HOLA! BARCELONA

The promise of warm weather and celebrations in the Plaza de España were what sealed it for me. An escape from the cold, wet weather of Istanbul was long overdue, and so we planned to welcome the start of 2015 with a trip to Barcelona, Spain.

I hadn’t expected the celebrations to be on a par with those in Edinburgh, and being honest I wasn’t even really expecting a firework display or a New Year countdown, but I couldn’t have been more wrong! After an extraordinary water show in front of the Magic Fountain in the Plaza de España, we were treated to some fantastic stage performances, and a thrilling firework display.

However this trip wasn’t only about celebrating the New Year. I was more interested in discovering and exploring this amazing, exciting and edgy new city. Barcelona is a pretty remarkable place, with a fascinating history, and so much to discover, and I was truly excited to get to grips with it.

Barcelona is Spain’s second biggest city, with over 1.5 million people. Located in the northwest of the country, it is the capital of Catalonia, which has an interesting and unusual status in Spain as an autonomous community. The city, and Catalonia itself, has a long, fascinating and turbulent history. Originally a Roman province, it also spent some time under Frankish rule, before becoming an independent state as the Crown of Aragon and the County of Barcelona. More recently, Barcelona really began to make waves as a centre of culture and a destination when it hosted the Olympic Games in 1922, which sparked a period of change and modernisation.

Barcelona is best visited in spring or summer, when the city is bursting with life and the weather is gorgeous. Summertime in the city is particularly special, as Barcelona is on the coast, and boasts some gorgeous beaches inside the city itself! The only downside to a summer visit is that many inhabitants go on holiday for the summer themselves, and some shops and businesses are closed. For something truly traditional and a little different, catching La Mercé festival, in late September, is a remarkable experience, and something not to be missed. However, in a classic example of ‘do as I say not as I do’, we decided to visit in January, to see in the New Year and avoid the tourist crowds…!

Barcelona has 10 districts, but 4 of them are the obvious places to visit, and the most remarkable to spend time on. The best neighbourhoods in Barcelona to visit are Ciutat Vella, Eixample, Gracia, and Sants-Montjuïc.

Ciutat Vella: This district, which is also called the “Old Town”, is the city centre and most touristic place. Ciutat Vella is full of entertainment, history, and beaches. Some of the most exciting spots in Barcelona are here, like the Barri Gòtic, La Rambla, El Raval and El Born (also known as La Libera). The famous Plaça de Catalunya is also in this district.

Plaça de Catalunya: Plaça de Catalunya has been a popular meeting place throughout Barcelona’s history (as well as being a huge nest of pigeons!), and reminded me of Taksim Square in Istanbul. I mean, of course, the Old Taksim Square, not the new one which has been thoroughly sanitised and lost much of its magic. 

Acting as a hub or a connection point, the Plaça de Catalunya is also the start of the Passeig de Gracia, Rambla de Catalunya, La Rambla, the Portal de I’Angel, the Ronda de Sant Pere, Carrer de Vergara and Carrer de Pelai. It is one of the most important transport hubs in the city. You can get to almost anywhere else in the city from here by bus, taxi, metro or any other mode of transport. 

Moreover, located right between Ciutat Vella and Eixample, the old and new centres of Barcelona, this 50,000m² square really is the heart of Barcelona. It is famous for its combination of trendy shops, fountains and statues. One of the most famous of these statues is “Francesc Macia”, which was built for the memory of the old president of Catalonia by Josep Subirachs, who also worked on the Sagrada Familia. Another remarkable statue is a female figure carved by Josep Clara. This statue, erected in 1882, is called  “La Deessa o L’Enigma” (Enigma Goddess) and is located in the middle of a pool. 

Although it is a huge square, its central location and popularity means that it is busy and bustling throughout the day and for most of the night! Located outside of the city walls until the mid 19th century, Plaça de Catalunya really only developed its reputation as a meeting place after the Spanish government demolished Barcelona’s walls in 1858.

La Rambla: La Rambla reminded me of Beyoğlu, and has a lively, chirpy atmosphere. I would also recommend a wander down Carrer Ferran, which is linked to La Rambla. La Boqueira is also well worth exploring, particularly as it has a large street market daily. 

