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We visited Barcelona in May 2013. In total, the duration of our stay in the capital of Catalonia was 5 incomplete days, and although, of course, this is not much for such a wonderful city, we managed to create our own idea of ​​​​Barcelona and of course we wanted to return to this beautiful city at least one more time!
For convenience, in this post, I have collected all our stories about Barcelona into categories, so that later it would be more convenient to use them for future trips to the capital of Catalonia.

Arrival in Barcelona, ​​airport and how to get to the city

Most likely, having arrived in Barcelona, ​​you will find yourself at the El Prat airport. You can get from the airport to the city by bus, commuter train or by taxi.

Accommodation in Barcelona

We rented an inexpensive and rather modest hotel, but at the same time in the very center of Barcelona. Now it has been freshly renovated and this hotel has become even more attractive.

Also on the site I made a small selection, in terms of price-quality ratio, in my opinion.

Transport in Barcelona

There are many ways to get around Barcelona. The city is so touristy that almost every attraction can be reached in completely different ways. In a review article on transport in Barcelona, ​​I tried to describe all the possible ways to get around the city.

Food and cafes in Barcelona

In Barcelona in the heart of the city, there is a wonderful food market Boqueria, where you can always buy a bunch of tasty treats for a quick bite. In addition, there are also a number of inexpensive cafes where you can have a good meal for 20-30 euros for two. 🙂

Sights of Barcelona

For convenience, I divided the sights of Barcelona into groups, as completely different historical eras intertwined in the city.

Gothic Quarter

In my opinion, the most interesting part of the city. On our blog, I posted two articles about this place at once.

Creations of Gaudí

During our visit to Barcelona, ​​we visited the city's main and most visited attraction, the Sagrada Familia. Also, from the creations of Gaudí, we were in the houses of Batlló and Park Güell.

Other attractions in Barcelona

We were also on Mount Tibidabo, where the Church of the Sacred Heart is located, and a couple of couples walked along the seafront of Barcelona, ​​the Barceloneta district.

Shopping in Barcelona

In Barcelona it is quite possible to shop well. In a review article on shopping in the capital of Catalonia, Vika tried to list all the stores of local (Spanish) clothing brands in which we bought various things for ourselves.

P.S. Of course, 4-5 days is catastrophically short for Barcelona. On our trip, we did not visit all the sights of the city, but this has its plus; there will be a reason to return to Barcelona after some time and see what we did not see on this trip 🙂

Useful information for tourists about Barcelona in Spain - geographical position, tourist infrastructure, map, architectural features and attractions.

Barcelona is the second most populous city in Spain, the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia and the province of the same name, a port city on the Mediterranean Sea. This is the liveliest, most "European" city in Spain, whose inhabitants are famous for art lovers, especially music. In addition, it is the most commercial and industrial city in the country.

According to legend, Barcelona was founded by the Carthaginians on the orders of Hannibal's father, Hamilcar Barca. Later, the Romans came to this place, turning the settlement into a military fortification. And today in the city you can still see the remains of the ancient fortification walls. But although Barcelona has a deep history, preserved in the monuments of the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and even long before them, the city is most famous for the buildings built during the last hundred and fifty years.

The neighborhood of ancient buildings, palaces, churches and ultra-modern buildings, wide streets lined with plane trees and palm trees, and cozy squares presents an extremely peculiar picture. Old city, located near the bay, surrounded by walls until 1860, forms a hexagon with busy streets, one of which, the Rambla, crosses it from end to end. According to Somerset Maugham, this is the most beautiful street in the world.

The ancient Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter is one of the finest examples of Spanish Gothic. A wonderful monument to Christopher Columbus is the heart of Barcelona. The oldest church in the city of San Pablo (914) is one of the best examples of the old Catalan style. The buildings of the architect Gaudi, in particular, the stunning Sagrada Familia, the construction of which has not yet been completed.

The most visited museum in Barcelona - the Picasso Museum - has collected more than 900 works donated by him to the city. Attracts tourists and Olympic Barcelona. On Mount Montjuic, you can visit the Olympic Stadium, where the Museum of the Olympics is located.

Barcelona is one of the European centers of style along with Paris and Milan. In the squares and streets of Barcelona you can find a great variety of boutiques, modest shops and unceremonious markets. On January 10, a real shopping boom begins in Barcelona, ​​because at Christmas sales prices are falling rapidly. A similar situation is observed after July 5, when the time for summer discounts comes.

