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 sea ​​creatures just 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. Get to highest point- 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 route to the sights of Barcelona, ​​which can be visited in 1, 2 and 3 days different colors(blue, green and red respectively) so that you have a rough idea of ​​how to move 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 detailed map 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 integrates with railways(next 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 cherishes the memory of one more thing outstanding artist and a 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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How to travel to Barcelona on your own without overpaying for air tickets and travel agency services. Step-by-step instructions for beginners that will help organize a trip to the capital of Catalonia. How to buy air travel, book a hotel, where to live and what time of year is best to go to Barcelona.

You want the sea, beaches, paella, sangria, see the masterpieces of old Gaudi, and you don’t want to overpay twice for all this pleasure by buying a tour from an agency. Barcelona- ideal budget weekend route to Europe, if you don’t overpay travel agencies. In addition, this is one of my favorite cities and I will share with those who are still wondering how to go to capital of Catalonia at the lowest cost and return from there with a backpack of new impressions and saved money, without using the services of intermediaries.

What is the best time of year to travel to Barcelona.

First, let's choose the time of year to travel. Barcelona good at any time, but there are nuances. If the emphasis is on beach holidays, then best time summer-early autumn. Gastronomy and educational walks - from late autumn to the end of April, the May holidays are the traditional time for the occupation of the city by citizens of the CIS, so I do not recommend it, January - the coldest month - is not for everyone.

Which area to live in and what type of accommodation to choose in Barcelona?

We choose a place to live. When I was traveling for the first time, I heard a lot of advice, but I spent time studying the city map and chose for myself Eixample district. Ancient aristocratic district Barcelona with the possibility of walking to many attractions, including the famous Sagrado Familia (Temple of the Holy Family) . Most tourists live in Gothic Quarter or in Rambla area, these two blocks are adjacent. The downside is that these areas are a little more expensive than the Eixample and in the summer months there is nowhere to fall. Another popular area is Barceloneta, which is closest to the sea and beaches. Only the most crazy people swim on the beaches of Barcelona due to the proximity of the seaport, but you can sunbathe there. It is better to swim in the vicinity of the Costa Brava.

How to find budget accommodation in Barcelona

Cheap accommodation or hotels in Barcelona can be found through the booking system Hotels Combined (RoomGuru.com), a service I use myself. The advantage of the service is that it compares prices of dozens of booking systems, including the one loved by many booking.com– you just have to choose the best offer. In each article or report, I provide links to hotels where I stayed and which I liked.

IN Barcelona You can book apartments instead of hotels. It is a little cheaper, the room area is about 50 sq.m., a bathroom and a mini kitchen. The usual cost is 40-60 euros per night.

To summarize: if our goal is not to overpay, to live in luxury apartments in houses of the early 20th century near the main attractions, we choose the Eixample district, not far from the metro.

How to find budget apartments in Barcelona

If you are traveling with a group or for a period of more than two days, for example, you want to save on accommodation in more expensive Barcelona, ​​you should use the service renting apartments through Booking.com Alternatively, use airbnb service, if you have not registered yet, you can do so follow this link and receive a bonus for your first booking.

You can read more about the apartment booking service in the article

I like Barcelona Eixample district- good quality apartments, metro and main attractions are equidistant from housing, prices range from 20 to 50 dollars per day for an apartment for 2-5 people.

By metro you can reach all other attractions, as well as La Rambla, Porto, and Barceloneta.

You should not pay for the hotel in advance, especially since the Spanish Embassy in Ukraine does NOT require prepaid hotels. You never know what the circumstances are, we will always have time to pay.

Getting a Schengen visa

Do not believe those who scare you with difficulties in obtaining a Schengen visa. These people rather pursue their own interests. Getting a Schengen visa is easy. To get a Spanish Schengen visa you need to make an appointment at the visa center in Kyiv on the center’s website espvac-ua.com. After making an appointment to submit documents, we prepare the documents - the list is on the website.