Columbus Monument: This is a statue of the famous Genovaian sailor and explorer Christopher Columbus, which you will pass when walking down La Rambla to Port Vell.

El Raval: El Raval is full of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, but I can’t in good conscience recommend it as a good place for nightlife because it is it is Barcelona’s centre of sex work, and has pretty high rates of crime. The area of El Raval near the harbour are called Barri Xinès or Barrio Chino (China Town). El Raval is one of the two most historic places in Barcelona, linked by La Rambla, the other being the Barri Gotic. In recent years, it has become home to many of the immigrants who have arrived in Barcelona from around the world, including South America, Pakistan, Indonesia and Romania. The best place to visit here is MACBA (Museu d’art contemporani de Barcelona), which translates as the Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona. This museum is easy to find by following signs from La Rambla to Placa Catalunya. If you are lucky enough you can catch some live music or some performance art in front of the museum (if you can dodge the kids skateboarding and getting high in the square, that is!). 

El Born: El Born is Barcelona’s hipster heart, famous for trendy shops, cool bars and restaurants. Located on the sea side of La Rambla and the Barri Gotic, it has an uncrowded, peaceful atmosphere. It’s a wonderfully atmospheric warren of dark narrow streets, old Gothic buildings, bars waiting to be explored and the Picasso Museum. To truly understand the real spirit of Barcelona, you have to explore every inch of both the Barri Gotic and El Born. Be warned though, its labyrinth of narrow alleyways can make you feel dizzy quickly! 

Gothic Quarter: The Gothic Quarter is more commonly known by its Catalan name, the Barri Gotic. This is the old city center of Barcelona, extending from La Rambla to Via Laietana and from the Mediterranean coast to Ronda de Sant Pere. Despite modern revisions and improvements, it has retained its wonderful and atmospheric medieval vibe. It has even managed to hold on to the ruins of some of its Roman walls, near Tapineria. Explore the secret squares and fountains, admire the history that is in every corner, indulge in a bit of shopping in sympathetic places, and try some of the best food in Barcelona in the hundreds of tiny cafes and restaurants tucked away amidst curled and labyrinthine streets. It reminded me strongly of Asmalı Mescit in Istanbul. However, be careful, as the Barri Gotic is renowned as a haven for pickpockets, so keep a tight hold of your valuables as you explore.  

Cathedral of Santa Eulàlia: This is a gorgeous Gothic cathedral, and the seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. In the late 19^thcentury, its Neo-Gothic frontage was built onto the previously nondescript outside surface, which is a common characteristic of Catalan churches. The roof is rumoured to house a myriad of different local and legendary creatures. 

Basilica of La Mercè: One of the most spectacular churches in this city of spectacular churches. The Basilica is dedicated to the Holy Virgin La Merce. In front of the church stands a fountain built in the 18^thcentury and dedicated to God Neptune. The church was built by the Catalan architect Josep Mas i Dordal in the Baroque style between 1765 and 1775. Its monumental structure and flamboyant decoration make this a must-see. 

Portal de l’Àngel: One of the most popular spots for retail therapy in the city, Portal de l’Angel is in the Barri Gotic, close to Catalonia Square, and includes a number of high-street brands. It is popular, crowded, and has some of the highest rents in the city – in 2013 the price per square metre was €265! Like almost every corner of Barcelona, there is an El Corte Inglés shopping centre, but it is far more delightful to wander around other stores in the street. 

Plaça Reial: Plaça Reial is slap bang in the middle of La Rambla, and surrounded by restaurants. You can get your sangria fix here, but to be honest we drank better ones elsewhere. However it is definitely worth trying the tapas at one of the many delicious restaurants all around the square. It is also a bit of a nightlife spot, with loads of clubs and bars. Some of the best include Sidecar (where you can experience traditional Flamenco dancing), Jamboree, El Bar 13 (Trece), Pipa Club and Karma. Barcelona’s nightlife is legendary, the bars are open till 3am and the nightclubs till 6 am! Aside from the fun after dark, one Sunday morning we encountered an antique money bazaar here, which was awesome. Plaça Reial also acts as a venue for many outdoor shows, concerts and gigs, as well as La Mercé Festival held in September. Plaça Reial, was designed by Francesc Daniel Molina i Casamajó in 19^th century with Antoni Gaudi designing its lighting system.

