Fyi right now they are doing construction and its a hot mess. We didnt know so we stayed in the…read morearea thinking it was going to be the happening stop. Plus because of construction its harder to walk around so not fun to get around.

An international centerpiece of the multi cultural city of Barcelona. It was a forty-five minute…read morewalk from one end to the other. Several outdoor cafe style seating in front of tapas eateries. Well known retail outlets lined most of the street on both sides. The best part was not the main street but the little side alleys with the mom and pop restaurants and "tchotche" shops. We had a blast in this hopping area and even found a small laudrymat to wash and dry our clothes since most European hotels do not offer dryers.

(Jan 2020) One of the best views of the city in Barcelona…read more It's a bit tricky to get there as it involves some uphill walking. Make sure to bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy the view. I was not able to stay and see the sunset but I bet it's a great place for it. The place is quiet, relaxing with a million dollar view. Uno de mis lugares favoritos en Barcelona. Me enamore de esa ciudad al ver lo linda que era desde los Bunkers del Carmel.

Easy to get to via the V19 bus. Various trails to hike, some more difficult than others. The main…read moretrail takes you to an open area, great for taking pictures, and even a picnic! There are tables where you can sit and enjoy a meal. There's a sidewalk towards the back where you get views of a nearby neighborhood.

The Gothic Quarter is the oldest section of Barcelona. My husband and I hired a guide to take us on…read morea private tour of Barcelona, and one of my favorite parts of our tour was walking around the Gothic Quarter. We enjoyed seeing the remains of a Roman wall, the Barcelona Cathedral, the Mercado de La Boqueria, the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, cobblestone alleyways, public squares, stores, restaurants, and more. If you are planning a vacation for Barcelona, then I highly recommend that you stroll through the Gothic Quarter.

Most of my adventures through the Gothic Quarter in Barcelona were of historic buildings and…read morechurches which are surrounded by retail shops and unique tapas and cafe eateries. The wife and I got the pleasure to take a four hour food and wine tour throughout the Gothic Quarter providing us the opportunity to taste true Barcelona at four different locations. The area has a dark, wet and slightly unsettling gloomy atmosphere with lots of unsanctioned wall graffiti, although gave it added character to the area.

First of all this is not La Rambla / Las Ramblas nor is it the southern end of it as some experts…read moreseem to claim. This is a bit of a counterpart to the busy Las Ramblas and starts just north of the Placa de Catalunya. As Las Ramblas it's a nice walking street lined with trees. But it's more quiet and at the same time more interesting. Trendy shops, luxury brands and lots of restaurants. And unlike on Las Ramblas there are actually good options to wine and dine. For fantastic Tapas just head around the corner onto Carrer Mallorca and eat at the "Cervesería Catalana". It's funny how this street isn't busier. Many just stop walking once the reach Placa de Catalunya. But you really should keep walking. This street isn't very long anyways and can be done in little time. But definitely worth it. W like it much more than Las Ramblas.

Be careful with your wallet? Otherwise a great place to promenade up and down the Old Town.read more

Barcelona - Where Every Street Feels Alive…read more is a city that never seems to sleep. From the moment you step onto its busy streets, you're surrounded by movement, color, and joy. The atmosphere feels like as if the city itself is smiling at you. Walking down the famous La Rambla, I felt completely immersed in the rhythm of the city. Street performers entertained crowds, artists displayed their work. The streets were busy, but not overwhelming instead, they felt full of life. In open squares like Plaça de Catalunya, pigeons gathered around visitors, fluttering playfully as people laughed and took photos. You can wander for hours, discovering hidden streets, small cafés, and local shops, all while feeling safe and inspired. It's a city that stays with you long after you leave. around me, feeling both part of the crowd and peacefully in my own thoughts.

Barcelona is a city of contrasts ...where centuries-old streets sit next to bold, modern…read morearchitecture. In addition, busy city life blends seamlessly with the relaxed persona of the Mediterranean. For example, Arc de Triomp contrasts with bold, beautiful and modern public art. Barcelona is known for the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, whose designs define much of the city's skyline. His masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, is a spectacular basilica that has been under construction since the 19th century and remains one of the world's most recognizable landmarks. The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is the heart of the old city, filled with narrow medieval streets, Roman ruins, and historic squares. It has been a central area since Roman times and is known for its architecture and cultural significance. Barcelona sits between the Mediterranean Sea and surrounding hills, giving it a scenic setting and easy access to beaches. This mix of coastline and city life adds to its appeal as both a cultural and leisure destination. Barcelona offers unforgettable cuisine, especially tapas and fresh seafood, alongside bustling markets like La Boqueria. While we were not able to have any this trip, we love their churros con chocolate...nothing in this world like it.

