Old Moaner Travel
I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list
Catalonia
Barcelona
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Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, attracting some 32 million visitors a year, so if you are one who likes peace and solitude it may not be the place for you.
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Having said that, if you decide to brave the crowds you will find a vibrant, fun city with plenty to explore.
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Getting There
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The unfortunately named El Prat airport is situated 7 miles (12km) southwest of the city centre.
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Since February 2016 the airport has been on the city’s metro system and is on line L9 South, the orange line. Operating from 05:00 to midnight daily (24 hours weekends) the fare is €4.50 for a single journey.
The metro connects with both terminals but if arriving / departing from T2 there is also a direct rail link into the city.
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An Aero Bus service links the airport with the city centre with two routes connecting to the city centre, fares are €5.90 each way.
A taxi will cost between €25 and €30.
If you want some adventure you can get a train from London to Barcelona in a day, with only a single change in Paris. It will be a two hour Eurostar trip to Paris, a quick hop across Paris then a 6½ hour scenic train journey to Barcelona.
Getting Around
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Barcelona is a relatively large city but, fortunately, it has an extensive public transport network of metro, buses and trams, making all the tourist areas easily accessible.
If staying two or more days in the city then tourist travel cards are great value, a two day card will cost €15.20, a three day card €22.20, four day card €8.80 and five day card €35.40
What To See
There is far to much to see in Barcelona than can be covered here, so I’ll concentrate on some of my favourites.
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Two of Barcelona’s most famous sons have an artistic bent and it’s the work of Antoni Gaudí which is almost impossible to avoid.
His magnum opus is the Sagrada Familia church, which dominates the city’s skyline. It has been in construction for 130 years with the current completion date estimated to be 2026.
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When finished the multiple towers will form part of the tallest church in the world.
It has to be said photographs do not do the building justice, especially the interior which will take your breath away.
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Even though still under construction the building is open to the public but be warned, it attracts five million visitors a year, queues are long and security incredibly tight, so travel as light as possible, certainly don’t do the trip on the way to / from the airport with all your baggage.
I normally begrudge paying to visit a church but this one is an exception and the ticket money helps pay towards the €1 million a month it is still costing to finish the building work.
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Admission to the building is €25 a head but it is worth paying €32 to experience the stunning views from the top of one of the towers. Advance booking is highly recommended, especially if you wish to include the tower visit.
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It's worth noting, like other tourist hotspots, Barcelona is a hotbed of petty theft, especially pickpocketing and this is one of the worse hotspots.
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Moped riders snatching bags is also prevalent in Barcelona.
However, the Sagrada Familia isn’t the only Gaudi work you can see. Throughout the city many examples of his work can be seen for nothing.
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The Casa Mila or, as it is more popularly known, La Pedrera is a Gaudi building with no straight lines, supported only by pillars with no retaining walls and plenty of natural daylight. Ridiculed when initially completed in 1912 the building is now one of the most popular in the city and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The building is open to the public with general admission €20.50, concessions €16.50 and children (7 12 years) €10.25
Park Gűell in the Horta-Guinardó area of the city is a park dedicated to all things Gaudi. With an entrance guarded by two gingerbread houses to his famous salamander (copies of which can be bought in virtually every tourist shop in the city). Most of the park is free but for €8 you can get to see even more examples of Gaudi’s surreal work.
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Pablo Picasso is an adopted son of Barcelona as this is where he studied art. The Museu Picasso was created by the great man himself and whilst by no means being a definitive retrospective of the artist, it is home to no fewer than 3,800 pieces of his work, many being early works from his student days, including many from his Blue period.
It goes without saying the gallery is incredibly popular and long queues are inevitable. Admission €14, concessions €7 with the good news that under 18’s gain free admission.
La Rambla is undoubtedly the most well known street in the city, stretching 0.75 miles (1.2km) from the port area to Plaça de Catalunya. The pedestrian area is the beating heart of the city – top tip, to avoid the worse of the crowds try and get there before 11:00 in the morning midweek.
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Of course it attracts more than its fair share or itinerant hawkers, beggars, mime artists and the like, so keep your wits about you.
There are flower stalls, pop up food vendors along the entire length.
There are also some interesting independent stores, with some fantastic façades.
Halfway along La Rambla is the Mercat de la Boqueria which is Europe’s largest food market covering 2,583 square metres and home to over 300 stalls. OK you will probably pay twice as much here than at other markets in the city but it is a joy to behold and your senses are overwhelmed by what is on display.
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Time for another warning (or three) the market is very popular and very crowded, so is a prime hunting ground for pickpockets, secondly don’t forget locals shop here for produce so respect them and let them do their shopping. In a similar vein watch out for little old ladies with shopping trolleys, they take no prisoners and will have your ankles off in short time if you get in their way. Some stallholders do not like their stalls being photographed, so ask before snapping, often they will not mind but if they say no respect their wishes.
Finally if you are thinking of buying don’t buy at the first stall you see, look around as you may find it cheaper or, better still, find another market where it definitely will be cheaper.
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Montjuic Hill overlooks the city and was host to the 1992 Olympics and the Olympic park provides an interesting centrepiece to the area.
Also on the hill are several gardens as well as a castle.
Barcelona football club is arguably one of the most famous clubs in the world and its stadium, the Camp Nou, is one of the most iconic grounds.
Many football fans make the pilgrimage to Barcelona to visit the ground and, if you are into that sort of thing, tours of the ground are available ranging from €19 for the ‘basic’ visit through to €225 for something a bit more special.
Visits need to be booked in advance and obviously depend on fixtures.
Barcelona has a busy, thriving port and pays host to cruise liners several times a week.
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Much of the port area has been regenerated and like many if its ilk restaurants, bars and entertainments predominate. The port are is a great place to stroll, although a major drawback is the huge number of itinerant African hawkers trying to sell their designer copies …. you don’t mind the occasional one but in the port area they are unavoidable, blocking walkways and pavements in places.
Finally, and not a lot of people know this, Barcelona actually has quite a decent, sandy, beach.