Plaça Sant Jaume: Plaça Sant Jaume is the administrative heart of Barcelona, the centre of government both of the city, and of Catalonia itself. Although its old name of Constitution Square still remains on some street signs, it is named after the Church of Sant Jaume, which has existed since medieval times. Before taking over some of the houses in the neighborhood, the old Barcelona Council used to gather in the Church’s veranda. 

Temple of Augustus: Iconic Roman monument in the Barri Gotic which has remained since 1 BC. The monument is surrounded by the  Centre Excursionista de Catalunya today. Only 4 columns remains from this two millenia-old monument, and although it can be tricky to find, it is well worth visiting.

Carrer Del Bisbe: This is the most famous and most photographed street in the Barri Gotic. A Gothic bridge between the cathedral and city walls is one of the symbols of the city. 

Plaça Del Rei: This public square has been here since the medieval era, dating back as far as the 14^thcentury. It is full of fascinating historical sights, such as the Palau Reial Major, the Saló del Tinell, the Palau del Lloctinent (“Lieutenant’s Palace”), a tower from the 15^thcentury Mirador del Rei Martí (“King Martin’s Watchtower”), and Capella Reial de Santa Àgata (“Royal Chapel of St Agatha”). To the south of the square, the Casa Padellàs (Padellàs’s House), made by stones carried from Mercaders Street in 1931, and the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA) are also both worth visiting.

Santa Maria del Pi: Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Santa Maria del Pi was built between 1319 and 1391. It is a nice Catalan Gothic-style church, which was restored after fire accident in 1936.

Beaches: One of the best things about the city, Barcelona’s beaches are open between March and November. There are 10 beaches inside the city, named Sant Sebastià, Sant Miquel, Barceloneta, Somorrostro, Port Olimpic, Nova Icaria, Bogatell, La Mar Bella, La Nova Mar Bella, and Llevant. You are spoiled for choice. Out of these 10, Barceloneta is the most important, the biggest and the most visited. Despite being over a kilometre long, its popularity does mean that sometimes it is hard to find a single empty spot to park your beach towel! Nova Icaria is a calm family beach, around 400 metres long. Mar bella tends to be full of young people, while Nova Mar is a 500m stretch of sand just for women. Llevant is the newest beach, while Port Olimpic has an incredible reputation as somewhere to come for great nightlife, with a selection of outstanding clubs. Moreover, two of the biggest three buildings in the city are located here, and some of the most interesting modern design and architecture. The metal fish designed by Frank Gehry is dazzling, with its unique deconstructive style. Although quite a walk, exploring all 10 of the beaches is really worthwhile. Standing out from the exquisite design of the rest of Port Olimpic is the Torre Agbar. A wholly unnecessary plaza that looks like a giant cucumber, and towers incongruously over the area, you can see it from most places in the city, particularly after dark.

Park Ciutadella: A walk on the beach can easily take in this beautiful little park with just a slight shift in direction. An oasis in the city full of greenery, but you will find more just than trees and grass in this park. Built in 1877, Park Ciutadella contains a zoo, some fantastic Gothic structures, a monumental waterfall (the perfect spot for a photo), loads of interesting statues and an artificial lake where you can rent boats. It is like a small slice of heaven right in the city centre. 

Harbour Cable Car: If you want to take in the whole of Barcelona in one go, grab a ride in the cable car up Montjuic Hill from Barceloneta beach. Built in 1929, it can fit up to 19 people, and leaves every 10 minutes. It is best to ride before 3pm, as the tickets for the afternoon have a tendency to sell out. 

Graciá: Gracia is a pretty, independent district where the young cool native Barcelona crowd choose to live. It only became part of the city in the 20^th century. It’s a refreshing break from some of the more touristy places in town, with narrow roads and a very pleasant atmosphere. To get here get off the Green Line at Fontana. This is also a haven for lovers of fashion design and vintage shopping, and there’s a lively feel to the squares and streets after dark, with plenty of excellent restaurants and bars.

