3 days in Barcelona delve into the heart of the city day 1

3 days in Barcelona delve into the heart of the city day 1ACTIVITIES,OUR FAVOURITES,PLACES OF INTERESTON MARCH 2, 2012 12:25 PM

To claim that youve seen Barcelona may not be possible. As regular visitors and residents will tell you, this city offers something new on a day-by-day, and street-by-street, basis. But for those of you on a tight schedule, at Oh-Barcelona.com weve decided to put our heads together to attempt the nigh-on impossible task of distilling the best thatBarcelonahas to offer into a3-day itinerary.

Day One

Take a quick glance at a map of Barcelona and youll notice how the city fans out towards the mountains from a nucleus of entangled streets. This nucleus is the Ciutat Vella, the old town, and this part of the city will be the focus of your first day. The area provides an ideal starting point for visiting Barcelona, as it not only demonstrates the origins of the city, but is also brimming with iconic sights.

Las Ramblas

09:00 Navigate Las Ramblas

Make your way to Plaa de Catalunya, which sits on the edge of the old town and is the main transport hub. From here you can walk downLas Ramblas,the worlds best-known tree-lined avenue. This street is always awash with tourists, so its easy to be swept along by the crowds, past all the flower stalls and street performers. On your way down Las Ramblas keep an eye out for the pavement mosaics by surrealist master Joan Mir.

Your most important stop, though, will be the Mercat de la Boquera, Europes largest food market the perfect place to pick up some local produce and a freshly made fruit juice to keep you going.

10:00 Relax in the squares of Gtico

Its time to take a left turn into the Gtico (the Gothic quarter). Just off Las Ramblas youll find the splendid Plaa Reial, a neoclassical gem that happens to contain Antoni Gauds first work in the city the lampposts by the central fountain. Take this opportunity to grab a coffee in one of the cafs that line this teeming square.

The Gtico has numerous one-off boutiques and galleries which are great for nosing around in. Carrer de Ferran is particularly good for window shopping and at the end of this street is Plaa de Sant Jaume, Barcelonas civic square. Here youll find the Palau de la Generalitat, the seat of the Catalan government, with the citys town hall opposite.

11:00 Meet the geese in the cloister

From this square, veer left onto Carrer del Bisbe, where youll see a much-photographed Gothic-style arch, and come out in front of the 13th-century Cathderal. (Or, Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eullia, to give it its full name). As the most prominent Catalan Gothic building in the city, the Cathedral is awe-inspiring on both the outside and the inside. Its numerous chapels, dedicated to individual saints, are all remarkable works of craftsmanship in their own right, and youre likely to see devout visitors taking a moment with their favoured saint.

Gothic Arch Carrer del Bisbe

The cloister also houses a surprising bunch of residents 13 geese, one for each year in the life of Saint Eullia, the churchs martyr namesake. Particularly in the summer this part of Barcelona can feel a bit claustrophobic to help you get your bearings above the warren of the old town, take a lift to the cathedrals roof. If youre keen to find a part of the Gtico for a moments peace and quiet seek out the haunting tranquillity of Plaa de Sant Felip Neri.

13.30 Enjoy lunch like a local

Hungry? Well, youre in the right place theres no shortage of choice when it comes to food in the old town. To avoid the more tourist-oriented eateries in the Gtico, you could head across Via Laietana to Born eating here will give you a better chance of mingling with the locals. For tapas tryBubor for plentiful, good-value portions of paella in an intimate setting tryMar de la Ribera. When eating out at lunchtime its a good idea to look for a set menu, or menu del di, which can easily fill you up for a reasonable price.

15:00 Get some divine inspiration

After taking your time over lunch, begin to explore the Born district. For several decades the area has been buzzing with artistic activity and offers a quieter, more authentic alternative to the Gtico. However its just as steeped in history. In contrast to the cathedral you visited in the morning, the church ofSanta Mara del Maron Passeig del Born, is a more austere but equally inspiring piece of gothic architecture. The story of this church has inspired a prize-winning novel and the proportions of its interior are widely considered an example of medieval architecture par excellence.

16:00 Rummage about in the Born

Emerge from the light and airy interior and look for Carrer Montcada which starts just behind the church. This street is crammed with museums and galleries. Its also interesting in its own right, with some of the best examples of secular medieval architecture in the city. The main attraction on this street is the Museu Picasso, exhibiting the painters earlier works, and is a must for fans of this incredibly influential figure. Montcada is also home to the Disseny Hub, with a fine collection of design and applied arts, and the Museu Barbier-Mueller d art Precolomb, a well-regarded collection of pre-Colombian works. Let yourself get lost in one of these great collections.

