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Discover Places to Go and Things to Do
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Barcelona, Spain
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The Old Town
Barcelona's old town, or Ciutat Vella, is the heart of the city. It's made up of many small neighbourhoods, full of old-world character, linked by narrow, winding streets. The old town has recently enjoyed an economic revival after many years of decline. Students, foreigners and artists have moved into the area, attracted by its sense of history and cosmopolitan feel, along with its trendy bars, concert halls and good restaurants.
Start your tour from  Plaça Catalunya and take Les Rambles (or Las Ramblas in Spanish) towards the sea. On the right, you'll find the Raval district with its museums, art galleries and notorious red-light area, Barri Xines.
Barcelona's old town, or Ciutat Vella, is the heart of the city. It's made up of many small neighbourhoods, full of old-world character, linked by narrow, winding streets. The old town has recently enjoyed an economic revival after many years of decline. Students, foreigners and artists have moved into the area, attracted by its sense of history and cosmopolitan feel, along with its trendy bars, concert halls and good restaurants.
Start your tour from Plaça Catalunya and take Les Rambles (or Las Ramblas in Spanish) towards the sea. On the right, you'll find the Raval district with its museums, art galleries and notorious red-light area, Barri Xines. On your left, the medieval Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is home to the cathedral, peaceful Plaça del Pi , art galleries and lots of cafés serving delicious hot chocolate. If you go even further left, across busy Via Laietana , you'll come to Born market, in La Ribera district. This trendy neighbourhood is also home to the graceful Santa Maria del Mar Church and the impressive Museu Picasso .
The Eixample
When the old town became overpopulated in the mid-19th century, the city expanded inland, north of Plaça Catalunya. The streets of the new suburb, called L'Eixample , or the extension, were laid out in a grid pattern. Catalan modernista (Art Nouveau) architects designed a number of striking buildings in the area around Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya.
You'll find the extraordinary Sagrada Familia on the right-hand side of Eixample if you're coming from the old town. This controversial church, unfinished because of the untimely death of its architect, Antoni Gaudí, in 1926, has become the city's most visited monument.
As Barcelona expanded further north, more new neighborhoods were built. Villages were absorbed within the city boundaries giving rise to districts like the charming Gràcia , Les Corts , Sarrià and Hortà-Guinardò, up in the hills.
The working-class neighbourhood of Sants marks the city's southern boundary and has excellent public transport to the centre.
Green Areas
Montjüic hill, in the southwest of the city, offers many attractions including the Olympic stadium and other facilities used for the 1992 Olympic Games, along with the impressive Fundació Miró . The best way to get to the hill is to take the cable car from the nearby harbour.
Barcelona's other major green area is 550 meter Tibidabo hill to the northwest, with its panoramic views of the city, amusement park on the summit and Torre de Comunicaciones de Collserola (Collserola Communications Tower).
Both Montjüic and Tibidabo offer good sports facilities as well.
The Seaside
The mild Mediterranean climate and calm seas mean you can sail and windsurf all year round from Port Olímpic (Olympic Port). Little boats (golondrinas) leaving from the harbour will take you on a sightseeing tour of the city's waterfront and nearby coastline. The fishing district of Barceloneta offers excellent seafood restaurants. Ultra-modern Maremagnum has busy bars with outdoor terraces, discos, shops and cinemas. You'll also find trendy open-air music bars in Port Olímpic in the summer. Half an hour's journey to the south, Sitges' pretty beaches attract a cosmopolitan crowd. For more peaceful surroundings, head north to one of Costa Brava's deserted coves.
Sant Adrià de Besòs - El Fòrum
Constructed and remodeled to host the Fòrum de Les Cultures in 2004, this area located to the north of the city has bloomed as a new cultural center. The beautiful architecture, designed by Jacques Herzog and Pierre de Meuron, as well as the numerous events that take place in the ultra-modern location of Parc del Fòrum , such as Primavera Sound or Summercase , attract thousands of visitors every year.
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By MyEuropeanDreams
5 days
Though I'll extend my European Vacation to 3 to 4 weeks, I wanted to build this segment as a separate trip so it'll be easier for me to print out the itinerary & have one for each country I visit. This trip is specifically for things I want to do in Barcelona.
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201 people reviewed Barcelona (1-20 out of 201)
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Top
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at 6:10PM April 15, 2010
City with Character, Nice Beaches.
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at 5:31PM June 12, 2008
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at 11:04PM May 28, 2008
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at 4:30AM February 26, 2010
fine!
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at 2:10PM September 22, 2009
One of my favorite placesin te world. The atmosphere is amazing and diverse, there is something there for everyone.
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at 1:30PM September 3, 2009
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at 12:50PM April 4, 2009
Barcelona is amazing so relaxed and peaceful. One thing you can not go to bed early or you'll miss all the fun.
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at 2:10PM January 20, 2009
The most singluarily amazing place I have ever been.
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at 4:09AM September 16, 2008
Paris by the sea, very original cultural city with refreshing atmosphere of mix of the old and modern, fantastic architecture of Gaudi and other modernists, beautiful parks and seaside, lot of museums
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at 11:20AM June 16, 2008
I love spanish food, the spanish, and can just go back to this country over and over.
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at 6:00PM June 14, 2008
en el estadio del Barcelona nos tomamos una foto con Ronaldino...
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at 7:40AM June 13, 2008
Cosmopolita, uma babel etnica
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at 10:21AM June 10, 2008
I used to live in Barcelona. I loved every minute of it. As a city it has everything you want from Art to Nightlife, Beach to shopping. Wonderful place.
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at 8:47AM June 3, 2008
Amasing City - so much to do!
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at 2:41PM May 31, 2008
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at 1:23PM May 29, 2008
went for 14 day's very hot met loads of friendly people lovely place to go to for a summer break.
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at 10:59AM May 29, 2008
One of my favourite places in the world.
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at 3:23AM May 29, 2008
es una ciudad maravillosa
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at 1:38AM May 29, 2008
Sagrada Familia is incredible
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at 1:32AM May 29, 2008
Absolutely addictive!!!
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