• application form (printed directly from the visa center website)
• copies of hotel or apartment reservations
• copies of passport, copies of previous Schengen visas
• certificate of income from place of work
• certificate from the bank about balances Money or a printout of the balance on the card
• health insurance (we buy from our insurance company)

I spent 30 minutes preparing all the documents, including registration on the visa center website; on the way to the office I stopped at the insurance office to pick up insurance and ordered a certificate of my bank account balance, which I picked up on the way home.

To the visa center at: Kyiv, st. Frunze, 60

We sign up for 8.30 in the morning, in time for the opening, and leave at 9.00. For its services, the visa center charges 25 euros at the exchange rate in hryvnia, the visa itself costs 35 euros. Total 60 euros, if you had at least one Schengen visa, for this money you are guaranteed to receive a Schengen multiple visa for at least 3 months. You will receive a passport with a visa in a maximum of 5 working days there, that is, at the visa center.

UPD: from June 11, 2017, citizens of Ukraine DO NOT need a visa to travel to EU countries, therefore there is no longer a need to obtain a Spanish visa

How to get to Barcelona

Buy a cheap flight from Kyiv to Barcelona or from Moscow to Barcelona you can directly visit the airline website, but the most profitable way is to take advantage of flight offers from aviasales, an aggregator that I always check for myself when I’m going to travel. The service offers the most profitable offer, including offers from low-cost airlines - you just have to choose the best by price, departure time or airline. If you arrived on a low-cost airline in Gerona, which is located almost a hundred kilometers from Barcelona, get from Gerona Airport to Barcelona You can take a bus that leaves directly from the airport every hour. The bus schedule can be found on the website, where you can buy a ticket, print it and take it with you. The bus terminal is located to the left of the airport exit. Buses arrive at the Nord terminal in Barcelona, ​​which is within walking distance of Eixample and Arc de Triomphe.

On excursion bus let the lazy and pensioners ride. You don't need a car for the city either. Optimally subway or bus. Can buy Barcelona Card, which, in addition to free travel, gives discounts to museums and some restaurants. You can buy on the website barcelonaturisme.com or directly in the city. You can travel by taxi, prepare approximately 10-12 euros for one trip. At the same time, do not forget that in the city it is not customary to stop a taxi by raising your hand; for this purpose, there are taxi stands near most intersections. The metro is optimal; buying tickets from the machines is intuitive and won’t cause any problems. In addition, at any time of the year, a touring bicycle is at your service; it is taken from bicycle stands and can be left at the same parking lot at the other end of the city, convenient and inexpensive, about 15 euros for a whole day of use.

How to rent a car in Barcelona

If you are planning to travel around the city in addition to the city itself, you will have to rent a car. I usually book in advance through an international rental car website - a convenient interface, reliability backed by international status, many years of experience and positive reviews travelers.

Organization costs independent trip at the end of May for two people, Euro

Flight Kyiv-Barcelona-Kyiv - 320 euros

Accommodation (4 nights) – 150-250 euros

Bus from the airport and back – 25 euros

Total – 495 euros for two or 245 euros per person

This route is best suited for those who plan to spend one day exploring the city. During this time you will have time to visit the Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, Park Güell, Ramblas and the Gothic Quarter. If you have time and energy left, you will have time to make a circle around the city on a tourist bus.

The program we have developed is designed for you to explore the main attractions of the city outside and inside with the help of Russian-language audio guides.

If you want to learn more about the city's history, its buildings and secrets, we recommend booking with a professional guide.

For 100 € it is quite possible to find a 6-8 hour walk, during which you will learn everything about the capital of Catalonia.

