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Browsing Barcelona
Anella Olímpica
Montjuïc's 'Olympic Ring' was one of the four major competition sites used during the 1992 games. It's located on an esplanade alongside the Antonio de Barnola
This gallery offers young artists the possibility of showing their work to a public that enjoys different and varied artistic expressions. At this beautiful gallery, they not only support young creators, but also older artists. Furthermore, they do not merely exhibit paintings and sculptures, for at Antonio de Barnola you can also see photographs, installations and even designer objects. There are several halls and exhibitions open to the public at the same time. Examples of some of the things you can see in their halls are paintings and drawings by Mireya Masó, a young Catalan painter, and an installation by Magdalena Correa.
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Aqualeón
If you are looking for a wonderful and educational day out of town surrounded by nature, Aqualeón, at 65km from Barcelona following the A-7 motorway, is where your children can see animals that they may only have seen on television before. It even has its own shuttle service, with buses leaving from a number of places in town. For reservations and daily timetables, call the above-mentioned number. It's both a safari and water fun-park. Driving your own car, you can see lots of jungle animals like lions, tigers, elephants and gazelles really close up. You can see dolphins in the shows, admire the tropical birds and swim in large swimming pools as if you were in the sea and go down the wonderful slides.
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Arc de Triomf
This brick arch was designed in Mudéjar style as the entry gate for the 1888 Expo by Josep Vilaseca. The coats-of-arms representing all the Spanish provinces were placed around it, with Barcelona's in the middle, in the place of honor. On the sides of the arch are four statues of women symbolizing fame. Other stone carvings represent other countries' participation in the Expo, and Barcelona thanking them for their attendance. It is not as grand as the Paris version, perhaps, but still beautiful and worth a visit.
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Art Petritxol
Petritxol Street, located in the most genuine part of the town, the barrio gótico, is well known because of its cozy and pleasant cafés. However, it is even more famous for the long-established art galleries you can find there. This gallery, Art Petritxol, displays works by Catalan painters from the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century. Of the numerous pieces on display, it is worth mentioning a canvas by Ramón Casas, which dates from the middle of 1900.
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Avinguda Diagonal
Start at Plaça Francesc Macià, with a branch of El Corte Inglés, a quality department store that has become a national institution. Just next door is Pedralbes Centre, an exclusive shopping mall with brand-name shops, shoes stores, a jeweler's, perfumeries and high-quality accessories, as well as shops such as Pepa Paper and Items d'Ho, which sell arts, crafts and plenty of great gifts. Further down stands L'Illa del Diagonal, a huge shopping mall with an entire floor dedicated to gastronomic delicacies. As well as numerous shops, the avant-garde building houses a hotel, offices and several restaurants - Moncho's seafood cocktails are a favorite with their business clients. Head down to Les Glòries roundabout for Centre de Les Glòries, the largest in the city, popular with Barcelonians who appreciate the wide range of goods and affordable prices, not to mention the free parking!
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Barcelona Cathedral Museum
This is one of the finest repositories for art collections from the 1300's to the 1700's. Observe works by the likes of Bartolome Bermejo, Manuel Tremulles, Pere Serafi, and Jaume Huguet.
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Barri de Gràcia
This neighborhood was a town in its own right until swallowed up by Barcelona in 1897. The streets are narrow and winding, with little squares dotted here and there. The buildings are low-rise, which shows how old they are (compare them to those anywhere else in Barcelona). One of Gaudí's first works can be found here -- Casa Vicens (1883-88), on Carrer Carolines. It's a very lively area with lots of bars and street life. There are numerous theaters, cinemas, and cultural centers, as well as good vegetarian restaurants and health-food stores. The August festival is a major event in the city.
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Barri de L'Eixample
To cope with the exponential expansion outside the city's medieval walls, Ildefons Cerdà developed a new city plan in 1850: a grid structure of vertical and horizontal streets that formed squares when they crossed. Cerdà wanted to build residential accommodation in these square blocks and have communal yards in the middle with gardens where children could play. This part of the plan was sadly never accomplished, but the original design gives the blocks plenty of light. L'Eixample was built between 1860 and 1920, coinciding with the boom in Modernist architecture that is well represented here. The district is divided between the Dreta de L'Eixample (The Right) and the Esquerra de L'Eixample (The Left).
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Barri de La Barceloneta
This old fisherman's quarter is by the beach, to the south of the zoo and on the other side of the Estación de Francia railway station. It was built in the mid-1700s with straight, narrow streets and still retains the village atmosphere. In summer the place is full with beach crazy people. It's worth visiting at other times too due to its characteristic charm and the plethora of fish restaurants. The Sant Joan festivities (23rd June) are celebrated with fervor here, with bonfires and devils that dance to the rhythm of a traditional music and fireworks until dawn.
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Barri de La Ribera
In the 10th century, the Islamic population of Barcelona was banished from the city and sent outside the city walls, to where Carrer Argenteria now lies. With time, the population of this quarter became more diversified and it expanded notably. This is the area that became the Ribera quarter. The neighborhood was full of economic activity, and in it lived merchants, aristocrats, sailors, and Jewish money-lenders. The most important commercial street was Montcada, and the old boat factory was also here, before moving to beside Las Ramblas.
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Barri de Les Corts
This quarter is located below Diagonal Avenue and above Sants. Long ago, it was an independent village like most of the places, which have now become quarters in Barcelona. There are still some remains of the old village, for instance in the plaça del Carme. This square and its surroundings lie at the center of the old village of Les Corts, annexed to Barcelona in the year 1867. The square is now full of huge residential blocks. The football ground of Fútbol Club Barcelona is also found in this quarter, in the Aristides Maillol Avenue.
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Barri de Sant Pere
This quarter of medieval origin is found below Plaza Urquinaona and on the left side of Via Laietana. It is called Sant Pere because the area grew around the Monastery of Sant Pere de les Puelles, and you can still see some of the monastery's ruins in the Sant Pere square. Traditionally, this quarter was the center of textile production in Barcelona and you can still find a large number of fabric and cloth shops. One of its more marvelous non-garment-related attractions is the Palau de la Música Catalana, built by Domènech i Muntaner, with sculptures of Miquel Blay. It's a nice area to spend time in, to get a feel of the old, pre-shopping mall Barcelona.