Night life Barcelona is rich and diverse not only due to the many entertainment venues, but also due to huge number foreigners - students and tourists participating in it. There are a lot of different clubs, bars and cafes in the Gothic Quarter. Their signs glow with neon lights and attract relaxed tourists to the Spanish service network.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. According to one of the legends, Barcelona was founded by the famous Greek Hercules several centuries before the founding of Rome. Barcelona is the industrial and commercial center of Spain, an important transport hub of the country, as well as a major tourist center, which is visited by millions of tourists every year.

Geography

Barcelona is conveniently located in a wide valley on the coast mediterranean sea. Along the circumference, it is fenced by a mountain range, creating a kind of semicircle, and provides protection for the city from the mainland. Most of Barcelona is located on a plain, not much above sea level, although the city has several hills of various heights, on which historical and new areas lie - the largest is called Carmel and rises to 267 meters above sea level. The Pyrenees, like the border with France, are located at a distance of about 120 kilometers from the Catalan capital. The Barcelona Valley is bounded to the north and south by the rivers flowing into the Mediterranean Sea, which conditionally provide the boundary of the municipality. The city is divided into 10 historical districts with fairly large self-government rights. Almost all of them were formed historically and were the result of numerous reconstructions of one of the most important Spanish cities. In relation to the prime meridian, Barcelona is in the UTC + 1 zone in winter, and in summer time UTC+2, like almost all European countries.

Climate

Accommodation directly near the sea ensures pleasant and comfortable weather throughout the year. Barcelona is located in the subtropical zone, and therefore the climate here is rather Mediterranean, with a slight continental influence. The city has warm winters and hot, but not hot summers, relieved by sea breezes. AT winter time the temperature rarely drops below + 8-10 ° C, there are no frosts, and the average daily indicators allow you to comfortably walk around the city in a light windbreaker. Autumn is characterized by a gradual decrease in temperature, but during the day it is always warm and sunny. Due to the cool winds from the sea in summer, the temperature almost never exceeds + 24-27 ° C, but even with very strong heat, sea breezes reduce the impact on a person and the heat is not felt so strongly. The same can be said about spring, when the thermometer rises at a fairly high speed. This season is the least pronounced in Barcelona, ​​as it seems that winter immediately gives way to summer. Rains and fogs often come from the sea, as well as strong winds. The rainiest months are September and October, when almost half of the annual rainfall falls. Storms and hurricanes are possible, but they are rare and easy to miss, as Barcelona is protected on all sides by mountains and port complexes. You can visit the Catalan capital at any time of the year - compared to Russian frosts, the weather in Barcelona is simply magnificent and pleases lovers of warmth and relaxation all year round.

Story

The first settlements on the territory of the city date back to the time of the Roman Empire, which founded nearby central region small outpost. Although there is a version that the city was a colony of Phenicia for a long time, there is no data on this. During Punic Wars and constant conflicts, the Carthaginian commander Hamilcar Barca set up a military camp on the site of modern Barcelona. From 133 BC and before the collapse of the empire, the outpost belonged to the Romans, but was of little importance, since there was a more developed city of Tarracon nearby. During the great migration of peoples, the city was alternately ruled by the Visigoths, Ostrogoths, Moors, and the Frankish kingdom. For a long time, the Duchy of Barcelona was independent until it was captured by the Arabs and became part of the province of Al-Andalus. Almost all the conquerors did not change the appearance of the city, but only supplemented it. So in Barcelona, ​​Roman, Gothic, Moorish buildings perfectly coexist, influencing the culture and development of the city. In the 10th-13th century, Barcelona became part of the booming Kingdom of Aragon and gained quite a lot of influence as one of the key ports on the Mediterranean. After the unification with Castile, the importance of the city began to gradually decline, and already until the 19th century it turned into a provincial city. Various revolutionary events, the War of the Spanish Succession, the Napoleonic campaigns - everything left its mark on the city, but did not greatly affect its development.

The industrial revolution, the development of factories, manufactories, maritime trade - these were the main factors in the revival of Barcelona. A convenient geographical position almost immediately turned the city into a key transit hub, and the wealth of Catalonia made it possible to create various enterprises in Barcelona - textile, cosmetics, metallurgical, processing. In 1929, the city hosted the World Exhibition of Achievements. And now Barcelona occupies one of the key places among the financial and industrial centers. Barcelona is intensively built up to this day, organically intertwining modern trends and classical buildings that have been preserved from all eras, starting with the Romans. In 1992, the Olympic Games were held here, and tourism has been developing for many years at an unprecedented pace, helped by incredible buildings, architectural monuments, nature, warm sea, convenient location of Barcelona, ​​reasonable prices and universal tolerance.