Park Güell: Park Güell, like many places in the city, was still under construction when we visited. It is located in La Salut district of Gracia, and is a wonderful combination of picturesque gardens, Gaudi’s architecture and design, and Carmen Hill, which has a variety of architectonic sights which are free to visit. It was built between 1900 and 1914 ,and opened to the public in 1926. 

The park, which is inspired by natural, organic forms, was declared a “World Heritage Site” under “Works of Antoni Gaudi” by UNESCO in 1984. It was, and is, an extraordinary undertaking, built in a new rich structural shape by using geometrical concepts, the project is a work of creative liberty, deep imagination and ornamental configuration. 

The story goes that once upon a time, businessman Eusebi Güell asked Gaudi to build public buildings and 60 villas on his land. However none of the buildings were ever sold as the government acquired the land in 1918 and opened it up as a park for the public to use. Getting here is a doddle, as you can easily travel all around the city by using the hop-on-hop-off buses. You can also use the metro, getting off at Vallarca  or Lesseps, and walking for a short while. If none of these options works, then you can use the number 24 bus and get off right at the back of the park. One of the best things to do here is to watch the sunset over Barcelona whilst standing at Park Güell, a truly inspiring experience.

Plaça del Sol: This is one of the best nightlife spots in Gracia. Young and lively, it is full of teenagers trying to avoid the tourist crowds. In January, it seemed calm and almost abandoned to me. But in summer it is supposedly a very fancy place, especially on those hot summer nights. It is also easy to reach, via Fontana on the Green Line, and then a short walk through Carrer d’Asturies, Travessia de Sant Antoni and Carrer del Planeta Street before arriving at Placa del Sol.

Gracia is a very pretty district with some really attractive feature. It is calm, peaceful, and has some lovely little bars. I particularly recommend DéMODé Mini Bar in Carrer de Mozart Street, which has nice service, decent prices and a fantastic atmosphere, as well as playing some excellent alternative music.

Eixample: Now we come to one of the most famous districts in Barcelona, filled with glorious Art Nouveau buildings, as well as the iconic Sagrada Familia.

La Sagrada Familia: Picking your moment to visit this extraordinary work of art and architecture is vital. 2 million tourists a year visit this iconic building, which challenges the century’s design norms with its modern, Neo-Gothic and Art Nouveau styles. 

I was very lucky to be able to just wave to the crowds and queues as I passed, thanks to booking online and arriving on time. However, this might have had something to do with it being January. My €23.80 ticket included access to the towers, and an audio guide too. The cathedral is open between 9am to 6pm. 

The Sagrada Familia is the project on which Gaudi spent almost all his life. The stones of the building contain many symbols and secrets, and with its extraordinary appearance it is one of the most recognisable symbols of Barcelona… and yet, amazingly, it is still under construction!

Between 1936 and 1939 the construction of the cathedral was paused because of civil war in Spain, but it had hardly restarted when it stopped again, because Gaudi’s drawings burned during the war. When it is finally completed, it will rise to the height of the other hills of  Barcelona, but no further, because Gaudi believed that structures made by people should not be higher than the creations of God.

Interestingly, if things had gone a little differently, we might have seen Francisco de Paula del Villary Lozano’s Neo-Gothic structure started in 1882 instead of this magnificent church, but because he was unable to reach an agreement with the head of the Spiritual Association of Devotees, Gaudi took over the project. Once onboard, Gaudi devoted all his energy to this church, which was designed to symbolize the combination of Mary, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He even moved his home here at one point, and in 1908 he cancelled all his other projects to focus exclusively on this project. However his obsession with the project was to prove his downfall. So enthralled with his vision, on the 10th of January 1926, he stepped backwards to get a better view of his masterpiece, into the path of a moving train, and died. On his death, he had only completed the entrance, the towers, and the apsis walls.

