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A Concise Guide to Barcelona |
Article Submitted by: Andrew Broatch
Tuesday, 07 April 2009
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Where to Shop Passeig de Gracia is the main street to shop with the Bulevard Rosa mall (there's another branch on Avinguda Diagonal 609-615), containing around 100 shops. El Corte Ingles department store has it's branches on Placa de Catalunya and Avinguda Diagonal. For antiques, make your way to the old town between the cathedral and Placa del Pi. There's also an antiques market there every Thursday. Barcelona has 40 food markets, the most famous of which is the Boqueria on the Ramblas, where you get to taste all the local delicacies. The main flea market is Els Encants (on the north side of the Placa les Glories), every Mon, Wed, Fri and Sat mornings. Places to go in Barcelona The Ramblas, the mile-long promenade from Placa de Catalunya to the harbour, with an abundance of cafes, shops and street entertainers. Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's distinguished but unfinished cathedral. Also for more Gaudi creations, see La Pedrera and Parc Guell. The Gothic Quarter, off the Ramblas, is a beautiful place to saunter among the historic buildings and just simply relax in the tapas bars or the outdoor cafes. Bathe in the sun at La Barceloneta, the town beach, with atmospheric old streets of old fishing houses surrounding the back of it. Why not head out to the port, which is now revamped with bars, cinemas and shops. Take the funicular from the port to Montjuic - The largest green space in the city with it's awe-inspiring views. There are also museums, theme parks and a castle for your perusal. Purchase the tasty local hams, cheeses and olives at La Boqueria, the vibrant, bustling indoor market on the Ramblas. Restaurants Low budget: La Vinya del Senyor (Placa Santa Mari 5), wonderful place to snack on plates of local ham, cheeses and sip Cava; El Xampanyet (c/Montcada 22, off the Ramblas), lively champagne bar with cheap, tasty tapas; La Poste (c/Gignas 23) in the Born district offers you a four-course menu for a very reasonable 6 Euros. Mid budget: Envalira (Plaça del Sol 13), well known for its paellas; La Fonda (c/Escudellers 10), big, busy place serving up Catalan cuisine. Luxury budget: Oven (Poble Nou), contemporary new restaurant and club; Restaurant Carpanta (c/Sombrerers 13), cozy Gothic venue with delicious arroz negre (black rice). Drinks Low budget: Parnasse (c/Gignas 21), easygoing bar in Gothic Quarter; Glaciar (Placa Reial 3), a fantastic and very popular place to meet with a patio area to take drinks. Mid budget: Dry Martini (c/Aribau 166), cocktail bar in arty Eixample district; El Café Que Pone "Muebles Navarro" (c/Riera Alta 4-6), a cavernous bar in the Raval area in an old converted furniture store. Luxury budget: Mirablau (Placa Dr Andreu), chic bar with dancing from 11pm situated at the foot of the Tibidabo funicular; Palau Dalmasses (c/Montcada 8), swanky champagne bar with chamber music and a cultivated artistic interior. Beyond Barcelona The most acclaimed of the Costa Brava's resorts are Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar, for those who enjoy the nightlife. The place to be is Sitges, south of Barcelona, formerly a fishing village, now the weekend escape for the chic young Barcelonans. The mountain and monastery of Montserrat, 40km northwest of Barcelona, is one of Spain's most breathtaking natural sights and should be a must see for any tourist. Heading north from Barcelona you will reach the beautiful old town of Gerona, and upwards to Cadaques, a quaint fishing village, and nearby Port Lligat, the former home of surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Fans of Dali's work should also visit Figueras, with its surreal Museu Dali embellished with gigantic eggs on the roof.
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