1. It's better to plan your conquest of Barcelona on Thursday or Friday. On these days, public transport works and runs as usual. This is important because you will have to move a lot and preferably quickly.
2. Barcelona is the world leader in the number of . It is better to keep passports and ID cards separately from your wallet and purse, andIt is better to take a printout of your passport with youor driver's license, leaving documents at the hotel. They most often steal in the metro, on the Rambla and in the crowd.
3. Near attractions, prices are 2-3 times higher than usual. Stock up on essentials (water, light snacks) in advance.
4. In order not to waste time in line, we recommend purchasing tickets in advance to the museums that our route includes. Firstly, it will save you more than an hour of time, and secondly, it will simply cost a little less.

You will need tickets:

• to the Sagrada Familia (choose a time before lunch)

Metro tickets are sold in the terminal at the station.

Route plan

The starting point of our route is Plaza Catalunya. One of the main transport interchanges of the city is located here and you can get to it without transfers from almost anywhere on the Costa Dorada or Costa Brava.

9:45 Plaza Catalunya

The first thing you need to do when you get here is to see where the open-top tourist buses are parked.

Tourist bus with panoramic roof

Approach the driver or ticket inspector to exchange your existing vouchers for official tickets. The tickets will be accompanied by discount coupons that:

• first they will save us 3 euros on entry to Casa Batllo
• will give a 10% discount on meals at the Fris & Co restaurant, where you can have an inexpensive and hearty lunch in the afternoon.
• + with these tickets you can ride a tourist bus all day long, you can get on and off at any stop. .

After the tickets have been exchanged, you can either get to Casa Batllo yourself (it’s faster) or travel one station by bus. Buses leave every 10-20 minutes, walking takes 8-10 minutes.

If you decide to walk:

There are two on the square, which were placed here in 1956 to level the corners of the square and remove bushes. Since 2015, these fountains perform a light and music show from 21:00.

So, we look at them, standing with our backs to the center of the square, and go around to the right. Next we walk along Passeig de Gracia for about 8-10 minutes to Casa Battlo (House Battlo) as shown here:

10:00 Casa Batllo

Tickets are sold at the box office of the house-museum itself. It will say “Tickets”. Show your discount coupons, give money and show the number of tickets on your fingers. Or in English say “two tickets with bus touristic discount”

You will be given 1.5 hours to tour the house with a Russian audio guide (included in the ticket price and given at the entrance). The audio guide is very detailed and interesting.

11:30. Getting to the Sagrada Familia from Casa Batllo

Next to Casa Batllo there is the Passeig de Gracia metro station. Let's go down. If there are two or more of you, then we buy a T-10 travel ticket for 9.95 euros from the following machine:

The ticket entitles you to 10 trips on the metro, buses and trams. A single ticket costs 2 euros, so the pass gives you 2-time savings on public transport if the number of trips is more than 4.

We take the subway purple line (L2) and we reach the Sagrada Familia station in 15 minutes. The station has 2 platforms with different entrances. You need to get down correctly. You need to go in the direction of Badalona Pompeu Fabra . In the metro, at the descent to the platform, there are tables like this.

12:00 Sagrada Familia

There is only one entrance to the Sagrada Familia. There are also turnstiles there. Tickets must be purchased in advance to avoid wasting time in line. There is a separate turnstile for electronic tickets (printing), where there is no need to stand in line.

You can buy tickets on the spot.

Please note that entry to the Sagrada Familia with online tickets is limited in time. Therefore, it is important to buy tickets for 12:00 and be near the cathedral by this time. Although no one will stop you from entering if you are half an hour late, it is better not to waste time negotiating with the service staff.

An audio guide in Russian is issued in a separate booth (not where tickets are sold). There should be an “audio guides” sign there. Choose a Russian-speaking guide (say russian and they will understand you 🙂).

The program lasts 75 minutes. We take you to the Sagrada Familia with a reserve for photos, a quiet inspection - 1.5-2 hours.

13:30 We get from Sagrada Familia to the Seaport

From Sagrada Familia we go to the port for lunch. To do this we take the metro purple line L2 and go to Paral-lel station. There we change to the green line L3 and go to Drassanes station .