Sights of Barcelona

• The most famous landmark of Barcelona can be called the Sagrada Familia, as if woven from thin threads of the web. Many sculptures and niches complement the architectural ensemble of the temple.

• In the heart of the old city is the Rambla, built in the image and likeness of French boulevards. Here you can always meet a huge number of tourists.
• As soon as the sun sets, the enchanting show of the Montjuic fountains, which are also called magic fountains, begins.
• At the beginning of the last century, the famous architect Antonio Gaudi created Park Güell. The architecture of buildings and structures of the park strikes with the curvature of lines and the variety of colors.
• One of the last works of Gaudí, presented among others, is the House of Mila. Here the architect shows his predisposition to natural forms.
• In the Spanish Village, tourists can get acquainted with the diversity of historical traditions throughout Spain.
• Barcelona Aquarium is another famous place in the city, beloved by tourists and locals alike.
• Approximately 4 thousand works can be seen in the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, ​​which is one of the three largest museums in the world, representing the work of the famous artist.
• The Monastery of Pedralbes, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was built in 1419 in the northwest of Barcelona. The Order of Saint Clare bears the name of the sister of Francis of Assisi. The nuns of this order live here to this day, so not all buildings can be visited. The temple, the museum and the monastery garden convey the spirit of the Middle Ages to visitors. The former monastery was built from the priory of Santa Maria de Pasal. Today, religious institutions are located here. The simple horizontal proportions of the temple are the exact opposite of the vertical massiveness of the bell tower. Inside, the facade is decorated with the coat of arms of Queen Isabella. The inner garden is surrounded by a loggia with several floors of arches, in the middle there is a fountain. The garden is full of palm trees, orange trees, and aliandra grow on the walls.
• On the Rambla at the beginning of the old port, a monument to Columbus was erected in 1888, which is rightfully considered a symbol of the city.

• You can not pass by the Camp Nou - the largest stadium in the country and throughout Europe. For the famous football club Barcelona Camp Nou is the home stadium. Here is a museum that glorifies the history of the club.
• The Palace of Catalan Music, opened at the beginning of the 20th century, will not leave indifferent even the most biased connoisseur of musical creativity.
• Not to mention the Barcelona City Zoo, where you can see up to 400 species of animals from all over the world.
• In 1992, the Olympic Games revived the city, especially its old part near the harbor. For example, now there is a Maremagnum shopping and entertainment center with shops, restaurants, a cinema and an impressive aquarium.
• A little further is the Olympic Village, where the Olympians lived during the games.
• In addition to all of the above, tourists in Barcelona should pay attention to such attractions as Casa Batllo ( locals nicknamed it "The House of Bones"), the House of Thorns, Cathedral, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe Pavilion, Agbar Tower, Montserrat Monastery (located 50 kilometers from the city) and many others.

Events and festivals

Barcelona is amazing and unusual city, so contradictory and united that each district independently arranges some kind of its own holidays, not counting citywide and national festivals. Naturally, the holidays dedicated to saints and martyrs enjoy the greatest popularity among devout Spaniards. At any time of the year you can get to an interesting carnival or celebration:

• February - City Carnival lasting 6 days, accompanied by processions, concerts, parades, dances, fairs and street food. As a rule, it is held at the beginning of the month, but the dates are constantly changing;
• March - a major beer festival is held on the 20th with the presentation of national and European brands;
• April - at the end of the month there is a traditional 8-day fair with carousels, carnivals, dances and other entertainments;
• May-July - almost constantly pass music festivals in various directions, gathering performers and fans from all over the world;
• August - two of the most colorful and vibrant festivals in Barcelona follow each other - Major de Gracia and Festa Major de Sants, held in the same area of ​​the city;
• September - a holiday dedicated to Saint Mercedes - the La Merce festival - one of the most significant and largest among the Mediterranean countries;
• December - Christmas markets and carnivals.

Do not forget about other events that are constantly held in Barcelona - the Wine Festival, the Film Festival, regattas, Pride, Carnivals. The Spaniards love to have fun, and therefore at any time of the year you can easily get to one or another celebration.