Palau de la Msica Catalana en el Born

17:00 Gawp at Catalan craftsmanship

The Born district extends further inland, where its pedestrianised streets gradually become more residential and lined with small bars and fruit shops. Carrer Sant Pere Mes Alt has one of the best buildings in the entire city thePalau de la Msica Catalana. If you have time, a tour of this unbelievably decadent Modernista concert hall is worthwhile (although dont forget to buy your tickets in advance). If not, just admiring the faade of this shrine to Catalan culture is an event in itself.

18:00 Cool down by the sea

Thats almost it for day one

For the perfect tonic after a days pounding the city streets, hop on the metro from the nearby Urquinaona station on line 4 toBarceloneta.This will bring you out near the citys stylishly renovated waterfront. The laid-back atmosphere of this area makes it one of the best spots in the city to sip a drink and look back at the old town. There are loads of options for dinner, particularly when it comes to seafood. Dont forget that that in Catalonia, like the rest of Spain, people tend to eat dinner later in the evening. If your appetite returns with a vengeance, we recommendRangoli,an excellent Indian restaurant (its tasting menu is a real treat). Otherwise, as you might expect, seafood restaurants predominate in this part of the city.Can Maois a truly authentic Barcelonan place to eat book ahead to avoid disappointment in this extremely popular and slightly raucous restaurant.

3 Days in Barcelona: Suggested Itineraries

Written by Viator, August 2010

HYPERLINK "http://www.viator.com/Barcelona-tourism/3-Days-in-Barcelona-Suggested-Itineraries-reviews/d562-t842" 3259 Reviews|Add your reviewBarcelona is one of the most dynamic and stylish cities in the world. The city sizzles with food, fashion, style, music and good times all year round. The buildings will amaze you, the art will make you giddy all over and the food will keep you coming back for more.

Day 1: Barcelona SightseeingRamble along La Ramblas for a fabulous taste of Barcelonas eccentric character, a hub of activity day and night, encounter an astonishing array of animals, plants, books and human statues. The Gothic Quarter is a classic medieval labyrinth of winding streets, plazas and funky late-night bars.

Hop on a bike, or jump on a scooter for an alternative approach to sightseeing. The hop on hop off bus is the easiest way to discover Barcelona, or take the classic One Day Tour. On the Barcelona Gourmet Tapas Evening Walking Tour visit La Boquiera to see the amazing fresh food markets. Head to La Barceloneta for seafood overlooking the waterfront, or up to bars of the Gracia district.Day 2: Art from Gaudi to ContemporaryAntoni Gaudi's intricate and organic architecture is a must-see. Discover Gaudi's masterpieces, from the unfinished Sagrada Familia to Parc Gell and his signature curvy apartment buildings. The Picasso Museum is housed in a fine medieval palace on the narrow Carrer de Montcada. Cultural highlights include Museu Nacional dArt de Catalunya (Romanesque art), Fundaci Joan Mir, the CCCB and MACBA for contemporary art.

Day 3: Day Trips from BarcelonaThe extraordinary mountain pilgrimage site of Montserrat is an easy day trip. Stand on the vortex in front of the Basilica and line up to see the 12th century Black Virgin. For adventure in the mountains, go horse riding and boating in the Pyrenees. Discover the timeless glamour of Costa Brava, exploring rocky coves, sparkling beaches and quaint fishing villages.

Stroll along the promenade in the lovely seaside town of Sitges, or lose yourself on Calle del Pecado (Sin Street) a Mecca of gay-friendly disco delights that will see you dancing until dawn!

When discussing the world's great cities, places like London, Paris, Tokyo, New York, San Francisco, and Rome are often the ones most mentioned. But like everything else in life, seasoned travelers find seemingly undiscovered jewels every so often, places so magical, they inspire people and leave them feeling melancholy upon departure. Between the Pyrenees mountains of northeast Spain and the vast Mediterranean Sea lies such a city: Barcelona.

Barcelona isn't at the tip of everyone's "must-visit" list, but it should be. It is a place that combines the past with the future, art and culture with modern style, France and Spain, commerce and leisure. Simply put, it is a beautiful city with beautiful sights, beautiful food and beautiful people. It's also a very cosmopolitan place with a metro population of 3.7 million.

What makes Barcelona great is that there is a little bit of something for everyone. It isn't the best in anything, but it's excellent in everything.for lovers of...

For beach lovers, Barcelona sports numerous beaches, with some of the best seafood (i.e. paella) in the Mediterranean.

