First
impressions often prove to be the most memorable, and
even after numerous trips to Barcelona, it still holds
the magical allure I felt on my first visit.
Barcelona, second largest city in Spain, is a beautiful,
cosmopolitan city nestled between the Pyrenees and the
Mediterranean. Basking in balmy sea breezes, the rich
and beautiful have embraced the "tropical chic"
lifestyle of this Catalan city, and over four million
visitors are lured here every year by an urge to sample
its many charms. (Think San Diego with a Spanish
sizzle.) As one of those who have been drawn to this
Mediterranean playground, let me take you on a journey
of this popular port.
Wandering the streets of the city admiring the
architectural eye candy, it becomes apparent that
Barcelona is more than a single city but a multi-faceted
confluence of historical periods. Gothic, modernistic
and ultra-contemporary styles are reflected in the
city's most striking structures. The most notable are
the fairytale creations of Barcelona's most famous son,
Antonio Gaudi. From decorative street lamps, curved
facade gingerbread houses and ornate palaces to
enchanting parks, mosaic-clad forms and towering church
spires, Gaudi's works are unexpected treats that
permeate the cityscape.
Sagrada Familia
No visit to Barcelona would be
complete without visiting his extravagant Sagrada
Familia. This Cathedral, begun in 1882 is still under
construction even though Gaudi died in 1926 and has
become a symbol of Gaudi's eccentric genius.
Casa Mila
His
extraordinary Casa Mila stands guard over the elegant
shopping mecca, Passeig de Gracia.
Park Guell Entrance
Located on the
outskirts of the city is Park Güell, Gaudi’s attempt at
a garden city. Although unfinished, the labyrinth of
textured viaducts, fragmented tile benches and beautiful
gardens are reason enough to make this a “must see”.
Park Guell Bench
Strolling along the wide elegant avenues and long
straight streets of Eixample, the modern extension of
Barcelona, admiring Gaudi's whimsical structures it
comes as a surprise to find one's self in a former
palace courtyard. Here, lofty palm trees share space
with Gaudi's dragon adorned lamp posts and tourists dine
at outdoor cafes. Leaving this courtyard in the very
heart of the city, the maze of narrow winding streets is
evidence of the perfect contrast between contemporary
Barcelona and its Gothic past.
The Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter,
known as the Old City, is a medieval warren of misshapen
gargoyles, fragments of Roman walls, palaces and a
Renaissance cathedral.
Gaudi is just one of the artists to which Barcelona pays
tribute. Modernistic architecture meets contemporary
Catalan art in an impressive building that houses a
permanent collection of paintings by Tapies. The city's
greatest modern artist, Joan Miro, creatively combines
these two disciplines at his foundation high atop
Montjuïc. His vivid and diverse sculptures and paintings
are displayed in a building designed by Josep Luis Sert.
Works by Matisse, Moore and Calder are also displayed
there.
Montijuic Cable Car
Montjuïc can be reached by a cable-car that
swings above the port or by a funicular. In addition to
the works of Miro, an outstanding collection of
Romanesque and Gothic art is on display at the Museu
Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.
The "Magic Fountain"
and Barcelona in the Distance
The Montjuïc Castle sits
at the peak of the mountain and offers sweeping
panoramic views of the city and sea below. Add to that
the sprawling gardens, and Montjuïc is a perfect place
to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Las Ramblas Flower
Market
Unquestionably, the hub of Barcelona activity is found
along the tree-lined avenue of Las Ramblas. A Barcelona
icon, this main artery slices through the old town from
Plaza Catalunya down to the port.
Las Ramblas Mimes
Amidst the outdoor
cafes, bird market, flower stalls, street artists, mimes
and buskers, tourists and locals alike congregate on
this 1.2 km pedestrian mall throughout the day and
night.
La Boqueria
One of the main shopping attractions along Las Ramblas is La Boqueria, a wonderful open air market that
dates back several centuries and considered as one of
the most colorful in Europe.
During the summer months, for me, there is nothing
better than taking a respite from sightseeing by
relaxing on a sandy stretch of beach while being cooled
by seaside breezes. A short walk from the end of Las
Ramblas, Playa de la Barcelonata, an urban beach,
provides a pleasant change of atmosphere. One of
Barcelona's great pleasures is pulling up a chair and
sipping on sangria at one of the "chiringuitos" that
line the 5 km of beaches in the city center. A
chiringuito is simply a hut with a bar and a couple of
waiters that set up tables on the beach. However, be
aware, that the beaches in Barcelona are topless, as is
the case throughout Europe.
Barcelona is a city that truly believes in living 24/7
and this is never more evident than at night. If you are
in port overnight, you will be able to really appreciate
the true spirit of Barcelona and its residents. Catalans
seldom eat dinner before ten o'clock and don't go
clubbing until after midnight. Many bars and cafes are
open all night and it is not unusual to see diners
enjoying meals at two or three o'clock in the morning.
Speaking of dining, the haute cuisine of Barcelona is
another of the city's jewels not to be missed. Known as
"New Catalan Cuisine", Barcelona offers Mediterranean
fare that is both delicate and delicious. The essence of
these culinary delights lies in their varied sauces for
meat and fish. A tapas restaurant is a great way to
sample a variety of the unique gastronomic creations.
From simple dishes like bread spread with tomato, olive
oil and salt or grilled asparagus to elaborate
specialties like chicken and lobster casserole, even the
most demanding of palates will not be disappointed.
After having sampled the fare at many of the excellent
restaurants that are scattered throughout the city, I
will share my two favorites. 1). Ciudad Condal is a
wonderful tapas restaurant that is quite popular with
the locals, and for good reason. You can dine inside or
outside on the terrace in the middle of Rambla Catalunya.
Great tapas, great wine, great atmosphere and great
location make this a perfect spot to enjoy lunch if you
are in port only for the day. The atmosphere is even
better if you are fortunate enough to enjoy a late night
dining experience Catalan style. 2). Neyras Restaurant,
situated in Old Town near the Cathedral, is an excellent
choice for any fish or seafood lover. Recommended by the
concierge on my last visit, it was a great discovery.
Bypass the tapas bar in the front and make your way back
to the restaurant and you are in for a real treat.
Vivacious and vibrant, culturally dynamic Barcelona
boasts architectural style, sophisticated cuisine,
world-class music, abundant art, rich history, pulsating
nightlife and beautiful residents. Whether sipping cava
on a sunny terrace in the marina, sampling tapas in one
of the innovative uptown restaurants, exploring the
neighborhood barrios, shopping at designer boutiques or
just mingling with fashionable locals, Barcelona sizzles
with style and panache and deserves its title as weekend
capital of Europe.
Tips:
●If you are first time visitor to Barcelona, the
Hop-on/Hop-off Bus is the very best way to see the city
and check out its many colorful contrasts. The busses,
running in three different continuous circuitous tour
routes, allow for unlimited on/off privileges at 44
stops, with pick-ups scheduled about every 10 minutes
throughout the day. The three tour routes are
inter-connected so you can easily hop between each stop.
If you are only in Barcelona for one port day, the bus
makes a convenient stop at the World Trade Center,
directly in the middle of the Cruise Ship Terminal and
at the foot of the Columbus Monument, the location of
the shuttle bus drop-off for many cruise ships.
●There is so much to see and do in this city, one day in
port is not enough. If this is your embarkation or
disembarkation port, plan to spend at least two or three
days here before or after your cruise.
●If you are spending a few days in Barcelona, or have
been here before, take a day trip by train to
Montserrat.