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Barri de Sants
This quarter was once a separate village from Barcelona in centuries past. If you walk along the center of Sants, you will notice the narrow streets and the small houses. At one time, it was an industrial quarter with textile factories that no longer exist. What still remains, however, is the Park of España Industrial. Also in this quarter is Sants Station, which is in front of the Plaça dels Països Catalans. Close to the Plaça de Sants there is Les Cotxeres, an old tramway deposit converted into an exhibition center or dance hall, depending on the occasion. In any case, it is worth visiting the quarter, and a must for urban flâneurs.
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Barri del Raval
The Raval is the neighborhood to the right of the Ramblas, if you face the ocean. In the past, this was the area beside the river, and constituted the city limits. A while ago, it was a relatively poor area and much of the city's immigrant population lived here. There is plenty of cultural variety; the street-life gives it color and character. Once considered unsafe, the Raval is now undergoing sustained urban regeneration. The local government, in an attempt to clean up the neighborhood, has demolished many old buildings, widened streets, and opened new squares for people to congregate in. The result is an area in which old and new are mixed.
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Barri Gòtic
Barcelona's oldest residential district is a maze of narrow streets that house some fantastic examples of Gothic architecture. Lots of trendy young designers have opened up outlets here over the last few years along with some classy (but generally not flashy) restaurants, and tapas bars that fill up with the city's youth most nights. Along with the Gothic buildings, you can see the most concentrated remains of the Roman period here, between Plaça de la Catedral and Basílica de la Mare de Déu de la Mercè
This is one of the most popular churches in the town because, among other things, it is the home of the Virgen de la Merced (patron saint of Barcelona; in Catalan, Mare de Déu de la Mercè). The Barça football players credit her with their wins. The original Gothic structure of the basilica was remodeled and enlarged during the 14th and 15th centuries. However, the definitive redesign of the building was carried out by Josep Mas i Cordal (1775) according to the Italian baroque style. It has just one nave with chapels on each side, a dome crowning the crossing and curved scrolls on the facade. Sunday mass is said in Spanish somedays and on other days it is celebrated in Catalan.
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Basílica de Santa María del Mar
Apart from the Basílica de Santa María del Pi
This basilica owes its name (pi means pine) to the pine forest that once stood here and spanned from the walls of the Roman city to the Ramblas. In 1322, work began on the building of the basilica, which is in typical Barcelona Gothic style, although the main entrance is Romanesque. It is an unimposing structure with a 54m tower. Inside is a chapel, in front of the chapter house containing the tombs of Josep Oriol (a saint from Barcelona) and Antoni Viladomat (an 18th-century baroque painter). There is also a rosette window, truly impressive for its size and the lighting created by the sun at the different times of the day.
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Bonmont Championship Golf Course
One of the finest courses in Catalonia, the Bonmont Championship Golf Course was founded and designed by Robert Trent Jones. Beautiful views of the Mediterranean and mountainous backdrop make this challenging 18-hole, par 73 course a thrill for golfers of all levels. Bonmont includes a pro shop, driving range, buggy hire, bar and terrace, catering, and convention and meeting rooms. The course is located about 60 minutes from the Barcelona airport.
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CaixaForum Museum
CaixaForum Museum was created by distinguished Catalan architect Puig i Cadafalch. It is unusual because its original function was as a textile factory and this adds to the center's utilitarian presence. The CaixaForum's open auditorium accommodates those attracted to its seminars and cultural events with many international big shots like Bill Clinton, Mikhail S. Gorbachev, Bono and Noam Chomsky. Its Foundations Contemporary Art Collection is a must-see while in Barcelona.
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Call Jueu
The Jewish neighborhood in Barcelona is located next to Plaça Sant Jaume at the end of Carrer de la Boqueria; that is to say, the whole area between the streets Banys Nous, Call and Bisbe. It's made up of a series of very narrow streets where the majority of the Jewish community lived in the Middle Ages. The charm of this neighborhood is found in the fact that it has changed very little in the last 500 years. Nowadays the area is known for the large number of antique shops found there. Stroll around and breathe the air of days gone by.
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Camp Nou
The Nou Camp or Camp Nou in Spanish, is the largest football Stadium in Europe. Built in 1957, this is the home of the Barcelona Football Club, commonly known as "barca" to the locals. The ground is also known as "The house that Kubala built." In the 1950s, Kubala used to be a great goal scorer. This Hungarian was so popular with the spectators that the stadium was unable to accommodate the sheer number of supporters who wanted to watch him. A new bigger stadium was eventually built. Now it can accommodate 98,000 fans!
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Capella de Santa Àgata
The chapel that belongs to the Palacio Real Mayor (Main Royal Palace) is located on a square that has borne witness to countless historical events. It is pure Gothic in style and was built at the beginning of the 14th century at the behest of Count James II. It was built on top of what was a Romanesque chapel dedicated to Saint Mary, which itself was built upon the ancient Roman city walls. There is a single nave with chapels between the lateral buttresses and impressive stained-glass windows.
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Capella de Santa Llúcia
This chapel can be reached via the Cathedral's cloister as well. There used to be a Romanesque cathedral, dedicated to Saint Llúcia, patron saint of dressmakers and protector of sight, where the Gothic cathedral is now found. It's a relatively simple construction with a rectangular interior. It's open during mass, if you would like to visit the inside.
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Carrer Avinyó
This street runs from Carrer Ferran to Carrer Ample and is very typical of an old town street, with lots of places to drink and eat nearly always full of young people. Picasso found the inspiration to paint his famous Las Señoritas de Aviñón in a brothel located here, too; the painting does not refer to the French town, as people often assume. It is an agreeable place for a late-afternoon stroll, maintains all the charm it once had centuries ago.
