SPAIN |
In this article, you will read about Barcelona. |
Being neighbors with France and Portugal in South-East Europe, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, as well as being separated from North Africa only with Gibraltar Strait; Spain is influenced by many architectural styles and cultures since very early times.
With its warm climate, as well as hospitable and enjoyable people, amazing cuisine, world renowned artists, and a long and rich history, Spain has always been my dream destination. Though I had a chance to see only the city of Barcelona within the country, I was very fulfilled in the end as one of my dreams came true!
In June 2015, on my two-week ‘Eurotrip’, I had great moments on the road: From Budapest in Hungary to Barcelona in Spain, to Lisbon and Estoril in Portugal, and to Rome, Pisa and Milan in Italy, the experience has been one of my longest solo trips up to that time. The feeling of standing on my own feet as a woman, meeting new people from all walks of life on the one side and visiting my friends that I met before in other countries, and visiting 4 countries and 7 cities in 14 days… Knowing that every corner of the world is your home…
On June 10, I took a late flight from Budapest and arrived in Barcelona at around 11 pm. And what I wasn’t aware of that was the working hours of the reception at the hostel I booked before! Before arriving, I didn’t know that it wasn’t a 24-hour reception and was closing at 10 pm. For late arrivals, you had to tell them, and I completely overlooked that ☹ I ranged the bell but nobody answered. Then I desperately began to look for other hostels nearby, and found one after 2 hours of searching! There in my new hostel, I met one of my friend from my university: What a great coincidence!
What I was really amazed by in Barcelona was the orderliness of streets, which were extremely organized like a cake cut into slices in the same size! Though it took me a while to realize it, I saw a postcard of Barcelona with a bird's eye view: That was the moment of both amazement and admiration!
With its warm climate, as well as hospitable and enjoyable people, amazing cuisine, world renowned artists, and a long and rich history, Spain has always been my dream destination. Though I had a chance to see only the city of Barcelona within the country, I was very fulfilled in the end as one of my dreams came true!
In June 2015, on my two-week ‘Eurotrip’, I had great moments on the road: From Budapest in Hungary to Barcelona in Spain, to Lisbon and Estoril in Portugal, and to Rome, Pisa and Milan in Italy, the experience has been one of my longest solo trips up to that time. The feeling of standing on my own feet as a woman, meeting new people from all walks of life on the one side and visiting my friends that I met before in other countries, and visiting 4 countries and 7 cities in 14 days… Knowing that every corner of the world is your home…
On June 10, I took a late flight from Budapest and arrived in Barcelona at around 11 pm. And what I wasn’t aware of that was the working hours of the reception at the hostel I booked before! Before arriving, I didn’t know that it wasn’t a 24-hour reception and was closing at 10 pm. For late arrivals, you had to tell them, and I completely overlooked that ☹ I ranged the bell but nobody answered. Then I desperately began to look for other hostels nearby, and found one after 2 hours of searching! There in my new hostel, I met one of my friend from my university: What a great coincidence!
What I was really amazed by in Barcelona was the orderliness of streets, which were extremely organized like a cake cut into slices in the same size! Though it took me a while to realize it, I saw a postcard of Barcelona with a bird's eye view: That was the moment of both amazement and admiration!
Barcelona is a sui generis (one of a kind) place! It is a city as if it came out from the dreams of the famous architect, Antoni Gaudi, who uniquely harmonized the architectural styles of Art Nouveau, Surrealism and Modernism. You could see touches of Gaudi everywhere in the city! In parks, streets, and in its most beautiful but uncompleted and legendary masterpiece, Sagrada Familia…
So, let’s start to explore the city!
So, let’s start to explore the city!
Barcelona
Mini Info about the City
Being the second largest city of Spain with a population of 2 million people, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, which is an autonomous region in the north-east of Spain.
Barcelona is a city for every taste: the city has large and refreshing parks, as well as long and sandy beaches full of life! Due to the variety of touristic attractions, a vibrant and youthful nightlife, and a well-developed transportation system, Barcelona has become among the most renowned and visited tourist destination not only in Europe, but also in the world.
Several flight companies fly to Barcelona, including the budget airlines such as Ryanair, Vueling and Wizzair. Transfer from the airport to city center is provided by several options: you can either take a public bus, airport train, metro, or an Express transfer called ‘Aerobus’. I used Aerobus which takes the passengers to Plaça Espanya or Plaça de Catalunya, and costs €5.90 for one-way ticket. For other transfer options, you can check this web page.
Barcelona has a well-connected public transportation which includes metro lines, as well as public buses. Noteworthy that there is Wi-Fi service in the city, more than 700 spots, which is free of charge!
Being the second largest city of Spain with a population of 2 million people, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, which is an autonomous region in the north-east of Spain.
Barcelona is a city for every taste: the city has large and refreshing parks, as well as long and sandy beaches full of life! Due to the variety of touristic attractions, a vibrant and youthful nightlife, and a well-developed transportation system, Barcelona has become among the most renowned and visited tourist destination not only in Europe, but also in the world.
Several flight companies fly to Barcelona, including the budget airlines such as Ryanair, Vueling and Wizzair. Transfer from the airport to city center is provided by several options: you can either take a public bus, airport train, metro, or an Express transfer called ‘Aerobus’. I used Aerobus which takes the passengers to Plaça Espanya or Plaça de Catalunya, and costs €5.90 for one-way ticket. For other transfer options, you can check this web page.
