For several years now I have been organizing all my vacations myself, without resorting to travel agencies or other intermediaries. Another visit to Spain, the city Barcelona was no exception. Previously, I wrote about organizing our trip to, now I want to talk about Barcelona. I'll start with the most important thing - the documents.

Visa

If you are going to another country, the first thing you will most likely have to worry about is a visa. Of course, there are countries where holders of a Russian passport can enter with minimal conditions, but European countries are not one of them. To tell the truth, we were very lucky that we were going to Spain, because... this country is one of the most generous in issuing long-term tourist Schengen multiple visas (from three to six months to a year). All necessary documents, deadlines and procedures for issuing visas are strictly regulated, so you will not have any difficulties with obtaining a visa yourself. I described in detail the entire procedure for obtaining a Spanish Schengen card in. The entire process took two weeks, some of which fell on the May holidays. As a result, I received a one-year Schengen visa, the “unemployed housewife” received a six-month one, and the child was given a visa only for the dates of the trip. As competent people later told me, issuing longer visas to children is not practiced.
UPDATE from 11/06/2016 - everything has changed, now it is quite possible to get a long-term Schengen visa for a child. Details in the article about.

For those who are responsible about their health, I recommend travel insurance from Tripinsurance ():

Flights

Be that as it may, in any case, you will need to somehow get to your chosen vacation spot, and in the case of another country, you will most likely do this by plane - the fastest and most convenient means of transportation these days. Also, if you do not already have a visa, you will need to make a flight reservation to obtain one.

Personally, I look for all air tickets on the Aviasales service. Even if I end up buying them elsewhere (for example, on the airline’s website), at a minimum, I definitely use their search to find out the prices, possible options and carriers for this route. After they have finalized the search from our last trip to Rome, there is no point in turning the search criteria too much - most likely you will be immediately offered all the known options available in the system. This time it turned out funny: at first I rummaged through low-cost airlines, but didn’t find anything suitable for Barcelona for our dates. Then I looked at flights from regular companies. The most profitable and convenient time flight was found at the Italian Alitalia, with a transfer in Rome. For some technical reason, I was unable to book a ticket on the Alitalia website. In the end, I still went to Aviasales. And guess what? I found tickets for the same flight, only slightly cheaper than from the carrier itself. Well, I bought them there. :o) It cost almost exactly 10,000 rubles per person for a round trip from Moscow. Overall, not a bad price.

Housing

To search for hotels, I either use , or use Hotellook. However, right now my favorite service is the rental service provided by Airbnb hosts. Why? Because, firstly, I like to live in what is called a natural environment - in an ordinary local house, with ordinary local neighbors. Secondly, I like to have at my disposal a separate full-fledged living space: with its own kitchen, washing machine and so on. And thirdly, I am very pleased with the opportunity to find suitable housing at a very affordable price. It’s also a bonus that sometimes you can shoot something completely fantastic or unusual (for example, a tree house). :o) On our last trip, we found a cool apartment at a normal price here. This time Barcelona wasn’t particularly pleased with its prices, so we tried to look for options on other resources. The results were not impressive - acceptable options started at about 1000 euros for two weeks. So I returned to my favorite Airbnb and found an excellent four-room apartment in a great location for 36,970 rubles for 14 days (2,640 rubles per day). The total for one person was 12,323 rubles for two weeks. Here she is, beauty:

— A small digression: I recommend a detailed guide to renting housing from owners.

As it turned out upon arrival, the place turned out to be fantastic. Close to two transport centers - Plaza de España and Plaza Catalunya, near Montjuic Park, and within walking distance of the port and beach. In fact, we could walk almost everywhere and only towards the end of the holiday we got lazy and started taking the metro and buses more. Additionally, it turned out that the festival, for which we registered later, holds all its milongas near our place of residence - there were no problems with transport at a later time.

Around were the most inexpensive cafes and restaurants we visited in the city. Everything is very tasty - Barcelona is generally a problem-free place when it comes to food. Grocery stores, metro station (Poble Sec) and bus stops are all within easy reach. A very good area and the location of the house in it. In the apartment itself, in terms of household appliances and things for living, there was absolutely everything except an air conditioner. But we didn't need him. Well equipped kitchen. They even found a first aid kit in the bathroom, and in the closet there were bags that we took to the beach. :O)

About the cons. The apartment is on the fourth floor, with a fairly steep staircase without an elevator. Carrying groceries wasn’t very convenient, but overall it didn’t bother us personally. It also turned out that cockroaches live in the kitchen. Unpleasant, but not fatal - they stopped leaving food, tidied up the countertops and that’s it.

Product prices

With food, as I already said, there are no problems in Barcelona. We bought groceries at the supermarket and had breakfast mostly at home, and lunch/dinner mostly somewhere in a cafe. There are cafes and restaurants on literally every corner, they are run almost entirely by the Chinese, the prices are affordable and very affordable. On average, for reference: excellent coffee with milk - 1-2 euros; delicious cake or bun fresh from the oven - 1.5-3.5 euros; awesome ice cream by weight - 2-6 euros; a bottle of local beer 0.33-0.5 liters - 1-2 euros; a variety of snacks (delicious tortilla, vegetables, a plate of fried fish or octopus) - 3-8 euros; tuna salad - 3.5-4 euros; a huge sandwich with jamon, cheese and/or vegetables - 4-6 euros; a healthy slice of pizza - 3.70 euros; large dish of meat/poultry/fish with side dish - 5-9 euros; paella with seafood - 10-15 euros. Example of a bill from our usual lunch/dinner:


And here is the bill from the cafe, where we literally burst into all sorts of things:


However, not all cafes are equally “healthy” - our most expensive and tasteless lunch was in one of the super tourist places in Barcelona: the oldest Bocceria market, La Rambla. It cost us 45.50 euros for burnt paella and dry chicken. And while the sangria and churros were good, the overall experience was so-so. And in general, on La Rambla, near the beach and near other tourist places, prices in cafes and restaurants are noticeably higher than in the city, and the attitude towards food preparation is more negligent. So I don’t recommend eating in such places, it’s good if it’s at least tasty, but what if not?

As for grocery stores, we tried to shop in large supermarkets, since prices there are really lower, sometimes significantly. For example, for comparison, a package of 6 bottles of 1.5 liters of water in a supermarket cost 1.5 euros, and from private sellers it cost 3.5 euros. Near our house, three relatively large supermarkets were found: one right next to it, the second - with the best assortment and prices - a little further along the Avinguda Parallel towards the port, and the third - with the best prices - under the Las Arenas shopping center in Plaza de España. Price range (approximate): bread 0.80-1.5 euros; milk - 0.60-1 euro liter; cheese - 8-19 euros per kilogram; meat (pork, lamb, beef) - 4-7 euros kilogram; fish - 6-15 euros kilogram. The wine is very different. We were quite happy with sparkling or red dry from 3-5 euros per bottle, or store-bought sangria for 1 euro/liter. Although one local friend sang to me that prices for normal wines start at 15 euros per bottle. Well, for our taste, even their “bad” wine is still very decent. In general, for 35-50 euros in a supermarket you could buy food for several days of home-cooked food. Here is an example of our receipt from the store:

We bought fruits and vegetables from special “frutterias”, of which there were plenty on every corner. Everything is fresh, beautiful and very tasty. At the same price as ours, or cheaper. Almost everything cost from 2 to a maximum of 5-6 euros per kilogram. We picked up a large bag of different fruits for 10 euros. Look how beautiful it is:

Transport

Barcelona is a city with a very developed public transport system. A wide network of metro, trams, day and night buses, as well as electric trains make moving around the city at any time of the day an accessible and enjoyable experience. Within the city and the nearest suburbs (Zone 1), a ticket for a single trip on any type of transport is equally expensive - 2.15 euros. Moreover, starting from the age of four, children must be paid on the same basis as adults.

All this would be very sad if such magical tickets as T10 did not exist. The magic is this: it costs 10.30 euros and is valid for the entire Zone 1 for 10 integrated trips. What does this mean? From the moment of the first composting, within 1 hour 15 minutes you can change to other types of transport without additional payment. For example: you entered the metro, validated your ticket, then got off at the desired station and transferred to the tram, drove two stops, boarded the bus, got to the funicular and rode it. If 75 minutes have not passed from the start of the first compost in the metro to the time of the last transfer to the funicular, then this entire trip on the T10 ticket will be counted as one and will cost you only 1 euro. Not bad, right? :o) I repeat - it is important that there are transfers to different types of transport. If you took a bus and then changed to a bus again, you will be charged two trips.


