redevelopment projects and the location of important institutions there. Nowadays Raval is alive all hours of the day and night, and it can be considered a really multi-cultural neighbourhood that has also become fashionable being host to a wide variety of one-off privately owned boutiques, art studios, galleries and trendy bookshops. There are amazing sites to see and to explore there, as for example the MACBA – Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona or la Rambla del Raval one of the favourite meeting points for the communities of immigrants who live in this part of Barcelona. The construction of the avenue led to the demolition of a number of streets and insalubrious buildings and has also become a perfect public space for all kinds of cultural events. At the end of the avenue, the enormous Cat by Fernando Botero smiles to you waiting for a picture with him. He feels right at home there! Additionally there are dozens of exciting and lively bars, restaurants and clubs. We recommend La Havana Restaurant if you want to try a delicious and home-made Catalán Cuisine. In terms of location, Raval gives you excellent access to many of the city’s main attractions which are within walking distance. However the area can be a little noisy, after all it is in the heart of Barcelona, so be careful if you are a light sleeper.

11 THE GOTHIC QUARTER

The beautiful neighbourhood known as The Gothic Quarter used to be a Roman village. It is one of the most famous areas of the city, located in the heart of the old Barcelona and infused with history and legends of a past era.This part of the city was built, mainly in the 14th-15th centuries on the site of the former settlements of the . The narrow and winding streets of The Gothic create a kind of maze where you can have the feeling of always going through the same paths. Try to find some landmarks, if you don’t want to miss any of the beauties hidden in the neighborhood!

The best way to discover the Barri Gotic is on foot, walking down the narrow streets that open onto large squares where you can stop for a coffee in its small cafes. Most of the streets in the old quarter are a pedestrian zone given visitors more opportunities to discover what the area has to offer: remains of the Roman temple of , the seat of Catalan Parliament and the Barcelona City Council in Plaza Sant Jaume. The religious architecture is also really present in this area with the gothic of Santa Maria del Mar and Barcelona and the old Jewish settlement of Call Jueu with some remains of the ancient synagogue. You can even visit Les Quatre Gats, which is famous for being the site of Picasso’s first exhibition. Shopping is also incredible in the Gothic Quarter, from the more commercial area of Carrer Portal de L’Angel to all the little boutiques on Carrer de Avinyo and Carrer dels Bany Nous. The night-life in the Gothic Quarter is really lively and you will always find somewhere to have a drink or a dance.

12 LA BARCELONETA

La Barceloneta is a coastal district of Barcelona. It’s a triangular spit of land bordered by the , , and the Born neighborhood, as well as being surrounded by its sandbeaches. The beaches are very lively during the hot summer days, and the clubs are busy until early in the morning. La Barceloneta was once home of the fishermen, as there were many people associated with the fishing trade and the metal industry that resided here. With its narrow, rectilinear streets, La Barceloneta was built on a military grid structure to provide accommodation for the former inhabitants of La Ribera. This residential area was established to rehouse the people who were displaced when King Philip V ordered much of La Ribera to be razed to the ground allowing the construction of a fortress, where is now.

This occurred in the wake of the fall of Barcelona in 1714 to Philip’s forces in the War of Spanish Succession. More recently, the 1992 Olympics altered the face of Barceloneta by removing the old beach-front restaurants and public baths. The area was renovated to include the sea and beach in the city’s life much more. The houses built in Barceloneta were low-rise and small in scale; this was to prevent obstruction of views of the city. The beach is evidently the main attraction of Barceloneta, and is absolutely overflowing with locals and tourists alike all summer long. Thanks to those who patrol up and down selling everything from sandwiches to donuts, water to cocktails, massages to bikinis you could relax on the beach all day without ever having to move.

13 BARCELONA DO’S AND DON’TS

SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS

Have some grocery stock prepared for Sundays! Indeed, most Do not only have when you come to Barcelona. Indeed, stores are close on Sundays so do not expect to wake up in the order some Cava which is the “unofficial” drink of Barcelona. It is morning and go to your grocery store for breakfast a sparkling similar to Champagne produced in the Penedès. Winemakers in Catalunya officially adopted the term cava in Most restaurant and shops in Barcelona adhere to la Siesta order to distinguish their product from the French Champagne. (from 1pm to 4pm depending on the shops). If you want to buy something, generally avoid these times. Do not only carry a credit card. Always carry some euros in cash; if you are not only eating in touristic places, you will probably Leave a tip of 5% at restaurants, or a bit more for exceptionally find some small restaurants and cafés that can’t accept Credit good service. cards. IN THE STREET

Learn some Catalan words when you come to Barcelona. Most Drinking alcohol on the street is prohibited in Barcelona. You people who grew up in Barcelona speak Spanish and Catalan, can be fined from 30 to 1500 euros depending on the severity the two official languages. However, is a form of respect, of the case. showing you are attempting to assimilate their culture. Do not spit or use the streets as a toilet! It might seem to have become a normal activity in certain areas, however placess occu- Hold on to your wallet if someone “bumps into you”, asks you pied by tourists, children, as well as symbolic buildings are highly to sign something or is wanting to show you some tricks or protected by the Government, hence this practice is considered games. Most of the time while this happens, someone will try a serious infraction and can be fined! to steal your wallet/laptop off you! Simply move away and say “ No gracias” Do not take some pictures/snap of the typical human statue of Las Ramblas without giving them some coins. It is not really Cyclists need to use the cycling pavement that is provided. If pleasant for them to stay still for hours while being snapped by there is no pavement you cannot use the bus lane and will have tourists without being paid a thing. to stay in the lane closest to the pavement. It is illegal to be shirtless or in bikini in the city! It is only accept- You should respect the etiquette when you go to visit churches. able by the beach or the streets close to the beach (La Barcono- Wear no revealing clothing. leta). Fines can be up to 500 euros for lack of respect in nudity. ACCOMMODATION

Respect your neighborhood by keeping quiet between 10 pm and 10am. Indeed, in most cases, your neighbors will not be tourists partying and need to go to work the following morning. Do not waste Energy, as electricity and water bills are expensive in . Try not to take too long in the shower and turn off On that same note, you should lower your voice when you en- the lights after you are done (mainly if you are in a guest house ter the building since some people may have the window open. family). Additionaly, heels on tiles and parquet can easily be heard from the floor below. Do not drink the tap water in Barcelona! This is a personal ad- Keep an eye on the coloured recycled bins next to your apart- vice; some people do and some don’t. The water here is full of ment. Barcelona is an eco-friendly city. (Yellow: Plastic and tetra chlorine and makes it less healthy without proper filtration. pack; Green: Glass; Blue: paper; Brown: organic; Grey: non-recy- clable items.)

14 LES CORTS

Les Corts is based in the district of Sarria-Sant Gervasi; this is considered to be the neighbourhood of class, dignity and peacemaking. It’s quite a friendly area where you will meet lots of smiling visitors but also will also have a lot of things to do and places to visit. Les Corts is an important financial business district of Barcelona and has various good hotels and restaurants. Near there on, in Diagonal , there is a large shopping complex called L’Illa , where there are many good restaurants huge supermarket , a small exhibition center and of course lots of clothes shops including some of the world’s most popular international brands such as Zara, Custo and Garcia. There is another place to visit during the day which is the stunning Placa Espanya which is just a few minutes away from Les Corts. Here you will acknowledge and see all the wonderful entertainment that the Montjuic will have to offer during the day. You can take a walk into the historical island where you will see a green area called Eixample. It will take you about half an hour getting there. There are good facilities and more historic, picturesque areas are a walk away. Also do not forget if you are a football maniac, Barcelona’s Football Ground is based in this area and if you are an enthusiast you can take a tour of the museum and grounds. Hotspots in Les Corts Barcelona: There are many restaurants to wine and dine in such as La Tertulia, Negro-Rojo, Verd & Co, Mussol Center and many more. All these are a delightful delicate mixture of a healthy life- style and are as well including some of the top Meat, Catalan, Tapas, Mediterranean season cuisine. The night life in les Corts is quite outstanding as there are many bars and clubs. Be sure to remember to dress up magnificently as this one of the nicest looking parts of Barcelona and you will surely bump into the rich.

15 EIXAMPLE

The Eixample (translated “Extension”) is a district of Barcelona built in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is characterized by long straight streets and a strict grid pattern crossed by wide avenues and square blocks with chamfered corners (octagonal blocks). It is the newer part of the city, covering a large area north of Plaça Cata- lunya and spreading left and right of Passeig de Gràcia. The area is an extension of the city that get benefits from its ingenious urban planning designed by the Catalan engineer Cerdes in the 1850s. It is a safe and residential part of the city, that also provides a vibrant nightlife as well as a more traditional aperitif (tapas y vermuteo) and café culture. The district is divided in three parts: The right side (Dreta de l’Eixample), is the older one which presents more of the impressive modernist architec- ture of Gaudí including Casa Milà and Casa Batlò, both of which are on the wide Passeig the Gracia, as well as the Sagrada Familia situated on the north-east side of the area. The new left part (Nova Esquerra de l’Eixample), is a services and residential area where are settled most of the public facilities. The area hosts Joan Miró Park, one of the largest in the city, which highlights the iconic Woman and Bird sculpture created by the Catalan artist. At one end of the neighborhood in front of Plaza Espanya is also located the old bullring Las Arenas converted now into a shopping mall. Finally The Old Left Eixample (Antiga Esquerra de l’Eixample), is considered a dynamic commercial and leisure activities district. Part of the area is known internationally as Gaiexample for the great gay community that enjoy the services of the neighborhood. For its central position, it assumes great facilities in the city such as the Hospital, the fire station and theUniversity of Barcelona located right in front of Plaça Universitat. Transport to and from the area is good: Eixample is served by several bus lines and metro stops, as well as the FGC train. However the area is very big, it is still considered a central district: from there, you will reach all the other districts easily walking or by bike.

16 GRACIA

Gràcia is a district of Barcelona, that include on it a large number of neighbourhoods, such as Vila de Gràcia, , and many more. This area appears to be completely different from the others: in fact, Gràcia used to be an independent town until the 19th century and, still today, you can find its community being close and tight compared to other districts; it’s people are also very proud of their roots, to a point where they consider them- selves to be from Gràcia instead of Barcelona. In regards to its architecture, Gracia’s structure is influenced by Mediterranean flavours and history; intimate, close-packed streets and hilly roads can be found in many parts of the district, bringing out the distinctive culture in each section.Thanks to its bohemian style the district is a very popular spot for young people and professional artists. One of the most famous areas in the neighbourhood is Plaça del Sol.This square is quite popular in the city thanks to the chains of terrace café attracting large number of people to drink and socialise. Gràcia is also well-known for its summer festival which is held for 5 days in August. During the event, locals compete between each others preparing the street decorations and the result is usually spectacular. At night, the festival comes alive with drink stalls and stages of live music of different variety. Compared to the other classic Barcelona neighborhoods, Gràcia is not very turitic. You can’t find there interna- tional brands or fast-food chains; However, small gourmet street food carts are very common in Gràcia, with a surprising chain of international cuisines, such as Japanese, Greek etc.Talented artisans and artists can be also found in the squares and in small ground floor shops. Gràcia is well linked with other parts of the city thanks to Fontana metro station L4 line (Yellow).The Ferrocar- rils de la (FGC) also operates the Gràcia station of Barcelona. Additionally, a number of buses and night buses of Barcelona cover most of the Gràcia district.

17 SANTS

Sants is part of the Sants-Montjuic district and has a S working class background. It’s well-situated in relation to the main sights, making it a great base for exploring the city. Parc de l’Espanya Industrial is located right next to Sants station and is the site of a former textile factory which has been converted into a great park. There is a gorgeous pool and also some slides for the kids to play on. It is extremely popular with dog walkers and is perfect for a lazy Sunday in the summer months. Also if you happen to arrive early for your train, it makes a nice alternative to the waiting room. For the shopaholics amongst you, the main street Carrer de Sants is chock-a-block with every kind of store imaginable. The Sants Market is also a fantastic place to do your food shopping where you can purchase fresh fruit and vege- tables in an impressive building. In August, the area has a festival similar to that of Gracià where certain streets are decorated and you can see parades, traditional Catalan human towers and the climax of a music and fireworks display to top it all off. Of course, no mention of the area of Sants is complete without telling you about Sants station. It is one of the largest and most well-connected stations in the city giving you access to many cities outside of Barcelona by train, as well as to the airport. There are great transport links so can easily get around within the city and out of the city too.

18 VILA OLIMPICA

Located next to Parc de la Ciutadella, Vila Olimpica is a trendy area full of bars and restaurants and is a perfect spot of sunbathing and water sports. Vila Olimpica Barcelona was part of the regeneration project of the derelict industrial area of Sant Marti in preparation for the 1992 Olympics. Two skyscrapers immediately confront you on the way to the beach with many modern buildings lining the streets. The area is known for being a trendy area for young professionals and you will find plenty of great seafood restaurants and bars here. Some of the best things to see and do in Vila Olimpica are to take part in water sports such as surfing and sailing. Take a look at the iconic sculpture of a Peix (Fish) by Frank Gehry with its golden metallic curved sheets reflect- ing the Barcelona sunshine right next to the sea. At La Plaça dels Campions, where you can also find Parc de la Nove Icària, you can see plaques dedicated to the gold medal winners of the 1992 Olympics. There is also a small shopping centre with a cinema (Cine Icarià) where you can see the original versions of the latest films with Spanish subtitles. Closeby is the Parc de la Cuitadella, the area of el Born and the huge Diagonal Mar Shopping Centre so you are never far away from all the main attrac- tions and sights.

19 BEACHES IN BARCELONA

20 BEACHES IN BARCELONA

Barcelona Coast covers about 5 kilometres long and be- longs to the districts of Ciutat Vella and Sant Marti. Be- cause of the Mediterranean climate, beaches can be used all year around. With the arrival of the summer season, the beaches are going to be the hot spot for hanging out for the locals as well as tourists. But did you know that before the 1992 Olympics Games there was no beach in Barcelona?! Only after the Olym- pics, the city decided to recover the coast, giving it a modern look that could compete with Miami Beach!

