Barcelona tourist trail
TravelSavvy holiday travel guide to a Barcelona tourist trail
Explore the more modern parts of Barcelona and there's still plenty to delight every visitor.
Eixample is north of the Ramblas, while Port Vell and Barceloneta are down by the sea. Football fans will find it hard to resist a trip to the Camp Nou stadium.
An ideal walk would be from the Columbus statue near the port. Head up the Ramblas before turning right to the Placa Reial. Return to the Rambla before turning left into the Mercat de Sant Josep, better known as La Boqueria.
Then it's northwards again, stopping at the Font de Canaletes and then the Placa Catalunya, the city's hub. Now head into the Barri Gottic on Avinguda Portal de l'Angel passing the Cathedral. Next is the Placa Sant Jaume, the administrative centre before heading to the beautiful Santa Maria del Mar, a 14th century church. The walk concludes at the Estacio de Nord and the Parc Ciutadella, an ideal spot to picnic.
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North of the massive Placa de Catalunya at the top of the Ramblas is Eixample or ‘Extension’, a modern addition to Barcelona. It’s designed on a grid of elegant, wide streets with fashionable apartments, shops and fine restaurants. There are good examples of Modernista architecture including many of Gaudi’s most famous designs.
The main streets are the Passeig de Gracia, featuring Gaudi’s La Pedrera, and Rambla de Catalunya. To the east is the Dreta de l’Eixample where the legendary Sagrada Familia church attracts virtually every visitor to the city.
The Mansana de la Discordia, or ‘Block of Discord’ is just four blocks from Placa de Catalunya and features a series of buildings by three architects in completely different styles.
The best are the Casa Amatller, with the Centre del Modernisme on the ground floor, and the Gaudi-designed Casa Batllo - parts of which are open for tours, which are strongly recommended.
Down by the sea there’s been a huge revamp, partly kicked off by the 1992 Olympics with the Olympic Village and Port Olimpic where many watersports events were held.
The old port, or Port Vell has also been transformed, making this a pleasant and entertaining part of town. It's across the road from the Columbus statue, at the bottom of the Ramblas.
You cross the wooden swing bridge, or Rambla de Mar to the Maremagnum entertainment complex with bars, restaurants and shops. It’s a pleasant space by day or night. Next door is the aquarium and then the IMAX Port Vell cinema.
Barceloneta was developed in the 18th century on a grid pattern, with small squares and standardized housing. It’s now popular for its seafood restaurants.
To the north of Barceloneta there are pleasant beaches that offer relief from the summer city heat. Or, for a trip to remember, catch the Teleferic from the Torre Sant Sebastia and take a cable car ride across the harbour to Montjuic.
There are bars, restaurants and nightspots galore in the area where 1992 watersports events were held. It is very popular in the summer.
Barcelona's two tallest buildings are here along with an attractive, if pricey, residential area. Inland, the Poble Nou area is also being gentrified while the older parts can be reached by strolling up Rambla Poble Nou towards the Metro station.
Football fans will head to one of the world's great football stadiums. It's to the northwest in Diagonal - Barcelona tour buses stop at the stadium which can house 99,000 fans.
Football is a near-religion in Barcelona and FC Barcelona has the world's highest football club membership. The Museu del Barca has fascinating displays and there's a shop and cafe.
Barcelona city break soccer fans can book official tickets for Barcelona football games at the Camp Nou Stadium from footballticketsbarcelona.com and that includes Spanish League, Champions League and Spanish Cup games.
Barcelona has 24 twin or sister cities around the world
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