Another wonderful feature of this particular ticket is that it can be easily used by several people in a row. Whereas, for example, a regular metro ticket after composting will not allow you to immediately validate yourself again for another person; you will have to wait 10 or even 15 minutes. Well, one last great reason in favor of this ticket: Zone 1 will cover all your needs when moving around the city. This also applies to the airport - if you manage to buy a T10 ticket at the airport, then travel to the city on the same 46 day or N17 night bus will cost you the same 1 euro, and not 2.15 euros or even 6 euros for express! True, you can now buy T10 at the airport only in Terminal 2. If you arrived at Terminal 1, then alas for you. Although, if you or someone you know has been to Barcelona before and saved a similar ticket, then here’s the last cool feature of the T10 ticket - any such ticket purchased during the year is valid until approximately February of the next year! Just like that. :O)

All transport is equipped with a board that displays the names of the nearest stops - don’t miss yours. Another feature regarding buses. By default, it does not stop at every announced stop; to exit, you need to give a signal to the driver in advance by pressing one of the many stop buttons located on the handrails in the cabin. Also, in order to stop the bus, we waved our hands at the stop - everything is similar to our minibuses. :o) With one exception - the bus there will never stop at a stop that is not its own, even if it is 15 meters from its own. Therefore, when approaching a stop, check on a special sign located on each of them whether the bus number you need stops here (I warn you that the numbers consist of numbers and letters, and D20 is not the same as just 20).


All types of public transport tickets can be purchased at metro stations in special machines. The machines accept both cash (they give you change) and bank cards, which is very convenient. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to pay with a 100 or 500 euro banknote—the maximum denomination of banknotes accepted by the machine is 50 euros. When purchasing, you can select English, so you most likely will not have any difficulties communicating with this unit. As a last resort, you can always contact local residents, they will always help you. I warn you that you can only purchase tickets for single trips from bus and tram drivers (2.15 euros each) - plan your trips around the city in advance!

Well, a small bonus: how to get to the city from the airport or vice versa.
Although, as I already mentioned, there are Aerobus express trains to Plaza España, the fare for them is 6 euros. Personally, I recommend using regular public transport, the only inconvenience of which is the lack of a special luggage compartment for suitcases. During the day it is bus number 46, from the airport it goes first from Terminal 1, then to Terminal 2 and then to the city, to Plaza de España (and vice versa in the opposite direction). The bus runs every day from 5:30 to 00:15 with an interval of 20 minutes. The journey from Terminal 1 to Plaza España will take about an hour. The fare costs 2.15 euros for a single ticket, and 1 euro for a T10 ticket.


At night, you can use the N17 bus, which runs from 23:00 to 5:00 (from Plaza Catalunya, and from 21:55 to 04:45 from Terminal 1) with an interval of 20 minutes. The only difference from route 46 is that the final stop in the city is not at Plaza de España (where it also stops), but at Plaza Catalunya.

Well, connoisseurs of comfort or travelers with small children can do it in advance or in the opposite direction.

Peculiarities

As for the city, it is very atmospheric. Many very strange monuments and incomprehensible architectural structures. If we consider each separately, it looks like some kind of kitsch. However, the total creates a special flavor unique to this place. Something funny: some funny people creatively modified local road signs. For example, like this:


If we talk about the local population, on the one hand, it is very calm here. In addition to the Spaniards, there are a lot of Chinese, Indians and other immigrants - Turks, Pakistanis, etc. Everyone is polite and respectful to each other, at any time of the day you don’t have to worry about harassment and/or aggression from other people. The psychological climate is very relaxing after Russia. However, if they don’t physically do anything bad to you, you need to be on guard in terms of valuables - they steal here. We were warned several times by waiters in cafes on the streets to remove our wallet or cell phone from the table into our bag. And once we witnessed how a guy at the next table almost had his backpack stolen. It was lucky that the waiter noticed and screamed when some guy picked up the backpack and walked on with it - after attracting attention, the guy put the backpack against the wall and walked on as if nothing had happened. I also advise you to be careful in tourist places like La Rambla and not to carry extra money or documents with you.


Another not very pleasant feature is the locals’ love of firecrackers. It can bomb unexpectedly and anywhere. And since the streets are often narrow and the houses are made of stone, the sound is deafening. The first time this is very scary. Firecrackers are so popular that one day there was nothing less than a “bomb festival.” There were explosions throughout the city all day and all night, making it difficult to sleep. And in the morning all the streets were strewn with debris from fireworks.

What to see in Barcelona

Firstly, this is Barcelona itself. The city is very beautiful and unusual, with old Gothic quarters and modern wide avenues. Even just walking around the city on foot is a great pleasure. For those who are interested in sights, there are just a ton of them here. The city's calling card: world-famous architecture. And for those interested in natural beauty and religious shrines, I recommend a trip to near Barcelona. If you suddenly dance Argentine tango, you will need a small guide to the tango, of which there are several performed here every day. Well, I won’t even talk about the hundreds of different museums, ranging from the majestic palace of the Museum of Art of Catalonia (MNAC) on Plaza España to the Museum of Erotica on La Rambla, 96.

Barcelona is a fairly inexpensive city, when compared with Munich or Paris, it is cheaper than Moscow, but still more expensive than Asian resorts, for example, Phuket (Thailand) or Hanoi (Vietnam). The people here are friendly, friendly, and if you need help, they will be happy to provide it. The city is the capital of the autonomous region of Catalonia, and Barcelonans are proud of their homeland, trying to become independent from Spain, but so far to no avail, tourists do not have problems because of this national struggle, because... it takes place exclusively within the framework of the law.

It is noteworthy that in the summer Barcelona is one of the most popular cities for an INDEPENDENT holiday among Russians and Ukrainians (Egyptian Hurghada leads in popularity among those who vacation with the assistance of travel agencies), because independent travelers choose the best places on the planet for their vacation. So you can safely go to Barcelona on your own.

How to get to Barcelona

There are three main ways to get to Barcelona: by train, by car and by plane; the last method is chosen by the vast majority of travelers, because it is fast and convenient. If you are interested, you can read the article, which tells you how to travel to Barcelona on your own by car (the information in the article is relevant for all European countries).

If your travel budget is large enough, then you can simply purchase tickets for direct flights on the website, this is where it is most convenient to buy air tickets to Barcelona; the flight from Moscow will take only 4.5 hours (Moscow - Barcelona). For those who have a limited budget, I recommend taking tickets for flights with transfers on the same Aviasales, as this reduces travel costs by 30-50%. Most often, there is a transfer in Paris, Rome or Amsterdam, and the journey will take 7-10 hours with departure in Moscow and 7.5-11 hours with departure in St. Petersburg.

Well, for those who want to save as much as possible on air tickets, I can recommend using the services of low-cost airlines, the savings will be simply huge, but the fact is that there are no international low-cost airlines in Russia, so you will first have to fly to a country in which they There is. The easiest way to do this is for residents of the northern capital - you can get to Estonia and Finland in just a few hours, spending a minimum of money, and then immediately fly to Barcelona. Also, low-cost airlines can quickly and inexpensively fly to Madrid (Madrid is the capital of Spain) - this is also a very interesting city.

Calendar of low prices for air tickets

Check airfare prices:

Hotels

Barcelona has many comfortable hotels, cozy apartments and houses for rent. Everyone will find the housing that suits them best in terms of costs, design style, and distance from the center. Prices for accommodation in Barcelona are lower on the outskirts of the city; booking a hotel or renting an apartment there will be 30-50% cheaper, and you can get to the center inexpensively by bus or metro. If you decide to live away from the center, then purchase a discount tourist card Barcelona Card, thanks to which trips around the city will be low-cost + get big discounts on visits to attractions.

I recommend booking hotel rooms in Barcelona on the website. This is a proven service that I have been using for many years, and all my traveler friends also use it. What are the millions of positive reviews about him from people from all over the world worth? All in all, you can use this reliable site all the time to search for accommodation all over the world. Read how to book a hotel yourself.

Find a cheap hotel from RoomGuru right now:

Rental of property

Among all the popular ways to find accommodation in Barcelona, ​​the affordable and convenient Airbnb service stands out. This site resembles a social network that was created specifically for overseas property owners and potential tenants.