From the unmistakable Hotel W to the Parc of the Fo- rum, there are no private beaches so you can stretch your towel wherever you feel like it! In addition, you will encounter chiringuitos anywhere along the beach, the perfect place to get a fresh and regenerating mojito or a more typical tinto de verano (red wine with lemon fanta).

The great thing about this city during the summer is that it has several different types of beaches, each of them suitable for different kind of person.

21 Barceloneta – Sant Sebastià

Barceloneta beach is the first you will find coming from the center and is the most common choice between tourists. You can reach it with metro yellow line L4 getting off at Barceloneta metro station. Afterwards, there’s a 10-minutes’ walk along the Passeig de Borbó directing you straight to the beach. Sant Sebastià beach, that precedes the Barceloneta’s one in the way to the W Hotel, is considered to be the favorite among local people. One of the most important features about San Sebastiá is that the beach has an area for disabled people with the bathing assistance service. Amphibian bathing chairs are available as well. This whole area is highly adapted for disabled visitors with its wooden walkways, special changing rooms and showers.

Nova Icaria – Vila Olimpica

Nova Icaria is located in the Vila Olimpica district located to the left of the two skyscrapers. It is 400 meters long, quite close to the Olympic Marina and is full with fantastic beachside bars and restaurants. The beach is usually visited by people who live outside Barcelona, it is popular among families with children and it is considered as one of the quietest beach in Barcelona. The beach allows the practice of various sports providing various leisure equipment including two volleyball courts, a games area and Ping-Pong tables. To reach Nova Icaria you have to get off at Ciutadella–Vila Olimpica taking the L4 metro line. This is the most suitable beach for sportive people. Bogatell

Bogatell beach is situated between Nova Icària and Mar Bella and is the result of the urban planning scheme which, with the boost given by Olympic Barcelona in 1992, was commited to making the seafront accessible and incorporating the beach into green spaces, gardens and the neighbouring districts. Bogatell is located in the Sant Marti district and it is around 700 metres long. This beach is considered as being one of the safest beach in the city, but the average age of Bogatell visitors is seen to be one of the highest, around 38 years old. You can get to Bogatell Beach by Bus: 6, 36, 41, 92, 141 or by Metro: Line 4 – Poblenou, Llacuna.

Mar Bella

Mar Bella beach is situated also in the Sant Marti district. It is on the eastern side of Barcelona coastline and was developed as part of the preparation for the 1992 Olympic Games. So it is one of the newer beaches in the city. Most regular visitors are young people who in most cases live in the Sant Marti district. Mar Bella is a nudist and gay-friendly beach, though couples and people who want to swim dressed are still allowed. With regards to recreational facilities, there are volleyball courts, skating areas, kid’s playgrounds, PingPong tables and nets. Additionally, there is a beach library which is open in July and August. To get there: Bus: 36, 71, 141; Metro: Line 4 – Selva de Mar Nova Mar Bella

Nova Mar Bella beach is also situated in the Sant Marti district and it is considered to have the cleaner sea compare to the rest of the Barcelona’s Coast. An interesting feature of this beach is that it is highly popular among women and young people that represent more than 60% of total users. The beach has an area for disabled people and for all dog lovers, you will be able to find a little area on the beach called Playa de Llevant that has been built just for them to play and bathe in the company of other dogs. To get there, you have to catch the L4 yellow line and leave at Selva de Mar, the beach would be fifteen minutes away on foot. Beaches out of Barcelona If you like to discover new places in full autonomy, we recommend you to rent a car from Barcelona and drive to one of the beaches just outside the city. In fact outside Barcelona the situation changes and the beaches become much more beautiful. If you like the long and spacious beaches, you can also take the train and go to Casteldefells, Sitges, Vilanova i la Gertrù or Calafell.The journey would be around 30 minutes to an hour, but it’s worth it, especially when you want to avoid the biggest crowds in Barcelona! 22 BEACH FITNESS

The beaches in Barcelona are good enough to make your holiday exciting, but that’s not all! If you’re a sport fanatic or simply want to have fun in a healthier way, why not try some of the local’s favourite activities by the beach?! With 4 km of sandy beaches along the costline, there are a wide variety of different sports and activities you can do. In fact, check out these choices, and add them on your holiday’s to-do list list :

RUNNING: If you’re planning to have a nice run by the beach, we recommend you to start from the W Hotel on Barceloneta all the way to the end of the beach, crossing Port Olimpic and Bo- gadell. However, we advise you to avoid the peak hours, because of the large crowd you might encounter. Also, try running during sunrise; you’ll be able to enjoy an incredible view of the sun emerging from the sea.

ROLLERBLADING: an alternative and faster way to work out is rollerblading. The beach of Bar- celona is the perfect location to practice this activity. In fact, many people, including tourist and locals, tend to opt for the wheels under the feet for a fun day. You’ll come to realise that, when the roads by the beach become full of bladers, Barcelona becomes a replica of Miami. If you don’t have your own personal rollerblades, you can rent them rented in various location throughout the city, especially along Barcelona beach.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL: the sun fall down really late in Barcellona, enabling hundreds people to play beach volley on the several pitches along the seafront. Maybe is not always so easy find the right number of people to have a match, but some challenger can be surely encounter. It is also a simple, sociable and cheap way to appreciate a summer day in Barcelona.

BEACH WORKOUT GYM: along the beach, there are several open-air workout gyms which offers free fitness equipment for all. You can find a mix of street workouts, calisthenics, boot camp work- outs and bodyweight training.

CYCLING: Barcelona is one of the top cycle-friendly city in . It is really common to take a bike instead of other transportation, especially because it’s healthy, cheap and fast. Most of the roads in Barcelona are designed to include plenty of cycle lanes. Renting a bike is very simple; in fact, you can rent from many bike shops around the city.

YOGA: If you are looking for something more calming yet fun, try doing Yoga by the beach. Just like other sports, yoga brings many benefits to our body, thought its why different than the rest : it’s more extensive, it increases flexibility, it tones the muscle of your bodies, improve respiration as well as vitality and energy.

So, if you’re looking to tone your body by the beach or want to try something fun to do with your friends and family, we are sure that you will have a great time trying some of this healthy activities!

23 BEACH : DO’S AND DON’TS

Respect the colored flags. Green means the sea is calm, Don’t use any soap or shampoo using the beach showers, yellow indicates medium hazard such as slight currents or you can be fined for that. jellyfish, and a red flag warns to not enter the in water. Avoid the excessive noise, so even if you are using a speak- Take care of your things. Even if the beach is a chilling er to organize a private party on your sand corner, re- place, the thieves are always looking for your wallet, mobile member that there are people that maybe are just there phone of sunglasses, therefore pay attention. to recover after work. Don’t forget your sun cream as well as your windbreak- Dress your clothes in public area. Sometimes people be- er. Usually the weather is really generous and people can lieve that the swimsuit is suitable for all places, also in the start to take the sun early in the year (for the most brave restaurant or the shop on the coastline. Remember that also have swim). Nevertheless, when the wind start to you are not alone and to dress something more at least in blow you can feel cold so remember to take a jacket or these places. a jumper. Be open-minded. Barcelona is one of the most cosmo- politan city in the world and its beaches are full of people Don’t leave your rubbish on the beach. There is nothing from everywhere so be ready to face different beachwear, worst that find waste materials in the sand, so be more including topless. responsible and bring with you a plastic bag to clean your place before leaving.

24 25 CASA BATLLÓ

The Casa Batlló (built between 1904 and 1906), is an iconic landmark in Barcelona that, just like the Sagrada Familia, is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attracting millions of tourists worldwide, this building is famously known for being one of Antonio Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces, thanks to its unique and eccentric design inside and outside followed by mesmerising colours. There, you can expect a fusion of wood, glass, ceramics and quarried stone followed by light, colours and dif- ferent shapes that give to the facade is original and fantastical structure that will keep you fascinated through- out the seightseen. The facade is a joyful and allegorical representation, full of organic elements and colours and charged with symbolism. It is a wonderful spectacle representing a dialogue between light and colour. Some iconic elements of the house are: the balcony railings in the shape of “Color in certain places has the great value masks and made of wrought iron cast in of making the outlines and structural planes a single piece, and the roof in the shape seem more energetic.” Antoni Gaudi of an animal’s back with large iridescent scales and the four groups of graceful chimneys. As a whole, the building consists of a ground floor, a main floor with a courtyard, four further self-contained floors, a loft and a roof terrace. There is private access to the noble floor (the main floor), and a communal stairwell set within the building well which has been expanded and artistically tiled as though it were part of the exterior facade. Moving through the house, visitors are constantly surprised by the details which they discover with every step. To create this masterpiece, Gaudí worked with the most highly skilled craftsmen in every profession. The transformation of wrought iron, in which curves are not only for rhetorical and aesthetic purposes, but also provide structural support; undulating works in wood such as three-dimensional doors with surprising embossed patterns; colourful stained-glass windows which filter the natural light; raised ceramic tiles; deco- rative pieces of masonry made from Montjuic sandstone: all of these elements are testament to the skill of the craftsmen of the period. Casa Batlló is located in Passeig de Grácia and is one of Modernism’s obligatory points of reference that will seduce all visitors by the extreme design and the artist inner world. Gaudí want the visitors to feel sur- rounded by the depictions of nature which inspire and soothe by all the calm and cool colours. Visits include the legendary Noble Floor (the original residence of the Batlló family), Attic Roof Terrace and the fabulous Stairwell. The visit concludes with the splendid Entrance Hall and Main Staircase. The price of the visit is a bit expensive (adult 23,5) but you will not regret it!

26 LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

La Sagrada Familia is a colossal Roman under construction and is one of the most popular tourist sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was consecrated and proclaimed a minor basilica by Pope Benedict XVI and over the years it has become the universal symbol of barcelona and Spain. The construction of the Sagrada Familia began in 1882 with the architect Francesc de Paula del Villar i Lozano. In 1883, Antoni Gaudi was engaged to carry on the works and then devoted his life to the realization of this monument. Until 1910, he worked on many buildings and soon, personified the modernist movement. Steeped in religion, he began to consider the building as a sacred mission investing all his money and his technical knowledge with a set of symbols representing the birth, death and resurrection of Christ. He died in 1926 and left the monument un- finished . Interrupted in 1936, the con- “The expiatory church of La Sagrada Família is struction was resumed in 1952 thanks made by the people and is mirrored in them. It to the plans and existing models. Its anticipated completion date is 2026; the is a work that is in the hands of God and the centennial of Gaudí’s death. The entire will of the people.” - Antonio Gaudi building is an allegory of the Christian Religion. As an amazing building of monumental proportions and meticulous decorations, the Sagrada Fa- milia is one of the greatest monuments of the century. Despite cranes and scaffolding, a strange beauty emanates from this place. Although The Sagrada Familia is far from complete, it is definitely worth the visit. The church is extremely rich in ornamentation and symbolism, and has vaults that reach 230 feet. You can even visit the where Gaudi is buried. A museum tells the story of this great architect and church history. To get to the top of the Towers, visitors must take the elevator. The access to the tower is not included in the entrance ticket. It will cost additionally €4. From the top of the tower, you will have one of the most beautiful views over Barcelona. It’s better to visit The Sagrada Familia in the early morning or late afternoon when the reflections of the sun magnify the structure of the cathedral. Moreover, a good suggestion is to buy your tickets online, to avoid long hours in line. 27 LA PEDRERA

The apartment block was constructed between 1906 and 1910. It was Gaudí’s last work before devoting himself to the construction of the Sagrada Família. It has been declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1984. Today it is a cultural centre and the headquarters of Fundació Catalunya-La Pedrera and houses. La Pedrera was constructed to host apartments and offices however for the owner was difficult to rent the apartments because tenants thought they would have problems fur- “La Pedrera, formerly known as Casa Milá is the nishing the rooms due to the irregular shape. The ground floor of La Pedrera largest civil building designed by Antoni Gaudí. is now a museum dedicated to Gaudí’s This is one of his most innovative landmarks and Works, and together with the attic and has become a work of art in its own right.” the terrace they are open to the public for viewing and tours. This masterpiece, breaks with traditional architecture by using not a single straight line. The building does not use load-bearing walls, but rest of pillars and arches. In order to allow light in all the rooms, the apartments are arranged around two central courtyards, one circular and one oval shaped. On the outside, the iron-wrought balconies were designed by Josep Maria Jujol, who improvised on the spot. The building has been renamed ‘La Pedrera’ rather than ‘Casa Milà’ during its construction, because the facade resemble a cliff-like rock with caves. Similar to the outside, the interior has no straight lines. The striking rooms have a lot of character, with a mixture of expressionist and styles. The most intriguing part of the building would be the roof, with its giant bizarre colourful chimneys. Many of them look like warriors in a science fiction movie. The roof also features a bench similar to the Parc Güell one. From the top of La Pedrera, you have a breath-taking view over the city. One floor below the roof, where you can appreciate Gaudí’s taste for parabolic arches, is a modest museum dedicated to his work. If you want to have a special experience of La Pedrera, you can also visit it during a night tour. During the calm hours after the sun goes down, this intimate tour, limited to 30 people, will unveil you the building’s secrets not seen on daytime visits. Casa Milá is situated in Passeig de Grácia, one of the bigger street of the city that leads up to Plaza Cata- lunya. The nearest Metro Station is Diagonal.

28 OTHER MONUMENTS

You should definitely keep in mind how many other monuments can be found around the beautiful city of Barcelona!