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Carrer de la Mercè
This street, found behind Paseo Colón, was one of the more elegant areas of the Barcelona before the construction of La Eixample. This is evident from some of the pretty houses that are still intact. However, decadence did take its toll and over the years, greatly affected the Mercè Street. The Basilica of the same name (de la Mercè) is worth a visit. Nowadays, Mercè Street is full of taverns and cozy little nightspots, where you can drink good sangria and 'Leche de Pantera' (a delicious, sweet, milk-based drink; watch out, it's stronger than you might think by the taste). The taverns give a lot of life to the area which, though no longer the elegant area it once was, remains a popular nightlife zone.
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Carrer del Lledó
The street stretches from the Plaça Sant Just to the Baixada de Viladecols and it's where Barcelona's aristocrats chose to live from the 13th-15th centuries. Many of their noble mansions have survived, like Palau Moixó (Plaça Sant Just, 4) or Palau Fivaller (Carrer del Lledó, 4), a Gothic building with Baroque and Renaissance embellishments. At number 7, there's a Renaissance mansion that retains its original windows and gargoyles. The 14th century Palau de la Reina Elionor lies a little further along the same street. The Sant Rafael mansion at no. 11 has a patio with truncated columns bearing a covered balcony.
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Carrer Ferran
Extending from the Liceu on the Ramblas to Plaça Sant Jaume, this is where Saint James' Church was constructed in the fourteenth century, over an ancient synagogue. Today the rest of the building dating from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and the façade remain. The rest of the buildings on the street are from later periods. It's only recently that it has been changed to a walking street, making it much more pleasurable to stroll along. There are a lot of shops and cafés here as well - check out the grocers' shops that still have wonderful display windows like in past.
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Carrer Montcada
This street runs down towards the sea and is full of palaces that were built from the Middle Ages until the 18th century. The architecture is mainly Gothic and the palaces tend to have attractive central courtyards surrounded by a main stairwell. The street dates back to 1148 when Guillem de Montcada ceded the land to the city and this area soon became the center of commercial life in the Ribera quarter. The first palace you come across when heading towards the port is Palau Berenguer d'Aguilar, which now houses the Picasso Museum and dates from the 13th century. The next two, Palau Castellet and Palau Meca, are also part of Museu Picasso. Just opposite is Palau dels Marquesos de Llió, now housing the Textile Museum. Beside it lies Palau Dalmasses, rebuilt in the 17th century. Finally, at number 25, is Palau Cervelló-Giudice. Along with the historical buildings and museums, the street also has many bars, cafés, and souvenir shops.
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Casa Ametller
Built by Modernist architect Puig i Cadafalch between 1898 and 1900, it belongs -- together with Casa Lleó Morera and Casa Batlló -- to what is called the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord), a group of three radically different Modernist buildings of great architectural and aesthetic value that are found on the same residential block. Unfortunately, visitors are not allowed inside, but the view from the street is still impressive.
Casa Ametller displays Central European Gothic influences, particularly in the pyramid-shaped roof, and a touch of Catalan Gothic style in the window arches, but as a whole, it's clearly Modernist, especially the ceramic façade. More »
Casa Batlló
Antoni Gaudí worked on this house between 1904 and 1906. In it, you can clearly see his interest in combining the ornamental and the structural, blending architectural form and content. The undulating façade is decorated with multi-coloured glass mosaics and porcelain plates. The balconies are made of Montjuïc stone that appears to be molded by hand. Multi-colored ceramics continue onto the roof, which resembles a huge dragon's back. This building forms part of the so-called Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord) because, although each of the three buildings on the block are of great architectural and aesthetic value, their styles clash dramatically.
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Casa Bloc
This building was designed by Catalan architect Josep Lluís Sert, from Vic (the town with the reputation for being the most Catalan of all towns). Sert belonged to a group called GATEPAC (Spanish Group of Architects and Technicians for the Architectural Revolution), which, as the name implies, was quite radical. The building is a good example of their principles, as it attempts to open up to the sun and fresh air, providing a wide horizon for workers' dwellings.
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Casa de l'Ardiaca
The cathedral archdeacon's 16th-century residence was built on top of a ruined 12th-century building, which in turn had been built over the ancient Roman walls of the city. The cloister-like Renaissance patio and its Gothic-style central fountain are outstanding period pieces. Much later, Modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Muntaner added a witty postbox by the front door. The pigeon carved on it represents the hope for quick delivery, while the tortoise represents the inefficient reality of the postal service. It's normally only open to the public on June 5th for the Corpus Christi celebrations, although it houses occasional temporary exhibitions.
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Casa de la Ciutat (Ajuntament)
Better known as the Ayuntamiento, Casa de la Ciutat is located directly opposite the Generalitat in Casa del Degà
For centuries, this 14th-century house next door to Casa del Tíbet
A wealth of information about Buddhism and Tibetan culture. They put on regular activities like classes in Tibetan language, yoga or meditation. There's a library to read about Buddhism, Tibet, Himalayan cultures and more, as well as a store where they sell books and handicrafts. They've got information about making trips to the Himalayan region too, and they even organize expeditions. Every month there are additional activities as well, such as: weekend courses about Buddhist art or therapeutic massage; pujas and mantra recitation; showings of videos and movies.
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Casa Lleó-Morera
Part of the Illa de la Discòrdia (Block of Discord), Lluís Domènech i Muntaner's design displays a spectacular use of mosaic as well as stained-glass windows by Lluís Rigalt and sculptures by Eusebi Arnau. These decorative elements reflect Hellenistic, Gothic, and Renaissance influences, especially the stained-glass windows. Built between 1902 and 1906, it stands in the same residential block as two other outstanding Modernist buildings created by different architects in hugely different styles, hence the collective name - Block of Discord.
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Casa Milà (La Pedrera)
Antoni Gaudí, the architect who built this jewel of Catalan Modernism, wanted the façade to reflect his romantic and anti-classical ideas about design. It was built for the Milà family between 1906 and 1910. Neither the family nor the public were much impressed, and it was dubbed La Pedrera (stone quarry) as an insult. It was only later to win great acclaim when, in 1984, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. It is sometimes referred to as the largest abstract sculpture in the world.