Restaurants and cafes

There is simply an incredibly huge number of catering places in Barcelona - from simple eateries in the squares and streets to super-popular restaurants. It is worth noting that about 20 establishments in the city have been awarded Michelin stars - the highest awards in the culinary world - and Spanish chefs know how to surprise with their non-standard approach to cooking. All the cuisines of the world are represented in Barcelona, ​​including regional areas - there are only about 10 national Spanish cuisines, divided by regions and regions, to say nothing of other countries. There are plenty of small cafes and bars where you can eat inexpensively at any time of the day. It is worth remembering that most establishments are closed during the siesta, and it is impossible to get there. In Barcelona, ​​you need to try national Catalan rice and seafood dishes: including paella, cuttlefish ink risotto, jamon, pintxos and tapas (these are analogues of the same dish). Many establishments serve traditional Chiroso, Fuet, Butifarra village sausages, dozens of cheeses and other dishes. There are no dishes in the original version, as Spanish chefs constantly add their own notes and ingredients - you need to try everything, and do not forget about wine and Spanish beer. A little advice from experienced tourists - if there is a line at the establishment, then you definitely need to visit it and evaluate the local menu, since the presence of people waiting is a clear indicator of the popularity of a restaurant or cafe.

shopping

Barcelona is considered one of the most progressive and fashionable cities, where all people who love style and originality aspire. Another important fact is that this is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and therefore all the best that is in this city is brought here. sunny country. In addition to famous brands, it is worth taking a closer look at what is produced directly in Catalonia, famous for its traditions and extensive history. Barcelona's main shopping areas are Passeig de Gracia, Carrer de Pelai, Rambla de Catakunya, as well as many shopping centers scattered throughout the city. Here you can buy almost everything, but from Barcelona it is better to bring something that will remind you of the trip for a long time:

• wine - a huge selection of local brands and products from all over Spain. The most popular Catalan white sparkling "Cava";
• olive oil, cheeses, meat - products in Barcelona have a special place, as they know how to cook according to old recipes. Jamon, chorizo ​​sausages, fuet pork sausage, dozens of varieties of cheese and olive oil, sweets and fruits - the abundance will amaze any gourmet;
• leather products - shoes, clothes, accessories, created by local factories, by default, are considered the highest quality and durable. Even buying products of an unknown local brand, you can be sure of their high quality;
• cosmetics - based on olive oil and seafood - a variety of offers for women and men, will allow you to bring a part of Barcelona with you home. The only advice is to buy cosmetics should be in pharmacies to avoid Chinese consumer goods;
• sports symbols - textiles, caps, scarves, T-shirts, mugs with images of colors and logos of sports teams can be bought at souvenir shops or near stadiums. FC Barcelona is one of the most famous in Europe and therefore there are many branded shops and stalls for fans;
• jewelry - famous and local brands used by famous people and royalty. In addition to elite brands, there are local manufacturers of stylish and original jewelry.

The traditional season of discounts takes place in the winter months, when discounts in stores reach up to 90%, but the most popular is the peak season with a price reduction of 60-70% and a fairly large selection in all stores - from branded boutiques to outlets.

How to get to Barcelona?

international Airport Barcelona serves regular flights to all European countries. There are weekly direct and connecting flights from Russia from almost all major cities. One of the largest airports serves both famous airlines and low-cost airlines. Located 10 kilometers from the city, the terminals are connected to the metropolis by metro, rail, bus service. Within a radius of 100-110 kilometers from Barcelona there are two more major airports, with which communication between Girona - Costa Brava and Reus is established. This enhances the convenience of traveling to Barcelona by providing a choice of direct and charter flights. Air travel is the fastest and most reliable, and if you plan your trip in advance, it is also the cheapest. Railway transport Spain is integrated into pan-European networks and allows you to get to Barcelona by regular or bullet trains through France. Maritime transport is very developed and combines ferries and regular connections with various popular European resorts such as Nice, Marseille, Sardinia, Corsica and others. Own car you can also get to the Catalan capital - the city is a major transit hub, and many European autobahns lead to it. The only thing you have to cross several states to get to Barcelona.