PALAU DE LA MUSICA TEATRE LICEU CATALANA The Gran Teatre del Liceu is locat- The Palau de la Musica Catala- ed along La Rambla of Barcelona. na is a concert hall in Barcelona. It was opened the 4 April 1847. It Designed in the catalan mod- is one of the most important op- ernista style by the architect Llu- era houses in Europe and one of is Domenec i Monatner, it was the most beautiful attractions of built between 1905 and 1908 for Barcelona. The greatest singers of the Orfeò Català, a choral soci- the last two decades performed HOSPITAL SANT PAU ety founded in 1891 that was a the most important classic opus- leading force in the Catalan cul- es at this opera. Performers like This building is located in the tural move- ment known as the Domingo, Pavarotti, Caballé, Cal- neighborhood of El Guinardò in Renaixenca.The Palau won the las or Tebaldi will always have a Barcelona. It is a complex built be- archi- tecture award from Barce- special place in the hearts of the tween 1901 and 1930, designed lona City Council in 1909, as the audience. The Gran Teatre del by the Catalan moderniste archi- best building of that year. Between Liceu can be visited daily with a tect Lluis Domènec I Montaner. 1982 and 1989, the building un- variety of tours. The Express Tour Together with Palau de la Musica derwent extensive restoration, re- is of 40 minutes and you can see Catalana it is a UNESCO World modeling, and exten- sion under the foyer, the hall of mirrors, some Heritage Site. It was a fully func- the direction of architects Oscar theatre boxes and the large hall. tioning hospital until June 2009, Tusquets and Carles Diaz. In 1997 The Express Tour starts daily ev- before going under restoration to the Palau de la Musica Catala- na ery hour from 14:00 to 18:00, on be used as a museum and cultural was declared a UNESCO World weekend from 9.30. Moreover center in 2014; at the same time Heritage Site.Today, more than there is The Guided Tour which the new hospital opened next to half a million people a year, attend takes about 50 minutes, and you it. Nevertheless, few departments musical performances in the Palau will get the possibility to also see such as the Blood and Tissue Bank, that range from symphonic and the stage, the backstage and other the radiography department and chamber music to jazz and Can- rooms located in the backstage of the physical therapist department cò. Visits are possible in different the Theatre. The tour starts daily remain in some of the old building. options. at 10:00. A visit to this magnificent com- plex allows you to delve into his- tory, art and the present day. The pavilions, set among gardens and connected by underground pas- sages, are beautiful and a show- case for the applied arts, featuring sculptures, stained glass and mo- saics. This is a Europe’s foremost art-nouveau complex and an icon among Barcelona’s dazzling array of landmarks that embody the city’s innovative spirit.

29 HOW DO YOU SAY IT?

SPANISH CATALAN ENGLISH FRENCH

Buenos días Bon dia Good morning Bonjour Adiós Adéu Good-bye Au revoir Hasta hora Fins ara See you later A plus tard Encantado de conocerla Encantat de coineixe’t Nice to meet you Enchanté ¿Como está usted? Com esta vostè? How are you? Comment va-tu ? ¿Muy bien y tu? Molt bé i tu? Very well, and you? Trés bien et toi ? Lo siento Perdó/perdoni Excuse me Excusez moi ¡No pasa nada! No es res, tot bé! You are welcome Je vous en prie ¿Donde está? On està/ on son? Where is it... ? Ou est... ? ¿Cuando? Quan? When? Quand ? ¿Cuanto? Quant/quanta? How much? Combien ? ¿Que? Què? What? Quoi ? ¿Algo más? Alguna cosa mes? What else? Quoi d’autre ? ¿Quien? Qui/Quins? Who? Qui ? ¿Por qué? Per què? Why? Pourquoi ? ¿Qué significa? Que vol dir? What does it mean? Qu’est-ce que ça veux dire ? ¿Puedes explicármelo? Ho podries explicar? Can you explain me? Peux tu m’expliquer ? No entiendo. No ho entenc I don’t understand Je ne comprend pas ¿Puedo tener... ? Em podries donar? Can I have... ? Puis-je avoir... ? Por favor, pídame un taxi. Si us plau, hem podries demanar Call me a taxi, please. Apellez moi un taxi, s’il vous plait ? un taxi? ¿Cuanto dista de... ? Quant dista de…? How far is... ? C’est à quelle distance... ? Perfecto, gracias. Perfecte, gracies Here is perfect, thanks C’est parfait, merci.

¿Donde está la parata del On es la parada de Metro més Where is the nearest metro stop? Ou est la station de metro la plus metro más cercana? propera? proche ? ¡Una mesa para 4! Una taula per quatre, si us plau! A table for four! Une table pour quatre ! ¿Puede traernos la carta, por Ens podria portar el menú, si Can you give us the menu please? Puis-je avoir le menu s’il favor? us plau? vous plait ? La cuenta, por favor. El compte, si us plau The bill, please! L’adition s’il vous plait ! ¡ Buen provecho ! Bon profit ! Have a nice meal ! Bon appétit !

30 ITALIAN GERMAN DUTCH RUSSIAN

Buongiorno Guten tag Goede morgen Доброе утро Arrivederci Auf Wiedersehen Dag До свидания A più tardi Bis später Tot straks Увидимся позже Lieto di conoscerla Freut mich, dich kennenzulernen Aangenaam! Рад(а) познакомиться! Come sta? Wie geht es dir? Hoe gaat het? Как вы? Molto bene, e lei? Sehr gut, und dir? Goed, en met u? Очень хорошо, а вы? Mi scusi Entschuldigen Sie bitte! Excuseer Извините меня Di iente Gern geschehen! Graag gedaan Пожалуйста/Всегда пожалуйста Dov’è, dove sono... ? Wo ist es... ? Waar is het? Где это, где они? Come? Wann? Wanneer? Когда? Quando? Wie viel? Hoeveel? Сколько? Che cosa? Was? Wat? Что? Qualcos’altro? Was noch? Wat anders? Что еще? Chi? Wer? Wie? Кто? Perché? Warum? Waarom? Почему? Cosa vuol dire? Was bedeutet das? Wat betekend dat? Что это значит? Puoi spiegarmelo? Kannst du es mir erklären? Kan je mij dat uitleggen? Можете объяснить мне? Non capisco. Ich verstehe es nicht. Ik begrijp het niet. Я не понимаю. Posso avere... ? Kann ich… haben? Kan ik ... krijgen? Можно пожалуйста? Kannst du mir ein Taxi rufen, Kunt u een taxi bellen voor mij, Вызовите мне такси, Mi chiami un taxi, per favore. bitte? alstublieft? пожалуйста. Quanto dista dal... ? Wie weit ist es…? Hoe ver is het? Как далеко это? Va bene qui grazie. Hier ist perfekt, danke! Hier is goed, bedankt! Здесь отлично, спасибо. Waar is de dichtsbijzijnde Dov’è la fermata del metro Wo ist die nächste Metro Station? Где ближайшая станция метро? più vicina? metro halte? Un tavolo per quattro Ein Tisch für 4 Personen bitte! Een tafel voor 4! Нам стол на четверых! Può darci la carte per favore? Können Sie uns die Speisekarte Kunnen wij het menu bestellen, Вы дадите нам меню, пожалуйста? reichen bitte? alstublieft? Il conto, per favore. Die Rechnung bitte! De rekening, alstublieft! Счет, пожалуйста! Buon appetito ! Guten appetit ! Bon appetit ! Приятного аппетита!

31 SQUARES OF BARCELONA

For centuries, the plaza or square has been at the center of public life in Barcelona. A trip outdoors in Barcelona is not complete without a stroll through one the many beautiful plazas. We present here the most famous, but don’t forget smallest one while walking around the city!

PLAÇA D’ESPANYA

Plaça d’Espanya, is one of Barcelona’s most import- ant squares, built on the occasion of the 1929 Inter- national Exhibition, held at the foot of Montjuïc, in the Sants-Montjuïc district. It was designed by Josep Amargós. while the fountain at the centre of the square was designed by Josep Ma- ria Jujol, a collaborator of Antoni Gaudí. Plaça Espanya is one of the city’s biggest squares, junc- tion of several major thoroughfares, and it is also one of the major transport hub that serves most parts of the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. It also with “La Fuente Mágica” (The magic fountain), where one of the biggest city shows take place: El Piromusical, is an attraction that combines water and music, and which has become a magical event followed by Barcelonans and tourists, year after year.

PLAÇA DE CATALUNYA

Plaça de Catalunya is a large square in central Bar- celona that is generally considered to be both its city centre and the place where the old city (see Barri Gòtic and Raval, in Ciutat Vella) and the 19th centu- ry-built Eixample meet. The plaza is especially known for its fountains and statues and its proximity to some of Barcelona’s most popular attractions. In addition, some of the city’s most important streets and avenues meet there (Passeig de Gràcia, , La Rambla, Portal de l’Àngel), for this reason it is considered the heart of the city and point of reference in order to orientate yourself while visiting the city. The atmosphere in the square is different according to the time of the day, but for sure the most remarkable features are the huge number of pigeons in the center of the square, flying around or waiting for some seeds! As Plaça de Espanya, the square is also one of Barcelona’s most important transport hubs, both above and under ground.

32 SQUARES OF BARCELONA

PLAÇA SANT JAUME PLAÇA UNIVERSITAT

Is a square at the center of the Old City of Barcelo- The Plaça de la Universitat is one of Barcelona’s cen- na and the administrative heart of both the city and tral squares, at the border between the districts of Eix- surrounding . This is because the Palace of ample and Ciutat Vella. The plaza is named for the Uni- the Generalitat of Catalonia and the City Hall are versity of Barcelona, whose neo-Gothic main campus located here across from one another. lies on its northwest side. Along with Plaça d’Urquina- Its role appears not to be a coincidence since this is ona, it is arguably one of the most common gather- the place where the Roman fórum stood in Roman ing-places for demonstrations in the city, as well as time. offering a pedestrianised area popular with skaters. The name of the square comes from the medieval There square is also surrounded by a number of shops church of Sant Jaume that used to be there. and restaurants.

PLAÇA REIAL

Plaça Reial is a square in the Barri Gòtic of Barcelona. It lies next to La Ramb- la and is a well-known tourist attraction, especially at night. On the plaza there are a large number of restaurants and some of the city’s most famous night- clubs including Sidecar, Jamboree and Karma. It is also known for its many outdoor events as the annual La Mercè festival in September, when open-air concerts take place, and during other celebrations such as New Year’s Eve. A curiosity of this square is that the lanterns in the midle were designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and are actually one of his first works of art in the city.

Other squares to see:

Plaça Sant Felipe Neri Plaça del Rei Cathedral Square Plaza del Sol Plaça del Pí Plaça Tetuán

33 PARKS OF BARCELONA

Barcelona is a city that offers a great variety of landscape, from the sea to the mountains, passing though parks too. Discover here the most famous!

PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA

Parc de la Ciutadella is a park on the northeastern edge of Ciutat Vella. For decades following its creation in the mid-19th century, this park was the city’s only green space.The 70-acre (280000 square meters) in- cludes the city zoo, the Parliament of Cata- lunya PARK GUELL , a small lake, museums, and a PARC DE JOAN MIRO large fountain designed by Josep Fontserè The Park Guell is a public park system , with a possible contribu- This large park with lots of open composed of gardens and architectonic tion of a young Antoni Gaudi.There space is also known as the Parc l’Es- elements located on Carmel Hill that are different buildings and attraction corxador and is used by visitors and dels Tres belongs to the mountain of Collserola, in this park, as the locals living in Eixample Esquerra dis- Dragons in Barcellona. Park Guell is located in the , the waterfall and the lake, trict to relax. This is located on the neighborhood of Gracia district. With a beautiful planthouse (Umbracle) south-west end of the neighborhood the idea of a better urbanization, Euse- and a glass house (Hivernacle).There and is the perfect place to relax af- Josep Llimona’s bi Guell assigned the design of the park is also a replica of ter being exploring the monumental beautiful sculpture “El descontrol” to Antoni Gaudi, a renewed architect . Placa Espanya. In 1979, Barcelona and the face of Catalan Modernism.The A giant mammoth and a bandstand began dismantling its old municipal park was built between 1900 and 1914 are among the other elements that slaughterhouse and the result was and was officially opened as a public sur- prise visitors when prom around the first large urban park of the park in 1926. In 1984, UNESCO de- this vibrant and central park in Bar- city during the post-Franco period. clared the park a World Heritage Site. celona. On a Sunday afternoon you Barcelona was looking for renewing The park contains amazing structures, will find group of people that meet itself and instinctively knew that it different activities stunning tiling and fascinating buildings. to , yoga, music, was necessary to undertake planning You can see from this picture the Gaudi dance and much more.You will spend projects that would respond to new dragon fountain that is located at the a relaxing and funny afternoon there! social needs through the renovation entrance of the park. Gaudì was strongly of obsolete sites for new uses. The influenced by natural shapes and used park is a puzzle of different elements them in all his work, mainly in the real- set out around a cement plaza de- ization of the park. At the top of Park signed to host all kinds of events and Guell there is a terraced area where activities. Around the plaza, there are you get a wonderful view of the park platforms on different levels, path- and of Barcelona city. Remember that ways, pergolas and landscaped areas this part of the park now is closed and with pines and evergreen oaks, which you need a ticket to visit it. The price of are ideal place to take a stroll and the ticket is 8€. enjoy your free time.

34 35 PICASSO MUSEUM

The Picasso Museum is the main key to the comprehension of the great artist Pablo Ruiz Picasso.The spirit of genius runs through all the works presented in the permanent collection. It just transmits a unique, intimate rela- tionship with Barcelona wizard, which began at an early age and continued until Picasso’s death. The museum in Barcelona is a standing tribute to the artist’s close relationship with the city and naturally the es- sential starting point for any fans wanting to explore the artist’s life and works. It opened in 1963 and was set up during his life- time, according to his wishes, by his friend and personal secretary, Jaume Sabartés. The museum occupies five medieval mansions, home to Barcelona’s aristocrats.To date, it is one of the best mu- seums of the city and probably the best collection of the artist worldwide.Today the Picasso Museum has over 3,800 works and is especially rich in Pablo’s earlier artistic forays, up to the Blue Period. Barcelona’s tribute, rath- er the one, represents a biography of the early years of the artist, as well as an overview of his life jour- ney and many stylistic evolutions. Additionally, here you get to know the collection of 1917 and a series of Las Meninas (1957), as well as an extensive collection of photographs of Picasso, now represented in the halls, which were opened in 2008.The current collection includes two of Picasso’s first major works:The First Communion (1896), and Science and Charity (1897).The museum is embarking on a new phase of expansion with the launch of new programmes and activities designed to make it a key centre for fostering knowledge and education, encouraging visitor participation and a critical approach. It seeks to provide a space for dialogue, offering new perspectives on Picasso and the collection as a whole.