Barcelona has a well-connected public transportation which includes metro lines, as well as public buses. Noteworthy that there is Wi-Fi service in the city, more than 700 spots, which is free of charge!
Must-See Places
Barcelona is a huge city, and it is full of life! Below are listed only an overview of the landmarks.
Barcelona is a huge city, and it is full of life! Below are listed only an overview of the landmarks.
- Basilica of Sagrada Familia: The story about the basilica is that after its construction have started, Gaudi died because of a tram crash in 1926. That is why its building couldn’t have been finished back then, and it is still under construction. It is estimated that it will be fully completed between the years of 2026-2028. But why it takes so long to finish? The reason is that its architecture is very complicated and construction is done only with the small contributions of benevolent people.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Sagrada Familia is the most renowned and popular landmark in Barcelona, and a testament to Antonio Gaudi's modernist style. With vaulted ceilings and columns looking like trees, and astonishingly long towers, the basilica offers a splendid view to the visitors.
Noteworthy that together with other ‘Works of Antonio Gaudi’, the basilica was designated in UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984. There is an entrance fee for the basilica which costs €15. If you want to go up to towers, an additional €4.50 is charged. You can purchase the tickets here on the official website of Sagrada Familia. |
- Casa Mila is among the artworks of Antonio Gaudi, which is located in Eixample district. Designed with a Modernist architecture, the construction of the building was completed between the years of 1906 and 1912. With its front façade, Gaudi wanted to give an impression of sea waves and mosses. The building is also listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List with other Gaudi works.
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- Parc Güell is a very popular landmark, and among the most visited touristic destinations in Barcelona. It is a very large urban park, particularly influenced by the works of Gaudi. As of 2014, the park is divided into two sections: a natural area near the hilltop, which is a free access area; and a sculpture park situated below, where you need to pay an entrance fee for €8. The park is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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- Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is a must-see that shows the city’s foundation which dates back to the Roman times, more than 2000 years ago. Completely pedestrian, it is the center of the old city of Barcelona, a part of Ciutat Vella district. With a stunning and glorious architecture and ancient buildings, the quarter offers you to have one of the best of Barcelona experience. The remains of the Roman and Medieval walls, the Barcelona Cathedral, a number of Gothic buildings are among the landmarks that you will see during your visit.
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- Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar (Cathedral of St Mary of the Sea) is a Catalan Gothic-style church. The church dates back to the 10th century, but some other parts were added in different periods. It is located in the Gothic Quarter, and close to Picasso Museum.
- Barcelona Cathedral is a Gothic-style Roman Catholic church. Also known as the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, it is situated in Ciuta Vella district, close to Plaça de Catalunya. It was constructed in the 13th and 15th centuries.
- National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya - MNAC) is a visual art museum located in Montjuïc hill with large collections ranging from Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Modern times. The building where the museum resides is called ‘Palau Nacional (National Palace)’ which was designed to be the main site of the 1929 International Exhibition, and has been a home to the museum since 1934.
- Plaça d’Espanya is among the most important squares in Barcelona, and situated very close to MNAC on Montjuïc hill. It was built on the occasion of the 1929 International Exhibition, on a site that had been previously used for public hangings until the 18th century. There are several landmarks on the square, including two Venetian Towers and a bullring (Arenas de Barcelona).
- Ciutadella Park (Parc de la Ciutadella) is a park located in Ciutat Vella district, very close to the Triumphal Arch (Arc de Triomf). It includes the city zoo, the Parliament of Catalonia, a small lake, museums, and a large fountain.
- Camp Nou is the home stadium of the world renowned football club, FC Barcelona. Built between 1954 and 1957, the stadium was renovated twice, in 1995 and 2008. The stadium is also used as a museum (FC Barcelona Museum) which is the second most visited museum in Catalonia. In the museum are exhibited FC Barcelona’s trophies, medals, awards, and old strips, as well as information about the club’s long history. Tickets for admission to the museum cost €25 for adults, but there is a discount for students.
What Can You Taste (*heavy breathing*)
Spanish cuisine includes a variety of vegetables, meat and seafood. It is one of the great cuisines in the Mediterranean.
Spanish cuisine includes a variety of vegetables, meat and seafood. It is one of the great cuisines in the Mediterranean.
- Paella is a dish made of boiled rice, different vegetables, and seafood (usually calamari, oysters, fish, shrimp, mussels) or meat. It is very important that the quality changes according to the restaurant, and not all the restaurants in Barcelona cooks it well.
- Tapas is a traditional Spanish specialty usually served in the bars and pubs as snacks. It includes meat, seafood, cheese or vegetables.
- Wine: Spain is one of the greatest wine producers and exporters around the world, and wine is also very popular within the country. You may also try sangria, which is an alcoholic beverage made of wine and juice (usually orange juice).
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Barcelona in terms of the price is a bit problematic as it is not very easy to find budget hostels. You can also search for Airbnb if you are traveling with your friends. I stayed at Equity Point Centric which was just 1 kilometers away from Sagrada Familia, and 500 meters from Plaça de Catalunya.
Accommodation in Barcelona in terms of the price is a bit problematic as it is not very easy to find budget hostels. You can also search for Airbnb if you are traveling with your friends. I stayed at Equity Point Centric which was just 1 kilometers away from Sagrada Familia, and 500 meters from Plaça de Catalunya.