For architectural lovers, there are the mind-boggling creations of Barcelona's greatest son, Antoni Gaudi, who has given so much to the world of architecture that he will surely go down as one of the all-time greats.

For sports lovers, there are the sites of the 1992 Olympic Games on Montjuic, and Nou Camp, where one of the world's greatest soccer teams, FC Barcelona, plays. There is even a pretty good NFL Europe team in the Barcelona Dragons.

For nightlife lovers, there is an incredible amount of nightclubs, some perched up on Barcelona's top two mountains, Tibidabo and Montjuic, offering majestic views of Barcelona with a futuristic and sophisticated club setting. Clubs pick up at 1am and close at 5 or 6am.even more lovers of...

For food lovers(aren't we all?), you'll go nuts in Barcelona. Whether it's the seafood, the tapas, the local Catalan cuisine, or everything else in between, plan on gaining a few pounds while enjoying some of the best gastronomic experiences of your life. Just enjoy new things, and promise yourself no steaks during your stay. Spanish people love eating long and late, so get ready to eat from 2 to 5pm, and from 10pm to midnight.

For fashion lovers, the amount of designer stores along with trendy local shops will leave your closet brimming. The greatest part is that it won't hurt your wallet; clothing and shoes are very competitively priced. Everyone in Barcelona seems to look like a model. This place rivals Milan for the title of most fashionable city in the world.

For history lovers, there are countless spots in the heart of Barcelona -- the Gothic Quarter -- to capture your imagination. The city is over 2000 years old, and unlike its rival Madrid, it's been an important political and commercial center for centuries.

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I can go on and on, but you get the point. The great thing about Barcelona is that most airline companies have direct or connecting flights to the city. The airport is extremely busy, and its sheer size highlights its increased importance in Europe.

Though you can easily stay in Barcelona for weeks, I recommend a shorter trip, even a long weekend to discover this Catalan jewel. After all, if you have more than a few days in Spain, you should be exploring it as much as you can, while visiting its many distinct and eternally interesting destinations like Seville, Bilbao, Valencia, Mallorca, Madrid, and Gibraltar.

So for those of you lucky enough to garner a trip to Cataluyna , here is a detailed 3-day itinerary that will maximize your time, minimize the damage to your wallet, while still leisurely enjoying all that Barcelona has to offer.

Day 1

Goal of Day 1:To walk around as much as you can (save your money and ease your mind by not renting a car), get a feel for the city's vibe, and understand the city's layout so that you subsequently explore your favorite parts on following days.

Some tips before we startAs soon as you arrive, get ready to make reservations at the most sought-after restaurants in town. The best spots are always taken, so booking ahead is a very good idea. And unless you like being totally alone in a restaurant, reserve from 9pm on. That's when people start arriving in restaurants in Barcelona. Get used to that, or you'll miss out on the electric atmosphere the locals usually generate when they arrive. For trendy spots that have great food and great atmosphere, I recommendSalsitasandFuse. They are upscale without being overtly snobbish. You'll have a good time and a great culinary experience.

For location purposes, it is best to get a hotel aroundPlaza Cataluyna. It's a central location to theEixampledistrict,Las Ramblas, and all forms of transportation (train, bus, metro, taxis). A hotel along Las Ramblas is also a good idea, though it can get noisy at night.

As strange as this sounds, the first thing you should do when you arrive in Barcelona is hit the stores. During your travels you are likely to be overwhelmed by the goods available not only in the local shops, but also in the big department stores. Walk alongPasseig de Graciaall the way toAvinguda Diagonaland get all your shopping out of the way. This way you can walk the streets without merchandise in hand, and enjoy a leisurely stroll when picking up some fashionable and inexpensive items.

Read more:http://www.askmen.com/fine_living/travel_archive/44b_travel_tips.html#ixzz2ZsS60GyaDiscovering the cityOnce you leave the shopping bags at the hotel, it's time to start discovering the city. My suggestion is to again stroll along the Eixample district first (for geographic reasons). Walk along theRambla de Cataluyna, near Plaza Cataluyna. It's a beautiful, leafy street, lined with stores on either side and chock-full of terraces along the walkway.

The street "ends" at Avinguda Diagonal, where you can turn right until you hit (again) Passeig de Gracia (trust me, it's worth the second go-around, it's likeParis' Champs Elysees). This time, you are going down the street to enjoy the beautiful architecture, including two of Antoni Gaudi's incredible works:Casa Mila(also known as La Pedrera) andCasa Batllo. You can visit Casa Mila's rooftop, where you will need a whole roll of film to capture the sheer eccentricity of the place.