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Casa Museu Gaudí
This is the house where Antonio Gaudí spent much of his life, from 1906 until 1926. The building was designed by his colleague Francesc Berenguer in a modest style, which suited Gaudí's spartan way of life. However, the pergola in the garden was designed by Gaudí himself, who was also responsible for the furnishings, along with some of his pupils, including Josep Maria Pujol. It's just one of the fantastic range of Modernist buildings you'll find in the magical and amazing Parc Güell. The park itself is an artistic masterpiece that includes many of Gaudí's own brilliant works and those of his main collaborators.
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Casa Museu Joan Maragall
This is the house where Joan Maragall, the Catalan poet, spent the last 12 years of his life and where the documentation center dedicated to the poet is located. Both the guided tour through the rooms and the atmosphere created by Maragall allow visitors to discover quite appreciably this poet's life and work. As for Saturday opening times, they only apply to the last Saturday of each month. Admission is free, though groups have to arrange an appointment.
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Casa Museu Verdaguer
This is the house where Jacint Verdaguer, a famous Catalan writer, lived, wrote and spent the last days of his life. The furnishings of the 19th century country house have been carefully preserved. It's located in the hills of Collserola and offers magnificent views of Barcelona. You'll be able to appreciate the way of life that Verdaguer and his like enjoyed at the end of the 19th century.
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Casa Terrades (Casa de les Punxes)
Puig i Cadalfach's building is also known as the Casa de les Punxes (House of the Spikes), because of its sharply pointed gables and towers. Built between 1903 and 1905, its clearly Modernist style is most evident in the floral sculptures on the façade, the use of red brick and in some of its Central European Gothic features. It was completely renovated at the end of the 1980s, but remains closed to public at present.
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Castell de Montjuïc
This 18th-century castle stands on top of Montjuic hill. The original structure was built in 1640 during the War of the Segadors to resist Felipe IV's forces, but it was expanded and improved between 1751 and 1779 to form the present building, which has become a symbol of centralist repression and of the abolition of Catalan liberties. Once a military prison, it's now home to the Museu Militar (Military Museum). You'll find it at the end of the cable-car line where it protects the harbour with its show of arms.
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Castell dels Tres Dragons
This building was originally designed to be the café-restaurant for Expo 1888, but now houses the Museum of Natural Sciences. Domènech i Muntaner was the architect who gave it the Modernist touches: battlement towers, red brick walls, and colorful ceramic shields.
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Catalunya en Miniatura
170 miniature reproduction models of Catalonia's most important buildings are on display here, including Catedral
Its history begins with a small chapel of the 1st century. On that site was built a Romantic church (11th century). In 1298 the construction of the present Gothic temple was initiated and the last detail, the central needle, was incorporated in 1913. The chorus is a true work of art, the same as the crucifix of the Christ of Lepanto (16th century), the crypt is of Santa Eulàlia, the patron saint of Barcelona and the neighborhood Claustro (cloister).
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Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB)
Opened in 1994, this was the first center in Europe dedicated to the study of the urban metropolis seen as a universal phenomenon, offering an analysis of the social, cultural, and urban development of the city, as well as its history. The C.C.C.B. was built by the architect Piñón y Viaplana on the site of the old Casa de la Caridad, a beautiful building, which retains a few original decorative elements. This is the main exhibition center in Barcelona, located in the heart of the Raval district. Apart from courses and seminars, its program includes some of the most interesting cultural initiatives in the city. It also has a café-restaurant and a gift shop.
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Centre d´Art Santa Mònica
An exhibition space run by the Generalitat (Catalan Regional Government), the Centre d´Art Santa Mònica is attractively located in a recently restored 17th-century convent. Although it lacks the prestige of the Centro Budista Nagarjuna
A center of Tibetan Buddhism which follows the Gelukpa school and therefore the tradition of His Holiness the Dalai Lama as well. A member of the FPMT (Federation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition) whose spiritual director is Venerable Lama Thubten Zopa Rinpoche. They have activities Monday to Friday, open to all and free of charge. These activities might be group meditation, study groups, or teachings on the Lam Rim (Gradual Path) given by the resident teacher Venerable Lama Geshe Lobsang Tsultrim. There are also occasional weekend teachings and longer retreats.
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Circuit de Catalunya
The Circuit de Catalunya is home to some of the most significant motor racing competitions in Spain. There are three different routes available including the Grand Prix track with 4.627 m, the National track with 3.067m, and the School track with 1.703 m. Competitions held here include the Catalan and Spanish Motorcyling and Car Championships, the F-1 Spanish Grand Prix and the Catalan Motorcycling Grand Prix. The Circuit de Catalunya also organizes several activities and conventions and even hosts a driving school.
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Club de Golf Sant Cugat
You'll find this golf club 12km outside Barcelona in the dormitory town of Sant Cugat del Vallès. It's easy to get here by car on the A-7 motorway or by taking an FGC suburban train. It's a long-established and exclusive club that was founded in 1914. In addition to the 21-hole golf course, there's a swimming-pool, bar, and restaurant.
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Club Golf d'Aro
Situated in Les Gavarres mountains, this golf course offers amazing panoramic views of Costa Brava amongst pines, oaks and olive trees. D'Aro is made up of an 18-hole, par 72 course as well as a 9-hole, par 27 course. Warm-up at the driving range and grab some extra tees at the pro shop before battling the green. Club rental is available along with caddy cars, electric caddies and manual trolleys. After your game, stop by the bar and restaurant for a meal or drink. D'Aro is located north of Barcelona. Check out website for more information.
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Col·legi d’Arquitectes de Catalunya
This very famous building is continuously used by professional architects to display their work. It is the murals adorning the front of this building that have made it so famous: they were designed by Picasso in the 50's. Other artists, however, had to carry out the actual painting of the murals since Picasso was not allowed into the country in those days. Inside, there are always interesting temporary exhibitions related to the world of architecture, city planning and contemporary design. Admission: free
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Comunidad Evangélica Alemana
Green areas are difficult to find in the middle of the city. But in uptown Barcelona, close to Plaça Molina, in the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi district, a magnificent two-floor building stands, far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, surrounded by a beautiful garden. This is where the German evangelical community (Deutschsprachige Evangelische Gemeinde) meets every week for Sunday service. They also organize a number of activities for the community members, such as meditative dances, silk painting, or group outings. This community is very closely linked to the German Catholic community of Barcelona, with whom they organize meetings.
