A vibrant, historical yet at the same time modern Barcelona arose during the 1992 Olympic games, for the most the best ones in all of its history, to become a cosmopolitan city renowned for its graceful passage through time. As a well organized and historically preserved urban theater for some of the most beautiful and famous architectural works of all time; Barcelona welcomes tourists from all over the world offering an enrichening cultural experience full of art, gastronomy and beauty. Only a city that has been in love with its history for so long can offer such a vibrant and interesting view of the Mediterranean Sea. Only a city that has known how to relate the future and the past in harmony can and should be revisited as many times as possible, for in each visit, Barcelona unveils its secrets.
The tour that GetMeAnApartment suggests in this travel guide is based upon a 3 day-minimum stay in order to discover all the facets of Barcelona one of the most important Mediterranean cities. We have traced our routes keeping in mind the best views of the different moments in Barcelona´s history. Therefore understanding the delicate and perfect combination of time interlaced throughout each corner since the “condal” city cannot be understood without admiring its passage through time. Don´t hesitate if jumping off the traced route is demanded for it is always an opportunity to feel the pulse of the modern rhythm that marks this marvelous city.
Day 1: From the “La Rambla” to the “Born”
Our journey begins in the heart of the city, in “Las Ramblas”, which runs through Barcelona and is one of its most famous streets. Here you can find the "Gran Teatre del Liceu", built in 1847 and since then it has suffered two fires, the last one in 1994, created a great impact in the Catalan society. From the traditional building were saved from the latter fire, and have remained as they were, the central part of the facade of La Rambla, the main lobby with stairs and “Saló dels Miralls” (Hall of Mirrors).
Later in the same street you will find the "Mercat de la Boqueria", a colorful and large market during the summer months dazzled by the brightness of the color of fruits and vegetables in the stalls. A stop is a must in order to see the most urban part of Barcelona. “La Boqueria” is the biggest market in Spain. A little further up, past the the Monument to Colon (Christopher Columbus), now take the street Nou de la Rambla, in which we recommend you visit "Palau Güell". Antoni Gaudí i Cornet (Reus, 1852 - Barcelona, 1926) was built by order of Eusebi Güell (Barcelona, 1846-1918), who wanted to have a new home in Barcelona. The Palau Güell, the only building that Gaudí ever finished and then hasn´t had any substantial changes, is one of the most communicative creations of Gaudí, with an architecture of a complex eloquence.
Continuing along the Ramblas we´ll find the Port Vell and the “Moll de la Fusta”, finally reaching the district of the Barceloneta, where you can enjoy the traditional Mediterranean cuisine restaurants. From there you can see the World Trade Center in Barcelona, a building that wins the game to the sea.
Continuing along the Passeig de Colom you´ll find at the end the “Ciutadella Park”, one of the largest parks in the city home of the city zoo.
At nightfall, our first day visit ends in the church of "Santa Maria del Mar", in the Born district, a trendy zone with many small restaurants specialized in the modern and exclusive. This church is a classic example of a Gothic architecture called the Catalan Gothic, concerned upon designing a very large building without having the roof collapse on itself. End the day enjoying the neighborhood.
Day 2: The all times Barcelona
Our stroll through the “Condal” city begins at the Paseo de Gracia, where you can discover some of the most distinctive buildings of modernist Barcelona Amatller House, adjacent to the Casa Batlló and Casa Lleó Morera, was built by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch between 1898 and 1900. The three buildings form what is known as the apple of discord. The building was commissioned by the chocolate maker Amatller Antoni to the architect Josep Puig who devised a form of urban Gothic palace with a flat facade, a central courtyard and a staircase leading to the main rooms.
We lead our steps now towards the "Sagrada Família", the great architect Antoni Gaudí's unfinished. He spent twelve years of his life building a church that was born with the title of "cathedral of the poor" (the works were covered by donations). “La Sagrada Família” is primarily a symbolic work in which the architect deployed all his imagination. It was inspired by the typical medieval cathedral and three monumental facades were built. Each façade is devoted to a scene of Christ's life (Birth, Passion and Death, and Glory) and finish by four towers towering over 100 meters tall, together, they represent the twelve apostles. The tower of the dome that crowns the apse symbolizes the figure of the Mother of God. From all this, Gaudí finished only the crypt and the bulk of the facade of the Nativity.
Let´s close our modernist path in “Parc Güell”. Visit "Tibidabo", the magic mountain of Barcelona and rest at a restaurant while looking down at the city.
Now we go to the Barri Gotic. Barcelona has two Romanesque and Gothic architectural pieces of particular importance in this zone. Palau Reial, situated in Plaza del Rei, is part of the "Museu d’Història de la Ciutat". The building of the fourteenth century can be visited along with the Hall of Tinell and the Capella de Santa Àgata. In the Barri Gotic are numerous restaurants where you can have dinner.
Day 3: The wide Barcelona
So far the route has covered the center of the city, but today we´ll move away from it in order to visit different places of reference, in so we recommend making use of Barcelona´s public transportation systems. In the exclusive high area of the city is the "Monestir de Pedralbes", founded in the fourteenth century. It is part of the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat de Barcelona, in fact, there are four sites that speak of city life since ancient times: the Monumental Ensemble of the Plaça del Rei, the Casa Museu Verdaguer (dedicated to life and work of poet Jacinto Verdaguer), the Interpretation Center and Museum Parc Güell Monestir Pedralbes. The monastery was opened to the public in 1983 and is one of the best examples of Catalan Gothic.
You cannot miss the sports arena par excellence of the city, behind the Olympic Stadium: the Football stadium of the Soccer Club Barcelona, the “Camp Nou”, located near this area of the city, where most of the best football players of the world have been.
Nor can you leave Barcelona without enjoying shopping as the “Condal” city offers more than five miles of outdoor shoppin. Avinguda Diagonal concentrates many commercial centers and restaurants in which to eat. Come up to the street Pelai area, the Plaza Catalunya and Barri Gotic.
To continue the route, we recommend you now take the Metro Line 3 in Barcelona and link with the station Paral·lel in order to board the Funicular de Montjuïc. Or as an option, you can climb to the castle of Montjuïc via cable car, from which you can enjoy a good view of the city. Some visits are highly recommended: the facilities of the Olympic Ring, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, the Fundació Joan Miró and the Poble Espanyol, which end our visit before returning to your apartment to rest.