Today, construction of the church continues thanks to donations, and over 600 people are involved in its construction. Its local nickname is the ‘Neverending Church’, and although it is planned for completion in 2026, to mark the anniversary of Gaudi’s death, the complexity of its construction, and of his original plans, means this may be an overly ambitious target.

The church, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has 18 towers which resemble pillars of sand, or melting candles. 12 of the towers signify the apostles, and the other 4 stand for the gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In each gospel tower there is a statue for each Evangelist, a bull for St. Luke, a man with wings for St. Matthew, an eagle for St. John and a lion for St. Mark. Gaudi wanted these decorations in the towers to signify a connection between heaven and earth. The tallest tower was dedicated to Jesus, and the second-tallest to Mary. For now, only 8 towers have been completed. 

The interior of the church was designed to accommodate 1,000 people. Gaudi wanted to fascinate both visitors and bystanders with his engravings, the monumental bronze door, the showy facades and the refreshing indoor areas. One of the most remarkable things inside is the columns, inspired by a row of trees. You almost feel that you are strolling through a forest. In keeping with this arboreal feel, stone leaves on the rooftop of the inner church are inspired by the plane trees in Barcelona. Glass covering the church’s walls are trimmed with figures from nature, as well as fruits and plants. The stairs climbing to the towers are meant to resemble snails. Gaudi’s vision was to base everything in the natural world. He said: “Architects in the future will imitate nature. This will be the true economic and rational use of architecture.” 

To get a better understanding of the extraordinary mind behind this remarkable construction, after touring the cathedral don’t miss the attached museum. You’ll get a deeper admiration for the man and his works, and what the inspirations are behind his works. The church is considered as a strange and outstanding building, with its architecture aimed at challenging the century’s norms. In La Sagrada Familia, no walls are upright, no columns are plain. Wherever you look, everything is in motion.

The stories inside are told through ceramics, mosaics, and various pieces, and on the outside through neatly trimmed holy figures. In the embossments on the main door you can find the All-Seeing Eye, as well as a statue of Judas describing his betrayal, and numbers totalling 33.  A relief of Jesus is rumoured to watch you from every angle. It is possible to get lost just investigating the symbolism and secret stories told on the facades of this amazing church.

Nativity was the first facade to be completed, between 1894-1930. This is the main facade of the church that faces northeast and is dedicated to the birth of Jesus. The iconography used on the Nativity towers relates to nature and life. 3 arches symbolize hope, faith and generosity, and each is further divided into 2 columns. At the base of the columns sit two turtle figures, resembling the land and the sea. They both are symbols of permanence. In contrast, chameleon figures on either side signify change. 

The Archway of Generosity has a “Tree of Life” above the door. Gaudi wanted to include colourful figures in every part of this facade. By doing this, he felt that characters, plants and animals would be more visible. Gaudi was well aware that he would probably never finish his work, so he left detailed drawings of art and architecture to assist future architects in completing his vision. He also mentioned in his drawings that construction would need to start on this facade, as its position, and the fact that it’s the most magnificent, meant that it would attract the most attention from the public.

The Passion façade is austere, plain and simple, made of bare stone, and carved with harsh straight lines to resemble the bones of a skeleton. Dedicated to the Passion of Christ, the suffering of Jesus during his crucifixion, the façade was intended to portray the sins of man. 

The steeples were completed in 1976, and in 1987 a team of sculptors, headed by Josep Maria Subirachs, began work sculpting the various scenes and details of the façade. They aimed to give it a rigid, angular form to provoke a dramatic effect. Gaudi wanted this façade to provoke fear in onlookers. He wanted to break arcs and cut columns, and to use the dark angular shadows contrasted by the harsh rigid light to highlight the severity and cruelty of Christ’s sacrifice. The facade fasces the sunset, symbolizing the death of Jesus. It is supported by 6 large and inclined columns that resemble the trunks of Sequoia trees. 

At the top, there are 18 pyramidal pediments. The towers are dedicated to the apostles James, Thomas, Philip and Bartholomew, and there are 3 archways. When you partition the façade into three, the lowest part shows scenes from The Last Supper, including the kiss of Judas, the trials of Ecce Homo and Jesus. In the middle is the hill known as Calvary or Golgotha, on which Jesus was crucified, as well as St. Mary Veronica, St Longinus and the sacred face of Jesus. In the third and last part we see figures associated with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. A bronze figure creates a link between towers of St. Bartholomew and St.Thomas.