Transport

The intracity communication system is developed very intensively, as Barcelona is constantly growing and expanding. The local authorities made sure that it was convenient for residents and tourists to move around the city, and therefore public transport is very widely represented:

• metro - represented by 11 branches that continue to be built and expanded. The lines cover the entire city and suburbs, laid underground and on the surface. Metro is integrated with other types of system land transport and allows for quick transplantation;
• city ​​train - a kind of analogue of the high-speed metro, covering the whole of Barcelona - the RENFE and FGC lines;
• trams - special high-speed low-floor trains run throughout the city and have a fully electronic ticketing system. The main stops on the long 6 lines are located so that you can quickly transfer to other modes of transport;
• funicular - two routes to the mountains of Montjuic and Tibidabo. In addition, a special line of the Blue Tram goes to the Tibidabo area, and a cable car goes to Montjuic;
• buses - routes are varied and numerous. At the same time, there are both urban and travel lines, which allow you to quickly and inexpensively get to anywhere in Barcelona. There are several night routes operating in the city, covering almost the entire historical center;
• taxi - perhaps one of the most inexpensive in Europe, is a convenient way to travel, and is served mainly by private companies and carriers;
• bicycles - rental points are available in all hotels, near metro and tram stations, near the main historical sights. Barcelona has a huge number of bike paths and a bike will help you get even to closed pedestrian areas. The cost in the region of 7 Euro per day of rental will allow the tourist to quickly move between interesting places;
• car rental - there are several global companies operating in the market, as well as local firms. The assortment includes cars of various brands, but economical golf-class models are still very popular, and therefore they need to be booked in advance. When renting a car, it is worth remembering that Barcelona is a major financial, industrial and cultural center, and the traffic here is very intense. Traffic jams and complicated travel, lack of parking and tolls are common in the city.

Accommodation

There are hundreds of hotels and inns of various classes and locations in Barcelona. The city of Dali and the architect Gaudi offers a huge number of not just places to stay and live, but real masterpieces of art - designer and boutique hotels. Many hotels are located in historical buildings, palaces and mansions. Tourist Barcelona is rich in youth hostels of a private and public nature, offering quite comfortable living conditions. It is quite difficult to single out some kind of rating of hotels, since all world chains - Holiday Inn, Hilton, Radisson - have several hotels in the city. In addition to them, there are many hotels different type offering extensive accommodation services. Popular are Grand Hotel Central, OD Barcelona - 5-star; Barcelo Sants, Barcelo Raval - 4-star; as well as a class below, 2-star Hotel Oasis, Hotel Condal and others, such as Hotel Arts in the Olympic Village. A huge selection and assortment have led to the fact that economy and standard class rooms are not very expensive and allow you to stay almost anywhere in the city for little money. Luxury hotels, small family hotels and hostels are usually located close to each other, and therefore in any area you can choose affordable housing for your family.

Connection

In addition to Spanish mobile network operators, international cards of such giants as Vodafone, T-Mobile and others are common in the city. AT last years in Barcelona began to intensively develop a system of free public access to the Internet. Almost the entire historical center and surrounding neighborhoods are covered by an expanded network of Wi-Fi access points. In addition, all hotels, inns, cafes, restaurants, public, shopping and entertainment complexes offer the use of the intranet. The speed is quite good and allows you to safely use streaming video or online communication via Skype or other instant messengers. The landline telephone is gradually becoming a thing of the past, but is still found in many establishments and allows you to use it both for calls abroad and in case of local need - for example, booking a table in a restaurant or calling a taxi.

1. Barcelona is considered quite a safe city in terms of theft. But tourists should still protect their personal belongings from criminals and immediately contact local authorities to obtain insurance in case of loss.
2. At points of sale of the press, it will be useful to purchase the newspaper "Guia del Ocio". In this newspaper you will find a detailed schedule of all cultural events in the city.
3. Despite the fact that some catering establishments in the city work according to the pan-European regime, it is better to go to dinner in Barcelona after 21:00, as many restaurants open only at this late time.
4. When visiting a cafe or restaurant, you should not rush when choosing a table, as the waiter will kindly point you to a free one. From 5 to 10% of the total amount of the order - it is customary to leave such a tip in most establishments in the city.
5. Most restaurants and cafes in Barcelona are non-smoking (however, all shopping and entertainment establishments and large restaurants have special places for this). Smoking is allowed only in some nightclubs and bars.
6. A special driver travels around the city during the day tour bus. Therefore, if your schedule includes excursions, then for convenience, you can purchase a special daily ticket that costs about 16 euros.
7. A very convenient form of transport in Barcelona is the metro, the fare in which does not exceed only 1 euro. But if you are going to travel a lot on the subway, it is better to buy a travel card for 10 trips, this will save your budget.
8. It will not be difficult for fans of auto walks to rent a car of any class. Most profitable terms for this they offer at the offices of Olimpia RentCar.
9. Barcelona has a well-developed network of banks and exchange offices, so tourists can easily exchange currency anywhere in the city. However, many banks do not charge commissions.
10. If a huge number of souvenirs leads you to a dead end, and you want to buy something special and classic for Catalonia, then Center Catala d "Artesania will help with this - an exhibition hall of various Catalan products - fabrics, jewelry, furniture, kitchen utensils, all kinds of ceramic products and much more. Here you can decide what exactly you want to buy, and consultants will tell you where in the city you can buy it (because copies of the exhibition are not for sale). The exhibition is open daily, admission is free. It is located at Passeig de Gràcia, 55, Barcelona.