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Comunidad Israelita de Barcelona
Since 1954, the Israeli community has had their center in a beautiful and sober three-floor building in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi. They had to wait for five centuries in order to be allowed to set up a new Jewish community in Barcelona. Curiously enough, it is in this center, which nowadays houses two synagogues (one Sephardic and one Ashkenazi), that in 1954 the first synagogue of the peninsula since 1492 was built, the year when the Jews were expelled. This community building houses a library, a conference room, and study rooms. They also have a Sephardic College in the same district.
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Costa Brava, Lloret and Tossa
Drive north of Barcelona to visit two of the most popular centers on the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar and Lloret de Mar.
Located on the southern side of the Costa Brava, Tossa de Mar is a medieval fisherman's village. With a heavily Roman influence dating back to the 12th century, you will enjoy a morning of visual pleasures.
Enjoy a cruise on the crystal clear blue waters to Fanals beach at Lloret de Mar. Enjoy lunch before spending some time at leisure to visit the cosmopolitan area with beautiful sandy beaches. More »
Costa Dorada Golf Club
Founded in 1983, the Costa Dorada golf course is the first course in the Tarragona area. The rolling green hills of the course blend beautifully with the palm, olive, and willow trees that surround the fairways. Although this stunning scenery won't help your stroke, you're sure enjoy the views while you play. Be sure to bring your best driver, because the second longest par 5 in Spain (637 yrds) is going to be hard to par.
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Dalmau
At Dalmau, they organize monographic and collective exhibitions displaying works by Catalan, Spanish and foreigner contemporary artists. However, they specialize in exhibitions dedicated to the historical avant-garde. This mainly consists of the pieces by Torres García and the Spanish school in Paris, which includes works by acclaimed artists such as Bores, Clavé, Viñes and M Ángeles Ortíz, among others. There has recently been a collective exhibition displaying works of art by Jordi Amagat, Elisa Caro, Virginia Lasheras, Gabriel Rigo and Pascal Plasencia. They will be soon displaying the works by José Garvich, a Lithuanian artist who belongs to the Torres García group, formed in Montevideo and New York.
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Desconsol (El)
This sculpture is found in Ciutadella Park, in front of the Museu d'Art Modern. It represents a woman who has fallen over the water of the park's little lake. The piece is called El Desconsol (sadness), and the Catalan sculptor Josep Llimona created it in 1906. The woman is in a typically Modernist pose, with a softly curved line giving a slightly decadent effect.
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Dojo Zen de Barcelona
This Zen center, a member of the Associació Zen de Catalunya as well as the Association Zen Internationale, is located on a square in a working-class area of the city. The square itself is quaint, but a bit neglected, so you're not sure what you'll find upstairs. What you find is gentle colors, lovely smells, peace and tranquility. Come in, stay quiet, put on the black robe, and sit. Form is emptiness - emptiness is form. Dojo Zen was founded by Master Taisen Deshimaru. They sit Zazen Tuesday to Friday from 7:30am to 8:45am and 7:30pm to 8:45pm, and on Saturdays from 8:30am to 10am. Please arrive 15 minutes beforehand.
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Dona i l'Ocell (La)
La Dona i L'Ocell (The Woman and the Bird) is a Joan Miró sculpture located close to a small lake in Parc de l'Escorxador. The park itself is on the Eixample Esquerra (Left Eixample) and the sculpture is easily visible from a distance, as it stands a massive 22m high. It was commissioned as part of Barcelona's 1983 public art initiative. It's an abstract work (of course!), typical of Miró, and was considered quite radical in its day; it is covered in brightly colored broken mosaic pieces (called trencadís in Catalan).
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Drassanes Reials
This Gothic building is almost at the end of the Ramblas, off to the right, and was erected in the Middle Ages to build ships. After construction, the ships would be put into the sea by means of the watercourse that used to run along the Ramblas. Drassanes was built by order of the Crown of Aragón, which, thanks to growing influence in the Mediterranean, found itself in need of more ships. Nowadays the building houses, rather logically, the Maritime Museum.
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Emporda Golf Course
Located in Costa Brava, this beautiful and environmentally-conscious course is surrounded by pine woods, lakes, dunes, and a variety of flora and fauna. The large area includes two separate 18-hole courses. The first, called LINKS, is similar to a Scottish course with dunes and water hazards dotted throughout spacious fairways. The second course, FOREST, takes golfers through more wooded areas. Often rated one of the top courses in all of Spain, Emporda Golf is a must-stop for golf fanatics. The course also offers a golf school for players of all levels. Check website for full information including rates and tournament schedules.
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Estació de França
This was first developed during the 1929 World's Fair, when there was great need for a new station because of the traffic created by the Expo. The building's architects were Pedro de Muguruza and Raimón Duran, and the engineer was Andreu Montaner Serra. There is a huge hall that opens out into the platform area, which also opens into a structure full of arcs and pillars. The Room of Mirrors, where receptions during the World's Fair were held, is exceptional. Nowadays, the station is not used much for trains, but still serves as a conference and exhibition hall.
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Estadi Olímpic de Montjuïc
Designed by Pere Domich i Roura and built for the 1929 Universal Expo, it was totally renovated in order to host events during the 1992 Olympic Games. Only the face and the impressive Marathon Gate remain from the original building. This is where the 1992 games' opening ceremony took place. Nowadays, you can come here to watch soccer matches, American football, and pop concerts. RCD Espanyol soccer team and the city's American football team, the Dragons, use it. To get here, take the metro to Paral·lel, then the funicular to the moving staircase at Plaça Espanya, which will drop you off at the stadium.
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Fira de llibres d'ocasió
The second-hand book fair that takes place in Font Màgica
The first "magic fountain" was built for the World Fair of 1888, in Ciutadella Park. Unfortunately, it was not the success story that they had hoped for. For the World Expo of 1929, they tried again. That was when they built the current fountain near Montjuïc which, with colored lights playing through the water, seems to make the water dance to the rhythm of the music that accompanies the show. The shapes and colors change constantly, and the effect is entrancing; it tends to be very popular with children.