At this point in the day, you are ready for some lunch. Remember that the Spanish like to eat late, so expect to see people lined up on the outside terraces from 2pm onward. There are some great tapas bars along Passeig de Gracia and Rambla de Cataluyna. I recommend Tapas Tapas along Passeig de Gracia. It serves up great food, and it's an excellent place to people-watch.

Once you finish polishing off some tasty food, head toward the famousRamblas, the core street of old Barcelona. Here you will find a pedestrian avenue lined with shops, performers, and masses of tourists. Personally, I think the Ramblas are overrated -- the real treasures of Barcelona are along the side streets -- but you will nevertheless have to stroll through.

Continue your journey all the way to the sea where you will see theColumbus Monument. Near this area, you can see the newly refurbished Barcelona port, which includes a state-of-the-art shopping center calledMaremagnum, and also boasts a movie theater, bars and restaurants (it's a good place to spend the late evening, if you like American-style nightlife, though I still recommend the local scene instead).

From Maremagnum, you can walk along the port until you reach the quaint neighborhood ofBarceloneta, an old fishing quarter that has plenty of charm and great seafood restaurants. Walk along the outer edge of Barceloneta (around its tip) and you will get to the first of Barcelona's many beachesPlatja de Sant Miquel. Stroll along the parallel streetPasseig Maritimand you will eventually reach the old Olympic Village where the athletes were housed during the 1992 Olympic games.

Once you are in theOlympic Portarea, you will encounter another plethora of outside restaurants. I recommend you take the time to enjoy a drink atAgua, a great little restaurant/bar where you can watch the beach goers while overlooking the Mediterranean.

Now, it's time to head back to the hotel (I told you that the first day is exhausting). Take the Metro (subway); it's easy, fast, cheap, and by far the best form of transportation in the city. There is a special card called a "T-1" that offers 10 trips for around 5 Euros. Buy it, it will come in handy.

Once you are back at your hotel, it's time for you to get ready for your long night. People in Barcelona dress well, so try to do the same. Add a little flair to your wardrobe by wearing tan shoes with black pants; you can pull it off here. This isn't Akron, Ohio. Look good, try to speak Spanish or the local Catalan dialect and you well get better service (remember, Americans' reputation as terrible travelers precedes them everywhere).

After a nice long dinner that should end at around midnight (what a great life!), it's time to head to one of Barcelona's many nightspots. If you get there around midnight, you will probably have no trouble getting by choosy bouncers since locals head out much later. The only downside is that you will be the only one in the place, but it's the price to pay for admission to the trendiest spots. Among my recommendations areOtto Zutz, andMirablauperched on Mount Tibidabo. Other great spots includeTorres de Avilaon the Montjuic hillside andSalero. The port areas ofPort OlimpicaandPort Vellall have satisfactory if commercial bars.

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Goal of Day 2:To discover the arts and culture that Barcelona has to offer. There should be less walking on Day 2, and much morepicture taking. Gaudi's works and the Gothic Quarter are part of today's itinerary.

Start your day like many people in Barcelona by strolling down La Rambla. Along the side streets, you will find another of Gaudi's great works, thePalau Guell, a residence built for his main patron. Also of note is thePlace Reial, a very picturesque square and a great spot for an early morning coffee. Beware of the pickpockets in this square though, they also know how picturesque it is, and know you'll be taking lots of pictures, thus leaving your wallet exposed.

Then it's time to explore theGothic Quarterof Barcelona, another beautiful section of the city that includes must-see sites like theSanta Maria del Mar basilica,Picasso Museum, and theCatedral de la Seu. It's useless to try to describe the area. Just walk around, get lost in its many wavy side streets and just enjoy the step back in time. You'll need your camera because not many sites like this one exist in Europe anymore.

Once you complete your walk through the Gothic Quarter, I suggest taking a detour. Since it is probably mid-afternoon, it's time to eat. Head back to Barceloneta (this time by metro), and go eat at one of the many fine seafood restaurants in the district. I highly recommendCan Majo, it offers terrific local cuisine and a panoramic view of the Mediterranean and the esplanade along the beachfront.

After a hearty lunch, it's once again time to head back to the core of the city. Take the metro to Barcelona's most visited landmark, the breathtakingSagrada Familia-- Gaudi's masterpiece, and an awe-inspiring site. I must admit that I never understood all the commotion over this place. After all, it's just a church, right? I used to think it looked like a giant ant hill.

Well, I was mistaken because little did I expect to see this towering 30-story work of art. Imagine Picasso had a canvas of over 300-feet to paint on and you will understand the enormity of this place. It's not even finished and has been under construction for over 100 years now. You have never seen anything like this; words can't explain the impact it will have on you. Needless to say, bring another roll of film.