Attractions

I will not dwell on this point in detail. You can find a huge number of guides to Barcelona on the Internet. I recommend reading the article about. I will give you some tips that will help you make your independent holiday in Barcelona memorable and interesting, which you will enjoy.

• Do not chase the number of attractions visited; it is better to see a few places, but stay there longer. Vacations during the race become very exhausting over time, but you flew to Barcelona to enjoy life.
• Make your own plan for visiting attractions in advance so that upon arrival you will already know exactly what to see and where to go. This way you will save a lot of time, which you can spend on something useful and interesting.
• Don't be afraid of not knowing Spanish or English. You can always explain yourself with gestures. If you get lost, you can always contact the police or ordinary Barcelona residents, who can find the place you need on the map in your phone and indicate where to go, just beware of scammers, more details are written about them.
• Do not devote all your time to sightseeing, exhibitions, museums and vegetative lying on the beach. Schedule at least some time each day for leisurely walks. In the evening the city takes on a simply fabulous look.
• It is better to purchase a Barcelona Card, so you will save a lot both on visiting interesting places and on public transport.

Most popular attractions:

• La Rambla
• Gothic Quarter
• Casa Batllo
• House Mila
• Cathedral
• Park Guell
• Cathedral of the Holy Family (Sagrada Familia)
• Aquarium
• Palace Guell
• War Museum
• Palace of Catalan Music

How much money to take with you

Everyone decides for themselves what the cost of the vacation will be. Everyone has different capabilities and preferences. Someone will spend their holiday in Barcelona for 1000 €, and someone for 20000 €. A budget holiday will cost 800 € for two (one week), but it is better to count on more than 1000 €, so you can buy good things, visit interesting places in the surrounding area and in the city center, and try delicious dishes in branded restaurants.

It is better to exchange rubles/hryvnia/tenge for euros in your homeland; rates at airports are not profitable. I recommend keeping most of your money on a bank card. Read which plastic card is suitable for traveling abroad.

How to save money

Now you know how to go to Barcelona on your own. In fact, misunderstandings and certain difficulties arise only when organizing your first independent trip. With each subsequent trip it will become easier and easier, and then going to another country will be as easy as going to the store. If you want to travel on your own constantly, then read, with it you can go to any country at any time, and your vacation will be very cheap. Enjoy life, gentlemen and ladies.

Ideal itinerary: Barcelona in three days

Tour guide Mila Strokanj has put together an ideal three-day itinerary around the city of Gaudí. She told us what to see in Barcelona in three days so that you definitely don’t miss anything. Get inspired, find flights to Barcelona on our website and go on an exciting journey.

A city that people fall in love with immediately and for the rest of their lives! Walking along its streets, you seem to be traveling back in time: here in front of you are the ruins of the ancient Romans, and literally around the corner is a medieval cathedral. One of the city's districts is entirely built in an elegant Art Nouveau style. And the main decoration of Barcelona are the works of the great Antonio Gaudi.

Architecture, art, museums, traditional entertainment, gastronomy, the warm Mediterranean Sea, and good beaches make Barcelona particularly attractive to travelers from all over the world. Having arrived once in this sunny city, you want to come back again and again!

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia! All locals speak Catalan, which is more similar to French than Spanish. Catalans have their own traditions, holidays, fairy tales, songs, dances and even cuisine! Barcelonans are great patriots, and they emphasize their love for their homeland by hanging the national flags of Catalonia on their balconies.

Of course, three days for this city is very little. But believe me, you will remember your trip to Barcelona for the rest of your life.

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Day 1. Old Town

La Rambla Boulevard

The place to start exploring Barcelona is on La Rambla. This is the most important walking street in the city. Once upon a time, a narrow, shallow river flowed here, which often dried up in the summer. The Moors, who captured the city in the 8th century, began to call the river the Arabic word - ramla, which translated meant “dried up river”. It was from him that the modern name of the street arose.

La Rambla starts at Plaza Catalunya and ends at the promenade. The boulevard has five sections, each of which has its own name:

• Rambla de Canaletas (Rambla de canaletes) named after the fountain that stands at the very beginning of the boulevard. Next to it is a sign that says that the water in the fountain is magical! And everyone who drinks it will fall in love with Barcelona and return here again.
• Rambla Teachings (Rambla de studios) has this name because the University of Barcelona used to be here. In the 18th century, it was closed by order of the Spanish King Philip V, who feared the freethinking of the Catalans. While walking here, pay attention to the Baroque Church of the Holy Virgin Mary of Bethlehem. Previously, the church belonged to the Jesuit order. The façade of the building is decorated with sculptures of the founders of the order.
• Rambla Colors(RamblAde les flores) in winter and summer it is surrounded by greenery. For more than 200 years, the best bouquets in the city have been sold here. The Palace of the Vice-Queen, built at the beginning of the 18th century, is also located here. Inside it you can see the famous giant dolls that participate in festive national processions.
• Rambla of the Capuchins (Rambla de Caputxins) was named after the monastery that belonged to this order. During urban unrest, the monastery was destroyed, and residential buildings were erected in its place. The most unusual among them is the house of Bruno Cuadras. Its facade is decorated with umbrellas, fans and a luxurious dragon holding a lantern in its paws.
• Rambla of Saint Monica (Rambla de Santa Mò nica) - here are the Barcelona “living statues”, famous throughout the world. Bizarre sculptures amaze travelers. And as soon as they throw a coin, they come to life! The Rambla will take you to the promenade where the Christopher Columbus monument is located. After all, it was in Barcelona that the famous traveler announced to the world that he had discovered a new route to India!
• Rambla Marine (Rambla del Mar) - in fact, it is no longer a boulevard, but a huge futuristic wooden bridge. It leads to an entire entertainment complex consisting of a shopping center, a cinema and an aquarium.

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Boqueria Market

One of the main decorations of the Rambla is the famous Boqueria market. This is the oldest market in Barcelona. The first counters appeared here in the 13th century. Residents of nearby villages sold meat on them. For many centuries, the market was very small, because it was “sandwiched” between buildings. But when the nearby monastery of St. Joseph burned down in the 18th century, the vacated area went to the market. That is why its second name is San Josep.

Now the area of ​​Boqueria is 2500 square meters. m. And here you can buy the best fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, seafood, cheese and jamon. Walking along the amazing abundance of stalls, you will feel like a real Barcelonan. After all, local residents prefer to buy food not in supermarkets, but at the market.

The Boqueria has numerous bars where you can grab local snacks and drink excellent Catalan wine. Barcelonans especially love the atmospheric bar Pinotxo. It has been operating continuously since 1940 and during this time it has become truly iconic.

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Gran Teatre del Liceu

For more than one hundred and fifty years, the Liceu Theater has been the center of cultural life in Barcelona. The main stars of the world opera stage - Montserrat Caballe and Jose Carreras - shone on its stage.

The theater was built in the mid-19th century on the site of a destroyed monastery. Detractors said that this place was cursed and the theater would be haunted by troubles. And so it happened. Soon after the opening there was a big fire, and the theater had to be rebuilt.

And in 1995, a short circuit occurred and the ancient building burned down in a few hours. Barcelona residents considered the restoration of the theater a “matter of honor.” In just 5 years the building was rebuilt.

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El Raval

On the right side of the Rambla is the Raval district. For many centuries, decent Barcelonans avoided this place. And all because Raval was a refuge for beggars, lepers, thieves, bandits, prostitutes and murderers - a huge den that lived by its own laws.

But don't be afraid! Raval is calm now. True, when you go deeper into the area, you will catch yourself thinking that you are no longer quite in Barcelona. The fact is that now 90% of the residents of Raval are emigrants: Arabs, Moroccans, Indians, Pakistanis, Chinese, Latin Americans. They wear traditional clothes and speak their own languages.

In addition, nowadays Raval is a center of alternative culture. It is full of vintage shops, shops with vinyl records, contemporary art galleries, restaurants with original cuisine, stylish and unusual bars. Bar Marcella is one of them. It opened in 1820 and specializes in absinthe! Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali came here to drink this fiery drink! The interior of those times has been preserved, and the menu still includes the best absinthe in Barcelona!