When exiting the carriage, there are stands at the top where you can use the arrows to determine where you need to go. At Drassanes station we go up. You will find yourself either on La Rambla or a little away from it. This is not important, since now you need to keep your way to the sea (you will already see it).

Your food point is located in the “ ” shopping center, which is located on the cape. There you need to find a cafeteria. He is with reverse side buildings, if you enter from the port and the bridge connecting the cape with the Rambla.

The location of the fast food restaurant is circled in red.

Lunch costs about 13 euros all inclusive. Don't forget that you have a discount coupon.

15:00 Port – Rambla – Plaza Catalunya – Tourist bus

Living sculptures

The same way we came, we return to La Rambla - the main tourist boulevard of the city. If you follow it to the very end, without turning anywhere, you will find yourself right on Plaza Catalunya, where it all began.

On Rambla, we carefully look after your bag, wallet and belongings. Pickpockets work very quickly!

On the right side of the Rambla is the old part of the city, which is recommended to visit if you have some free time and energy after the bus tour.

While walking along the Rambla, there are several interesting objects within walking distance:

• (you can go have a look and replenish the supply of fruit in your backpack)
• (a so-so museum, you can safely skip it for the first time)
• (you will have to seriously deviate from the route)
• (another Gaudí creation, you can see it from the outside, you can skip the inside for the first time)

16:00 Plaza Catalunya. Sightseeing tour by bus + Park Guell.

– best opportunity see the city and learn basic information about its main attractions, history and much more. All buses have Wi-Fi and an audio guide in Russian.

You show the tickets you have already received in the morning to the driver or controller who is on every bus. He will let you onto the bus observation deck.

It is important to have sunglasses and a hat with you, since although the roof of the bus is ventilated, the sun is very, very hot.

Buses follow 3 routes:

• red route
• blue route
• green (green route)

It's better to start with red , since it is the most interesting, and you will see a part of Barcelona that you have not yet visited during the first part of today’s route.

After passing the red circle and arriving at your departure point, change to the blue route . On it you will see the Sagrada Familia again and it will take you to Park Güell, where you can get out and walk to it.

Entrance to Park Güell has been paid since 2013 and costs 8 euros . Whether to go in or not, decide for yourself based on the location and physical condition. There is a good observation deck where you can photograph cool panoramic views of Barcelona, ​​as well as the longest bench in the world, which was created, of course, by Gaudi. It might be more interesting to go to the Gaudi Experience Museum, which is located nearby.

If you decide not to go to the singing fountains in the evening, we recommend going for a walk at the following stations:

• Telefèric de Montjuïc

• Gothic Quarter (Barri Gotic)

You can stroll through the streets of the Gothic Quarter and see the Cathedral. Inside the cathedral can be found from 17:15 to 20:00 (entrance 4 euros)

20:00-21:00 Free time

The further program of the day depends on your physical condition. The main thing you need to remember is the departure time of the last train to your place of residence.

21:00 Fountain show

If time permits, you can green metro line ( L3) get to Plaza Espanya to watch the singing fountain show. The fountains perform at 9:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.

Since April 2015, no less beautiful fountains can be seen in Plaza Catalunya, but they operate without musical accompaniment. These are the same two fountains that served as landmarks at the beginning of the route.

21:30-22:00 Way home

The last train towards Blanes leaves at 21:59 on weekdays and 21:47 on weekends. If you don't have time, a great adventure awaits you on night buses and taxis.

For those who live in Salou, it is better to postpone the fountain show until later. Since the last train in the direction of Salou from Barcelona leaves at 21:03. After this time, the only way to reach Salou is by bus, which leaves the bus station at 22:00.

Ideal route: 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 it arose modern name streets.

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 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

WITH right side from 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 are wearing 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. It hosts excellent jazz concerts every evening.

