Barcelona…. once considered a sleepy industrial outpost on the Mediterranean Sea, reinvented itself thanks to the Olympic Games in ’92. Old buildings designed by Gaudi were cleaned up. The subway system was modernized. And what a cosmopolitan city it has become!
Plaça Catalunya
We start our tour at the heart of Catalunya, the so-called ‘autonomous community’ and would be a sovereign country if the people had it their way, at a square called Plaça Catalunya.
Surrounded by numerous cafés, department stores and hotels and known for its statues this place is where most important city boulevards meet. From here, we continue on La Rambla.
La Rambla
Despite being known as ‘pickpocket alley’, this street is very popular and quintessential Barcelona.
The best coffee, to get at any of the many outside terraces on La Rambla, is a called a Cortado, consisting of an equal amount of coffee and (steamed) milk.
Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter)
Some of the oldest buildings in Barcelona are located in this neighborhood.
La Sagrada Família
The Alan Parsons Project dedicated an entire album to Gaudi, La Sagrada Família is the opening track of this same album. Needless to say that this cathedral is impressive regardless of when you visited it, which gives you always a reason to come back to Barcelona one more time. Just to see how much further the cathedral has been completed.
Parc Güell
Another Gaudi inspired landmark is Parc Güell.
Montjuïc
Arc de Triomf
Casc Antic
A very interesting neighborhood, Casc Antic has a fair amount of land marks. Located between Arc de Triomf and Plaça Catalunya.
Gaudí
If you say Barcelona, you say Gaudí. If you say Gaudí you say Barcelona.
There is no other way around it.