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Hospital of the Holy Cross (Hospital de la Santa Creu)

While walking through the narrow streets of Raval, be sure to visit the Hospital of the Holy Cross. This austere building was built in the 15th century. For 500 years it served as the main city hospital of the city. It was to this hospital that the dying Antonio Gaudi was brought, who was mistaken for an ordinary beggar. Only the next day the great architect was identified and decided to be transferred to a private clinic. But Gaudi said that he was a simple man and wanted to die among the same ordinary people.

Now within the walls of the hospital there is a library and several faculties of educational institutions. Nearby is a wonderful courtyard with orange trees and the El Gardin cafe, where they brew excellent coffee.

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Royal Square and Gaudí's lanterns (Placa Real)

Turning off La Rambla des Capuchins you will reach the Place Royale. There was a monastery here until the mid-19th century, which was destroyed by the Catalans. When the unrest subsided, the government decided not to restore the monastery, but to build a city square in its place.

The square is lined with residential buildings on four sides. The center is decorated with the Three Graces fountain, and on the sides there are fancy lanterns. This is Gaudí's very first work in Barcelona. The majestic lanterns are decorated with the helmet of the god of trade Mercury, two snakes and the coat of arms of Barcelona. This symbolism is not accidental - at first it was assumed that businessmen would live on the square.

In the arched gallery around the square there are numerous restaurants where you can dine. Also on the Royal Square is the oldest club in Barcelona - Jamboree. Every evening it hosts excellent jazz concerts.

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Gothic Quarter

To the left of the Rambla is the famous Gothic Quarter. This is one of the most interesting places in Barcelona. B O Most of the buildings were built in the Middle Ages - in the XIII-XV centuries. The Gothic Quarter is a labyrinth of narrow streets where the sun never shines. The ground floors house souvenir shops, restaurants and bars. And people still live in the apartments on the upper floors.

The Gothic Quarter has perfectly preserved the atmosphere of antiquity. It seems that a carriage is about to appear around the corner, and a stranger passing nearby will be in armor.

Curved narrow alleys can unexpectedly lead you to a cozy square or a Gothic cathedral. Be sure to take a map with you, otherwise getting out of the Gothic Quarter will not be easy.

By the way, this is where Tom Tykwer filmed his famous film “Perfume”.

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Barcelona Cathedral of St. Eulalia

Barcelona Cathedral is located in New Square. Its construction began at the end of the 13th century. At that time, Barcelona was the capital of the large and powerful kingdom of Aragon. Two hundred years later, the main building was erected, but there was not enough money for the façade. Barcelona residents decided to temporarily postpone construction until better times. Only 400 years later - at the end of the 19th century - a neo-Gothic façade appeared, which travelers now admire.

Inside, the cathedral amazes with its splendor and luxury. Along the edges of the naves there are 25 chapels dedicated to Catholic saints. In the crypt under the main altar there is a sarcophagus with the relics of the patroness of Barcelona - Saint Eulalia.

An elevator is installed in one of the chapels, which takes everyone to the roof of the cathedral. The observation deck offers an amazing view of the Old Town.

Be sure to visit the cathedral's courtyard. There you will see 13 white geese. And this is no coincidence! According to legend, Saint Eulalia lived in Barcelona in the 4th century. The Romans, who persecuted the followers of Christ, captured Eulalia and began to torture her. But Eulalia did not betray her faith and steadfastly endured all 13 tortures. In honor of her feat, white geese live in the courtyard of the cathedral.

Entry fee: from 08:00 to 12:30 admission is free

From 13:00 to 17:30 entrance - €7

From 17:45 to 19:30 admission is free

Elevator cost - €2

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Royal Palace (Palau Reial Major)

It was in this austere medieval building that the Counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon lived. It began to be built in the 11th century and was rebuilt many times in the Middle Ages.

This palace is famous for the fact that it was in its hall that Christopher Columbus told the Spanish kings in 1492 that he had found a new route to India. To prove his words, Columbus presented the kings with gold and precious stones, which he exchanged with the natives for beads. Columbus brought several native Americans with him. They were baptized in the Cathedral and left to live in Barcelona.

Soon the royal family left. But the Royal Palace was not empty. Within its walls the Chamber of the Holy Inquisition was located, which fought against heretics, sorcerers and Jews until the beginning of the 19th century.

In the small square in front of the palace during the Middle Ages, knightly tournaments were held. The frontal place was also located here. A small extension with a window on the second floor is the executioner's house. They say that local residents did not allow the executioner to build a house for himself on the streets of the city, so he had to be “attached” to the wall of the palace.

Now the Royal Palace building houses the Museum of the History of Barcelona.

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Santa Maria del Mar

Another pearl of Catalan Gothic architecture is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Mar. Translated, the name means “Cathedral of the Virgin Mary by the Sea.” It is located in the heart of the Born district.

Construction of the cathedral began in the 14th century and was completed 50 years later. Such an unprecedentedly short construction period is explained by the fact that all the guilds inhabiting the Born region took part in the construction of the church. Builders built, glassblowers created stained glass windows, jewelers decorated altars and chapels. But the biggest job was done by the movers. They went to Mount Montjuic at night and carried huge stones on their shoulders, from which they built the church. As a sign of gratitude, Barcelona residents painted two little men carrying huge boulders on the church doors.

During the Civil War, a fire occurred in Santa Maria del Mar, which destroyed almost all the interior decoration. But the residents of Born restored their beloved cathedral, and today only the blackened walls remind of those terrible events.

Entry fee: from 09.00 to 13.00 admission is free

from 13:00 to 17:30 entrance - €5

from 17:30 to 20:30 admission is free

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Ciutadella Park

The Born district is adjacent to the large city park of Ciutadella (translated from Catalan as “citadel”). Until the beginning of the 18th century, craftsmen's houses stood on this site. But at the behest of the Spanish king Philip V, the area was razed to the ground. People were driven out onto the street and their houses were destroyed. A huge military fortress appeared in this place, the cannons of which held the residential areas of Barcelona at gunpoint. This is how Philip V took revenge on the inhabitants of Catalonia for their next attempt to gain independence from the Spanish crown. Only a hundred years later, the Spanish kings allowed the fortress to be demolished and a park to be built on this site.

Now Ciutadella is a holiday destination for local residents. Here they walk with children and dogs, bask in the sun under palm trees, sitting on the lawn, learn new musical instruments, practice yoga, and conduct master classes.

Several buildings remain from the military fortress: the arsenal building (now it houses the Parliament of Catalonia), the governor's house and the chapel. In the center of the park there is a small picturesque lake. But the main attraction of the park is the magnificent Cascade fountain. It appeared in the park in the second half of the 19th century. The fountain amazes with its monumentality and is decorated with sculptures of gods. By the way, Antonio Gaudi took part in the construction of this fountain as a student.

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Day 2. Art Nouveau and Gaudi

Boulevard Passeig de Gracia

Even before the mid-19th century, Barcelona consisted of only three small districts: the Gothic Quarter, the Raval and the Born. The city was surrounded on all sides by a high wall, which prevented it from growing. It was only in 1854 that the Spanish Queen Isabella II, fearing Catalan separatism, finally allowed the walls to be demolished. It was decided to turn the fields and vegetable gardens surrounding Barcelona into a garden city.

In just 30 years, a large and amazingly beautiful area appeared, which was called Eixample (cat. “expansion”). The straight and wide streets along which the houses were built form regular squares. And all the corners of the blocks at the intersections are beveled at an angle of 45 degrees. This makes the streets of Eixample sunnier and airier.

Most of the houses in the area were built in the middle and end of the 19th century in the then fashionable style - Art Nouveau. It is characterized by simplicity of lines, abundant decoration with floral patterns, and the use of metal and colored glass.

The main street of the Eixample district was Boulevard Gràcia. Walking along it, you will see dozens of amazing houses that will amaze you with their beauty. The famous “Quarter of Discord” is also located here - three of the most bizarre houses, which seem to be arguing with each other about which one is the most unusual.

In addition, walking along Paseo de Gràcia will combine business with pleasure, because this is the most important shopping street in the city, where fashion shops and boutiques are located.

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House of Lleó i Morera

This house is a pearl of Catalan Art Nouveau and is the first in the “Quarter of Discord”. The building was built in the middle of the 19th century for the wealthy Barcelona family of Lleo i Morera. In 1902, the owner commissioned the fashionable architect Luis Domenech i Montaner to reconstruct it.

