Circa 1905 Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

Visiting Barcelona

A small list of things to do and see in magical Barcelona.

La Rambla and Raval
This unique, lively and colourful boulevard runs from the Plaça de Catalunya down to the port, lined with newspaper and book stands, interspersed with bird and flower stalls. Thriving commerce has its centre in one of the side streets, the Portaferrissa, with its many fashionable shops, Theatres, cinemas, bars, restaurants and hotels.

The Barri Gótic
Forms the very heart of the old town and has a remarkable concentration of beautiful medieval Gothic buildings just a couple of blocks northeast of the Ramblas

Vía Laietana to Parc de la Ciutadella:
Parallel to the Ramblas dense network of medieval streets.

Olympic harbour
During the day you can practice water sports at the Olympic Harbour. At night, it becomes one of Barcelona's most popular areas for nightlife.

Ribera District
The city centre during the 13th and 14th centuries, when the Catalans were expanding their trade and sea links throughout the Mediterranean. The church of Santa Maria del Mar,is the symbol of this maritime empire, a superb 14th century Gothic building. The Pg. del Born maintains some buildings with Gothic remains as well as a carefully restored 14th century palace.

La Boquería
Also known as the Mercat de Sant Josep (Saint Joseph's market), the Boqueria is famous for the quality of its products. It is located on the site of the courtyard of a church, officially called Sant Josep.

Tibidabo is the highest point of the Serra de Collserola hills, an extensive woodland area that has been converted into a metropolitan park 500 metres above sea level. There is an excellent panoramic view of the city from the top. The Temple Expiatori or Church of Atonement, the Amusement Park and the communications tower, 268 metres high, are silhouetted against the skyline.

Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
The CCCB is one of the great cultural infrastructures of the nineties created with one specific aim: all its activities deal with the theme of cities.

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona.
The MACBA, which opened in November 1995, seeks to bring contemporary art to a wider public, through its collection -which focuses on artistic creation in the second half of the century- and the staging of seasonal exhibitions and associated events.

La Seu
Barcelona's cathedral, is one of the great Gothic buildings of Spain. Located just behind the Generalitat, it was begun in 1298 and finished in 1448. Behind the Cathedral apse, you will find la Plaça del Rei and Saló del Tinell.


Museu Etnològic and Museu Arqueològic
Downhill from the Palau Nacional, just to the east we find these two excellent museums.

Fundació Joan Miró
An impressive white structure, opened in 1975, and set in the gardens overlooking the city. The friend of this great Catalan artist , the architect Josep-Luís Sert, designed the beautiful building that now houses the museum, a permanent collection donated by Miró himself and covering the period from 1914-1978.

Castell de Montjuïc
Built on seventeeth-century ruins.

Monuments in other areas:

Sagrada Familia
Building work on the Sagrada Familia, Antonio Gaudí's landmark, continues to progress. Work is currently being carried out on roofing the central nave, and more specifically, the columns in this nave, and on finishing the first series of vaults in the transept, just behind the Passion façade.
Tel. 932 073 031
www.sagradafamilia.org

Parc Joan Miró.
Around Sants station.