Opening Hours: Prices: Tuesday to Sundays (including holidays): 10 am to 7 pm Collection + temporary exhibition €14 | Temporary exhibi- How to get there: tion €6,50 | Collection €11 | FREE Under 16 | Reduced fee Metro Line1 Arc deTriomf, Line3 Liceu, Line4 Jaume I for people between 18 and 25 and over 65 | All Sundays Address: free from 3 pm | FREE First Sunday of each month Carrer de Montcada 15-23. Book now your Articket and enter in the best museums of the city.

36 MACBA Museum of Contemporary Art

One of the best museums to see in Barcelona is The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, also known as MACBA.The museum holds a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions throughout the year and is well- known for displaying a wide range of contemporary works. MACBA opened in 1995 and its striking building was designed by the American architect Richard Meier. The art on display consists of works from the latter half of the 20th century and some of the artists which have per- manent collections in the museum include Tàpies, Klee and Torres. The museum also hosts various events and activities promoting contemporary art amongst younger generations. The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is a modern and light space in which to view contemporary art pieces and due to the changing nature of the exhibitions there is always something different to see. The museum is great to visit on a rainy day, if you are unlucky enough to experience that during your stay in the city. MACBA is yet another intriguing and fascinating museum to discover in the city of Barcelona.

Opening Hours: Prices: 11 am to 7.30 pm (from June 25 onwards, 11 am to 8 Adults €10, Children FREE under 14 Admission, reduced pm) Price 8€ for students, journalists, teachers, etc. Tuesday: Closed Saturday: 10 am to 9 pm Address: Sundays and holidays: 10 am to 3 pm (April 14 and 17, Plaça dels Àngels, 1. METRO – L1, L2 (Universitat) and L3 10 am to 7:30 pm) (Catalunya or Liceu)

37 MNAC Museum National d’Art de Catalunya

MNAC contains incredible collections of spanning 1000 years from the Romanesque period to the mid-twentieth century. It is a must for any art lover or for those interested in learning a bit more about Catalan history. The beginnings of the museum started in 1880 and the collection has now grown to over 250,000 pieces. In 1990 it was declared a national museum after bringing together collections from two museums (one with works from the Romanesque and Gothic period and the other with 19th – 20th century works).The museum features many pieces from some of the most famous Catalan artists including Picasso, Gaudí and Dalí. MNAC is situated in the stunning building on Montjuic hill where you can also view the Magic Fountain every weekend. Inside, the pieces take you through the art across the region. Highlights include the Romanesque collection, where you can see frescoes displayed in replicas of the churches they were originally stored in. The modern art collection features sculptures and photography from artists including Gaudí, known throughout Barcelona for his iconic modernist architecture.There is a lot to see so make sure you give yourself enough time to see it all so you can fully enjoy all the art on display.

Opening Hours: Prices: Mon. closed Adults €12 (valid for two days), Children FREE under 16 Tue. – Sat. 10am-6pm (until 8pm during Summer) Admission is also free every Saturday after 3pm and the Sun. and public holidays: 10am-3pm first Sunday of every month, 12 of February (Santa Eulalia), Address: 18 of May (International day of museums), 11 of Septem- Parc de Montjuïc. From Plaça Espanya ber (Diada de Catalunya), 24 of September (Mercé day) head down Avinguida Maria Cristina and you will straight Book now your Articket and enter in the best museums of away see the museum. the city.

38 FIGUERES DALI MUSEUM

Figueres Dali Museum is located approximately 140km from Barcelona and is home to the fantastically surreal Dali artworks. Salvador Dalí was a renowned surrealist painter born in Figueres in 1904. The museum was built from the ruins of a former theatre and converted into what you see today, a bizarre yet amazing mix of the weird and wonderful creations from the mind of Dalí. The Dali Museum is the second most visited museum in Spain, after El Prado. Whether you are passionate about art or whether you just have a passing interest in Dali, this is an essential day trip from Barcelona. Dali designed it in the last few years of his life, down to the last detail. Before you even set foot inside the museum, the building itself sets the scene to explore Dalí’s sur- real pieces on show. The exterior walls are covered in Catalan bread decorations made of plaster and the top of the museum is beautifully decorated with golden mannequins and giant eggs. Upon the entrance of the museum if you go to the patio, you can see a Cadillac, which has on top of a hypnotizing and rather creative sculpture of a woman. Once you enter the actual building, there is a large painting done by Dali. It looks like it has several figures of Venus de Milo, but if you squint your eyes, the painting morphs into the face of Abraham Lincoln. There are approximately 5 stories in the circular building, all filled with Dali’s artwork. Upon exit of the building it is almost as if the building was made to be difficult to leave, which is maybe exactly what the artist intended to. If you decide to make a journey from Barcelona to Figueres it is a good idea to try to combine a trip to the Dali museum passing through the picturesque city of which is halfway between Figueres and Barcelona. It is an extremely fun museum to explore for all the family and for all ages.

Opening Hours: How to get there: Monday closed Address: Plaza Gala- Salvador Dalí, 5, 17600 Figueras. Tue. – Sun. 9:30am – 6pm The train is a cheap and easy option which takes approxi- Night Opening During the month of August mately 2 hours from Barcelona (Passeig de Gracia station). from 10pm to 1am in the morning Once you get to Figueres stop, the museum is just a 15 Price: minute far away by walk. 12€ adults, free for children under 9. Tours available from Barcelona.

39 ACCOMMODATION

40 5 BEST APARTMENTS IN BARCELONA

LUXURY ATTIC WITH PRIVATE TERRACE

BHM-464 For those seeking to take advantage of the lovely Mediterranean climate while on holiday in Barcelona, we highly recommend this stunning attic apartment equipped with an exclusive 35 m2 terrace with smoothen wooden floors and spectacular views of the Palacio Nacional.

EXCLUSIVE GÓTICO APARTMENT WITH ROOFTOP POOL

BHM-2925 This exquisite designer accommodation represents the unbeatable combination of a luxurious and comfortable space with a centric location in the el Gótico neighborhood of Barcelona. The interior is characterized by a polished, sophisticated style made possible with top quality materials.

SPACIOUS CENTRAL APARTMENT WITH TERRACE

BHM-065 This beautiful apartment features a unique interior with rustic ele- ments with contemporary ones to create a sophisticated yet com- fortable ambiance. We love the juxtaposition of rough brick walls, refurbished wooden doors floors and furniture, wooden beams in the vaulted ceilings with the bright white sofas and the vibrant black and white pillows and carpet in the living room.

EXCLUSIVE APARTMENT WITH PRIVATE TERRACE

BHM1-1036 This magnificent designer apartment near Plaza Espanya truly resembles something taken straight from a fashion magazine. The design features beautiful original tiles on the floors, exposed brick walls with dra- matic backlighting, and a collection of stylish furniture arranged with fabu- lous taste. A breezy private terrace with an additional dining space is a great place for a leisurely breakfast on a sunny morning or for relaxing with your favorite book all day.

MODERN ATTIC WITH PRIVATE TERRACE IN BARCELONA

BHM1-075 Luxurious penthouse duplex available just steps from Plaza de España. The immaculately designed interior features a combination of elegant parquet floors, bright white and exposed brick walls, and arched passageways to create a truly dreamy environment. The spectacular master bedroom comes with a large double bed elevated onto a wooden platform and its own spa-like bathroom refurbished with polished tiles which create a relaxing place after a day in Barcelona.

41 5 BEST VENUES FOR EVENTS

AMAZING VILLA WITH SEA VIEWS FOR EVENT

BHE-E2657 Luminous and magnificent Mediterranean villa, the perfect venue for an event by the sea. This is a paradise originally constructed in the fourteenth century as a rural farmhouse. The space around the villa features a beautifully landscaped terrace, reception area and an infin- ity pool with stunning views of the sea. This villa is the ideal solution for your next event, be it a wedding, birthday party or photo session.

VILLA BARCELONA ISLA HEIYMA

BHE-E2688 This magnificent Villa Isla Heiyma boasts an elevated position in the hills with spectacular views of the city and the Mediterranean. The house comes with spacious lounge areas furnished with couches, sofas, cozy bean bag chairs and a pool table that offers great entertainment for a group of friends. Due to the gorgeous interior and spacious exterior, the property is perfect for hosting a variety of events, including birthday celebrations, cocktail parties, networking events, wedding, filming sessions and photo shootings.

HOUSE WITH GARDEN AND SWIMMING POOL

BHE-E1446 Beautiful house with pool and great charm in Barcelona, ideal​​ for private or corporate events. A large private garden oasis is the perfect chill-out space, with barbecue and private pool. It is definitely a great choice for a large group that wants to enjoy its privacy on a great location, where you could sense the peace of Montjuic. It is a small urban villa, ideal for all types of events; team building, filmings, celebrations, cultural and business activities, launching products, showcookings, cocktail parties etc. BROOKLYN LOFT FOR EVENTS

BHE-E023 Loft apartment in the heart of the Eixample offering a wonderful space for photographic sessions, productions and meetings. The in- terior design is characterized by a modern and minimalist approach. The space is arranged efficiently and very versatile, and is easily adaptable to any type of event due to its impressive size and practical and functional furniture.

LUXURIOUS PENTHOUSE FOR EVENTS

BHE-E1953 This magnificent attic apartment is located in the building of the fa- mous Catalan architect Cadalfalch in a privileged, central location in Barcelona. The interior design is characterized by a unique blend of rustic components reminiscent of a country home, with contempo- rary style elements. The tasteful minimalist decoration of the space makes it perfect for your next event, be it a business meeting, filming, photo shooting or corporate dinner.

42 5 BEST BOATS FOR RENT

CHARTER LUXURY SAILBOAT IN OLYMPIC PORT

BH-1707 This beautiful boat is moored at the Olympic Port of Barcelona, 5​​ minutes from the best beaches of the city and less than 10 minutes away from the beautiful streets of Barcelona, full of life and vitality. The design of the boat is stylish and spacious, fitted with high stan- dard equipment, making the boat a perfect place to spent a different holiday in the Mediterranean Sea.

CHARTER YACHT FOR RENT IN PUERTO OLIMPICO

BH-1756 This boat is moored in the Puerto Olimpico of Barcelona. It is a small boat with an elegant style. All its large spaces and its high standard equipment make this boat the perfect place to spend unique hol- idays... Enjoy your stay in Barcelona in a cruse boat of high quality and you will find yourself in a glamour atmosphere with the sea as principal character of the landscape.

YACHT BARCELONA FOR RENT

BH-1842 Barcelona Yacht is a spacious and comfortable boat, situated in Port Olímpic, which is known for its elegance and stability. Its large main deck offers a place to relax outdoors while its comfortable cabins offer a place to rest. Enjoy the sensation of sleeping on a houseboat in a peaceful atmosphere, just a few steps away from the city center. A terrace with view over the sea, a modern living room, a fully equipped kitchen, all part of a perfect space to enjoy the luxury on board.

CHARTER SAILING BOAT FOR RENT BARCELONA

BH-1126 Great boat for rent in Barcelona moored at the Port Olimpic in Barcelona, just a 10 minutes walk from the beaches of Barceloneta. The Elan 344 Impression 2006 features a kitchenette with fridge and oven. It is equipped for navigation in zone 2 with all the comfort needed for long crossings. The qualifications needed to be skipper of the boat is ‘pleasure craft pattern’ (PER). Remember that you can rent this boat with a skipper to help in your nautical adventures.

CHARTER SAILING BOAT FOR RENT BARCELONA CHARTER LUXURIOUS PENTHOUSE FOR EVENTS BH-771 Great Barcelona Holiday boat moored in Port Olimpic in Barcelona. The Beneteau Oceanis 323 is a cruiser with two double cabins, two bunk beds in the living room and a bathroom and is approved to accommodate up to 6 people. The sailboat has a kitchenette with refrigerator and oven. It is equipped for navigation in zone 2 with all the necessary comfort for long journeys. In order to sail this sailboat a proper qualification is necessary.

43 44 EXPLORE THE CITY LIKE A LOCAL

There are tons of things to do in Barcelona! In this Catalan city you will never get bored. The endless activities and sites you can visit will soon make you realise that one single trip to Barcelona won’t be enough to discover every- thing the city has to offer. You will soon return to the city like a boomerang! In our helpful and informative guide we help you maximize your trip and give you the greatest tips on different days out, experiences and cultural activities.

Enjoy your stay!

Read more at: http://barcelona-home.com/events-and-guide/ cat/things-to-do/

45 BARCELONA STREET ART TOUR

With the Barcelona Street Art Tour, you will see a different side of the city: the industrial and alternative Barcelona with high walls painted with graffiti, stencils and all kind of street art. A specialized guide, who is also an artist, will take you through this open-air museum of contemporary art and tell you about the main murals and most repre- sentative works of the urban culture, which are often hidden away and fully integrated into the landscape. You’ll also learn about the history of the movement and its artists, the variety of forms it can adopt and most widely used techniques. The tour can be done on a unique, ecofriendly bamboo bike or on foot, in the most sustainable way possible. Depending on the chosen route you’ll go through the former industrial district Poblenou; the Raval or the Born area.