The façade of the house is decorated with numerous floral ornaments, figured forged grilles, marble columns and figures of dragons. You can also look at sculptures of girls holding symbols of progress in their hands: a gramophone, a telephone, a light bulb and a camera. And the house is crowned with an elegant turret, decorated with mosaics on the inside.

Luis Domenech i Montaner decorated the interior no less lavishly: mosaic ceilings and floors, stained glass windows, elegant staircases... Recently, the mezzanine of the Lleo i Morera house can be visited.

Entry fee : €15

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Casa Amatller

In 1989, house number 41 on Paseo de Gracia was bought by pastry chef Antonio Amalle. He soon hired the architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch to modernize the building.

Cadafalque created a bizarre façade in which he “mixed” all the styles fashionable at that time - Art Nouveau, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Moorish. The bay window is crowned with an unusual stepped roof. On the right side of the balcony, the letter “A” is clearly visible - the first letter of the owner’s last name, and inside this letter you can see almond branches. The fact is that the surname of the owner of the house, Amalje, is consonant with the word - ametlles, which translates as “almonds”.

The space near the entrance doors is decorated with fancy stucco. There are figurines of St. George, a dragon, a princess and characters from local fairy tales. Be sure to go inside the house and examine the building's lobby - a monumental staircase, unusual lamps with dragons, forged latticework in the shape of lilies and a stained glass window above the courtyard made of colored glass. On the ground floor of the house there is a coffee shop where you can drink coffee and enjoy wonderful Amatller chocolate.

Entry fee:€17

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Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo is the most unusual house in the “Quarter of Discord”, because it was created by the great Antonio Gaudi. The famous architect was hired by textile magnate Josep Batllo in 1904 for the renovation. Casa Batllo is often called the “house of bones”, because its unusual balconies resemble skulls, and its columns resemble human bones.

In this house, Gaudi abandoned right angles, and therefore each room smoothly “flows” into the other. Spacious windows provide plenty of light. And thanks to the air conditioning system designed by Gaudí, Casa Batlló is cool even in extreme heat.

Gaudi was also involved in the decoration of the interior apartments of the mezzanine. Absolutely all the interior items in the mezzanine are made according to the architect’s design: a chandelier in the shape of a dragon’s eye, a fireplace in the shape of a mushroom, windows that look like turtle shells, and stairs that resemble a spine. Be sure to go inside this house; you will find yourself in the fantastic world of Antoni Gaudi.

Entry fee: €25

It is better to purchase a ticket in advance on the official website: casabatllo.es

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Casa Milà

Another masterpiece by Antoni Gaudi. Its architect built it for the tycoon Pere Mila y Campas in 1906-1910. The facade of the building is made in the shape of huge sea waves, and the forged balconies look like petrified algae. From a distance, the house resembles a quaint mountain, which is why Barcelona residents nicknamed the house La Pedrera, which means “quarry”.

There is not a single right angle in Casa Mila. The house was built without a single load-bearing wall. In addition, inside the building there are two spacious courtyards with windows overlooking them. Thanks to this, La Pedrera became the first house in Barcelona where absolutely every room had a window. A huge terrace was installed on the roof of the building. The chimneys and ventilation pipes were “transformed” by the architect into intricate sculptures.

During the work, disagreements arose between Mr. Mila and Antonio Gaudi, and the architect left the construction site. After this, he plunged into the construction of the Sagrada Familia, abandoning any other projects.

La Pedrera is open to visitors. By purchasing a ticket, you will be able to explore the patios, the attic, visit the Gaudi Museum, the 20th Century Apartment Museum and walk along the terrace of the building.

Entry fee: €22

It is better to purchase a ticket in advance on the official website: lapedrera.com

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Park Guell

Antonio Gaudi idolized nature. Therefore, when textile magnate Eusebi Güell offered him a project to create a new “garden city,” the architect immediately agreed.

The central entrance of Park Güell is framed by two “gingerbread” houses with original mosaic roofs. In one of them the park administration was supposed to be located, and in the other the gardener and his family lived. A little further there is a monumental staircase decorated with medallions with a snake and a lizard - the symbol of Gaudi. Next is the “Hall of 100 Columns”, where, according to Gaudi’s plan, there should have been a market, and even higher - a huge observation deck. Along the edges, the terrace is framed by a wavy bench covered with mosaics.

Around the central complex, Antoni Gaudi created gardens, promenades, terraces, internal access roads and unusual caves created from rough stone. The architect filled the garden with plants that bloom at different times of the year.

According to Güell's idea, 62 houses were to be built on the territory of the park for sale to respectable Barcelona residents, but the project was not implemented. After Güell's death, the park became a favorite vacation spot for Barcelona residents.

Entrance fee to the paid zone of the park:€10 (at the box office), €9 (via the Internet)

It is better to purchase a ticket in advance on the official website: parkguell.cat

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Cathedral of the Holy Family (Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia)

Of course, the main attraction of Barcelona is the Expiatory Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia, which is often simply called the Sagrada Familia. This is the most important modern unfinished construction project in Europe. Its construction has been going on since 1882! The reason for such a delay is trivial - like all expiatory cathedrals, it is being built only with money from donations.

Gaudi was thirty years old when he began work on the Sagrada Familia. The young and ambitious architect decided to build a cathedral, unlike all other churches in the world. He built a “bible in stone,” dreaming that parishioners would read the Holy Scriptures from its facades. Therefore, every centimeter of space is covered with certain symbols and signs, and each composition has its own deep religious meaning.

According to the architect's idea, the Sagrada Familia was supposed to have three facades: Nativity, Passion and Glory, decorated with eighteen towers, the highest of which is 170 meters. But during his lifetime, Gaudi managed to build only one façade of the Nativity. He died suddenly at the age of 74 after being hit by a tram. The great architect was buried here - in the crypt of the cathedral.

The second façade of the Passion was recently erected by the architect Josep Maria Subirax. It is made in the style of cubism. His sculptural compositions also illustrate biblical scenes. In 2010, construction work inside the complex was completed, and Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the cathedral. Be sure to visit the Sagrada Familia, because the interior spaces have no analogues in the world. This is a kind of microcosm of colored stained glass windows, branching columns, an exquisite “starry” ceiling, spiral staircases and luminous medallions.

Entry fee : from €15

It is better to purchase a ticket in advance on the official website: sagradafamilia.org

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Day 3. Montjuic and Tibidabo

Plaza de España

Plaza España is one of the most beautiful in Barcelona. It was created as the main venue for the 1929 World's Fair. In the center of the square there is a magnificent fountain, which was designed by Gaudi's student Josep Jujol. The fountain has three facades, each of which symbolizes the waters that wash Spain: the Mediterranean Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic Ocean.

The unusual round red brick building next to the fountain is Las Arenas, a bullring. It was built back in 1901 in the neo-Moorish style. Bullfighting has always been not very popular in Catalonia, and in 2012 it was banned altogether. Therefore, the building was modernized and converted into a shopping center. From the roof of Las Arenas there is a magnificent view of Plaza de España.

Opposite the Arena there are two columns that are exact copies of the bell tower installed in Piazza San Marco in Venice. Between them runs Queen Maria Cristina Avenue, along which there are exhibition pavilions. They still host all kinds of congresses, conferences and symposia.

A little higher is the famous Magic Fountain (La Fuente magica). It was also erected for the opening of the World Exhibition. However, during the Civil War, a bomb hit the fountain and it was destroyed. It was restored only in the 50s, and before the 1992 Olympics the fountain became “singing” and “dancing.”

Opening hours of the Magic Fountain:

Barcelona is one of the most beautiful European cities with a colorful and interesting history. This Spanish city is the second largest and most popular after the capital of Spain - Madrid. All tourists definitely want to have time to visit this amazing city.

Tourism in Barcelona is developing rapidly. Warm weather, sea, sand, beaches, good hotels - all this attracts travelers to Barcelona. But this city has not only good conditions for recreation, but also for spiritual development. Barcelona has a rich history, so the city has many museums, art galleries, and sightseeing tours. Any tourist will be greatly impressed by this city by visiting at least one of the most popular attractions.

What to see in Barcelona in a week or even a few days, where to go first and how to travel around the city on your own will be fully discussed in this article.

Features of independent travel in Barcelona

The very first point that a tourist who decides to travel around Barcelona on his own is faced with is choosing an airport.