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Fossar de les Moreres
This is one of two cemeteries (fossars) close to Fundació Antoni Tàpies
The artist himself, Antoni Tàpies, created this center in 1984 as a place to study contemporary art, and its library has become one of the most important of its kind in the world. It exhibits a large collection of his drawings, paintings, sculptures, and engravings and organizes regular temporary exhibitions as well. The building dates from 1880, a work by Modernist architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, and it was headquarters to the prestigious publishing house, Editorial Muntaner i Simón, until the 1970s. Look up above the entrance to see one of Tàpies's avant-garde sculptures.
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Fundació Joan Miró
Created by Joan Miró as an institute for the study of contemporary art, the Fundació Joan Miró was built by his close friend and architect Josep Lluís Sert. Its outstanding octagonal tower houses a concert hall that's used as an auditorium for classical music performances. The permanent collection includes Miró's art in all formats: large canvas, tapestries, everyday objects, engravings, photographs, and more. The Fundació also organizes temporary exhibitions and has a café-restaurant and souvenir shop.
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Fundació La Roda d´Accions Culturals i del Lleure
This organization offers quality children's shows in various towns and districts of Barcelona, Tarragona, Lérida, Hospitalet, etc. The idea started as an independent initiative, but they always co-operate with the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan autonomous government) to organise various shows. It was set up as a non-profit organization, with the sole purpose of promoting Catalan culture and language. One of the activities they organize and which, for many, is the most important children's festival of the year in Barcelona, is the so-called "la Tamborinada." It is usually hold on a Sunday in May or June, in the Estació del Nord. They also organize various open-air shows and games.
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Fundación Francisco Godia
Francisco Godia, a Catalan collector, is keen on motor racing, but above all, he's an art enthusiast and has managed to build up an outstanding collection that includes paintings, sculptures, and pottery dating from the Middle Ages to the present day. It's all on permanent display here. The outstanding pieces are the Romanesque sculptures, the pottery collection and some unique paintings by the Catalan artist Ramón Casas and the Italian, Lucio Fontana, among others.
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Funicular del Tibidabo
This funicular connects Plaça del Doctor Andreu, halfway up Collserola (and at the end of the Tramvia Blau route), with the amusement park on top of Tibidabo. Of course, if you have got the time and the energy, you could foot it as well. This was the first funicular in Spain, inaugurated on October 29th, 1901. The journey is 1152 meters and you get some amazing views of the city (if it's not cloudy, of course).
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Galería Alejandro Sales
This gallery, which is one of the most famous in Barcelona, is well-known for the versatility it uses to show the work of artists whose creations are of a variety of styles and who carry out their work in innovative ways, like, for example, computer-generated images. The pieces of art exhibited here are made by artists from all over the world. For example, there are the wood carvings of Anish Kapoor and Richard Long. You will not, however, only find the work of well-known artists. There is also Blackspace, which is dedicated to national and international young artists.
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Galeria Barcelona
Galeria Barcelona is located on Plaza del Doctor Letamendi, in between Calle Consell de Cent and Calle Valencia, which is part of the art gallery district in Barcelona. This gallery, which carries the same name as the city, specializes in abstract art, of which they have a splendid collection. In addition, the 'regular' art showcased here, with which the abstract collection is exhibited, is worth mentioning. Abstract art lovers will have a great time at this gallery, where, apart from showing the work of consummated and world-wide famous artists such as Miró or Chillida, the work of younger artists, such as Pilar Palomer and Joaquín Sancho, is also presented.
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Galería Brok
This is a classic in Barcelona and it is probably one of the best ancient art galleries. It specializes in selling all kinds of antiquities and it has interesting collections including old paintings. However, it is deservedly prestigious because of the beautiful furniture you can buy there. They sell pieces of furniture of Catalan origin such as chests of drawers, large chests, dining-room sideboards, etc. They also offer pieces from England and France such as chests, wardrobes and Louis XV chairs. In short, this gallery is rich in valuable and tastefully selected pieces.
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Galería d´Art Manuel Barbié
This is one of the most important galleries in the town when it comes to ancient art. It is currently located in an area that is historically a very prestigious zone for art galleries, and specializes in ancient art in all its forms. The gallery displays anything ranging from paintings to archaeological exhibitions. Recently, the gallery offered a magnificent exhibition including sculptures, paintings, and drawings by the great artist Julio González.
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Galería Ferran Cano
Located in one of the areas of the city that, after the opening of the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona), have become a central point of reference for art, this gallery has become famous for lending its support to young talented people who went on to become famous artists. Such was the case of Miguel Barcelò, discovered by Majorcan gallery-owner Ferrán Cano. From the very beginning, Ferrán Cano has supported young artists on their way to becoming famous. That's why, at this gallery, you can find all kinds of work by artists like Oscar Seco.
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Galería Llucià Homs
This gallery was located in the Avenida Diagonal for more than ten years, but it has just been moved to one of the areas with the largest number of galleries in Barcelona. Although the premises are smaller, the gallery has now a larger influx of visitors. At the Galeria Llucià Homs, they frequently display works of Spanish contemporary artists such as L. Cisa, J. de los Santos, P. Maesso and Roca de Costa, among others. They have exhibitions on things such as "Caligrafía versus Topografía" (Calligraphy versus Topography). Some of the international artists promoted by this gallery are Mihay Bodó (from Hungary), Carmen Mariscal (a Mexican artist living in Paris), and Jorge Zambrano (from Chile).
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Galería Manel Mayoral
The works by national and international painters from the last two centuries are usually displayed in Manuel Mayoral. Some of these painters are prestigious artists such as Graner, Brull, Baixeras, Rusiñol, Casas, Grau-Sala, Pruna and Opisso. Works by more modern artists like Wifredo Lan, Fernando Botero, Celso Legar, Hans Hartung, Luis Freih, Antoni Clavé and Miquel Barceló are also exhibited.