Walking Tour - Raval Tour: known also as the “barrio Xino”, Raval is the antic popular neighborhood of the city center. You’ll be guid- ed through its authentic streets, where graffiti still lives ac- tively amongst occupied houses, big murals and hidden spots. Come and discover some of the major pieces by artists such as SIXE and C215. It start from Metro Universitat, it lasts around 2hours and it costs 15€ - Gothic & Born Tour: discover the most central and touristic neighborhood of the city from another point of view, passing through squares where stickers throw up and stencils rule. House of the most important galleries dedicated to graffiti and street art of the city, this area also holds rare pieces from national and international artists. It starts from under the , it lasts around 2 hours and it costs 15€

Bike Tour Another amazing option is taking part to this experience on a bike while discovering the amazing street art scene of Bar- celona! Starting from the Gothic district, you will be guided all around the city center until Poblenou, the most alternative and industrial “barrio”. You will feel the old vibrating soul of the city and discover where the biggest murals and graffiti are hidden. In order to have a unique experience, we offer you the chance to ride exclusive bamboo bicycles, 100% handmade and equipped with high-quality components, bringing you the maximum comfort. Don’t miss it!

There are 3 routes, all starting from El Ciclio, C/Nou de Sant Francesc 17: - Tour Ciutat Vella: it’s around 2 hours for 25€ visiting the Raval, the Gothic and the Born - Tour Poblenou: It’s around 3,5 hours for 39€ visiting the Born and Poblenou - Tour all districts: it’s around 5 hours for 58€ visiting the Raval, Gothic, Born & Poblenou

46 POBLE ESPANYOL

The Poble Espanyol (literally, Spanish town) is an open-air architectural museum in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, approximately 400 meters away from the Fountains of Montjuïc. Built for the 1929 Barcelona International Expo- sition, the museum consists of 117 full-scale buildings, which recreate an Iberian village. It also contains a theater, restaurants, artisan workshops and a museum of contemporary art.

The Poble Espanyol has replications of 117 buildings representing 15 autonomous communities of Spain. and the are not represented: the first one because it wasn’t a separate autonomous region when the museum was designed and built; the second one because the four designers could not visit the islands for economic reasons. Poble Espanyol is a spot that, compared to most parts of Barce- lona, is free from traffic; making the atmosphere very pleasant and hustle-free for families. You will find yourself surrounded by different historical-type of houses such as the Andalusian and Romanesque Monastic architecture. Poble Espanyol also hosts over 30 crafts workshops that are open every day of the year allowing tourists to see craftsmen working on different types of pottery, glass, jewelry and much more! When it comes the food time, you will have the opportunity to discover a huge variety and wealth of Spanish foods in all the bars and restaurants that you can find inside the “Pueblo”. Lastly, whilst you’re in Poble Espanyol, we recommend you to visit the Museu Fran Daurel as it showcases around 300 different contemporary master- pieces done by many iconic artists such as Picasso, Dalì and Mirò.

Although the museum was planned to be demolished when the International Exhibition was over, it has been preserved because of its great success. Nowadays the village hosts many different events including gastronomic festivals, summer con- certs, shows, private events such as weddings, and children’s activities.

The Village opens every day on Monday from 9 to 20; Thue., Wed., Thur., and Sun. from 9 to 24, on Friday from 9 to 3 in the morning and Saturday till 4 in the morning.

The visit at the Poble Espanyol costs 14€ during the day and 7€ during the night. There are different packages that you can buy online with some discounts, like the entrance to The Village plus the admission to the Museu Fran Daurel for a Price of 11,05€. “A tip for our clients: if you book a table in one of the restaurants inside, with your name in the list at the entrance, you don’t need to pay for getting in!”

47 THE FISHERMAN OF BARCELONA

Barceloneta is the district overlooking the coast of Bar- celona that forms a triangle between the Port Vell (the old port) and the Platja de Barceloneta. The neighborhood was built in the 18th century to give accom- modation to the inhabitants of La Ribera who saw demolished their houses by the hand of Filippo V of Bourbon. He wanted to build there, in 1753, the Ciutadella, a military fortress that was demolished in 1868 to give space to the spectacular Park of Ciutadella. The fishermen began to settle in this area of ​​the city for its proximity to the sea. Although it has acquired a more modern look, La Barceloneta still has its special charm: its narrow streets and dark facades for saltwater create a quiet, seaside and familiar atmosphere, away from the confusion of the city. To enjoy the Mediterranean flair of Barceloneta we suggest to considerthe guided tour of the Fishermen of Bar- celoneta that will tell you about the ’s fishermen, their origins, their fishing techniques, their uses and their lifestyle.

The Fishermen’s Guild of Barcelona was founded in 1945 when the fishermen of the port of Barcelona decid- ed to build a social building through popular collection on the current Paseo Joan de Borbó, Nº 54. This bulding became its headquarters, offices and administration, and after centuries since the creation of the first association of fishermen, its spirit still prevails, logically adapted to the present. Its new head office is located in the heart of Barcelona, in​​ an emblematic and unique environment well-known as Muelle del Reloj, hidden to the curious and open to the sea, in the Barrio de la Barceloneta. The organization is now a public and no profit law corporation, with its own legal personality and full capacity to act for the fulfillment of its purposes. It is constituted for an indefinite period and exercises the representation of the fishing sector and the fishing activity in the territorial area of the City of Barcelona. Today continues, as it has been doing since its foundation, helping to make everything work properly so that the city of Barcelona can enjoy a quality fresh fish and seafood daily. During the Tour, you’ll see how the fishermen come to the port with their ships and, you’ll also maybe be able to chat with them and ask all your questions. You’ll visit and discover the fish market and learn how it is run. You’ll see the place where the freshly caught fish is auctioned and you will taste it afterwards at the 3 Nusos Restaurant where you can choose from a seafood menu or a selection of tapas.

Tour details: • Times: Wednesday, at 12noon or at 1.30pm. • Length: 4 hours (Fishermen’s Guild visit 1h and 30min./ lunch 2h.) • Language: English, Catalan and Spanish Meeting point: • Visit at 12noon: Fishermen’s Guild shelter. Moll de Pescadors, s/n • Visit at 2pm: Restaurant 3 Nusos. c/ d’Escar, 16. Moll de Pescadors. Port Vell. Useful tips: • It is also possible ask at the moment of the booking for celiac-free and vegetarian options. • You will need to bring ID or your passport.

48 OTHER THINGS TO DO

Our city has a lot to offer and whether you are a resident or a tourist, you will have a wide range of activities from which to choose. As a tourist you might not always have the time or knowledge to see it all, and you might want to find ways to optimize your visit! Don´t worry! We have been out there and visited every corner of the Catalan capital, finding all the true hidden gems and hotspots. Here are our top picks, a list of our absolute favorite things to do here in Barcelona. Enjoy!

LOCAL FOOD BOSC URBÀ L’AQUARIUM DE EXPERIENCE BARCELONA

This is a great experience to dive Come and spend a day full of fun L’Aquàrium De Barcelona is well into the Spanish kitchen and pre- and thrill at Barcelona Bosc Urbà! know for being the world’s most pare one of their delicious dishes by situated in Plaça del Fòrum, This important marine leisure and ed- yourself in your rented apartment. park is at a whole different lev- ucation centre that is mainly ded- By ordering your delivery box, you el compared to other adventure icated to the undersea life of the Mediterranean sea. It’s also the will recieve the traditional récipes playgrounds. With over 50 attrac- best place to find out more about and fresh ingredients produced by tions, you’re guaranteed to have the seabed and all the different Catalan small-scale farmers. This is an eventful day through sport ac- types of fish that you’ll see in wide certainly the best convenience way tivities and thrill: Bungee jumping, tanks. A must-see of the day is to experience the local kitchen zip wires, creepers, suspension the Oceanarium that will allow you with some friends at your rented bridges, 6 metres height platforms to walk among all the different fish- apartment and have a wonderful and many more, there are so many es, sharks; as if you were swimming evening! different activities to choose from. with them.

TIBIDABO AMUSEMENT PORTAVENTURA THEME PARK PARK

The Amusement Park Enjoy a nice day at the Barcelona Discover an amazing world with is on Mount Tibidabo, the highest Zoo! Barcelona Zoo is located in Day trip to PortAventura and en- point on the Collserola Ridge. The the Parc de la Ciutadella and since joy its five worlds: the Mediterra- amazing location will make you en- its opening in 1982, it welcomes nean, Mexico, the Far West, China joy exceptional views of the city a wide variety of exotic animals. and Polynesia. We assure you that throughout your visit. Tibidabo is Barcelona Zoo is a place where you will have fun on over 37 rides Spain’s oldest amusement park grown-ups and kids can enjoy a and one of the first ever built in day out. Its mission is to provide and attractions and enjoy the tra- the world. More than 25 rides and information, research and the pro- ditional cuisine from each coun- attractions for all ages. There is av- tection of animals in danger of ex- try and region at the 76 bars and erything you need to enjoy a family tinction and to educate and make restaurants in the park. day! people aware of species at risk.

LAS GOLONDRINAS FLAMENCO SHOW COOKING BOAT TOUR WORKSHOP With Las Golondrinas de Bar- After and , Barce- Meet a chef for one day that will celona, you will have one of the lona is the third best city to see the take you on a trip through Span- most authentic visitor experienc- beauty of Flamenco shows and Los ish gastronomy, you’ll visit a unique es on Barcelona’s iconic pleasure Tarantos is one of the most famous market (La Boqueria) where you’ll boats, the ‘Golondrinas’. You will sail venues in Barcelona for flamenco. discover and be able to buy local out of the old harbour, the Port Vell As well as the dance, they also ingredients, that you will use to show flamenco singers in an in- make typical dishes in a modern and along the Barcelona coastline tense 30 minutes show every night. and fully equipped kitchen. The and be able to enjoy the wonderful You will not loose it! menu consist on: Gazpacho, Tortilla, views and the sea breeze in your Seafood paella and Crema catalana hair. as dessert. You can’t miss it!

If you want more recommendations have a look at our blog

49 SPORT ENTERTAINMENT

PALAU BLAUGRANA

The is the sport venue used for FC Barcelona basket- ball, , and training session and for all their official matches. It was inaugurated on 23 October 1971 and it was designed by Catalan Architects Francesc Cavaller and Josep So- teras. Its main feature is its large dome, made of rein- forced concrete with a capacity of 7585 spectators. It is located close to the famoust Camp Nou.The Palau is witness of many achievement of Barcelona’s sports teams and with tis magic is also inspiring amazing come- CAMP NOU back. In the past, the Palau Blaugrana was also the venue of judo, taekwondo and roller hockey at the Barcelona With the stadium’s capacity of almost 100,000 people, Olimpics Game of 1992. the ground is a Mecca for football fans around the world. Inside the stadium there are several activities that can be pursued, starting from football matches of La Liga, Copa del Rey and Champions League. Here it can be admired one of the strongest team in the world that withTikiTaka is still enchanting all football lovers. In addition, through the Barcelona FC Camp Nou Experience you will have access to the locker rooms, to the museum and to the multimedia center. The tour is self-guided and thanks to this you will have the chance to admire the trophies and old t-shirt of Barcelona FC.

CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA

The Circuit of Barcelona-Catalunya is a motorsport race track in Montmelò, close to Barcelona.The track has stands with a capacity of 140700 spectators.The wind direction at the circuit can change drastically during the day, a significant factor for the changes in aero- dynamics applied to modern Formula One cars.These changeable conditions results in unexpected performances from some teams during the race.The wind conditions have caused some accidents in the circuit, as for examplo Fernando Alonso’s testing accident in 2015. To date the official lap record is owned by Kimi Raikkonen for Formu- la One and by Maverick Vinales for Moto GP. VOLTA DE CATALUNYA

The Volta de Catalunya is a road bicycle race held annually in Cata- lunya. It is one of the three World Tour stage races in Spain, together with the Vuelta de España and the Tour of Basque Country. Races over seven days, cover the autonomous community of Catalunya in Northeast Spain and contains one or more stages in the mountain region of the .The race traditionally finish with a stage in Bar- celona, Catalonia’s Capital, on a circuit around the famous Montjuic hill and its park. Catalan cycling icon Mariano Ca- nardo won the race seven times in the 1920s and 1930s, setting an unsurpassed record.

50 51 RESTAURANTS AND BARS

During the 19th century, it was common to find artists and intellectuals sitting in the cafes and bars of Barcelona, dis- cussing their greatest passions and wonderful ideas. Even now this bohemian atmosphere remains in the city, as you can visit many cafes and bars which retain that old hip- py, arty spirit from the past. Often you will see people sit- ting in cafes, reading books, having a chat with their friends, or simply enjoying a coffee in the midst of this city that is rife in culture, art and history. There are many cafes in the centre of Barcelona, some more touristic than others, and also in the streets of Barrio Gotico, Raval and Born. When the weather is good, you will find that the open-air terraces are full of people, so it may be difficult to find a table, especially during peak summer season. But all around you will see so many restaurants, cafes and bars that for sure you will find a place in a corner terrace to enjoy a breath of fresh air!

52 5 BEST RESTAURANTS IN BARCELONA Being one of the most cosmopolitan city in the world, Barcelona has a wide offer of restaurant to satisfy all tastes.

SIRVENT - CATALAN/SPANISH CUISINE KOY SHUNKA - JAPANESE CUISINE

Sirvent is an Koy Shunka is stunning restau- a gourmet Jap- rant, located anese Restau- in Eixample rant with one neighborhood Michelin star near the Sant located in the Antoni Market. Gothic neigh- The interior of borhood, a this charming Barcelona’s restaurant is historical dis- a very unique large bar, an open view to the kitchen and trict.The professional and talented chefs will prepare all the a cosmopolitan environment. A multi-gastronomic space dishes in front of you. The local, seasonal ingredients are se- where they serve a daily variating menu that combines lected to ensure the greatest quality for the served dishes. classics with modern, all made with high-quality ingredients. The restaurant has a tasting menu of 12 small dishes, individ- Besides this, they also offer delicious brunch dishes, perfect ually presented and explained by the chef. It offers tradition- to take a break while discovering the magical Sant Antoni al Japanese classics fused with a Catalan style. Reservation district. Another great specialty is ice cream and they offer should be made in advance, and ask to sit at the kitchen bar some of the best Horxata in Barcelona. for the full experience!