After recovering your senses from the Sagrada Familia, head to another of Gaudi's works of art, theParc Guell, a designer park overlooking Barcelona. It's another place that leaves you wondering whether you entered a vortex of time and space. It's been declared a Patrimony of Mankind by the United Nation's UNESCO branch for its exceptional artistic merit. I'm not a connoisseur of art, but after countless encounters with Gaudi's genial work, I bought my first art book on his life and style. You have to allocate some time to Parc Guell to walk around and take in the beauty of your surroundings. Things that look like Mother Nature's work at its most precise and accurate are actually man-made works of art that illustrate Gaudi's love for combining nature with architecture.

After Parc Guell, it's once again time to get ready for the nightlife (I know you might be tired, but you have plenty of time to rest and sleep when you are dead, come on, you are in Barcelona). Just follow the same guidelines from the Day 1 itinerary.

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Goal of Day 3:It's time to just take it easy, visit Barcelona's mountains, and go back to all your favorite spots.

Day 3 should start with a trip toMontjuic, the mountain that was the centerpiece of the 1992 Olympic games. Get off atEspanyametro station and head up thePalau Nacional, a gigantic palace along the Montjuic hillside that offers some of the best views of Barcelona. This place is so scenic that you can't help but just sit there and blankly stare out for minutes at a time. Even the two twin towers flanking theReina Maria Christinaavenue (that are an imitation of the bell tower of Saint Mark's in Venice), make you feel like you are in a fairytale. At this point, little surprises me in Barcelona, and I begin to wonder why this city is not overflowing with tourists because it has already become one of the most favored destinations in the world.

Up on Montjuic, you can stroll through the installations that held many Olympic events, including theOlympic Stadiumand thePalau Sant Jordi(a building that has no support columns, another architectural marvel).

Your next stop is the other mountain of Barcelona,Tibidabo, which offers the most complete view of Barcelona city and its suburbs. You can always see Tibidabo from anywhere in town, with the giganticTemple of the Sagrat Corand the Ferris wheel at its top. Your curiosity will always be piqued about what the place is, and with reason. The only way to get up there is to take a funicular, another highlight of your trip because it will take you back to a time when life wasn't as fast-paced or hectic.

By now, you should have some time left to explore your favorite parts of the city. In my case, since I am a beach fanatic, I decided to head back to the Olympic Port to soak my feet in the water. When I got to the Olympic Port, I realized that theBarcelona Zoowas nearby and off I went. It's worth a visit, if only to lay your eyes on its prized attraction, the albino gorillaSnowflake. He is world renowned and the only one of his kind, and since Snowflake's time on Earth is limited (he is over 40 years old), I suggest you go by and take a look.

I finished off my day at the beach, and with a mid-afternoon lunch near the Hotel Arts skyscraper (formerly the Olympic village epicenter, and now a luxury 44-story hotel). I had an early flight the next day so I called it an early night, but if you have a chance once again, go out and enjoy the vibrant nightlife.

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Here is a list of things you should know. Remember that you are in a different country with different customs, so you might have to break some old habits.

Tippingis often included in the bill (by law), but everyone always leaves 5 to 10% of the bill anyway, especially at fine establishments. In the U.S., we usually give 15 to 20%, so don't be cheap.

People often greet each other with kisses on the cheek. A handshake does not fly here. I personally love this tradition.

Petty crime (especially theft) can be a problem if you make yourself a target. Buy a money belt to wear around your waist (under your shirt), make several copies of your passports, credit cards and airline tickets, and leave one with hotel management and carry the other one with you. Leave your passport, documents and extra cash in your hotel safe.

Carry just enough money for minor expenses. If you need more cash, keep it in your money belt. Carry your camera in your hand, and leave your wallet at the hotel.

Don't look like a tourist. If you want to be a target, wear colorful shirts, with knee-high socks. You want to blend in, so dress like the locals. Try some nice sandals, with some light pants and a solid colored shirt.

Speak whatever Catalan you can, and you will receive better service. Try going to places where you are the only foreigners to experience therealBarcelona.

Wear comfortable shoes or sandals. This city was designed for walking, and you will be doing plenty of it. Unless you enjoy blisters and sore feet, make sure you have good footwear (avoid the cheesy white sneakers though, it screams "tourist").

If you are not convinced to visit yet, then Barcelona is not for you. This is a place of discovery, of intrigue, of culture, and of enjoyment. If you like your vacation trips to be all sun and beach, then head off to Cancun. If you like experiencing the Old Continent, you can't go wrong in Barcelona -- it will be one of your best travel experiences ever.

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