Barcelona

• From the airport in Spain you can fly to Reus and Girona. From there to Barcelona is about two hours, the cost of the trip is about 30-35 euros*.
• El Prat Airport is closest to Barcelona, ​​the trip from there takes about half an hour, the price is 1 euro.
• Barcelona city center can be reached from the airport by train, which departs from the airport platform. The ride takes 30 minutes, the price varies from 2 to 9 euros.
• You can also get to the center by airbus; a ticket costs 6 euros. The airbus stops at important sites - squares, in the city center.
• A ticket for a regular bus costs 3 euros, and you can get to the center in 40 minutes.
• A taxi is also always useful, which will take a tourist to the center in 20 minutes, but the taxi will cost about 35 euros.

The second stage is choosing accommodation for the travel period. There is a huge amount of choice here, as Barcelona has about 10 districts.

Important! It’s worth choosing an area based on your goals for visiting Barcelona, ​​since each area is unique in its own way and has certain characteristics.

• El Born is a quiet area with a wide variety of cafes, museums, close to the sea, prices are quite affordable for the average tourist.
• Barceloneta is the most expensive area and the noisiest. If a traveler loves nightclubs, celebrations and fun, then this area is exclusively for him. You can walk to the sea.
• Raval is the most dangerous area; walking there at night is unsafe. The area is famous for the fact that it used to belong to bandits. However, the prices are very low – suitable for tourists on a budget.
• Eixample is the largest and most comfortable area; it is an ideal option for tourists.
• Gracia is famous for its large number of shops and is located far from the sea.
• The Gothic Quarter is famous for its narrow streets - it is impossible to get there by car, you will only have to travel on foot, prices are high, and the streets are very noisy.
• Pedralbes is the most expensive area, where mainly stars and football players live; renting a house there is very expensive.

Important! A lonely tourist should be more careful. There are a lot of pickpockets in Barcelona, ​​especially in dangerous areas.

Sagrada Familia

What to see in Barcelona on your own

Starting your trip to Barcelona, ​​a tourist should familiarize himself with the list of must-see attractions in Barcelona:

• The Sagrada Familia is an amazing architectural structure that will make an indelible impression on any tourist. The temple was built in Art Nouveau style according to the design of Antonio Guadi.
• Park Güell is another project of Antonio Guadi. The bizarre shapes of sculptures and houses delight tourists;
• Casa Batllo will not leave anyone indifferent. This is one of the most beautiful projects of the same Antonio Guadi;
• Plaza de España. It is from this square that it is better to start exploring Barcelona. The square is located at the foot of Montjuic mountain. The majestic composition in the middle of the square is a symbol of national unity;
• Plaza Catalunya is one of the most popular places in Barcelona;
• The Picasso Museum is the best attraction for art lovers;
• Montserrat Monastery is a must see, it is a truly breathtaking sight. The monastery is located among picturesque rocks; tourists love to visit this ancient monument;
• Church of Santa Maria del Mar. This is another ancient monument in Barcelona that is a must see;
• The Barcelona Aquarium is a place that will not leave anyone indifferent, especially tourists with children.

Note! Barcelona is full of old buildings, quaint buildings, amazing parks and squares. It takes a lot of time to visit all the places of worship, but the attractions listed above usually cause the greatest delight among tourists, so at the very beginning of the trip it is worth going to see one of the attractions.

What to see in 1 day

If a tourist is in Barcelona only for one day, then he should not despair. Even in one day you can see several of the most popular places. What to see on your own in 1 day in Barcelona?

The first day should start from Plaza Catalunya.

The tourist needs to find tourist buses and exchange their vouchers with the driver for official tickets and discount coupons that are included with the tickets. The same bus takes you to Casa Batllo in 10 minutes. You can buy tickets to tour the house at the box office after standing in line. The tour lasts about 1.5 hours.

After the tour, you need to go down to the metro near your house, buy tickets, take the purple line and get off at the third stop. There is only one entrance to the Sagrada Familia. The excursion lasts 2 hours.

From the Sagrada Familia you can get to a good cafe for lunch. You need to take the metro on the purple line L2 and go to Paral-lel station, there you will need to change to the green line L3 and go to Drassanes station.

There are many cafes in the Maremagnum shopping center. You can have an inexpensive snack there and move on. Now the tourist will need to return to Plaza Catalunya the same way. Nearby is the Rambla, where you can take a walk and visit the house of wax figures, look at the cathedral, the opera house and the statue of Columbus.

Important! You should be very careful on the Rambla, as pickpockets work quickly. In the evening, you can take the green line to Piazza di Spagna, where the fountain show begins.

Plaza de España

What to see in two days

If a tourist has a little more time, he can create a route to Barcelona in 2 days on his own.
You can stroll through the Gothic Quarter and explore the surrounding area - hiking is much more interesting.

Gothic Quarter

You should drive from Plaza Catalunya along Avenguda Portal de l’Angel, getting to the next street, you can look at the Cathedral of Spain and the King’s Square, on the same square there is a history museum.

Cathedral

At the end of the day you can visit the Spanish Village. Near the Columbus statue there is the Drassanes metro station, you need to get to the Espana station, from this station it is a few minutes walk to the Spanish Village.

Spanish village

What to see in Barcelona in three days

On the third day, experienced tourists recommend visiting Park Güell. From the Cataluna metro station you need to go to the Lesseps station; following the signs you can walk to the park in 10 minutes. Park Güell is an amazing masterpiece by Antonio Guadi, which will not leave anyone indifferent. It will take a tourist a lot of time to take photographs, walk, and look at all the buildings.

At the end of your walk in the park, you can go to some restaurant.

What to see in Barcelona in 5 days on your own

If a tourist has two extra days, he will be able to see even more interesting sights. On the 4th day you can go to the cable car. The cable car takes tourists to Mount Montjuïc, where you can visit the 18th-century fortress. Next, you can visit the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, which will last for several hours.

On the fifth day, the ideal option would be to go to the aquarium. A huge aquarium with different types of fish will make a lasting impression on the tourist.

On the last day you can go to different shops, buy souvenirs and gifts. La Maquinista, Maremagnum are the largest shopping centers in Baselona. At the end, it is recommended to go to the beach, because after five days in noisy Barcelona the tourist will get tired.

Cable car

What to see in Barcelona in 7 days

If a tourist stays in Barcelona for two more days, he will have time to see the royal palace - the residence of the King of Aragon, and the Picasso Museum. If you want to spend these couple of days relaxing, then you should spend them in some club or on the beach.

On the last day you can do whatever you want for your pleasure. The most popular beach, Barceloneta, is located in the center of the city. There is always a lot of space, clear water, clean sand - a paradise for vacationers. You can also go to the less popular beaches of the city:

• Bogatell (next to the Olympic port);
• Nova Mar Bella (small beach, many hotels nearby);
• Mar Bella (the most unusual and interesting beach in Barcelona).

If a tourist decides to spend time in clubs, then the following may be suitable for relaxation:

• Elephant Club (one of the most prestigious clubs);
• Ribelino’s (a trendy non-tourist club);
• CDLC (located on Barceloneta beach).

Please note! If a tourist has enough funds, then you can go on a cruise.

Oceanarium

Guide to Barcelona for independent travel

To travel independently, a tourist needs to know the main routes in Barcelona. Barcelona – attractions – route – on your own.

Note! A tourist needs somewhere to eat inexpensively, he can do this at Brunch&Cake. The establishment is located a few minutes from Plaza Catalunya. For a small amount you can have a good meal there.

Almost all minibuses depart from Plaza Catalunya.

But it’s better to go down to the metro (it’s easier for a first-time tourist to navigate there). You need to take the green line L3 and go to Lesseps station (Park Güell). You don’t have to take the metro, but simply cross the square and end up on the Rambla (Columbus monument). Nearby is the Boqueria market, which is a must-see.

Next comes the Gothic Cathedral (St. Eulalia Cathedral, Royal Square). The Sagrada Familia is 30 minutes away, but can be reached by metro line L2. From the cathedral, take the metro line L2 to Universitat station, then change to L1 to Espanya station, you can get to the singing fountain show. You can get to Mila's house from Diagonal station. The Espanya metro station provides access to the National Museum.