Work on the Glory façade only began in 2002, and it represents the road to God. We should hope for the best, because if by any chance it is ever completed, it promises to be the most magnificent (as you might expect from the name!). I will have to visit again, once the work is done. 

It is rumoured that Gaudi, a fervent Catholic, hid some Christian mysteries and symbols in the figures on this facade. Once it is finished, this part will become the main facade of the church, and the public will enter from this side. Knowing that he would never finish this façade, Gaudi left a small model, but unfortunately it was ruined in 1936. In order to complete this façade, all other structures in Carrer de Mallorca will have be demolished. Once completed, demons, idols, false gods, heresy and schisms depicted in the archway will represent Hell, and bad habits. Purgatory and death will also have a place in this archway. The archway will have 7 columns dedicated to holy spirits, with the Seven virtues at the top, and the Seven Deadly Sins at the bottom. 

Catalans, who suffered under the fascist dictator Franco until 1975, looked after this cathedral well in no small part because Gaudi was also a Catalan. Although the Spanish lay claim to this cathedral, the Catalans have no intention of losing their claim to this structure as a symbol of their culture. 

Casa Mila (La Pedrera): The closest underground stop to this street is Diagonal. You can also get off at Passeig de Gracia, which is also very close. As with most places in the city, you can also reach here by using the hop-on-hop-off. I prefer to explore a city by walking, and after taking in the Gothic Quarter and ending up in Catalunya Square, I arrived at the beautiful Passeig de Gracia. 

Everywhere in the centre of Barcelona feels very close, especially after Istanbul. I strongly advise you to buy your entrance ticket online, so you don’t have to wait in the long queues. After the Sagrada Familia, this is probably Gaudi’s second most important building in Barcelona. It has two yards, so every part of this building is bathed in beautiful sunlight. However because it was made with natural stone, it is not the most colourful building. 

The most attractive part is the roof, which is dotted with various surrealist style chimneys, and is open to visitors. As well as the chimneys resembling soldiers in science-fiction stories, you can see a breathtaking view of Eixample, as well as some of Gaudi’s works, photographs and drawings. Built between 1906-1910, this structure was Gaudi’s last project before he devoted himself fully to the Sagrada Familia. Casa Mila turns conventional architecture on its head, and was built after a wealthy man, Pere Mila, saw Casa Batlo and decided he wanted a building to rival it. Pere Milà allegedly dedicated it to his wife from Indiano, Roser Segimon i Artells, who was the widow of José Guardiola. Gossip at the time hypothesised that either Roser married Pere for his money or Pere married Roser because she was the widow of Guardiola! 

So different to the prevailing aesthetic of the era, in public it was nicknamed “La Pedrera”, which translates as “The Quarry”. Disorganized floors were made with steel, the weight of the ceilings and columns were kept different, and wrought iron terraces resembling statues are all designed differently. The outside of the building looks like it was shaped by the wind, not by human design. The building is still in use as a residence, and a workplace. 

Casa Batllo: The inspiration for Casa Mila, it is open to the public from 9 am to 9 pm everyday. You can reach here either by using the hop-on-hop-off or by getting off at Passeig de Gracia. Known locally as the “Casa del Ossos”, it was built for a middle class family and restored by Antoni Gaudi and Josep Maria Jujol. 

Built in 1877, this building was redesigned in 1905-1907 and has an extraordinary almost fairy tale design. It is a fantastic example of modern architecture and Art Nouveau, and is particularly worth seeing from the ground floor which has unusual tracery, irregular oval windows and flowing sculpted stone work. Plain lines are nowhere to be seen, and Gaudi thought through every detail of Casa Batllo including wooden doors, engraved glass windows, and fireplaces with colorful tiles. 

Most of the front of the building was made with broken, asymmetrical ceramics. There are bone-like columns in the terraces and the upper floors include parts which look like skulls. These designs give it another nickname, the “House of Bones”. The roof is curved so that it looks like a dragon or dinosaur skeleton, and the skull figures at the front of the building look like the victims of this monster! 

