#BARCELONA
Colourful architecture, Art, culture and delightful food
There is always a destination where there are no words to describe it. There is so much to write about Barcelona we do not know where to start. Looking for best holidays in Spain? Take a look at our detailed list of things to do in our favorite city of Barcelona and start dreaming.
Barcelona breaths architecture. An ideal city for art and culture enthusiasts and food lovers.
It is quite easy to completely lose yourself in beauty at this magnificent brilliant city.
As there are so many magnificent things to do in Barcelona we have to categorize into 4 categories for our type of travelers.
DISCOVER BARCELONA
Architectural Hopping
One of the first thing to do at your holidays in Spain and especially Barcelona is to start exploring all the architectural miracles of Gaudi. Lets start with the most iconic ones like
La Sagrada familia
This extraordinary temple is the number one place to go if you visit Barcelona. It is an architectural miracle in a city full of light, architecture, and art. Book your ticket in advance and be awestruck by the rainbow stained glass, facades especially the nativity, it is undoubtedly the most famous and iconic landmark in Spain.
Even though its construction began in 1882 donating to the world a neo-gothic architectural style
Gaudi never had a chance to finish this remarkable building. What makes this giant of true beauty so impressive?
The towers. Each tower represents a religious hierarchy (one dedicated to Jesus Christ another to Virgin Mary) where if you climb you will be amazed by the views and the amount of detail in this miracle of architecture.
The facades three in total also carry a symbolic meaning the nativity façade is all about Christ birth celebrating the miracle of life, the passion represents the suffering of Jesus to free the world of its sins. Finally the Glory façade symbolises the resurrection and the glory of the religion. Just like life good Fridays of sorrow, blessed Sundays of hope.
Park Guell
Park Guell is a true architectural feast for the eyes and the soul. It is a remarkable masterpiece of colourful mosaic lizard and a must see attraction. It is shaped like a long colourful snake. If it were to describe Guadi’s vision on this monument it would be a free-flowing curving organic lively forms and shapes that are full of color, imagination and exuberant concepts. The views that it offers are just one of its many elements that makes it unique. Full of symbolism both political and religious, inspired by nature it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Catedral de Barcelona
An astonishing 14th century gothic architecture monument dedicated to Santa Eulalia is the favorite of the locals. Its construction began in 1928 and was used as a crypt of a Christian woman tortured for its religious beliefs. She was a 13 years old martyr and it is the home of 13 white geese. The cloister and the choir are amazing and the views at the rooftop are priceless.
Santa Maria del Mar
Nestled on the streets in Barcelona this perfect example of Gothic architecture was constructed on the 14th century. The extraordinary basilica and the whole temple is called by Ildefonso Falcones as the cathedral of the sea.
Casa Batllo
Another Gaudi masterpiece was built between 1904 for entrepreneur Josep Batllo. It is also known as house of the bones and it is the perfect example of Catalan architecture. This magical and extraordinary building is covered in little pieces of glass blue, green or white and it resembles Monets water lillies painting. Curvy just like nature Gaudi ultimate inspiration. The buildings main entrance the staircase one and only rooftop and chimneys will leave you in speechless. Did you find the dragon?
Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site
Architectural jewels like this one again took place at the 20th century where the architect Pere Domenech I Roura designed a hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau a sanitary complex a flagship property of Catalan Art nouveau architecture. The history of medicine and the vision of the architect of a big garden to house the ill instead of a plain hospital is described in some of its pavilions. It is an arts venue and a museum today.
Palau de la Musica Catalana
Catalan architect Lluis Domenech I Montaner was forced to capture a unique Catalan building to express national pride and yet he did deliver to the world a magical place. Another UNESCO World Heritage site since 1977 has a beautiful ornamentation and sculpture which decorates the whole building. Check out the glass skylight and the acoustic of the building. Gloriously spectacular at night time.
Casa Vicens
Surprisingly Gaudis first work was a summer house of a stockbroker called Manel Vicens.
Colorful with the main medium of construction, tiles and more flowered adorned tiles this terracotta building with the impressive entrance will make you understand that color is the only thing that Gaudi worshiped.