Barcelona on the map, panorama

The proud beauty of Barcelona, ​​beautiful in her exquisite and bold features - main character and the capital of Catalonia, a real gem of tourist Spain. Rich history, magnificent sights, delicious cuisine and unique atmosphere make a trip to Barcelona bright and unforgettable. The city, imbued with the spirit of freedom, carelessness and freedom, simply cannot leave you indifferent - having been here at least once, you want to return again and again. Walk along the Ramblas again, gawk at the clown mimes for a while, go to the old Boqueria market and buy something refreshingly useless, climb the Columbus statue and enjoy the beautiful view of the port and the endless sea - there are few reasons to visit this wonderful city!

The locals, it seems, as in the well-known proverb “understood life” and are in no hurry - from behind the tables of numerous cafes during the hours of the afternoon siesta, good-natured laughter or the sounds of a heated Spanish dispute are heard here and there, a young guitarist spends hours improving his skills, sitting on the lawn in the park of the Ciutadella, and not far from it, a young Catalan woman is napping behind a book. Strange, but at the same time Barcelona is considered one of the busiest cities in the country, it has the most features of major European capitals. This is perhaps the most industrial city in Spain, playing a major role in the industrial and economic sectors of the entire Mediterranean region.

General description, city landmarks

The city of Barcelona is located on a small plateau at the mouth of the Llobregat River, and covers an area of ​​101 km2. The unusual landscape of the city is formed by several large hills, and highest point The Catalan capital is Mount Tibidabo - here, at an altitude of 512 meters, there is a beautiful temple of the Sacred Heart and a famous amusement park.

From an administrative point of view, Barcelona is divided into 10 large areas, among which the most popular with tourists are the Old Town, Montjuic, Gracia and Eixample. The heart of the city, without a doubt, can be called Plaza Catalunya - it is here that the old and new districts of Barcelona meet. From this beautiful square originates the famous Rambla, which cuts the Old Town in half, and goes straight to the coast, the Old Port and the Barceloneta quarter.

To the north of Plaza Catalunya is Eixample - a modern area built up according to an interesting scheme (all the streets here intersect at right angles). In this area, by the way, one of the main attractions of Barcelona is located - the amazing Sagrada Familia, the author of which is the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. In the upper part of the city, a little further from the Eixample district, there is the famous Park Güell, another creation of this great architect. Many attractions associated with the name of Antoni Gaudí are also located in the Gracia area.

It is worth noting that Barcelona is part of, so to speak, "the other Spain". The Catalans value their autonomy and independence very much - for example, the official language, along with Spanish, is Catalan, and many residents consider it to be the main one. Very often you can see Catalan flags on the balconies. By the way, such traditionally Spanish entertainment as bullfighting is not welcomed by the Catalans and has even been officially banned here since 2010.

Climate

The climate of Barcelona is characterized as Mediterranean, generally quite mild in winter and warm in summer. The weather in the capital of Catalonia creates the most favorable conditions for a holiday - in the summer months there is no sizzling heat and it is quite dry, but autumn and spring are wet.

Monthly average temperatures in Barcelona

Transport in Barcelona

Barcelona has almost all types of public transport, which you can only imagine - metro, buses, taxis, trams, funiculars. El Prat International Airport is the largest in mediterranean coast. In addition, Barcelona has an excellent rail connection - a network railways Renfe connects most of the cities of Catalonia and all of Spain.