Thus, you can get to any point in the center by metro. Barcelona has about 180 metro stations and 10 lines. To travel around Barcelona, ​​it is best to buy a single ticket for the metro and bus from the machines at the stations. A T10 ticket gives you the right to make 10 trips on any transport except Airbuses and on the L9 line (a ticket costs about 10 euros, and a single ticket costs 2 euros). A tourist should always have a metro card with him.

Important! It is worth remembering that the metro operates from Monday to Thursday from 5:00 to 00:00. On Friday and on national holidays from 5:00 to 2:00, on Saturday - around the clock, on Sunday from 5:00 to 00:00.

Plaza Catalunya

Free things to do in Barcelona

Many active tourists often do not have much money for entertainment, clubs and restaurants. Therefore, they are interested in the question of what to visit in Barcelona for free:

• Barcelona has free Wi-Fi, which you can connect to right at the airport.
• You need to plan your tourist route in advance.
• Visiting the museums of Barcelona is an expensive pleasure, but there are days when museums open free admission for tourists (usually the first Sunday of every month.
• La Taberneta (cafe near Barceloneta beach) – they offer free treats with your drink;
• El Capricho bar offers free fish with your beer.
• At the Riego bar, tourists are treated to delicious Catalan potatoes “patatas bravas”.
• El Carmel site can also be visited for free; it offers a gorgeous view of the city; tourists come there to watch the sunset or watch the sunrise;
• The Palace of the Government of Catalonia offers free tours.
• Visiting the Cathedral is also free.
• San Sebastian is a free open-air theater.
• The singing fountain show in Piazza di Spagna is also free.

Barcelona establishments often hold various free or very cheap promotions to attract tourists. You need to find out all the addresses of places where free promotions take place in advance.

Experienced tourists who have visited more than one country, including Spain, know many subtleties associated with being in Spain:

• It is much more profitable to buy a T10 pass if a tourist is in Barcelona for more than two days.
• Under no circumstances should you rent a car - it is incredibly expensive for tourists.
• Renting an apartment with a kitchen is much cheaper than a hotel room.
• Theft is common in Barcelona, ​​so you should keep a close eye on your belongings.
• The weather in Barcelona is very changeable, so you should always take a jacket with you, even if it is very hot in the morning.
• It is best to speak Spanish, as Spaniards do not speak English well. If a tourist does not know either Spanish or English, you can communicate with gestures - they are used to tourists in Barcelona.

Traveling around Barcelona will be unforgettable if you plan it correctly. Don't waste a minute if you only have one day - even in such a short time you can see many famous places. In any case, a trip to Barcelona will be very interesting and, of course, unforgettable.

* Prices are current as of August 2018.

Where is the best place to relax by the sea in Spain? Coast of Catalonia! We want to tell you about our favorite places to visit in Barcelona in 1 - 3 days of your trip. We have studied routes to the sights of the city more than once and over 4 trips there we have collected tons of photos and text for you. Where to go from Barcelona for one day? We will also tell and show you about this.

You can spin endlessly on the architectural and cultural carousel of the city, but if you only have a day or three left, the routes should be clear and systematized. What to see in Barcelona in a short time, where to go and, most importantly, how to get to the must see places? Let's share our experience and feedback. The last time in May we went there for 9 whole days!

One of the main attractions of Barcelona with huge queues

1. We recommend planning breakfast at the Brunch&Cake cafe, located a 10-minute walk away from Plaza Catalunya. Address: Carrer d’Enric Granados, 19. The doors open at 9 am, so we run straight to the opening, otherwise there will be a queue. The popularity of the place does not at all spoil the quality of the breakfasts, which you can eat to your heart’s content for about 18 €, and to have the strength to go – for 10-12 € :)

2. Those “prepared” in advance can skip this point and immediately go down to the metro and take the L3 line to Lesseps station. 15 minutes on foot, following the signs, and you - in Park Guell– an iconic landmark of Barcelona. In the morning it is most comfortable here, there are few tourists, and the sun is not so hot. 17 hectares of greenery, steps up, steps down, observation platforms and Gaudí’s characteristic “gingerbread” style - exploring the park, including paid areas (8 €), will take about 1.5 hours.

3. Returning the same way to the Catalunya metro station, cross the square and find yourself on the boulevard Rambla– the main tourist street of the city. Every visitor considers it necessary to walk a distance of a kilometer to Columbus monument. And at the same time, consider all the offers from the city’s souvenir and gift industry (at inflated prices) and evaluate the activities of street performers.

4. Here on the boulevard is Boqueria market, where you should definitely look if you want to commemorate your independent exploration of Barcelona in 1 day with an excellent piece of jamon, a portion of selected spices and fresh fruit.

5. Turning off La Rambla, tourists find themselves in Gothic Quarter. This is one of the oldest districts of the Catalan capital, its historical center full of medieval architecture and chaotic streets. There are also objects located here that are not listed in the top attractions of Barcelona, ​​but, nevertheless, are considered the main points of visiting the quarter - Cathedral of Saint Eulalia, Royal Square, Church of Santa Maria del Pi. A suitable place for lunch is the Four Cats cafe at Carrer de Montsio, 3. Gaudi and Picasso once dined here.

6. It will take about half an hour of walking to get to Sagrada Familia Cathedral. To save time, you can take the metro from Passeig de Gracia station and take the L2 line to Sagrada Familia station. If you plan to go inside, purchase your tickets online in advance as... On site you will probably find huge queues at the box office. The basic option of all available tickets costs 15 €, with an audio guide – from 24 €.

7. If your one day in Barcelona falls on Thursday - Sunday, go in the evening to Plaza de España. From Sagrada Familia - take line L2 to Universitat station, change to L1 and go to Espanya station. Starts at 21:00 Singing Fountain Show, which attracts crowds of tourists every day.

However, if you are visiting the city from Monday to Wednesday, or the start time of the show is too late, end your mini-trip with a walk along the Barceloneta promenade.

Where to eat in Barcelona in the evening? A good place is Salamanca on Calle Almirall Cervera, 34, where you can enjoy paella and sangria for dinner with a view of the sea :)

In general, you can immediately simplify your plans for the days ahead by taking a thematic excursion from the locals:

If you have not yet decided how you will get to Barcelona and are thinking about a tour, then here are 3 proven sites for online booking of tours with 24 hour support:

The price is per person when purchasing a tour for two

Barcelona in 2 days

What to see in Barcelona on day 2? Route:

1. House of Mila,
2. Casa Batllo,
3. Barcelona Aquarium,
4. Museum of Catalan Art.

Look for shrimp on Barcelona beach

1. Located at Diagonal metro station Mila's house. The special style of the building - in the form of waves - gives a little surrealism and the impression of mobility of the house, and the characteristic “gingerbread” top reveals the hand of Gaudi. Open to the public from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., entrance fee: €22.

1. Review: How tourists are deceived in Barcelona

1. Five hundred meters up the road was located Casa Batllo at Passeig de Gracia, 43. This is another example of the absence of any straight lines in the design of buildings by Gaudi, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You are allowed to visit from 9 am to 9 pm, having pre-paid a ticket with a minimum price of €24.5.

1. You can continue your route through Barcelona on foot to the largest in the European part of the world Aquarium, located on Moll d'Espanya, Port Vell. Visitors find themselves literally on the seabed, fenced off from thousands of marine inhabitants only by a glass tunnel. Well, it’s as if they didn’t come to look at strange creatures, but on the contrary :) Entrance is from 10 to 21 (depending on the time of year) and costs 20 €.
2. To the largest museum in Barcelona - National Museum of Art of Catalonia– you can get on the metro, reaching the Espanya station and walking through the already familiar Piazza di Spagna up to the majestically towering palace. In summer, the museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 to 20, ticket price is about 12 €. However, a free visit is also possible; more on that below.

In 2013, entrance to Park Güell was still free

Barcelona in 3 days

On day 3 in Barcelona you can see the following on your own route:

1. Barceloneta beach,
2. Mount Tibidabo,
3. Spanish village,
4. Agbar Tower,
5. Embankment.

Where to live these 3 days? In Barcelona, ​​we prefer not hotels, but apartments - cheaper, more comfortable, prettier. We are looking for it on the Airbnb service. If you are a beginner, you will get a 2100 rubles discount on your first booking.

