Barcelona - an extremely popular tourist destination for people from all over the world. Why did I decide to go? I love art (and I wanted put my high school Spanish skills to the test). Barcelona has some amazing artistic displays from Picasso, Dali, and Gaudi to street performers, artisan markets, and graffiti. There is something there for everyone and I want to take it all in.Friday
3 pm – Take Some Time to be a Tourist…
La Rambla is one of the most touristy areas in Barcelona, about 14 million tourists visit it every year, but it’s also a must see. You can find a little bit of everything – artists, florists, paella, millions of Barcelona souvenirs, street performers, artisan markets, the list goes on and on. Get your souvenir shopping done early so you can spend the rest of your time enjoying the city. Start with a
visit to the Artesian Market at the southern most end of the street near the naval district, stop in at the Mercat Boqueria in the middle of the street, and finish at Placa de Catalunya. The street is filled with people in the middle of the afternoon including robbers so make sure to watch your bags and pockets.
6 pm – …And then avoid them
The Arc de Triumph was built in 1888 as the entrance to the World Exhibition. Today it is one of the symbols of the city and one of the most photographed areas in the city, but it is not overly crowded. The Arc is located at the end of the Passeig de Lluís Companys, an urban park. It is about a 15-minute walk from La Rambla and does not nearly have as many tourists. It is very near to a train station, the bus station, the Barcelona zoo, and Cascada fountain. The park is a great place to relax with friends and is a favorite hang out for locals at night.
8 pm – Grab some Grub
On a backpacker’s budget, eating can really drain your bank account, but Spain is the land of tapas, small appetizer size dishes that you can share with friends. They usually run pretty cheap (2-10 Euros) and you can find them everywhere. There will also be several people handing out flyers for restaurants. They are usually offering a discount or free item. If you’re on a budget it’s worth a try, I ended up eating at Sinate Lounge Bar (c/ Heures 4-10 08002 Barcelona) and it was fantastic.
11 pm – Go Out
There are bars and nightclubs all over Barcelona, but be weary of anything too far on the left side of La Rambla, after ten o’clock the robbers and prostitutes come out. You will see a lot of people handing out flyers at this time too, but here it usually means that the bar is bad or in a back alley so be careful. Try finding a bar that has a crowd and is not full of American college students – you can find that in America try something new. My favorite is Bar 32 on Ample owned by an Irish man named Rowland. Here you can get a chance to meet some English-speaking locals and get tips about traveling in the city. Meeting the locals, even if they aren’t native, is crucial. They can direct you to the best and cheapest places to eat, shop, and have fun that you can’t find in your guidebook.
Saturday
10 am – The Arts
Barcelona is full of art museums so take your pick. I recommend the Picasso Museum or, my personal favorite, the Museum of Contemporary Art. Both are very popular museums, but not overcrowded and are reasonably priced (each museum is 6 Euro for a student ticket). The Museum of Contemporary Art was a good break from the ordinary art museum with walls and walls of paintings. There is nothing ordinary about it. There are movies, sculptures, pictures, flashing lights, music, poetry, and so much more. The building itself is modern art designed by American architect, Richard Meier, in the style of Le Corbusier. Even for non-art enthusiasts it is a very cool experience.
1 pm – Get Lost!
“I’ve lived here for years and I still get lost, the city is so big! But that’s how you find all of the best places,” says Belen waitress at Picnic café. Try picking a side street off of La Rambla and meander through the town. You will get a great view of the city and find a hidden restaurant that is not overrun with tourists. The best way to learn about a city is to get lost there so try getting lost for lunch. I was able to find several great restaurants on my trip, but my favorite was Picnic (Calle Comerce 1) a British owned restaurant that serves American food with a Spanish twist. You can get a big lunch there for around 10 Euros. I highly recommend the pulled pork sandwich.
3 pm – Alien Invasion
There are churches all over Europe, but none can compare to La Sagrada Familia. Gabriel a local bed and breakfast owner says, “It’s an absolutely surreal experience you have to see it, even if you aren’t religious, it’s just incredible.” Though it is not yet completed and will not be for another 50 years, it is still worth the visit and the 10 Euros it costs to get in. The church was started in 1882 and Antoni Gaudi was commissioned in 1883 working until his death in 1926, the church still reflects Gaudi’s original vision. There are currently 8 of Gaudi’s planned 18 towers built dedicated to the apostles, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary. You can travel in the towers for an additional fee of 2,50 Euro. The Church will officially be commissioned as a Basilica by Pope Benedict XVI this coming November and hoped to be completed in 2026 on the 100th year anniversary of Gaudi’s death.
7 pm – Go to the Port
In the early evening Port Vell, is the place to be. There are bands playing all over the place collecting an audience and selling their CDs. If you get a chance, try to catch Microguagua they usually play on Passeig National near the Museu D’Historia de Catalunya. You can find all kinds of music from singer/songwriters playing a solo on their guitar to reggae cello players to a Didgeridoo. Restaurants and food carts line the sides of the ports for a scenic dinner. This is one place where locals and tourists both
flock to at night. You will find families picnicking, pick up soccer games, and lots of skateboarders.
You can spend all night at the Port. The beach has clubs up and down the street crowded with both locals and tourists. If you do go to a club expect to be out late – locals do not go out until around one in the morning and dance all night long. For a good local club try Ryan’s located right on the beach. Many like to club hop all night long.
Sunday
11 am – Hit the Beach
Before you get on your flight back home, take some time to relax and soak up some sun. There are several less crowded beaches along the Spanish coast within an hour train ride of Barcelona including Villanova, but Barceloneta is the easiest beach to get to, located right in Barcelona parallel to Port Vell. The beach is very popular with tourists and locals alike so it is very crowded. It is free, open to the public, and has public showers and restrooms.
If You Go…
Where To Stay
· Gabriel’s Bed and Breakfast
o You can choose to stay in an apartment or a hotel. I chose the hotel and I was able to stay with other families and single travelers. It is very safe and located at a great location right off La Rambla. I stayed in a double for about 35 Euro a night.
o http://www.bbgabriel.eu/index-English.html
· Sant Jordi Alberg Hostel
o Voted one of the top ten hostels in the world, this hostel is located in the heart of the city and has free Internet, towels, sheets, and storage. The staff is very friendly and will make sure that you have a great time there. If you’re a backpacker looking for a party, this is the place to go.
o http://www.santjordihostels.com/
Where To Eat
· Picnic
o The owners of the restaurant are people from the UK who fell in love with Barcelona and decided to stay in the city. You can get your fill of traditional American, British, and Irish dishes with a Spanish influence without breaking your budget.
o Calle Comerc 1
o www.picnic-resturant.com
· Sinatra
o A chic and stylish Mediterranean infused restaurant located slightly off of La Rambla. This is one of the few places I’ve found in Europe where they actually have waiters up to the American standards, but this means you need to tip by American standards. It is a good date restaurant and a place to hang out with friends. The food is excellent, but a little pricy.
o c/ Heures 4-10
o www.sinatrabcn.com
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