GIORGIO - ITALIAN CUISINE LA PARADETA BARCELONA - SEAFOOD This charming La Paradeta Italian restau- is a “self-ser- rant called Gi- vice” seafood orgio is locat- restaurant ed in the heart with 6 restau- of Barcelona, in rants in Bar- the Eixample celona to neighborhood. choose from. They offer an It first opened exquisite and in 1994 under authentic Ital- the name Shellfish. In 2001 the name was changed to La ian experience to their clients. Here you can taste an ex- Paradeta to pay re- spect to the original idea of making a cellent Italian kitchen made with quality ingredients: risotto, restaurant experience like a market, where the customer pas- ta, pizza cooked in a wooden oven.The interior is ele- can choose the fish they want. In 2015 the biggest La Para- gant and the atmosphere relaxed, which makes it the ideal deta was opened in Passeig de Gracia and in June 2016 the for couples and gathering of friends. At Giorgio you can newest restaurant was opened in Parallel near Las Ramblas. enjoy their dishes in a cozy and nice environment and for So go there, select your fish, choose the way you want it big groups they offer group menus. cooked and taste it!

BELUSHI’S AMERICAN CUISINE

Belushi’s is an American restaurant and bar which located not only in Spain, but also in Paris, Prague, Berlin, Amsterdam and the United Kingdom.The restaurant offers a variety of hamburgers, including beef burgers, chicken burgers, and veggie burgers. Their signature dish is the Belushi’s Classic, a legendary beef burger topped with Monterey Jack cheese, crisp lettuce, juicy tomato, onion and pickles, you can also choose between a variety of hot breakfast options. In Barcelona, the restaurant is located in the Raval district, giving you the opportunity to grab a fast Burger and continue with the tour! 53 5 BEST TAPAS BAR IN BARCELONA A typical way to share a meal in Barcelona are the famous tapas, let’s have a look to the best tapas bar in the city

CAN PAIXANO Can Paixano, more popularly referred to as “la Xampanyeria”, is a famous bar in Barcelona where tourists and locals often meet to grab very cheap glasses of cava (local sparkling wine) and enjoy delicious tapas.This is one of the rare spots in the City where you will find both tourist and locals, sipping “Can Paixano” cava, Rosado or Brut (the choice is yours) in a charming old champagne cave decorated with barrels and bottles. A bottle of cava costs 6 ; the ham and cam- embert sandwich and local cheese cake are very popular.

QUIMET I QUIMET

Quimet I Quimet is a traditional tapas bar located in Poble sec which has been around for 4 generations.The small cellar restaurant has a friendly, lively atmosphere and a huge collection of top quality . The tapas and montaditos (bite-sized and open-faced sandwiches) are made in front of you, and handed across the bar for you to eat on the spot.The bar has standing room only, so you will have to eat standing around a table, but this gives the place an additional charm. Quimet I Qui- met has fallen victim to its own success: you should arrive right when it opens to be sure to find a little corner in which to enjoy their delicious food.The smoked salmon, yoghurt and truffle honey, smoked cod liver and caviar or tuna belly and homemade tomato chutney montadito are particularly tasty.

BLAVIS LA LLUNA

Blavis is a restaurant in La Luna is a trendy Barcelona serving Span- restau rant tucked away ish cuisine.The restau- in the Born district just rant has a limited number behind Santa Maria del of tables, so reservations Pi church. It offers an should be made. The staff intimate setting thanks carefully explain each dish to the dim lighting and creating an “in-house” ex- beautiful arched ceil- perience.The menu changes seasonally with a focus on ing.The rustic Spanish vibe combined with a modern quality and flavor.Typical tapas dishes include eggplant elegance space creates a fantastic at- mosphere.The carpaccio, prawn ceviche, broken eggs with chorizo and menu offers traditional Spanish tapas including plen- pork tacos. Located in the Grácia dis- trict of Barcelo- ty of vegetarian options and some more internation- na, the restaurant also offers international dishes such al style tapas.The generous portions are offered at a as salmon sashimi, beef tataki served with asparagus and very reasonable price. the classic Blavis salad with pears, blue cheese and argula. TAPAS 24

Tapas 24 is an award-winning Spanish tapas restaurant founded by Carles Abel- lan, owner of Michelin-starred Comerc 24 and Bravo 24 in the W Hotel. The tapas restaurant also has a sister restaurant in Montreal, Canada.The kitchen pays tribute to classic tapas dishes, to the culture, the products, the traditional dishes that are the identi- fication sign of Spain.Their menu includes a huge variety of tapas, including tasty croquettes, prepared in the correct way.

54 BEST CATALAN DESSERTS How can a perfect meal can be considered complete? Of course with a delicious dessert, or in Span- ish “postre”! Have a look at the typical sweet dishes that you must try in Barcelona! CREMA CATALANA HORXATA Y HELADO DE TURRON

Catalan cream is also known in Catalonia as “crème Horxata, typical and refreshing drink of the city, is made brûlée” or simply “cream”. It is traditionally a dessert from the tuber called nutsedge (ground almonds or that was consumed for the Saint Joseph, on March 19, tiger nuts) from which the milk is extracted. This bev- the day of the Father’s Day in Spain. erage has many health benefits due to its high oleic This typical dessert of is a pastry cream acid content, ideal for reducing cholesterol. It is also so with a base of cream of egg yolks covered with a thin refreshing, that it’s perfect for the Catalan hot summer! caramelized layer, contrasting the creamy texture and Usually sold in the same place as Horxata: the Turron crunchy caramel. This traditional dessert is present on Ice cream! Turron is the Spanish equivalent of nougat. the menus of practically all the Catalan restaurants of There are two varieties, hard (Alicante variety) and soft Barcelona. This dessert can be served in Catalonia (Jijona variety). The latter is eaten with Ice-cream and with ice cream on top, with nougat (rather during the is delicious. You will be able to find the best Turron ice Christmas period), and can also be alcoholic. If you go cream and Horxata at Planelles Donat in Avinguda del to any bar or traditional restaurant in Barcelona, ​​you Portal de l’Angel, after a shopping day in the Gothic can certainly enjoy a Catalan cream. quarter, freshen up with some and Helado de Turron! XURROS & CHOCOLATE Enjoy the best Xurros in town at Xurreria. They will make you a churros cone to go for €1.20. You will be able to find it at Carrer dels Banys Nous in the Gothic district. What are churros? They are long, skinny, cren- ellated, sweet fried crullers made from just flour, wa- ter and salt, that have been enjoyed for centuries in Spain for breakfast dipped in champurrado (chocolate based Mexican drink), dulce de leche, café con leche but mostly with hot chocolate. You need to know that Barcelonan loves chocolate, after all, this is the city that brought chocolate to Europe and for all of you chocoholic you came to the right place! Have a look at Fargas, an almost 200 year’s old chocolate shop and the oldest one in Barcelona! They are still making all their own chocolate on site using the original grinding wheel. Another of the oldest chocolate stores in Barcelona is Pasteleria Escribà. this gorgeous shop was founded in 1820 by the prestigious Escribà family. Cur- rent owner Christian Escribà is counted among the best chocolate makers in the world, serving up crazy cakes and chocolate sculptures for the rich and famous. Then, you can stroll around Carrer de Petritxol. It is unofficially known across the city as “Sweet Street”, this is considered by locals as the best place for drinking chocolate; so don’t miss it! Last but not least into your chocolate trip, do not forget to pay a visit to Barcelona’s chocolate mu- seum. PASTEL DE ZANAHORIAS Nothing beats a moist sponge cake containing grated carrot and typically topped with a buttercream or cream cheese icing. If you haven’t tried carrot cake you are definitely in for a very pleasant surprise. Carrot cake is very dense, very moist and the best ones have a soft, sweet cream cheese frosting that adds a super yummy taste and lovely texture. You can find the best carrot cakes in Barcelona at We Pudding, you can expect a slice of their carrot cake that can easily be shared by two or three people! There is also Spice Café, this place is cute, cozy and clean and will make you feel right at home.

55 TIPS FOR A TASTY CATALAN MEAL Is there something better then prepare a typical meal with your own hands? Here the top recipes of the Catalan Cuisine!

INGREDIENTS PAN CON TOMATE

(for 2 people) 4 Units of Bread Slices, The secret of a good ‘pa amb tomàquet’ is in the correct choice of 2 units of ripe tomato, 2 Garlic cloves, ingredients. So keep in mind it is important to make this recipe easy 1 jet of olive oil, 1 pinch de Sal. with quality ingredients. You can use any type of bread but if you can get bread from peasant or rustic bread, from those with a lot of crumbs, it will be much better. Cut the thick slices and lightly toast. Then cut the tomatoes in half and beat the garlic cloves. Use ripe to- matoes that serve to spread, this means that they have enough pulp. And finally, the simple procedure to make the delicious and famous bread with Catalan tomato, is to scrape on the bread first the garlic, then the tomato and finally add a trickle of olive oil. You can add salt if you wish, but it is not necessary

PATATA S BR AVA S INGREDIENTS

The secret of good patatas bravas is to cook first the potatoes and 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 then fried them. But of course what makes the difference is the sauce. cup finely diced yellow onion (about After making a stir-fry, cook the ingredients until warmed through, 1/2 a medium onion), 1 tablespoon about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. freshly minced garlic, 1 (14.5 Using an immersion blender, puree ounce) can diced tomatoes, 1 sauce until smooth. Transfer to a bowl (6 ounce) jar piquillo or roast- and let sit for at least 30 minutes prior ed red peppers, drained and to use. Store in an airtight container in roughly chopped, 2 tablespoon refrigerator for up to 5 days. You will Sherry vinegar, 1 1/2 teaspoons make for your friend a taste appetizer Spanish smoked paprika, 1 1/2 that you can enjoy with a bear in the teaspoons hot paprika, Kosher terrace of your BH apartment. salt, to taste

INGREDIENTS PINCHOS

Bread, chose your favorite ones. Los pinchos are a small snack, typically eaten in bars or taverns while hanging out with friends or relatives. They are related to tapas, but the main difference is that they are usually ‘spiked’ with a skewer or toothpick, often to a piece of bread and served in individual portions. You should try to buy some Jamón (ham) and some cheese and make your own pinchos at home like in the picture and enjoy with all your friends. Easy, fast, tasty!

56 CALCOTS CON SALSA ROMESCO

CALCOTS SALSA ROMESCO

Ingredients: 4 Bunch of Calçots (25 calçots each Ingredients: 150 grams of ground almonds, 100 bunch approximately), 2 pots of Salsa Romesco, grams of bread crumbs, 3 Units of Ripe Toma- Barbecue, Newspaper leaves toes, 150 milliliters of white vinegar, 200 milliliters of olive oil, 1 Head of Garlic, 1 Pinch of Chili Pow- The most traditional way of eating calçots is at der, 1 pinch of salt, 1 Pinch of Pepper a calçotada an annual gastronomical celebration held between November and April, where bar- In order to make this homemade romesco salsa becued calçots are consumed in massive quanti- recipe the first thing to do is to prelisted the in- ties. Calçots are grilled until charred, wrapped in gredients. In a little foil wrap garlic and tomatoes. newspaper to steam, then consumed by peeling Bring to the oven at a temperature of 150ºC for off the charred skin and dipping the white por- 20 minutes to continue with the preparation of the tion in salvitxada or romesco sauce. The green tops sauce for calçots. In a bowl, add the almond, bread are discarded. The calçots are accompanied by red crumb and white vinegar. Process with a mixer or wine or cava sparkling wine. Pieces of meat and with the aid of a blender. Add the tomatoes without bread slices are roasted in the charcoal after cook- the peel and baked garlic. Process until well mixed ing the calçots. all the ingredients of the romesco sauce. Add salt, pepper and chili powder to taste. Serve the home- made romesco sauce and enjoy with some deli- cious baked calçots.

INGREDIENTS BUTIFARRA CON MOGETES

4 Butifarras, 1 pot of cooked white To start making these sausages with beans, the first step we beans, 100 grams of Bacon or ba- have to do is to fry the meat in a frying pan with a trickle of con in strips, 1 pinch of ground hot oil until the botifarras are well browned. Then we set them garlic, 1 pinch of chopped pars- aside and cook the bacon in the same apn. When the bacon is ley, 1 jet of extra virgin olive oil, 1 fried, we add the beans to the frying pan and we skip them for a pinch of salt few minutes because they are already cooked. In this way they take the flavor of the meat and they fry a little. To finish making the white beans, we sprinkle a pinch of salt, ground garlic and chopped parsley and mix well another minute. Once the le- gumes are made, we can serve our sausages with the beans on the same plate. In Catalonia it is typical to accompany this dish with toasted bread slices and homemade alioli. These are the most typical recipies from the catalan tradition that we hope you can easily prepare and enjoy with your family and friends!

57 5 BEST BARS AND PUBS IN BARCELONA If your purpose is chilling out around Barcelona, you should consider these bars, perfect places to take a break.

FEDERAL CAFÉ Federal Cafè is a great place to enjoy a drink in Barcelona’s Gothic neighborhood. The quiet and calm cafè is a good place to relax and savor the taste of your bev- erage. The name of the café comes from the small town in Australia, Federal of the Binna Burra road. The café aims to make customers feel transported to Binna Burra while having a coffee made with fresh milk typical of the area. The café opens Monday-Thursday from 8am until 11 pm so there is always a chance to grab a drink. Friday and Saturday you can stay longer till 1am for an evening stop off.

OVELLA NEGRA Ovella Negra is a nice bar hidden in one the streets close to La Rambla. It has the atmo- sphere of an old tavern or forge. Everywhere are oak benches tables and chairs. Here you can order big cans of beer and for the non-beer- drinkers there’s the possibility to order advantageous jugs of sangria. Ovella Negra is most known for the cosmopolitan crowd like back- packers, tourists and students but also the local population is present. It is a great place to drink a lot. Jugs of beer or sangria (1.75 litres) cost 7 euros and you get glasses and a basket of salty popcorn with it. It is the perfect place for a drink before going to an expansive club.