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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 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 early XIX 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 after a hundred years spanish kings permission was given to demolish the fortress and establish a park 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, sit on the lawn, and learn new musical instruments, do yoga, 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. Very often, Casa Batllo is 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 none in Casa Mila right angle. 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 that would be 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. Completed in 2010 construction works inside the complex, 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 exhibition pavilions are located. 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:

The great architect Gaudi forever glorified Barcelona, ​​which is now deservedly popular among tourists. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Tens of thousands of independent tourists from Russia visit Barcelona every year, and you can be among them, especially since organizing a trip to Barcelona on your own is not difficult.

To make it easier to search for air tickets to Barcelona, ​​you can use a special search form. Just select the desired dates and enter the departure city (if it is not Moscow).

How to get from the airport to the center of Barcelona?
Planes arrive at international Airport Barcelona (BCN) - "El Prato", which is located 13-14 km from the city center. From the airport to the city center you can take a taxi, bus or the RENFE commuter train. The train is the cheapest and fastest transfer option and departs from terminal T2, so if you arrive at terminal T1, you will first need to take the free shuttle to terminal two. The train runs every 30 minutes and stops at Barcelona Sants, Passeig de Gracia and Clot, where you can change to the metro. A train ticket costs 3.15 euros, travel time is about 20 minutes. In addition to the train, the center of Barcelona - Placa de Catalunya - can be reached by a special Aerobus bus, the stops of which are located opposite each terminal, with bus route A1 going to/from terminal T1, and bus route A2 from/to terminal T2, respectively. Buses leave every 5-10 minutes, the fare is about 5 euros. You can also get to the city by taxi, the average cost of a trip is about 30 euros. Well, the cheapest way is the city bus route No. 46, the ticket costs 1.4 euros, but it has no luggage compartment and makes many stops on the way to the city center.

If you have never booked a hotel on your own online, I recommend reading detailed instructions about how to do it -

Currency of Spain

The official currency in Spain is the euro (EUR), so the question “What currency to take to Spain” when traveling to Barcelona is not worth it, take the euro, then you definitely won’t go wrong. In Barcelona, ​​credit cards are accepted everywhere.

Transport in Barcelona

The public transport system in Barcelona is very well developed, with metro, buses, trams and taxis at your service. Barcelona is divided into 6 transport zones from Zone 1 to Zone 2. The first zone covers the center of Barcelona and is most interesting to tourists.
The most convenient city transport is the metro, whose stations are located near the city's main attractions. You can buy a metro ticket from station workers, from vending machines or newsstands. If you are going to spend several days in Barcelona and actively use public transport, then it is more profitable to purchase a T10 pass, which entitles you to 10 trips on the metro, bus, tram or RENFE train. Within the central zone (Zone 1) of the metro, one ticket costs 2 euros, and a T10 pass costs 9.8 euros. You can also buy a 1-day T-Dia pass, which costs 7.25 euros within the first zone. There are other travel options. In addition to buses and the metro, in Barcelona you can use taxi services (all taxis are metered, the average 15-minute trip will cost about 10 euros. And for lovers of environmentally friendly transport, there are bicycle rental companies in Barcelona.

In addition to transport passes, there is also a special card for tourists - the Barcelona Card. It not only gives you the right to unlimited movement around the city on public transport, but also provides discounts on visiting museums and various attractions. The card can be ordered online, then you will receive a 10 percent discount. The cost of the Barcelona Card depends on the number of days: a card for 2 days costs 37 euros, for 3 days 47 euros, for 4 days 56 euros and for 5 days 62 euros.

The Barcelona Card provides the following benefits: unlimited travel on public transport in Barcelona, ​​discounts at selected restaurants, bars and clubs, discounts on admission to 26 museums and various landmarks, including the Picasso Museum, Sagrada Familia, Perfume Museum, Museum of Modern Art and the Joan Miró Foundation, free access to 16 museums and attractions, including the Museum of Decorative Arts, the Museum of Natural Sciences and the Botanical Gardens.

What to see in Barcelona?

