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Articles > Europe > Spain > Barcelona > My Own Personal Top 10 Barcelona
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My Own Personal Top 10 Barcelona
I recently wrote an article with the official visitor information with figures of the most visited attractions in Barcelona. I mentioned in the article that I was surprised by the list, and I thought that I could add what I consider to be some of the great sights. I repeat that this is not to discredit the official list, but just my own opinions, too. So here goes (in no particular order).
1. Sant Pau del Camp. This is a real hidden gem, which not a lot of people know about, and is the oldest church in Barcelona - the only one that survived the bombings of the civil war. "Saint Paul of the countryside" is an old Roman church, built of stone and looks exactly the same on the inside as it does on the outside - no gold, no icons, just the same stones. If you have the chance, you can visit the cloister; you get a real feel for the age of the church with the musty, damp air. The church dates as far back as AD 912, according to one of the engraved stones.
2. Number 2 is La Boqueria or Sant Joseph's market. This is a food market located half way down Las Ramblas, and sells everything you can imagine. The centre is all fish, Mainly circled by fruits (with some fruits you will never have even seen before) and then the real beauties are dotted around, from bugs and locusts (no, really) to fantastic Iberian hams, chorizos and some great eateries, too.
3. Las Ramblas. Many of the guide books you'll read say "you either love it or hate it" but I'm yet to meet someone who doesn't think it's well worth a look. The most famous street of Barcelona used to be a river bed, and trooping up and down is a must to soak in the real Barcelona. The street is actually a combination of 5 ramblas; Rambla de canaletes (referring to the fountains at the top of Las Ramblas, at Plaça Catalunya. As the saying goes, "drink from the fountains of Canaletes, and one day you will return to Barcelona" or at least have a bit of a stomach bug for a few days. Rambla de lose studios is followed by Rambla de Sant Josep (see number 2 above). Then we have Rambla de los capuxinos - some of the first and best cafes and terraces on the doorstep to the Liceu Opera House. This is also often called Rambla de les flores, for all the flower sellers dotted along this stretch. The final part, leading down t the Port is Rambla de Santa Monica where the caricature artists and real artists lay their terrain. Whichever way you visit Las Ramblas, you cannot fail to be impressed with the human statues, street performers, artists, cafes and buzz from this amazing street.
4. Palau de la Musica Catalana. This is probable the finest example of Modernista architecture, and although it has been added to along the way, you can be wowed by the façade, but save your breath for the amazing interior. Infamous for poor acoustics amongst musicians, but impressive for everyone else, the stained glass centrepiece of the roof is beautiful. Don't just turn up expecting to get in - you need to buy a ticket for a tour - every 30 minutes, but fill up fast.
5. Horta maze. A little known attraction of the city, perhaps due to it's out of the way location, and maybe one to go to if you've seen all the rest. This a labyrinth made from hedges - exactly as it sounds. If you think of that 80's film of the same name, you're not far off. Great.
6. El Bosque de las Hadas. Or the forest of the fairies. This is a bar, which is right next to the wax museum at the bottom end of Las Ramblas and has also had a recent extension. This is a must see, with funky waxwork models, trick mirrors, fake trees straight out of a Tim Burton movie and the strangest demon art you will have ever seen.
7. Parc Guell backwards. The higher part of Barcelona can be a real uphill struggle, and Gaudi's Parc Guell was financed by one of his most respected followers, Count Guell, who financed the majority of the Project. The idea was for an exclusive neighbourhood - an old fashioned Beverly hills, if you like. Unfortunately the idea didn't take off, and the whole park had to be bailed out years later by the Catalan government and is now a national park. The reason why I say "backwards" is that if you take the metro to "Vallcarca" you can then take the escalators (how good would that be in somewhere like San Francisco?!) to the back of the park. This way, you start at the highest point and the best views. You can slowly make your way down the windy walkways and view the whole of the park, and effectively save the best for last - the ornate entrance complete with dragon fountain and Hansel and Gretel houses. Unbeatable.
8. Cuitadella Parc on Sunday. Out come the bongos, the home made "empanadas" and other worldly produce and "the garden of Barcelona" goes back a few decades. Row a boat on the lake, admire the Gaudi fountain and wonder how the swans manage to keep so white despite the colour of the water, and join in with the bongos.
9. Montjuic Cable Car. One of my favourite things to do in Barcelona, as it makes you feel like such a kid again! There are various high points for views in Barcelona, but this has to be the best. You can see the commercial side of things at the port, wonder at the sizes of the cruise liners parked up, try and spy your hotel or apartment from where you are and enjoy the castle and its surroundings (all the most stray cats you've ever seen in one place). It's like being in another city.
10. Magic Fountains at Plaza España. Again, this one is another to make you feel young again. The magic fountains "dance" to music - not always to everyone's taste - and light up at the same time. Due to a water shortage in Barcelona (and Catalonia as a whole) the fountains haven't been working so far in 2008, so check before you go, but it's well worth a look.