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Galeria Montcada
This charming gallery is located in the Born, an area with a very lively atmosphere and one of the most popular among young people in Barcelona. Moreover, this neighborhood is now being tastefully remodeled, though its charm is also being preserved. You will find this gallery on the premises of the Palau Dalmases, a baroque palace, next to the Museu Tèxtil i d'Indumentària and opposite the Museo Picasso. At Montcada, they usually display works by acclaimed contemporary artists, and they also offer interesting temporary exhibitions.
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Galería Senda
This gallery can be considered one of the promoters of contemporary art and is located in an area where you can find the largest number of galleries in Barcelona. Moreover, Galeria Senda has halls in two different buildings, one of which was recently opened. At this gallery, they promote not only young artists, but older creators as well. There are often works by foreign painters such as Jane Hammond and José Pedro Croft on display. Croft is a Portuguese artist to whom one exhibition was dedicated. Some other artists who regularly exhibit at Galeria Senda are A. Malagrida, R. Herreros, D. Urzay, and L. Vidal. The two buildings are in close proximity. One of them is number 292 and the other is 337, both in Calle Consell de Cent.
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Galería Toni Tàpies-Edicions T
This gallery belongs to Toni Tàpies, who is the son of the renowned Antoni Tàpies. It offers a wonderful collection that includes works by the most famous contemporary artists of the moment, both national and international. It is therefore a gallery where contemporary art enthusiasts can find the works of their favorite artists.
At the Galeria Toni Tàpies, you can admire paintings, engravings, and lithographs by the famous Antoni Tàpies, works by Catalan sculptor Jaume Plensa, and by Sol Lewitt, from New York. Some other Spanish contemporary artists that regularly exhibit at this gallery are Antoni Llena and Julia Mantilla, among others. As for international artists, it is worth mentioning Verónica Janssens and Barry Flanagan. More »
Gel Skating Club
This ice rink, which has been open for a long time now in Barcelona, is known as one of the best, and for its excellent service. Both skates and the required gloves are available for rental. It offers the opportunity to buy tickets by Servicaixa service, which means you can avoid the long lines on busy days.
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Golf Can Dragó
Located in the huge Can Dragó municipal sports complex (in the very northern part of Barcelona, near the motorways) is a fairway where you can play golf at very reasonable prices. No, it does not have the full eighteen holes, but there are three greens (with real grass) to practice on, and six tees. A sports track and a swimming-pool are also on site.
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Golf Girona
Designed by English architect F.W. Hawtree, this breathtaking 18-hole, par 72 golf course is challenging and competitive, but still suitable for players of all levels. Located north of Barcelona, this is an ideal day trip for avid golfers and amateurs wanting to tee-off in a gorgeous setting. Stop by the spacious club house and enjoy Mediterranean specialties in its dining halls or on the terrace. Pick up a few balls, clubs or clothing at the Pro-Shop before heading out onto the links. Golf Girona also offers golf classes, beginner and advanced lessons and golf clinics. Green fees vary by season; check website for rates and further information.
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Golf Range Montjuïc
Come play a few rounds of golf without even leaving the city limits. Connected to the Club Natació Montjuïc, this golf range has a smallish fairway measuring 250m, good for those who haven't got time to make it out to the bigger greens in El Prat and Sant Cugat. Along with the golf range they've got a tennis court, squash court, pool, and restaurant.
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Gothsland
Located in Calle Consell de Cent, in the heart of the art gallery district of Barcelona, this gallery not only specializes in Catalan paintings of the 19th and 20th centuries, but also has a great variety of art objects from the Modernist era. It's the gallery to go to if you are looking for art work, both paintings and sculptures, from the Catalan Modernist scene, as well as other decorative objects which followed this artistic trend, such as furniture, mirrors, and vases. The collection also contains landscapes by Joaquim Mir, paintings by Isidro Nonell, and works by Santiago Rusiñol y Ramón Casas. Apart from original pieces of furniture designed by Gaspar Homar, you can also find sculptures by Casanovas and Frederic Marès.
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Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House
Opera and music performances are regularly held in the Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House, which was constructed in 1847, burned down in 1994, and reopened in 1999 after many years of restoration. In addition to regularly scheduled concerts and films throughout the year, the popular one-evening program of classical music known as the Chamber Music Concert is performed here annually. The one-evening show features compositions by Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Rachmaninov, and Stravinsky that are centered on the Russian tales of Alexander Pushkin and his cultural times. Although the Chamber Music Concert is considered by some to be one of Barcelona's most important artistic and intellectual programs of the year, a performance at the Opera House any time of year is not to be missed!
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Grifé & Escoda
This is a classic in Barcelona that was originally a shop where they used to sell oriental carpets and rugs imported mainly from India and Pakistan. At the exhibition hall, they usually display the works of painters and sculptors from the turn of the 20th century. Once a year, at Christmas time, the Salón de Pintura Antigua (exhibition of ancient paintings) takes place. Their temporary exhibitions are changed relatively often (fortnightly or every three weeks). There are pieces permanently on display such as works of Mayfren, Matilla, Grau-Sala, Canals, Román Ribera and Fortuny, among others. Also, they often show sculptures by Rosend Nobás, Borrell Nicolau, Vallmitjana and Viladomat.
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Happy Parc
Even though this place is rather small, the space available has been made use of very well. Upon entering, children have to take off their shoes and leave them in lockers, since hygiene is very important here. And then, it's straight to the labyrinths of games that the center offers, where the children can play safely, because everything is made of plastic. In the meantime, parents can relax and have a drink in the bar. Children really have a great time here.
You can also find a branch in Calle Comtes de Bell-Iloc 74-78, tel. +34 93 490 0835 More »
Hospital de la Santa Creu
Work was begun on this hospital in 1401, during the reign of Martín I (the Humane). It had four blocks surrounding the cloister, which can still be seen between Carrer Carme and Carrer Hospital. Walking towards the cloister you pass the 17th-century Casa de Convalecencia (Convalescence Home) and the 18th-century Academia de Cirugía (Academy of Surgery). There's still a lot going on here, for nowadays the building houses the Catalan Women's Institute, the Institute of Catalan Studies, Sant Pau City Library, the Library of Catalunya, and the Massana Art School.
