Enjoy Barcelona - A Travel Guide

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This guest post was written by Frederic Stein

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the largest metropolis at the Mediterranean Sea. Due to its climate, culture, history and people, it is one of the most popular places to be visited by tourists from all over the world. Suitable for a weekend trip as well as for a two-week-holiday, the capital of Catalonia has much to offer.

A heaven between sky and sea

Located on the coast of the Iberian Peninsula, Barcelona presents itself with a wonderful panorama framed by blue sea and blue sky. The main city is ornamented with Gothic and Catalan modernist architecture, plazas and beaches. The Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is composed of many medieval buildings such as Barcelona Cathedral, the church Santa Maria or the Mercè basilica. The Plaza Real forms a central square within this quarter and provides much space for festivals.

For those who wish to relax, there is enough space in the sixty-eight parks Barcelona has to offer. Park Güell, for example, invites people to explore its natural and architectural parts, terraces, viaducts, serpentine benches, pathways and mosaics. People who wish to spend some time at the beach and in the Mediterranean Sea can abide at one of the seven beaches, for example at La Barceloneta close to the city center. These beaches are, however, rather crowded and the ones who want to relax, can find more quiet beaches in Pople Nou/Pueblo Nuevo, a district of Barcelona. One can easily get there either by taking the yellow metro line or by walking along the beach.

Restaurants and hotels in Barcelona

Many cafés, bars, restaurants as well as hostels and hotels let their visitors experience Barcelona with all their senses. It is a good idea to check hotel reviews on www.zoover.co.uk in order to find the most suitable place for oneself. Barcelona’s culinary art reaches from traditional Catalan and Mediterranean cuisine, which can especially be found in the Gothic Quarter, over various kinds of seafood at La Barceloneta to the classic tapas bars. Of course, international restaurants and haute cuisine can be found as well. It is important to know that meals in Spain are usually taken later than in other countries, and it might happen that some restaurants off the tourist areas only open their kitchens around 9pm for dinner. If you are not a fan of Paella try the Fideuà instead. It is similar to Pealla but made with thin noodles and eaten with aioli.

Getting around in Barcelona

Tourists will majorly arrive in the city by plane and will land at the Barcelona El Prat Airport, which is 17 kilometers from the city center and well connected. One can either take the train, which is the cheaper alternative or the Aerobus, which costs around €6 and takes you to various spots in Barcelona. In the city itself it is easy to get around by metro, tram or by bus. To prevent people from drinking and then taking the car, the metro rides nonstop during Saturday nights. The black and yellow taxis can also be easily identified on the streets – if the green light is switched on it means the cap is free, while an orange light means it’s occupied.

About the Author: Frederic Stein is a passionate traveler and language enthusiast. He has extensive experience as translator and has been to every continent. He is an avid reader of novels dealing with traveling and enjoys listening to folk music.

Photos via Flickr Creative Commons

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