Lux de Gas is a bar, nightclub and a performance LUZ DE GAS hall in the Eixample neighborhood. Situated in a former music hall theatre, Luz de Gas has a magical and theatrical décor. It has a cozy atmosphere. This bar is especially popular by lo- cals from 20 to 40 years old. Usually there are also concerts and live music, starting from midnight. The music style is most of the time a mix of new upcoming and old-school songs, variating from blues on Mondays, Dixieland jazz on Tuesdays, disco on Wednesdays, pop-rock on Thursdays, soul on Fridays and vintage and Spanish rock on week- ends. The Gaslight Session, is the occasion for the DJs lovers to attend the performance of the best artists in this style of music. Amarre 69 is a gastro bar that is situated one minute away from Barceloneta beach, in the Po- AMARRE 69 ble Nou neighborhood. Their interior is inspired by the seafaring tradition of the surrounded area and has a cosmo- politan atmosphere. Besides very delicious cocktail and juices, they offer a great selection of different dishes, such as tapas, sandwiches, salads and desserts, all made with local ingredients of good quality. They have a nice terrace outside to enjoy the sun; in the inside nice tables and sofas to relax if the whether is not good. The bar is perfect for an aperitif under the sun or a morning coffee and a hangover solution if you ask for a juice after a heavy night of partying.

Creps al Born is a cocktail bar specialized in an unusual and fantastic combination of top quality drinks and French crêpes. The barmen make original and special cocktails, from the classics to inter- esting new creations. The professional mixologists are always on the lookout for new recipes, relying on their originality and technique to create something new. Next time you are in el Born visit this place, take a seat and get ready for a fantastic time spent in a cheerful atmosphere. The decoration of the bar changes each season, but it remains a local bar where people feel relaxed.

58 STORY OF VERMOUTH

The Vermouth was first invented in 1786 byAntonio Benedetto Carpano in Turin, Italy. The name derives from the German word Wermut, which means Common Worm- wood (Artemisia maggiore in Carpano’s language). Made of wormwood, the Vermut is recognized as a traditional Italian drink and is a main component for many cocktails such as Martini. Its degree and composition are governed by the Italian law, defining vermouth as a product with alcoholic volume percentage minimum of 15,5% and and maximum 22%.It must be made up of at least 75% sweetened and flavored white wine. Even the percentage of sugar is regulated, but just like the alcohol level, it varies depending on the type of vermouth.

The aromas of Vermouth are derived from: • Leaves or whole plants of artemisia or absinthe, camembert, thistle, small centaurea, , hymen, Marjoram, melissa, dummy, thyme, sage; • Flowers of chamomile, hops, elderberry, saffron, cloves; • Fruit of star anise, fennel, coriander, cardamom, orange (bark), macis, nutmeg, tonka, vanilla; • The roots of angelic, aromatic calamus, bell-ring, galanga, gentian, imperatoria, ireos, ginger, zedoaria; • Cinnamon, china, pomegranates; • The wood of quassia; • Aloe juice.

The vermouth is especially consumed as an aperitif and can also be used to cook meat. There are various types of vermouth as it varies between color (red, white and rosé) and taste (sweet, dry and extra dry). When it comes to the red vermouth, sweet caramel sweeteners and dyes is used very often.

Though it’s a very ancient drink, you can find many bars in Barcelona selling Vermout. In fact, during the winter, you drink it in some “tapas” or “bodegas” bars, accompanied with a delicious appetizer such as Pimientos de Padrón (tiny green chilies, pastries), salty steaks, overgrown ham, roman squid and patatas bravas (fried potatoes with pink salsa intingle). In summer, we recommend you to try it outdoors, in the airy terraces of fascinating neighborhoods and such as Gràcia or the chiringuitos in the various beaches of Barcelona, one of which is Barceloneta.

In Catalonia there are some excellent Vermouth producers, also organic, who follow the Italian tradition in preparing this aperitif liquor, white, red. They are typically European wines, with a unique aroma that brings a particular elegance which is very suitable for an aperitif cocktail. Vermouth’s production in Catalonia is concentrated in Priorat, in the province of Falset (), where many liqueur wine-makers use local herbs (more than 130 ingredients).

For Catalans “a Vermouth” is far more than going to a simple aperitif; it means to share and participate in a unifying rite, based on friendships and brotherhoods!

59 MARKETS IN BARCELONA Barcelona is one of the few cities in the world that can boast a market network distribution that allows all neighborhoods to have a market nearby. Beyond looking to the future with its contribution to quality of life as promoters of a healthy balanced diet, markets Barcelona also have an eye on the past, as the buildings are a reflection of the history of the city and its citizens. have a look to the most famous! LA BOQUERIA

The mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply called La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district of Barce- lona and one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance form La Rambla, not far from Li- ceu, Barcelona’s opera’s house. The SANT ANTONI market has a very diverse selection of goods and it is probably a must whether searching ingredients for a fine meal or just wandering trough. It’s a senses assault due to the smells The Sant Antoni market is one of coming from fish to fruit. The food sold ranges from ready-made fresh the largest and most important markets in Barcelona, ​​second only fruit salads and juices for the tired tourist, to literally fresh out of the sea to the famous Boqueria, but unlike still moving crabs and lobsters prepared in the bars situated inside the the latter, it is not crowded with market. Here you can try straight away the food and have your lunch in a tourists. The gigantic iron structure very fascinating place. As dessert you must try the typical nougat or make dates back to 1882. Inside, you can you persuade from the bright sweet counters that will act like a magnet still breathe the quaint market at- for any child (or adult). mosphere made of colorful, fresh and artic colors and the vitality of SANTA CATERINA the neighborhood that spend their days talking among the market benches. Due to renovation work, Converted as the new icon of the the Sant Antoni market has tempo- city due to the remodeling project rarily moved to a site next to the of Enric Miralles, the Santa Cater- historic structure to continue the ina market will be the first cov- commercial activity gouping three ered market of the city. Its name different markets: fresh food, cloths comes from the old dominican and books. To reach it you can take convent, which was located befor the L2 Violet Line and get off at Sant in the same place. The restructur- Antoni stop. The opening hours are ing project was a wager made to from Monday to Thursday from 7 to 14:30 and from 17 to 20:30; restore global vitality and color around. The most emblematic element is On Friday and Saturday it remains a colorful mosaic roof with Gaudinian resonances that reproduces plant open to 8.30pm, and every Sunday colors. The interior distribution is also singular where the corridors form from 9am to 2pm, you can’t miss an irregular space that facilitates shopping. From the original building was the weekly book market temporary preserved the portico facade, combining tradition with modernity in the located in via Comte D’Urgell 1, same building also in the material usage. The market has become a point waiting for the new reopen of the of reference for the locals, but also for tourists in the same way that the historic Mercado de Sant Antoni reputation of the Boqueria market has crossed international borders. scheduled for the end of 2017.

60 61 SHOPPING IN BARCELONA

TOP SHOPPING MALLS

Are you ready for a shopping spree? Barcelona has a lot to offer and most Spanish brands are based here offering you better pric- es than back home. We propose you the top-6 shopping malls in Barcelona for those who make a quick visit in the City and want to check the latest stuff available here!

LAS ARENAS DIAGONAL MAR LA MAQUINISTA

Las Arenas is a mall situated in Plaça Es- Diagonal Mar is a mall situated near the La Maquinista is one of the biggest malls panya. With its architecture in the shape in Diagonal Mar. You will find a located in Barcelona. This mall does not of arenas, this building is an exceptional wide variety of clothing shops, conve- possess a roof. Indeed, this is an open sight, especially in the evening when the nience stores and FNAC. space which allows you to enjoy the sun- lights illuminate the mall in the dark. light, while shopping.

Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 22.00. 10.00 – 22.00. 10.00 – 22.00. Adress : Carrer de Courbertin, 10 Address: 3 Adress: Carrer de Potosi, 2 MAREMAGNUM GRAN VIA 2 ILLA DIAGONAL Maremagnum is a shopping center di- Gran Via 2 is a shopping mall and leisure L’illa Diagonal is a shopping cen- vided into two floors. It is situated at the centre located in Barcelona. It collabo- ter designed by architects Rafael Mo- end of a wooden pier in the harbor of rates with local companies including ho- neo and Manuel de Solà-Morales. It Barcelona and near the beach. It also of- tels, shops like Ikea and Gran Via to fulfill opened in 1993 and has more than 170 fers fantastic dining facilities, from where customers’ needs. stores, 2 4-star hotels, 2 schools, a sports you will have the chance to enjoy great There are also plenty of restaurants, cafés center and a conference center. views of the Mediterranean sea. There is also an anti-child loss system, and bars where you can enjoy a nice which helps prevent children from get- lunch after shopping. ting separated from their parents. Opening hours: from Monday to Sunday Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday 10.00 – 22.00. 10.00 - 22.00. 10.00 - 21.30. Adress: Edificio Maremagnum, Moll d’Es- Adress: Avinguda Granvia 75 Adress: Avinguda Diagonal, 557 panya, 5. 62 SHOPPING HOTSPOTS IN BARCELONA LUXURY If you are drawn to classic and chic labels, then Passeig de Gràcia Avenue is for you. It is one of the busiest streets in Barcelona and is considered the equivalent to the Champs-Elysées of Paris. The plus: The wide sidewalks of this avenue make it possible to do some window-shopping and make it a very pleasant walk.

At the top of this avenue, there are many high end brand boutiques such as Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermès, Dolce and Gab- bana, Chanel, Gucci and Cartier. On the way to Plaza Catalunya, other high end boutiques such as Marina Rinaldi, Ermenegildo Zegna, Max Mara and Spanish brands as Purificación García, Camper and Loewe. ARTISANAL OR LOCAL SHOPPING?

If you are looking for something more local, go to the Born District; you will find plenty of independent and contemporary boutiques. Do not forget to visit Santa Casilda, an all hand made in Barcelona clothing store with good selections for woman. Then, browse accessories designed and handcrafted in Barcelona at Iriarte Iriarte; they have smooth yet sturdy leather bags with brass finishes make timeless investment pieces for any wardrobe. At Carrer Del Banys Nous, you can find Cuirum, a handcrafted leather accessories where you can customize your own leather bags so that each model is one of a kind. On another note, you have The Ailanto brand, created by the brothers Iñaki and Aitor Muñoz. It is recognized and admired for its prints, fine materials and its patterns based on geometrical shapes and artistic forms. Visit their exclusive boutique and enjoy their timeless pieces of haute couture. HIGH-STREET STORES If you are more of a high-street store shopper, Barcelona will not disappoint you. At the end of Passeig de Gràcia, close to Plaza Catalunya, there are more affordable brands such as Zara, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, H & M, Shana and the department store El Corte Inglés. In The Gothic Quarter, Barri Gotic, you will find the Avinguda Del Portal de L’Angel; a busy pedestrian street. It leaves from the Plaza de Catalunya and descends towards the cathedral of Barcelona. Many fashion boutiques are concentrated on this avenue such as H & M, Desigual, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka and Zara. Another shopping street is Carrer de la Portaferissa, linking Las Ramblas to Avinguda Del Portal de L’Angel. It is one of the busiest in the area, since the Spanish brand Mango is present alongside together with Kiko, a cosmetic products brand. There are also several outlet store in the city center of Barcelona. Lefties is an outlet shop for Zara and other top Spanish clothes brands, and there are 3 stores in the center of Barcelona. There is also a Mango outlet store in the center of Barcelona at Carrer de Girona, 37. VINTAGE

El Raval, Gràcia and the Born are all great places to find that special something. Vintage shops in the neighborhood of El Raval are located mainly in two streets: Carrer de Tallers and Carrer de la Riera Baixa. Get-in Holala! It carefully selects vintage clothes, furniture and all kind of objects imported from France and the United States. Gallery on Torrent d’Olla also has carefully selected vintage at reasonable prices, and Lailo is one of several shops on Riera Baixa that boast outfits from as far back as the 1900s. Retro City, with outlets in el Raval and Gràcia, is another good hunting ground for one-off pieces and Le Swing near Pintor Fortuny focuses on clothes from the Forties, Fifties and Eighties. Last but not least there is Flamingo Vintage, a treasure shop trove for faux fur coats which sells its clothes by the kilo.

63 LA ROCA VILLAGE

Are you a fan of shopping and really good deals? Then do not waste one more minute and go to La Roca Village, the outdoor outlet Shopping center.

La Roca is one of the nine Chic outlet villages in Europe. There are more than 100 international and luxury bou- tiques that propose last season collections at a low price all year long. There can be reductions of up to 60% and even more during sales season. If you feel a bit hungry don’t worry, la Roca Village has something that suit Get the VIP Card at the information desk: 10% every taste. The shopping center offer discount for all your purchases! Do not forget to a range of dining options such as An- present it at the counter before you pay; be aware dreu, an elegant family restaurant, Café that it doesn’t work on articles already on sale. & Tapas and even Starbucks. The shopping center has been set as a village, which makes it more pleasant to walk around For parents coming with their kids, there are a couple of play areas and infrastructures especially for your children. La Roca, being only in a one floor level, is therefore accessible to the dis- abled. The shopping center is easily accessible from Barcelona thanks to a shuttle that will bring you there. However, if you are planning on going by car, don’t worry; there is a free parking with 200 spots available. How to get to La Roca Village from Barcelona?