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Hospital de Sant Pau
This is architect Lluís Domènech i Muntaner's most important work. He started in 1901, and work was finished by his son in 1929. There are 48 sections - all decorated with mosaics, sculptures and murals - separated by gardens and connected by underground tunnels. The reception area was decorated by artist and sculptor Pablo Gargallo. The hospital was fully functional by 1930. Additional sections were completed over subsequent decades, like the TB section (1936) and the headquarters of the prestigious Puigvert Foundation (1961). The Pabellón de la Merced area won a decorative arts award in 1980. Guided tours are available by prior arrangement.
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Iglesia de Jesucristo de Los Santos de los Últimos Días
The Mormon community has its temple in the Les Corts neighborhood, in what once was the football field of F.C. Barcelona, and where now a number of blocks of flats have been built. The Mormon temple is located in a two-floor building in the center of these blocks and near a playground. This building not only houses the temple, but also an insurance company and a day center for the elderly. It's the only Mormon place of worship in Barcelona.
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Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón
Wandering through the center of Eixample, there is a church that nobody ever misses: it's a big, white stone building, which stands out surrounded by blocks of flats. Walking up the steps leading up to the entrance and going through one of its big wooden doors, you'll find yourself in a three-nave construction with a big central arcade formed by marble columns. The murals in the aisles represent various moments in the life of the Virgin Maria -- the Annunciation, the Ascension, etc.
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Iglesia de Saint George's
This is the church where the English speaking evangelical community of Barcelona meets. It's a modern building located in one of the quietest areas of the city, in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, just behind the Plaça de la Bonanova. Surrounded by schools and some private houses, the first building is located on a quiet street with hardly any traffic, while the entrance to the church is just around the corner, at 83 Calle Horacio.
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Iglesia de Sant Agustí
This church used to be attached to an Augustinian monastery that no longer exists. It was built by Pere Bertrán along the lines of a basic basilica with three longitudinal naves and a dome crowning the crossing. The baroque facade is one of the few that remain in Barcelona. There is a wonderful baroque painting inside by the Italian master, Claudio Lorenzale. On Sundays, mass is said in both Catalan and Spanish, except for mass at 6pm, which is celebrated for the Philippine community and is said in Tagalog and Spanish. The rest are celebrated in Catalan.
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Iglesia de Sant Felip Neri
This beautiful Baroque church, built in honor of San Felipe Neri, is located in the Call district of the Gothic Quarter, an area that was once the Jewish district of Barcelona. The church is right in the middle of a trapezoid shaped square with the same name (Plaça Sant Felip Neri). This square used to border the edges of the Jewish quarter and was built on the remains of what was once a Jewish cemetery. This is one of the quieter areas of the Gothic Quarter and is reminiscent of other times. Visiting the square is the best way to get into the mood for a visit to the Baroque church, whose facade still shows bullet holes dating back to the Spanish Civil War. In its interior you can still find Baroque details in moldings, altars, paintings, and in the gilded colors.
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Iglesia de Sant Just i Pastor
This is one of the oldest churches in Barcelona and is dedicated to the two martyrs, Justo and Pastor, who were the subjects of veneration during the 4th century. However, much of the building is of later, Visigothic construction. Back in the days of Ramón Berenguer 'el Viejo' (11th century), this parish church was used as a cathedral while the Romanesque cathedral was being built. The 14th century Gothic building work is typical of church architecture of the time. Relics belonging to both saints are kept in a small chest from the cathedral of Narbonne donated by Jaume I's wife.
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Iglesia de Sant Pau del Camp
While this might not be the most famous, it is the oldest church still standing in Barcelona. It is a Romanesque construction, which already existed at the beginning of the 10th century. At one point, this was the church of the old Monastery of Sant Pau del Camp. It was sacked twice, in the 10th and in the 11th centuries. Then, it was sacked once again at the beginning of the 20th century during Barcelona's "Tragic Week."
The Church of Sant Pau still has some vestiges of an old Visigothic temple. It has just one nave, a chapel that used to be the Capitular Room, and a cloister. More »
Iglesia de Santa Anna
When you reach the small square where the Church of Santa Anna lies, you always find lots of people strolling around, resting, and just generally observing. The square is surrounded by 19th-century buildings, which give it a lovely atmosphere, right in the heart of the old quarter of the city. In the 11th century, the church was part of a convent that had been built outside the city's walls, and the architecture is a mixture of Romanesque (the first part) and Gothic (the later additions). During the Middle Ages, one of the gateways to the city was in Santa Anna Street.
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Iglesia Evangélica Baptista Bonanova
Although this temple already existed in 1959, it wasn't until 1967 when religious freedom was attained that it became a public place. It's a several-story tall building in Sarrià-Sant Gervasi, very close to the Plaça de la Bonanova. It's a modern, up-to-date center, whose members, apart from the usual religious services, do a lot of social work and organize a wide variety of activities. All services are in Catalan with simultaneous translations into Spanish.
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Iglesia Evangélica de Barcelona Centro
This church is on one of the most important streets in the Raval neighbourhood in the old quarter, very close to the MACBA (Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona) and the Plaça de Catalunya. It's located in a two-floor building. During the renovation of this building, great effort was made to conserve as many original elements of the old construction as possible, like, for example, the beautiful old stone arch doorway. Religious services take place at different times of the week -- call ahead or stop by for a schedule.
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Iglesia Ortodoxa de la Theotokos
This is one of the very few Orthodox churches that exist in Barcelona. Located in the Eixample neighborhood, on the corner of two of the most important streets (Aragò and Muntaner) we find this temple on the ground floor of a typical Neo-Classical white stone building, which has been completely renovated. A big wooden door leads us to the entrance of this church. Even when closed, its white shutter, of the same color as the building and with a cross painted on it, displays clearly where to find this place of worship for the Orthodox community in Barcelona.
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Ignacio de Lassaletta
This is a downtown gallery located on the first floor of a building typical of the Eixample quarter in Barcelona. It is different from other galleries because of the