.: Carcassonne -> Barcelona - 310 km

This district is one of the most extensive and highly populated parts of the city.

It stretches upwards from Gran Via and Plaza Espanya, one of the most important transit points of the city, to the other major transportation hub, Sants train station. Sants Station is currently the main train station in Barcelona, as much for national routes as international. The main commercial artery of the zone is the Creu Coberta street, which probably has the greatest concentration of shopping in all of Barcelona.
The orginal district had little in common with its present reality. Back then the streets were fields of wheat, vines and cereals - until the railway arrived and the commerce that was soon to follow.
Plaza Espanya lies on the edge of Montjuïc, the small mountain that overlooks the modern port. This area received a special boost during the Olympic Games of Barcelona in 1992, and is where the Olympic Stadium is found as well as the Palau Sant Jordi, the Museu National d'Art Catalunya (MNAC), the Poble Espanyol, and the Fundació Joan Miró. A visit to the castle of Montjuïc is also recommended, since it has featured highly in most of the history of the city and has today been renovated and now houses the Military Museum. Just by Plaza Espanya are the famous Magic Fountains which are illuminated in different colors and dance with music to the delight of the tourists who come to see them.

Guide to Sightseeing in Barcelona

Barcelona presents a crackling mix of vibrant culture, living history and the wonderful consequences of immersing yourself in a city that knows how to enjoy itself.

A good way to save money on attractions and public transport is to purchase a Barcelona Card, which gives free travel on public transport and substantial discounts at selected attractions, shops and restaurants.

2 days: EUR23, adults; EUR19, children
3 days: EUR28, adults; EUR24, children
4 days: EUR31, adults; EUR26, children
5 days: EUR34, adults; EUR30, children

Excellent bus tours of the city with full multilingual commentary are provided by Barcelona Bus Turístic using open-top vehicles. The starting point for the tours is Plaça de Catalunya, with departures every 5-25 minutes in the summer.

Las Ramblas

A focal point for locals and visitors alike, Las Ramblas, though apparently just one long thoroughfare, is in fact a series of five streets stretching right through the old part of town from Plaça de Catalunya in the centre all the way down to the harbour. With its wide pedestrianised walkway running down the middle, the Ramblas is just made for strolling along and taking in the world around you - and it's one of the best places in Europe for doing so.

Along the street's length are myriad forms of entertainment, from street performers and palm readers to stalls selling birds, animals, flowers and books. Many of the buildings that line the Ramblas are attractions in their own right, such as the beautiful Gran Teatre del Liceu and many of the traditional old shops, dripping with character.

One of the most colourful areas is the Mercat de la Boqueria, a lively food market just off the main street and selling some remarkable looking fish among other things. If this gets your appetite going, there is a huge choice of restaurants, cafés and bars where you can indulge yourself, or just watch the people go by.

La Sagrada Familia

Gaudí's stunning La Sagrada Familia is undoubtedly Barcelona's most famous building and the crowning glory of the city. The unfinished cathedral is strikingly unique and has recently been nominated as one of the new Seven Wonders of the Modern World. With spires soaring over 100m into the air the building totally dominates the surrounding Eixample district.

The construction of the cathedral began in 1882 and Gaudí took over the project in 1884, dedicating himself to it until his sudden death in 1926 when he was run over by a tram. For the last few years of his life, the architect totally devoted himself to the project with a religious zeal, abandoning all his other work and becoming a near recluse in the process.

There has been much debate over whether the structure should be left as it was when Gaudí died, or completed in Gaudíesque style. Since the 50s, the pro-completion supporters have been winning, though progress has been incredibly slow.

 

The walk up one of the spires is - quite literally - breathtaking (there is a lift if you're not feeling that energetic) and provides unique views over the city as well as of the latticed stonework that adorns even the highest points. The entire cathedral is rich in symbolism - the 12 bell towers represent the 12 apostles, the Nativity façade has symbolic animals representing nature and doors displaying faith, hope and charity, and the Passion façade symbolises death and grief.

A museum underneath the cathedral depicts the construction of the building, still ongoing more than a century after its conception. Inside you can see craftsmen at work readying minute pieces of Gaudí's vision for addition to the structure.

Open: daily 09h00-18h00 (Oct-Mar); 09h00-20h00 (Apr-Sep).
Admission: EUR8. Elevator to the Passion façade costs EUR2.
Tel: +34 93-208-0414.
 

The exhibition follows Picasso's artistic progress from numerous detailed pencil sketches of his youth through his works influenced by turn-of-the-century Parisian art and on to the more famous Blue and Cubist periods. There is also an interesting collection of pottery made by the Spanish artist.
The museum is housed in five beautiful former medieval palaces, which hold temporary exhibitions in addition to the permanent display. Though it can get crowded during the summer months, it's well worth the visit - you can always cool off afterwards in one of the nearby bars. Make sure you check out the shop before you leave as well - it has an excellent range of prints and souvenirs.  

Calle de Montcada 15-23. Open: Tue-Sun 10h00-20h00. Admission: EUR 6, adults. Tel: +34 93-319-6310.