In the late 19^th century when eclecticism was a normal act of behavior, this structure was considered an ordinary building which had nothing special about it. The building has one basement, one ground floor, and 4 upper floors, as well as a garden and terrace at the back. 

Bought by Josep Batlo in 1900, this building was redesigned to adapt to both Passeig de Gracia and his own quality standards. Josep Battlo was a textile businessman who owned many factories and married Amalia Godo Belaunzaran of La Vanguardia Family. He was well-known in Barcelona society in the early 1900s. He wanted his carefulness, success and creativity in his own life reflected in this work. The reason why he wanted to work with Gaudi was his desire to create something different and unusual. Although it was nominated for the Best Building prize from Barcelona City Council in 1906, Gaudi’s work of art failed to win. 

Josep Battlo died in 1934 and the house was used by his wife until her death in 1940. Until 1954 the building was used by his children, until it was bought as offices by an insurance company, Seguros Iceria. The building was restored in 1970, and was bought by its current owners in 1993. In 1995, the building was made available to rent. 

Casa Batllo is one of the most important museum houses in Barcelona ,and is a hugely popular tourist destination. 

Passeig De Gracia: This is one of the most amazing streets in Barcelona, and is a totally charming place by both night and day. It’s distinguished architecture really gives it a ‘wow’ factor. Many high fashion stores are open here, and it is the most expensive street in the city. It is in the centre of Eixample, but only a few minutes away from Plaça de Catalunya, and extends to Carrer Gran de Gracia. Casa Batllo and Casa Milo are both on this street. 

Rambla De Catalunya: Parallel to Passeig de Gracia, this is another important street with many trendy shops. 

Camp Nou: You can easily reach Camp Nou by underground or hop-on-hop-off. If you have time, go visit whether you like football or not, as it is an incredibly impressive structure, and part of the heart and soul of Barcelona. If possible, go to a football match, as the atmosphere is out of this world. 

Horta-Guinardó:

Horta: This is a distinguished place in Horta-Guinardó with panoramic view, a labyrinth and cool streets. Despite its delightful atmosphere, it is pretty uncrowded with few visitors. 

Sants-Montjuïc: Plaza Espana is at the heart of Sants-Montjuic, and it is always full of wonderful fairs and exhibitions, as well as some of the best museums, statues, and festivals in the city. I can confirm from personal experience that New Year’s Eve here is a special experience. 

This is a great place to start your tour of Barcelona, whether you have booked a hotel in La Rambla, or you are coming from harbor by cable car or hop-on-hop-off. Start off your visit to Sants-Montjuic with Laribal Gardens and Montjuic Castle, then look at the view from the ladders of Palau National. Here, there are a bunch of buildings remaining from the 1992 Olympics, like Palau Sant Jardi. Poble Espanyol, built in 1929, gives you a chance to explore 116 buildings of Spain, each with their own original architecture. The Joan Miro Museum, the Olympics and Sports Museum, and the Olympic Park are also worth visiting. You can walk down from there to watch the show at the Magic Fountain or to visit the Catalonia National Art Museum, which is free after 3pm on Saturdays.

Tibidabo: A mountain in Barcelona with a wonderful view of the city and the sea. According to a myth, the devil offered Jesus the world instead of his holiness from this mountain. There is an amusement park, a telecommunications tower named Torre de Collserola, and a Catholic church named Temple de Sagrat Cor. Above the church there is a statue by Josep Miret Llopart named “Sacred Heart of Jesus”.

Outside of the City:

Andorra: Essentially a country-sized duty-free shopping centre between France and Spain, filled with natural beauty. I didn’t visit because I don’t like shopping, but they say it is worth seeing. Every shop is like a duty-free shop, with prices even lower than in some airports. Watches, sunglasses, electronics, skiing and sports materials and perfume can be up to half price. It is 3 hours from Barcelona by car. 