The Shopping bus by SAGALÈS is a shuttle that goes directly from the city center of Barcelona to La Roca. The journey lasts 40 minutes and there are 12 departures every 30 minutes a day from Monday to Sunday. You can buy a ticket on board, on www.sagales.com and also at several kiosks around Plaça Catalunya and Paça Urquina- ona. The tickets prices (round trip) for Adults are 15€, 8€ for Children (4 to 12 years old) and free for children under 4. On board you will be able to enjoy free Wi-Fi, a multilingual guide and some discount offers. Another option is SHOPPING EXPRESS from Passeig de Gracia, 6. The tickets are at 20€ for Adults, 10€ for children from 3 to 12 and free for children under 3.You can purchase your tickets on board, online, at the recep- tion of major hotels and at tour operators. With SHOPPING EXPRESS you will beneficiate from services including a savings card for additional 10% off in the Village’s boutiques, free Wi-Fi, multilingual guides and wheelchairs upon reservation. La Roca Village is also accessible by train, the closest station is Granollers Centre. The RENFE train service leaves from Barcelona Sants at regular intervals and its price is 4.10€ one-way. On arrival at Granollers you will find taxis and direct buses to La Roca Village, like the bus L51. 64 SPECIAL SHOPPING SERVICES

La Manual Alpargatera

La Manual Alpargatera is one of the most famous shops in Barcelona that specialises in espadrillas. It opened in 1941 and the shop’s facade has since then become one of the characteristic symbols of the city. They started its espadrilla workshop ancient craft tradition For a long conservation, use them in dry soil. Wa- combining an with cutting-edge trends in fashion of ter (rain) and body weight deforms the sole wet. that time (‘40es), leading to a new al- If that happens must be washed with water and ternative in the accessories industry. soap as soon as possible, either by hand (lot of The espadrilla is an ecological footwear water) or machine (short program and cold water made ​​of natural materials, where the ) and dry them as best and as quickly as possible. sole is made of vegetable fiber such as hemp, jute, esparto and instep of cot- ton, linen etc. Is a shoe with a great tradition that survived for centuries, with some variations, but essentially remaining the same: a comfortable shoe that fits every foot! In the store they have a large range of shoes for all customer needs, and if you are unsure about the model they will help you find the most suitable pair for you. Men, women or children, there are classic and fancy models for everyone!The shop is located near the Cathedral, the Palau de la Generalitat and Las Rambla, in the center of the touristic area. Celebrities including Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas, Penelope Cruz, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Salvador Dalí and others have been there so go son and buy your fashonable piece of traditional espadrillas! Barcelona Genuine Shops

Barcelona Genuine Shops is a tour in which you will discover some of Barcelona’s most charming shops and ateliers in the districts of Sant Pere, Santa Caterina and the Gothic Quarter, where you can also admire an unique historic and architectural surroundings. This will be an experience designed for you to enjoy Barcelona’s most inspirational shops: handcrafted items, interior design, deli products, jewellery, footwear and lots more! You will also have direct contact with the creators and producers of articles made in Barcelona gaining an extraordinary insight into the most au- thentic shops in the city. For sure, it will be a truly delightful experience for the senses to savour! Included in the 3-hours tour you will have an expert guide, tastings and gifts of different products, a discount card valid in more than 80 shops and the Shopping guide and maps of the Barcelona Shopping Line. You can buy the ticket online for just 25€. The tour is normally on Friday at 3.30pm except on public holidays.

65 66 TRADITIONAL FEASTS

SANT JORDI Sant Jordi, known in English as Saint George, has been the patron saint of Catalonia since 1094 and over the years, St. George’s day has be- come a traditional and exciting celebration in which lovers exchange roses and books. It’s a popular and peaceful holiday, exalting human values such as love, culture, and patriotism. It’s one of the most popular celebrations and participation is almost mandatory for visitors since it is a unique experience. It’s not a public holiday however, so you’ll find that while people are celebrating, most Catalans will be working. Sant Jordi is the saint of lovers in Catalonia, stealing in some sense, almost all the attention from Saint Valentine here. All people living in Catalonia take part on it, and though traditionally the man gives to her woman a single red rose with a strand of wheat, and the woman gives to her beloved a book, nowadays you can find men giving men roses, women giving men roses, men giving women books, women giving women books, and so on.

SANT JOAN The summer solstice in Catalonia is on 23 June on the day of the Holy Sant Joan, often described by Catalans as the ‘Nit del ’ (Night of Fire) and it’s celebrated with campfires, fireworks and fire-crackers in all streets. In the shortest night of the year, huge wood fire in all places and roads are built and young and old cel- ebrate until the morning hours. This was originally a pagan festival and it was traditionally made to clean the souls with fire and water, and to give more power to the sun. In Barcelona, this festival is cel- ebrated mainly on beaches where the atmosphere is electric in the air and the crazy parties that take place. As the beach tends to get busy, it’s a good idea to go there before it gets dark bringing picnic blankets, something to eat and drink and warm layers for when the sun goes down. You will enjoy your best night ever in Barcelona!

FESTES MAYORS The major annual neighborhood festivals are local celebra- tions that take place throughout the year. Although the dates are different across Catalonia, each neighborhood annually celebrates their own patron. Festa Major lasts several days and offers many activities like street concerts, Castellers, Gegants (Giants) parades, and dances. There are also fireworks and sometimes an afore- mentioned Correfoc. The Festa Major de Gracia or “les Festes de Gràcia” is one of the most famous and takes place in mid-August. As part of it, neighbors on each street launch into a competition to theme their street with the most original decorations. At the end of the week, a street is chosen as the winner. You can also find beer tasting and public meals with neighbors, who can sometimes be seen wearing the colors of their neighborhood, so you can go specially dressed for the occasion with that colors too!

67 FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN BARCELONA Between a wide range of activities, Barcelona offers also several fairs, festivals and events. Let’s have a look to the best ones! SALON DEL MANGA SONAR

The Barcelona Manga Show is an event about manga, Sonar is a three-day electronical and advanced music fes- anime and Japanese culture organized by Ficomic and it tival. It was founded in Barcelona in 1994 by Ricard Ro- is held annually at the de Barcelona. This is the most bles, Enric Palau, and Sergi Caballero.The festival has been important cartoon event focused on Japanese comics in divided into two parts since its inception: Sonar by Day Spain. After an experiment of a few days in April 1995, the and Sonar by Night, with Sonar+D, a three-day congresses first Barcelona Manga Show was celebrated at the end of dedicated to Creativity,Technology and Business running the same year inside the Estació de França. People who en- since 2013.The 2016 Barcelona edition attracted 115000 joyed the first edition couldn’t pass up the second edition, attendees from 101 countries. During its 20-year of life, and due to the great influx of the public, the third edition Sonar festival has transformed the dynamics and the atmo- in 1997 was organized into Farga enclosure located in the sphere of the city every June, as well as making Barcelona neighboring city of Hos- pitalet de . In 2012, the the epi- center of electronic music in the country attracting Salón del Manga moved to the Fira Barcelona (Plaza de lots of tourists from the earliest years. In addition, Sonar España) as a result of the increasing numbver of visitors, Festival also leads to the proliferation and organization of the same site where the International Comic Show is held. other events, presentations and showcases that take place Since then he has been breaking records of attendance. It in Barcelona which also attract a very large audience that takes place usually at the beginning of November. round between 50 and 70 thousand visitors.

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS PRIMAVERA SOUND

The GSMA Mobile World Congress is a combination of Primavera Sound is a music festival that takes place be- the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry and tween the end of May and beginning of June in Barcelona a conference featuring prominent executives represent- and Oporto, Portugal. The nature of the festival (urban and ing mobile operators, device manufacturers, technol- ogy aimed to integrate people and music) and the wide range providers, vendors and content owners from across the of bands represented have made Primavera Sound a meet- world. The event, takes place every year between the end ing point for artists and spectators from all generations. of February and the be- ginning of March. Mobile World The festival has always succeeded in bringing together in Congress Barcelona is an initiative driv- ing the mobile and its line up both the latest independent music tendencies digital transformation of society while helping to im- prove and artists with a consolidated career, while presenting all people’s lives globally.With support of the public and pri- styles and genres and being fully committed to propose vate sector throughout Barcelona, Catalonia and Spain, quality pop, rock and the most underground tendencies of MWC focuses on three areas: the digital empowerment electronic and dance music. In every edition the event has of new generations, professionals and citizens; the digital grown up both in terms of numbers and media exposure: transformation of industries; and the acceleration of digital press, radio and television both national and international. inno- vation through entrepreneurship. 68 NIGHTLIFE IN BARCELONA

If you know Barcelona, you’re probably familiar with the city’s crazy nightlife! Barcelona offers so many different clubs and bars, with tons of fun events, that it is hard to point out which is the best. Our tip? Just decide which kind of party suits better to you and enjoy the night to the fullest!

Important information: Bars in Barcelona usually open around 9-10 am and close around 2 am. Clubs are open from midnight to 5 am. Wo know that it is not easy to figure out where to go when there is a big selection of so many different clubs. To make your choice easier, you can have a look on our website. Everyday there is a free guestlist for the best clubs in the city. Additionally you can book VIP-tables to have an un- forgettable night in Barcelona! Keep in mind to dress to the occasion to secure your Access!

69 5 BEST CLUBS IN BARCELONA One of the strength points of Barcelona is its incredible nightlife, thanks to the amazing clubs that you can encounter here!

PACHA OPIUM SHOKO

Do you want to party in Ibiza style? Opium Barcelona is one of the most Shôko is a club located directly on Then you should definitely go -par popular clubs in Barcelona, offering a the beach of Barcelona, in Barcelone- ty to Pacha! This amazing club has a wide range of services, that has a so- ta. It is one of the biggest and most unique location at the beach in Bar- phisticated vibe and makes you feel popular clubs in the boulevard, with celoneta, one of the most leisured important just the moment you walk a restaurant, bar and dancefloor all areas of Barcelona. Its interior is down the stairs. It is placed on an in- under one roof. This amazing night- very fancy and high-class, inspired on comparable location with views to club has a capacity of around 500 the white island Ibiza with white fur- the Mediterranean Sea and the Bar- people with also a terrace. The music niture and red touches. This creates a celoneta beach, next to . that they play here is mainly focused very unique atmosphere, perfect for It is a chic and very careful designed on house music. Daily, they host local a really fun night out. Pacha Barcelona environment with a unique style and and international Deejay’s who play invites the best national and interna- decoration, which undoubtedly make great music all night. The atmosphere tional DJ’s and artists from all differ- the difference. The dress code should is exotic and full of red Japanese ent music styles, from commercial to be smart & stylish. The club can be Feng-Shui décor. The dance floor techno. Besides a nightclub, Pacha also reached by metro L4 Ciutadella/Vila wraps around an entire bar and takes offers food in their restaurant when Olimpica. The minimum age is 18 for up the majority of the floor space of the club is not open. girls and 21 for guys. the club.

JAMBOREE

Barcelona is very famous for its culture and nightlife, and there is one place that combines both: Jamboree Jazz and dance club, at Plaza Real near Las Ramblas. Open 365 days a year, Jamboree merged with los Tarantos club, to become a unique venue where you can enjoy jazz music and after midnight the best DJs of the city. From 8PM to 10PM, two live jazz concerts are played, but after midnight the club turns in a HipHop cave giving the feeling to stay like in NY. The place is not very big but and most of the time is really crowded, but its impressive the flow that you can feel inside that place. There is a upper room that belong to Los Tarantos that is definitely more quiet playing indie rock music!

RAZZMATAZ

If you´re wanting a great night out, Razzmatazz is the place for you! It is located in the Poblenou neighborhood, not far from the city center. It is the largest club in Bar- celona with 5 different rooms, 2 of which can hold up to 2000 people. In the first room you will hear mostly indie rock music. In two others rooms you can dance techno all night long. The last room is a bit more relaxed, with pop and disco music. There is also a rooftop terrace where you can take a break from the dancing.

70 GUEST LIST With Guest List Barcelona-home, skip the line and get your free en- trance for the best clubs in Barcelona from the glamourous and fancy to the alternative ones! How does it Works?

Follow the link below or contact us and you can get a free entrance in the best clubs of the city for up to 10 people.

Barcelona-home also offers other amazing deals to enjoy Barcelona at night:

• you can buy your entrance with one or two drinks; • make a reservation for a VIP table; • and for girls, free dinner with your friends before going out We will organize events to make your evening unforgettable! So, do not hesitate any longer and put on your dance shoes!

More information: http://nightlife.barcelona-home.com/en/

71 72 FREE GIFTS

Enjoy a range of different promotions and free gifts that are available when you book with Barcelo- na-home. We want to be sure that you will enjoy your stay in Barcelona as much as possible!

You can get:

• Free tickets for Flamenco Shows at Tarantos • 1 scooter free for one day with Moto-rent • Free tickets for Jazz Concerts at Jamboree • A 2X1 breakfast at Sirvent • 2 free bikes for 1 day with Donkey Republic • And more…

To obtain your gifts, contact us at [email protected]

Discover all our gifts: http://barcelona-home.com/events-and-guide/cat/promotions/

73 OUR PARTNERS

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74 USEFUL INFO ABOUT BARCELONA

Tourist information points

• Plaça Catalunya, 17-S • Passatge de la Concepció, 7-9 • Palau de la Virreina, La Rambla 99 • , Passeig de Gracia 107 Theft report

To make any insurance claims abroad you will need a crime number. This is issued at a police station, however you can make the report online or by phone before collecting the number in person. The police station (phone number 112) is located in: • Nou de la Rambla, 76-80 (Metro station: Liceu), • Plaça Catalunya (Metro station: Catalunya) You can ask for an English-speaking office by contacting:902102112 The website is: www.policiadecatalunya.net Transport

Getting to Barcelona Airport • Aerobus: to Terminal 1 and 2 buses depart every 5 minutes from Plaça Catalunya, from 5.30 am to 12.30 am (Single tickets from 5.90 €, return tickets from 10.20 €) • Public Transport (TMB): Metro Line 9 Sud 4.50 € one way • Night Bus: N16 (to Terminal 2), N17 (to Terminal 1). Every 20 minutes from Plaça Catalunya, 23.00-05.00 • Train: Terminal 2: Every 30 minutes, from Sants. From 5.13 am to 11.15 pm. One way single ticket 2.15€ (there is a free bus from terminal 2 to Terminal 1) 24/7 Medical Assistance

IMS Betlem Barcelona International private hospital assistance covered by your insurance Call free assistance number: +34 900 844 484 from mobile : +34 871 959 966 (indicate your apartement agency code) • Go directly to our designated Hospital • We will arrange a doctor home visit • If necessary, we will call ambulance 75 THANK YOU AND ENJOY YOUR STAY IN BARCELONA From

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