Tip: a network has been organized specifically for tourists in Barcelona bus routes Bus Turistic, consisting of 3 lines and covering the main attractions of the city. Buses run in a circle every 10-15 minutes - you can get off at any stop you like, and then continue the tour at the next one. Each route is accompanied by an audio guide in different languages. If you have a little time at your disposal and want to have time to see as much as possible in Barcelona, ​​Bus Turistic - great option, however, it is worth noting that walking along such beautiful city can be a lot of fun.

The main attractions of Barcelona

Barcelona is not in vain considered the cultural capital of Spain - for example, such great personalities as Picasso, Antonio Gaudi and Salvador Dali lived and worked here. A variety of styles, eras and genres are mixed here in a magical cocktail that boggles the imagination. The number of attractions in Barcelona is so great that it is simply not possible to see everything in a short time.

The Rambla

This is the famous pedestrian street in Barcelona, ​​stretching for 1.2 kilometers from Plaza Catalunya to the sea, where it rests on the Columbus monument. According to the famous English writer Somerset Maugham, the Rambla is the most beautiful street in the world. This is one of the most colorful and lively places in the city - crowds of tourists, street vendors and mimes cleverly disguised as statues create an indescribable atmosphere. On the Rambla there is the old Boqueria market, whose name translates as the Abyss - it is simply impossible to pass by this place, bright stalls beckon.

By the way, one beautiful Barcelona sign is connected with the Rambla. At the very beginning of the street, near Plaza Catalunya, there is a small drinking fountain called Canaletas - a sign says that everyone who quenches their thirst here will certainly return to Barcelona again.

Gothic Quarter

On the left side of the Rambla is the heart of the Old Town - the Gothic Quarter. Here, in a labyrinth of medieval lanes, among cramped chaotic streets, the history of the birth of Barcelona since Roman times is kept. This area is home to many ancient churches and buildings, such as the Gothic Cathedral, the Church of Santa Maria del Mar, the remains of buildings and buildings from the Roman era, and much more.

barcelona gaudi

A lot of things in Barcelona are connected with the name of the outstanding architect Antonio Gaudí – without his participation, we would not have known that delightful city that the capital of Catalonia is now. Gaudi lived all his life in Barcelona and put all his great talent, all his strength at the feet of his beloved city. Such creations of the architect as the houses of Mila and Batlló, Palace Güell, Park Güell and, of course, famous temple Sagrada Familia are the main attractions of Barcelona and in many ways form its unique appearance.

Hill of Montjuic

Montjuic hill, which means "Jewish mountain", is a favorite place for tourists and residents of the city to walk. A large number of interesting sights are concentrated here, so you can safely allocate a whole day to explore this area. For a long time the hill was a strategic defensive point, as evidenced by the ancient fortress on its top. On the eve of the World Exhibition of 1929, the appearance Plaza de España, as well as the National Palace and the famous singing fountain, also called the Magic Fountain. In addition to all this, many interesting sports facilities built for the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 are concentrated on the hill.

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5. What can you visit for free?

Barcelona often hosts various events, and the museums of the city organize weekly open days. Here are just a few of those that you can visit completely free of charge if you know when to come:

1. Science Museum in Barcelona (CosmoCaixa) - admission is free on the first Monday of the month (on other days - € 3.80).
2. Center for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (Centre De Cultura Contemporània De Barcelona) - every Sunday from 15:00 to 20:00 (other days - € 6-8).
3. Picasso Museum in Barcelona (Picasso Museum) - every first Sunday of the month and every Sunday from 15:00 (standard ticket price - from €15).
4. Palace Güell (Palau Güell) - the first Sunday of each month, as well as April 23 and May 8 (other days you will have to pay from € 12).
5. Virreina Palace (Palacio de la Virreina), which today houses the Museum of Decorative Arts and hosts exhibitions of contemporary artists, admission is free daily.

6. Where to feel the local flavor?

Many travelers and locals advise visiting flamenco evenings. You can view the schedule of performances on this site. Tickets should be purchased in advance, at least a week in advance, because the shows are very popular, and the seats are already sold out on the day of the performances.

7. Where to try Catalan cuisine?

Let's move from spiritual food to worldly food! Probably, it is not necessary to say that establishments in the tourist center of Barcelona are driving up prices? They are especially overpriced in cafes and restaurants on the famous Rambla pedestrian street.

In almost every institution there is a so-called "menu del dia" - the menu of the day (like business lunches that are familiar to us). It is valid from approximately 13:00 to 15:00 and includes a first and second course (optional), as well as a drink and dessert. Such a set will cost you only €8-20, depending on the class of the restaurant.

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