The country is set in a very narrow valley, with a river running along the valley floor, and mountains reaching up to touch the sky. They made their cities by cutting through the mountains. Due to the spectacular mountain landscape, it is a fantastic spot for skiing. 

Montserrat: The monastery where Gaudi had his religious education and where you can see the sacred “Black Madonna” icon which Gaudi used in the Sagrada Familia. It is one and a half hours drive to Barcelona. You can get here by train from Montserrat-Aeri station. It makes a nice trip for about half a day. 

Sitges: This is a small and cute town about 20 minutes from Barcelona with a thriving gay scene. You can get here by car or by train from Sants Estacio which leaves every half an hour. If you intend to go by car, it is worth choosing the free roads instead of the roads signed with Peaje-Toll, which are very expensive. If you choose to travel by train, first go to Sants Estacio on the metro, and then find the Renfe train that goes to Sitges. As well as being a beautiful touristic town with 9 beaches and lovely coast roads, it is also a historical place that is well worth exploring. Many rich and famous Spaniards have resorts here. 

Girona: A small city with a large Jewish Community going back over 600 years. Girona is defined by its narrow roads, the town square, and a Turkish bath which harks back to Arabian-Ottoman culture. 

Figueras: This town is home to the Dali Museum.

La Roca Village Outlet: As the name suggests, this is a shopping outlet. You can find more info here .

Food: Catalans eat their lunch between 13:30- 15:30, and tend to eat dinner late from about 21:00- 23:30. Like us, they are accustomed to a three course meal, with starters, main courses and desserts. Generally they start with alcohol or pintxos. Pintxos are similar to sliders, little light bites on an individual toothpick. One of my favourite places for pintxos was the Euskal Etxea Euskal Taberna, who also make really special tapas. 

Restaurants are usually closed between 16:00- 20:00 for the “migdiada” or siesta. There is a nice restaurant on the corner across from the ice cream shop when you enter Plaça Reial from La Rambla. I highly recommend eating tapas there. Tapas originally comes from Andalusia, not Catalonia, but is hugely popular in Barcelona nevertheless. For sangria, there is a café in the museum near Columbus Statue (I have to admit that we didn’t like any other sangria that we tried!). For breakfast, don’t leave without visiting Milk in Barri Gotic. We are still talking about how delicious that breakfast was. If you like seafood, I strongly recommend the paella at 7 Portes. 

Shopping: Shopping centres are closed on Sunday, but boutique shops are open. Ciutat Vella and Eixample both have many boutiques and shops, and every one of them is fantastic. When you reach Port Veil from La Rambla, there is the Maremagnum Shopping Centre, but I only went there to please my friend. I will never understand the point of going to another country just to go shopping in a shopping centre which mostly contains identikit shops that we have in our own country. Don’t miss Portal de Angel, and we discovered a Nişantaşı in Passeig de Gracia.

Entertainment: I recommend the bars on the terraces in Port Olympic, although everywhere is a place for entertainment in Barcelona because of its young and vibrant population. There are also lots of clubs and bars in Plaça Reial. Sadly I couldn’t try all of them, because we were there for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. 

Flamenco: I spent a lot of time searching for a good flamenco show, only to be disappointed. We took the recommendation of the receptionist at our hotel, and it did not live up to expectations. I won’t write the name in case you are tempted to try for yourself, as it was really disappointing. I was later told by all the Catalans I met that flamenco is really a Spanish thing, and not really part of Catalan culture, which may explain things.

Transportation: The best way to get around Barcelona is to buy a 2 day hop-on-hop-off ticket. Barcelona is a small city and you can easily tour most parts simply by walking. Anywhere not in walking distance will almost certainly be on the hop-on-hop-off route. The airport is 12-14 km away from the city, and the Aerobus takes you straight from Arrivals to the centre of town. 

PLEASE BEWARE OF PICKPOCKETS!!! It never occurred to me, but we were warned a lot.

Museums: The Picasso Museum in El Born was one I would never miss. It was free on Sunday. The Fundacio Joan Miro in Montjuic is also one you should definitely visit. 

Note:  If you want to visit more than one museum, you can buy a ticket from articketbcn for 30€ that allows you to visit 6 museums with one ticket.