Millions of visitors are drawn to this Mediterranean city for its world-class attractions, cultural heritage and favourable climate. Never boring, Barcelona has something for everyone, making it a year-round top destination. We finally make it to Barcelona and we love it.
The capital of Catalonia is uniquely diverse. Each district tells a story, making the urge to explore unavoidable. On short visits, a bus tour is an excellent way to see the sights, but many can be seen on foot.
Although Barcelona is the second most populous city in Spain after Madrid, visitors flock to the coastal Mediterranean city in large numbers. Whether you’re looking to relax in some of the city’s many famous parks and beaches, revel in Barcelona’s illustrious club scene, or indulge in Spanish food and drink, Barcelona weekend breaks are a great way to participate in some of Barcelona’s many leisure activities.
Las Arenas faces the Plaça D'Espanya, which was built for the Barcelona Exhibition of 1929. Behind it is the Parc de Joan Miró, formerly the location of the bullring's abattoir
The Arenas (Arenes in Catalan) was built between 1889 and 1900 as the Plaça de Toros de les Arenes, the bullring of Barcelona. It was designed by the Catalan architect August Font i Carreras in a Moorish style with a monumental horseshoe shaped entrance decorated with colorful tiles.
The arena, which has a diameter of 52 meters (171 ft), could seat up to 16,000 spectators. Besides bullfights, the arena also played host to a number of concerts; the Beatles even performed here in 1966.Bullfighting never really caught on in Catalonia and the last bullfight took place here on June 9, 1977, Interior of the Arenas de Barcelona Inside the Arenas, leaving the Plaza de Toros Monumental as the only bullfighting arena in Barcelona. But even that arena closed in early 2012 when a bullfighting ban went into effect in Catalonia.
For decades, the arenas de Barcelona stood empty and it took until 1999 before plans were launched to turn the arena into a modern shopping and entertainment center. The architectural firm of Richard Rogers was selected to design a state of the art complex, while conserving the historic red brick structure.
Palau Nacional
One of these sights is the Palau Nacional (National Palace), originally built as the central pavilion for the International Exhibition. The majestic building in neo-Baroque style is home to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC). Its collection includes Roman, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque art as well as 19th and 20th century works of art.
Plaça Espanya is a lovely plaza just out of the centre of town, where many of the main roads in Barcelona, such as Gran Via and Parallel intersect. It is also home to Barcelona's old bull-fighting ring which is now nothing but a shell, albeit quite a beautiful one.The main draw to Plaça Espanya is the Palau Nacional which is the Museum of Catalan art, stands regally up on the side of Montjuïc. It's stunning and there is never a better time to see it than when it is lit up at night with the Magic Fountain in front.The Magic Fountain is a free music and light show based around the fountains and takes place from.
A fond memory comes to mind with my return this week to the Olympic Stadium Liuis Companys de Montjuic, the fanciful title for the home of the 1992 Olympic Games which hosts the 20th European athletics championships.
Address: Av. de l'Estadi s/n
Phone: 934 262 089
How to get there: Bus 50, 55, 61 and 193 | Barcelona Bus Turístic, stop Anella Olímpica.
Web site: www.agendabcn.com
E-mail: estadi@bsmsa.es
Opening time: Summer, daily from 10am to 8pm.
Winter, daily from 10am to 6pm.
The Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium was built for the 1929 International Exhibition. It was refurbished for the 1992 Olympic Games and occupies a privileged place in the memories of the people of Barcelona.
The stadium opened on 20th May 1929 with a football match during which a Catalan squad beat the English team Bolton Wanderers 4-0. This major sporting facility was used until the 1955 Mediterranean Games, after which it entered a state of decline. When the International Olympic Committee chose Barcelona to host the 1992 Olympic Games, a team of architects made up of Vittorio Gregotti, Frederic Correa, Alfons Milà, Joan Margarit and Carles Buxadé, was commissioned to completely refurbish the stadium. The outer walls were preserved but new stands were built inside, seating up to 54,000 people.
Barcelona Olympic Cauldron 1992
It will be hard for any host to compete with Barcelona's unique way of lighting the Olympic flame at the 1992 opening ceremony.The stadium was plunged into almost total darkness as Spanish basketball star Juan Antonio San Epifanio ran the torch through the gathered athletes to where Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo was waiting.Rebollo lit one of his arrows and fired it across the stadium and over the Olympic cauldron to spectacularly light the flame.
Barcelona Airport is located in the southwest of the Barcelona, 12 km southwest of the center of city, between the city limits of El Prat de Llobregat, the town gives its name to the airport, Viladecans and Sant Boi. Also known as Barcelona el Prat Airport, it is located just three kilometres from the Port of Barcelona and 7 km from the Zona Franca Industrial Estate, one of the most important industrial and logistical parks in Spain and key factor in Barcelona’s economic strength.
Beautiful apartments
Situated Between the city and the sea, the hill of Montjuic offer to its visitors a fun and cultural walk through its museums, gardens, and monuments,. The institutions you will find spread around the Park, of renowned international prestige, make Montjuic the museum centre in excellence in Barcelona, with a diverse, complete offer and well on the way to becoming an area of culture and life.
From the top enjoy Mirarmar, the castle and its Military Museum, you will have a panoramic view on the harbour. Going up or down, take a walk in the numerous gardens such the Jacint Verdager, the Dante Plaza, the Cat Fountain, the Greek Theatre or the Botanic Garden.
More cultural but as interesting, you can visit several important museum of Barcelona. The Miro foundation, MNAC, the Archaeological museum, the Olympic Stadium and its Museum or el « Poble Espanol » are part of the walk. Down the hill, La Caixa Forum, the Mies Van Der Rohe Pavilion and the famous Magic Fountain finished a very busy day visit on Montjuic.
Who is he? He is the mimic street actors, which is popular in Barcelona.
Sardana Monument, Montjuïc
Sardana Dance Statuary located within Parc de Montjuïc dedicated to celebrate typical dance genre performed especially by the Catalonia community. The sardana is a type of circle dance typical of Catalonia, Spain. The dance was originally from the Empordà region, but started gaining popularity throughout Catalonia during the 20th century. People join hands and dance in a circle in sync with the drum taps. The Sardana Dance Statuary is dedicated to celebrate this form of dance. It was created in 1966 by Josep Cañas. Mannequins dressed up in traditional gear against the back drop of well manicured and lush green lawns, makes a pretty picture. Located within the Parc de Montjuïc, it truly represents the ancient dance form.
The Christopher Columbus Monument was built in 1888 in honor of the renowned explorer and discoverer of America. It consists of a statue of Columbus standing on a tall column.
Statue of Christopher Columbus, Barcelona
The monumental cast-iron column stands in the middle of the Plaça de la Porta de Pau (Square of the Gate of Peace). It is set on a stone pedestal sumptuously decorated with statues. The statue of Columbus atop the sixty meter tall column (197 ft) overlooks the sea from its elevated position and is visible from afar. The monument, locally known as the Monument a Colom, was designed by the Catalan architect Gaietà Buigas i Monravà for the Universal exhibition of 1888. Construction of the monument started in 1882 but due to financial problems it was only completed just in time for the exhibition.
From Barcelona's 173 m high mountain, the Montjuïc, you have a spectacular view over the sea, the port and the city.
We spent the best part of a day wandering the attractions and gardens of Montjuic recently.
The Museum houses a superb collection of Catlunyan (and other artworks) in a well-structured, beautifully presented and coherent manner. You can trace the development of art over time - from religious through the renaissance to the impressionists.Come here for the great views and the feeling of being on top of the world.