Barcelona is rich in attractions and attracts millions of tourists every year. It is impossible to describe all of them within the framework of this article, but we will try to briefly talk about the main ones. The legacy of the great architect Gaudi is one of the main magnets that annually attracts a huge number of tourists to Barcelona. Antonio Gaudi left behind a great legacy: Park Güell, Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Palazzo Güell, Casa Batlló and others.

One of the main and majestic buildings in Barcelona, ​​owned by the genius Antoni Gaudi. Construction of the Cathedral began in 1883 and has not yet been completed. Until his death, the architect worked on his main creation. Despite the fact that the temple is not yet completed, it is open to the public. Tickets are sold for a specific time and it is better to buy them in advance so that you can skip the line. The ticket costs 13.5 euros and does not include visiting the towers, if you want to climb the towers you will have to pay an additional 4.5 euros.

The park is located in the Gracia district, on a hill in the suburb of Valcarca. Park Güell is another masterpiece of Antoni Gaudi. The park can be reached by metro (green line L3) to the Lesseps station, from there you can follow the signs to the park. Opening hours are from 10 am to 9 pm (in summer). Free admission. The park also houses the Gaudi House Museum.

Residential building with a very original architectural style, rebuilt by Gaudí in 1904-06. In Russian this architectural masterpiece The house is often called Batllo or Batlo, and the locals call it “House of Bones”. Casa Batllo is located in the Eixample district, like Casa Mila, on Passeig de Graci̒a. A ticket to visit Casa Batllo is not cheap, 20.35 euros. You can get there by metro to the Passeig de Gràcia stop.

Many tourists who come to Barcelona go to relax in the famous amusement park - Port Aventura, located in the city of Salou, an hour's drive south of Barcelona. More than 3 million people visit it every year and it is one of the most visited amusement parks in Europe. The park contains a large water park, various theme parks and several hotels. From Barcelona to Port Aventura you can get by train, bus or car. Trains to Port Aventura leave from the stations: Sants, Pg. de Gracia, Estacio de Franca. The trip takes about 1.30-1.40 minutes. A one-way ticket costs about 7 Euros. Schedule and information here: www.renfe.com. Be sure to make sure the train stops at the correct stop. There is also a bus from Barca to Salou. Get off in Salou, and then change to another bus and go to Port Aventura. You can simply drive to Salou, and there is a train running around the city that goes straight to Port Aventura.

A ticket to the amusement park for 1 day costs 45 euros (for children 39 euros), for two days 56 euros (for children 46 euros), tickets to the water park are purchased separately for 1 day the price is 28 euros (for children 22 euros). You can also buy a 3-day combo ticket to both parks for 79 euros (for children 63 euros).

Shopping in Barcelona

Barcelona, ​​along with Paris and Milan, is a cult destination for shopping lovers and is considered one of the European capitals of fashion. When shopping in Barcelona, ​​be aware that many shops may be closed during the afternoon siesta (13:00 to 16:30).

Discounts in Spain are called Rebajas and occur twice a year: from early January to early March and in July-August. Barcelona is famous for its busy shopping streets: Carrer de Pelai, Passeig de Gracia, Rambla de Catalunya, Riera Baixa, La Diagonal.

A special bus route, the Barcelona Shopping Line, has been created especially for shopping lovers in Barcelona. The 5 km long route starts at the old port and ends at the exit of the city along Avinguda Diagonal. By purchasing a ticket from the driver for 10 euros, you can travel all day on this route, which passes through all the iconic places for shopping lovers in Barcelona.

If you buy goods for more than 90 euros, do not forget to apply for Tax Free (tax refund) and then you can get 15 percent of your purchase back at the airport. Find out about Tax Free from sellers and ask for a “global refund” form, which gives you the right to receive cash at the airport.

If you are planning your first independent trip, I recommend reading the article, there you will find answers to many questions that may interest you.
You can find other articles and useful materials for planning an independent trip on a special page -

Don't be afraid to travel on your own - it's cheaper and much more interesting. Traveling on your own gives you freedom.