1. If in previous days you were unable to sunbathe on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, then this morning is the most suitable moment for swimming and sunbathing on Barceloneta beach. Of course, provided you travel in the summer :)
2. Entertainment in Barcelona is still plentiful on the third day. One of the most interesting is climbing the mountain Tibidabo. Here are also amusement park, opened in the 19th century, and a complex of churches Church of the Sacred Heart, and one of the best viewing points in Barcelona. Getting to the highest point is an exciting adventure. You must first get to the Av Tibidabo station on the L7 line, change to the famous Blue Tram (4€ one way), which has been running along the route for more than a century, and arrive at the Plaça del Funicular stop, from where you will be taken up by the old Barcelona funicular (7.7 €).
3. Returning the same way to Plaza Catalunya and taking the metro a little further to Espanya, you can get to Spanish village. This place represents Spain in miniature: the quarter contains village houses, shops, churches from every region of the country. The cost of visiting will cost approximately 11 €.

1. Observation platforms in Barcelona are also appreciated near the Glories metro station - here there is a 34-story skyscraper visible from everywhere Agbar Tower. Well, or the “Glowing Cucumber”, as they call it at night :) It is possible to enter for free thanks to dozens of restaurants and cafes in the building.
2. In the evening you can go to the nightclubs of Barcelona, ​​lined up along the Barceloneta promenade. Or you can just walk along the sea, enjoy the end of your visit to the capital of Catalonia and at the same time plan your next obligatory trip, because Barcelona, ​​in addition to the attractions described above, still has something to surprise you with!

Map of Barcelona with landmarks

Below is a map of Barcelona with attractions in Russian. For your convenience, we have marked the main points of the Barcelona attractions route that can be visited in 1, 2 and 3 days in different colors (blue, green and red, respectively) so that you have a rough idea of ​​​​moving around the city.

Tip: if you are without the Internet, the offline maps app maps.me is a great help for navigating around the area! We personally tested it in different countries. Download a detailed map of Barcelona and transfer all route points to the application. Such an assistant, with marked streets, hotels, etc., will definitely not let you get lost :) The main thing is to do everything in advance.

Another good guide to Barcelona, ​​combining on a map the sights of Barcelona and the metro map 2019:

In Barcelona, ​​the metro is the most convenient form of transport, connecting all corners of the city with its network. On the above map you can see for yourself that each attraction can usually be reached by subway.

In total, the capital of Catalonia has about 180 metro stations scattered across 10 lines. They (lines) are distinguished by numbers - from L1 to L5, L9N, L9S, L10-L11 and FM. Since the metro system is integrated with the railways (connecting to the suburbs), there is a division into metro zones. All of Barcelona is included in Zone 1.

How much does the metro cost in Barcelona?
A single one-way ticket, i.e. valid for both metro and bus, costs 2.20 €. It can be purchased at stations in special machines - you won’t find people behind the window selling tickets in Barcelona :)

You can reduce the cost of travel on the Barcelona metro if you intend to actively travel around the city. For this there is a T10 ticket, which for 10.20 € provides 10 trips on any type of public transport. Several people can use one pass. The T10 ticket does not apply to the L9 metro line and AeroBus airport shuttles.

You will definitely need a Barcelona metro map on site, so it is better to print it out or download it to your phone in advance. Let us remind you that opening hours vary depending on the days of the week: Monday to Thursday 5:00-00:00, Friday and holidays 5:00-2:00, Saturday around the clock, Sunday 5:00-00:00.

Be sure to watch the sunset at Montjuïc (Plaza di Spagna)

Where to go from Barcelona?

If you have a couple of extra days left, and you have walked the city itself far and wide, then you may ask the question - where to go from Barcelona for 1 day? You don’t have to go very far for new “beach” experiences - the coasts of the Costa Brava (Lloret de Mar) and Costa Dorada, to the south and north of the capital, are rich in golden sands and clear sea waves.

But if you want something atypical... For this case, we have selected attractions near Barcelona that will definitely make you admire, and some - freeze in fear.

The most convenient way to travel around Spain is by car - you have your own company, and you don’t have to adjust to your schedule. We prefer to rent a car in advance on the Rentalcars website. The service scans the offers of all global and local rental agencies and pleases us with profitable options.

Our trip to Barcelona (Montserrat Mountain and Benedictine Monastery - July 2016)

You can ride a funicular, marvel at the unusual shape of the rocks, listen to the oldest children's choir in the world and touch the Black Madonna just 50 kilometers from Barcelona. To do this, you need to take a train from platform R5 from Espanya station to either the Aeri cable car or the Cremallera funicular. The cost including transport to the top is €21.50€ in both directions. You can save at your own risk - buy a train ticket only one way, and ride back as a hare (there are no turnstiles).

Port Aventura and Ferrari Land. In 2013 it cost 42€, in 2018 - 55€. Some of the most famous entertainment in Barcelona, ​​these theme parks will thrill your nerves! Take, for example, the recently opened extreme slide Red Force, which will send you into a free fall from 112 meters. Our knees were giving way for a long time... But even after several trips to Barcelona, ​​every time we come here, we still head to Port Aventura. 🙂

Favorite place Port Aventura (in 2013 it cost 42€, in 2018 - 55€)

Figueres. Where can you go from Barcelona to experience the heritage of Catalan art? To the town where Salvador Dali was born and is buried! Moreover, hundreds of tourists’ feet pass over his grave every day, because... The artist is buried under one of the rooms of the famous Dali Theater and Museum. You can get to Figueres for €20 by train from Estacio Sants station in 55 minutes or by car, covering 140 km.

This city is divided by a river into two parts from different eras - modernity and the Middle Ages. The old city has at least 5 museums, 8 temples and even Arab baths from the 12th century.

Our trip to Girona in May 2013

All in all, this is truly one of the must-see attractions near Barcelona. From Passieg de Gracia station there are trains every half hour to Girona; ticket price – 9€.

Trip to Girona for 10€

Empuriabrava. The city, dotted with water canals along which locals move sedately on boats, can be found not only in Italy. In Spain it is Empuriabrava. However, instead of gondolas, there are yachts, boats, boats belonging to the owners of villas and mansions built on pieces of land, and professional yachtsmen. To get here you need to drive to Figueres and then take a bus for 4€.

Val de Nuria. This, of course, is no longer in the “what to see in the vicinity of Barcelona” section, because... the place is perhaps closer to Andorra 🙂 However, the picturesque mountains, clear lake, clean air and overwhelming serenity contrast so much with the landscapes and atmosphere of the capital of Catalonia that the 130-kilometer journey is worth it. If you have 3 days or more, stay longer! Get there first by train on line R3 from Placa de Catalunya to Ribes de Freser, and then by funicular train to an altitude of 1950 meters. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 30 €.

Probably the most exciting adventure you can do from Barcelona! The neighboring principality welcomes all tourists with a Schengen visa in their passport. The distance from Barcelona to Andorra is about 200 km, and can be covered by car in about 3 hours. How to get from Barcelona to Andorra by public transport? Only by bus from Sants station or El Prat airport for 28–41 € one way.

To Andorra for the mountains and shopping

Barcelona Museums

Any route to the sights of Barcelona is not complete without... museums! It’s doubly nice to visit them for free, isn’t it? How to do it? 🙂

• The most significant - National Museum of Art of Catalonia(Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), which houses the collections of the former Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Art of Catalunya. You will be able to enter for free every Saturday from 15 to 18 and the first Sunday of the month.

We went to the main museum of Catalonia (I didn’t like it)

• The capital of Catalonia also cherishes the memory of another outstanding artist and sculptor. Picasso Museum in Barcelona(Museu Picasso) occupies 5 mansions, fitting perfectly into the architecture of the Gothic Quarter. Without a ticket, drop by every Sunday after 3:00 p.m.
• The history of the provincial capital can be told in detail through numerous exhibits. Museum of the History of the City of Barcelona(MHCB). It is less often open to public access - only on the first Sunday of the month.

• (MACBA) is for those who have a passion for futuristic exhibitions, mesmerizing art installations and sometimes blushing photographs. Free visits are available every Sunday from 15:00 to 20:00.
• Well, why in Chocolate Museum in Barcelona(Museu de la Xocolata) is only allowed in without a ticket on the first Monday of the month - quite understandable. There won’t be enough chocolates that are given to all visitors at the entrance! 🙂

In general, if you give advice to tourists, then it is better to go to Spain, as well as to Barcelona in general, in order to have time to enjoy the sun, sea, steep roller coasters and attractions to the fullest.

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