Casa Mila la pedrera
It is considered pioneering in terms of modern building amenities. It has a perfect ventilation as well as an underground garage. The construction is a combination of ironwork and concrete. While inside, he has paid attention to even the smallest detail, from the knobs on the doors to the lamps that bear the stamp of Gaudí’s intelligence. Another impressively surreal space with sculptures is the roof of the building. The combination of the eccentricity of the building with the conservative medieval furniture inside, creates an interesting contrast between the eccentricity of modernism and the seriousness of the 19th century era. Isn’t this the best holidays in Spain? Surely is but wait there is more to visit and explore.
Museum Hopping
In order to fully capture the spirit and light of this city and experience the best holidays in Spain let start exploring the museums below:
Museu Picasso
In this remarkable Pablos Picassos museum we will discover artists development process with over 4000 work pieces from adolescent portraits up until the Blue periods.
MNAC: Museu Nacional d art de Catalunya
The National Art Museum of Catalonia is an impressive overview of Catalan Art from 12 th to 20th centuries. Well worth a visit with a fantastic gothic collection in addition to fantastic vistas at the top.
Fundacio Antoni Tapies
Antoni Tapies is a Catalan artist who used waste paper, mud and rags as part of his paintings, furniture and water! Today this remarkable cultural centre is an ode to contemporary art.
Fundacio Joan Miro
In this magical and impressive building a visitor can find a huge collection of Miros graphic work. The outside space of Miros sculpture gallery is so impressive making this visit a memory that will not fade away.
MACBA Museum d Art Contemporani
It hosts the city’s main collection of contemporary Art, enriched with exhibitions of Catalan and Spanish artists.
Virreina Centre de la Imatge
This is a visual creation museum full of exhibitions related to photography all housed to a Baroque Palace in the middle of La Rambla.
Arts Santa Monica
A digital Media museum with work produced in Catalonia including performing Arts, music even gastronomy. Located in La Rambla the most popular road of Barcelona. Yet there is more to visit on your best holidays in Spain. Lets live the moment and start experience hopping around this city.
Experience Hopping
La Rambla
A visitor in Barcelona city must explore its most famous street la Rambla. This street will awake your five senses and instantly understand the vibe of Barcelona. Joan Miro mosaic is a feast for the eyes on this beautiful full of energy and aura 1.2 km walk. Don’t forget to visit La boqueria Barcelonas oldest Market.
Montjuic and Tibidabo
For a cooler breeze clim up to Tibidabo and Montjuic via funicular. If you have children with you a walk at Tibidabo amusement park will make them so happy. Olive tasting and wine tasting in addition to botanical garden on Montjuic will make your time worthwhile.
Camp Nou
The biggest home stadium and probably the biggest in Europe it is unarguably a temple for those who love either soccer or Lionel Messi. The Spanish soccer league runs from mid August to end of May if you wish to buy a ticket but tours of the museum filled with trophies of Lionel are always available. Even if you are not into football lets start living the moment at parks and garden all around the city. There is so much more to experience at your best holidays in Spain.
Parks and gardens
Parc del Laberint d Horta
A maze of green rules this remarkable park the oldest in Barcelona filled with lily ponds and mythological figures and even though you are not in Crete the Greek myth of Theseus is recreated in Barcelona ! Astonishing ! kids will love their holidays in Spain and will sure remember this for ever.
Parc de la Cuitadella
The Parc de la Ciutadella is very idyllic and probably the greenest oasis in the megacity of Barcelona. It invites you to relax, to rebound and to go for long walks, as well as for a picnic. You can also use a rowing boat on the lake.
On the grounds of the Parc de la Ciutadella, there are several attractions: the zoo, the Catalan Parliament. The Museu d’Art Modern is situated in the building of the parliament. The Zoological Museum and the Museu de Geologia are placed in the area of the park.
Cava Making
If you visit Barcelona through global luxe traveller you are up to original and worthwhile- fun activities that will not fade away. This is an amazing travel to you own making Catalan Champagne called cava be involved in tasting picking up your favorable blend and be involved in production process of a cava that has your name on it.
Espadrilles workshop
A gal loves to shop shoes this is the ultimate shopping experience enriched with the idea of making your own shoes is something unique, amazing and luxurious. At this workshop were you will learn how to stitch your own Catalan shoes. We will guide you through the whole process. You will learn about the history of the Espadrilles, about the Spanish culture and about various local traditions
Sketching workshops/ photography workshops and Mosaic classes
There are plenty things to do in Barcelona but living like an artist tops it all. Sketching, be a photographer for a day or live and work like Gaudi is a memorable experience. Try it out and enjoy a unique vacation.
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