1. Sant Pau del Camp. This is a real hidden gem, which not a lot of people know about, and is the oldest church in Barcelona - the only one that survived the bombings of the civil war. "Saint Paul of the countryside" is an old Roman church, built of stone and looks exactly the same on the inside as it does on the outside - no gold, no icons, just the same stones. If you have the chance, you can visit the cloister; you get a real feel for the age of the church with the musty, damp air. The church dates as far back as AD 912, according to one of the engraved stones.
2. Number 2 is La Boqueria or Sant Joseph's market. This is a food market located half way down Las Ramblas, and sells everything you can imagine. The centre is all fish, Mainly circled by fruits (with some fruits you will never have even seen before) and then the real beauties are dotted around, from bugs and locusts (no, really) to fantastic Iberian hams, chorizos and some great eateries, too.
3. Las Ramblas. Many of the guide books you'll read say "you either love it or hate it" but I'm yet to meet someone who doesn't think it's well worth a look. The most famous street of Barcelona used to be a river bed, and trooping up and down is a must to soak in the real Barcelona. The street is actually a combination of 5 ramblas; Rambla de canaletes (referring to the fountains at the top of Las Ramblas, at Plaça Catalunya. As the saying goes, "drink from the fountains of Canaletes, and one day you will return to Barcelona" or at least have a bit of a stomach bug for a few days. Rambla de lose studios is followed by Rambla de Sant Josep (see number 2 above). Then we have Rambla de los capuxinos - some of the first and best cafes and terraces on the doorstep to the Liceu Opera House. This is also often called Rambla de les flores, for all the flower sellers dotted along this stretch. The final part, leading down t the Port is Rambla de Santa Monica where the caricature artists and real artists lay their terrain. Whichever way you visit Las Ramblas, you cannot fail to be impressed with the human statues, street performers, artists, cafes and buzz from this amazing street.
4. Palau de la Musica Catalana. This is probable the finest example of Modernista architecture, and although it has been added to along the way, you can be wowed by the façade, but save your breath for the amazing interior. Infamous for poor acoustics amongst musicians, but impressive for everyone else, the stained glass centrepiece of the roof is beautiful. Don't just turn up expecting to get in - you need to buy a ticket for a tour - every 30 minutes, but fill up fast.
5. Horta maze. A little known attraction of the city, perhaps due to it's out of the way location, and maybe one to go to if you've seen all the rest. This a labyrinth made from hedges - exactly as it sounds. If you think of that 80's film of the same name, you're not far off. Great.
6. El Bosque de las Hadas. Or the forest of the fairies. This is a bar, which is right next to the wax museum at the bottom end of Las Ramblas and has also had a recent extension. This is a must see, with funky waxwork models, trick mirrors, fake trees straight out of a Tim Burton movie and the strangest demon art you will have ever seen.
7. Parc Guell backwards. The higher part of Barcelona can be a real uphill struggle, and Gaudi's Parc Guell was financed by one of his most respected followers, Count Guell, who financed the majority of the Project. The idea was for an exclusive neighbourhood - an old fashioned Beverly hills, if you like. Unfortunately the idea didn't take off, and the whole park had to be bailed out years later by the Catalan government and is now a national park. The reason why I say "backwards" is that if you take the metro to "Vallcarca" you can then take the escalators (how good would that be in somewhere like San Francisco?!) to the back of the park. This way, you start at the highest point and the best views. You can slowly make your way down the windy walkways and view the whole of the park, and effectively save the best for last - the ornate entrance complete with dragon fountain and Hansel and Gretel houses. Unbeatable.
8. Cuitadella Parc on Sunday. Out come the bongos, the home made "empanadas" and other worldly produce and "the garden of Barcelona" goes back a few decades. Row a boat on the lake, admire the Gaudi fountain and wonder how the swans manage to keep so white despite the colour of the water, and join in with the bongos.
9. Montjuic Cable Car. One of my favourite things to do in Barcelona, as it makes you feel like such a kid again! There are various high points for views in Barcelona, but this has to be the best. You can see the commercial side of things at the port, wonder at the sizes of the cruise liners parked up, try and spy your hotel or apartment from where you are and enjoy the castle and its surroundings (all the most stray cats you've ever seen in one place). It's like being in another city.
10. Magic Fountains at Plaza España. Again, this one is another to make you feel young again. The magic fountains "dance" to music - not always to everyone's taste - and light up at the same time. Due to a water shortage in Barcelona (and Catalonia as a whole) the fountains haven't been working so far in 2008, so check before you go, but it's well worth a look.
About the Author
David Brydon is an Englishman living in Barcelona, Spain. He is married and has 2 children. He has been working in the vacation apartment rentals business for 7 years. See some great examples of apartments for rent in Barcelona at BCN Rentals.
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Total views: 216
Word count: 1077
Character count: 5898
Article rating: 5.00 out of 5.00
Number of votes: 1
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