This place is also known as the Basílica de la Sagrada Família…read more Architecturally breathtaking and one of the most iconic landmarks in Barcelona, the Sagrada Família is a sight that leaves a lasting impression. Construction is still ongoing, and if you plan to tour the interior, I strongly recommend purchasing tickets well in advance. The demand is incredibly high, and unfortunately, tickets were sold out during my visit. The basilica continues to hold Mass on Sunday mornings, but I was already scheduled to be elsewhere and was unable to attend. According to our tour guide, Pope Leo is expected to visit the basilica to bless it, adding yet another chapter to the history of this extraordinary church. As you study the façade, you begin to appreciate the remarkable level of artistry and symbolism incorporated into every detail. Scenes from the Nativity, depictions of Jesus, and tributes to Joseph all come together to tell a visual story. The craftsmanship is astounding, and there is so much detail that I would actually recommend bringing binoculars or a small pair of opera glasses to fully appreciate the intricate carvings and architectural elements. Whether you are religious, spiritual, or simply an admirer of great architecture, this is a destination that should not be missed. The scale, beauty, and symbolism of the Sagrada Família are truly awe-inspiring, and it is one of those rare places that can quite literally take your breath away.

most respect & revered holy places as in the vatican prestige of the roman catholic faith & belief!…read more global christians around the globe universe worship of god in temples cherish their solemn sacraments of sacrifices in the name of a supreme higher power praised daily from the alpha & omega of time blessing all who follow humanity's principalities of good samaritan moral values to promise carrying testaments & testimony in divination of heavenly body almighty! amen hallelujah

Gràcia was established in 1626, by a novitiate of Carmelites who established a Convent there called…read more"Nostra Senyora de Gràcia (Our Lady of Grace)." Gràcia was an independent municipality until it was annexed to Barcelona in 1897 along with other villages in the plain of Barcelona. The expansion of the Eixample district in the 19th century eventually led to the northward expansion of Barcelona, connecting Gràcia to the growing metropolis. Passeig de Gràcia connects the central Plaça Catalunya to Gràcia and other wide avenues in the area include Carrer d'Aragó, Carrer de Balmes and Passeig de Sant Joan (of which Gayle and I enjoyed a nice evening walk). The most well-known attraction in Gràcia is the Gaudí-designed Parc Güell which is located on El Carmel mountain and was on our "must see" list. Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first important work and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also located in Gràcia. Gràcia was also the original home to Teatre Lliure, one of the most prestigious theaters in Spain (the theater has since relocated to Montjuic). There are several notable squares in Gràcia including Plaça del Sol, Plaça de Rius i Taulet and Plaça de la Virreina.

My home in Barcelona! Gotta love the bohemian energy, the…read morestreets full of people, the great restaurants and markets. One of the best places in BCN!

This was Gaudi's first major commission, and it is mind boggling in the details. We were not able…read moreto get tickets at other Gaudi locations, but I feel like this was a good choice--not crowded, manageable size, and contextual information about Gaudi's contemporaries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. There is a self tour--honestly the voice recording was a little grating, so we had one person in the group read from the text from theirs. The information is a must because there are otherwise very few placards identifying the rooms or highlighting details. The gift shop had lots of tempting stuff, much of it made in Barcelona.

Just so you know, I hate the word "Oriental" especially if someone calls me one. I ain't a rug, OK?…read moreHowever, it's acceptable to call the architectural style Antoni Gaudi used in the design of his first house as Oriental. The building has a Persian/Moroccan flavor with the constant use of decorative tiles, illustrated ceilings, and Moorish arches. It's not my favorite Gaudi building, not by a long shot, but it's a good starter course if you have time. It's up in the quieter Gracia neighborhood away from the crowds at the other Gaudi landmarks, but it's worth the trek. The grounds are unique in integrating the interior and exterior elements into a seamless picture of nature. There's a heavy dose of exotic Asian flair (...hey, I didn't say Oriental) in the ridged framing, the shape of the eaves, and the rampant idiosyncratic decorative touches. The rooftop is relatively modest for Gaudi, but this is where he started after all. RELATED - Other Gaudi landmarks I've visited in Barcelona: La Sagrada Família: https://yelp.to/SmWjkMcPwm Casa Mila: https://yelp.to/dFi2H3DRdL Casa Batlló: https://yelp.to/9us1P766zX Parc Guell: https://yelp.to/kfG-hLKx_Z Palau Guell: https://yelp.to/L67PFQbst- RELATED - Exploring Barcelona? Here's my collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/4dTEx5T

The L'Eixample District in Barcelona is a gorgeous Catalan area full of vibrant colors, amazing…read morearchitecture, rich history, and delectable food and drink! Many of the things to do and see revolve around the artist Antoni Gaudi. The iconic Sagrada Familia, the gorgeous Casa Mila, and his topsy turvy work of art, the Casa Batllo. Aside from Gaudi's inimitable influence in the L'Eixample area, you can also visit the Plaça de Catalunya, which houses the Gothic Quarter (old style) and the more recent build architecture. There's a ton of space to walk around and see gorgeous sculptures, architecture and find a lot of local eateries, shops, and activities! If you're looking for an area to stay or visit while in Barcelona, you can't go wrong looking in the L'Eixample District.

The Extension! This neighborhood is a pretty great place to…read morehang out in Barcelona! This place has amazing designs, wonderful walkability, and fun stuff to do. Each block was originally designed to be a pretty much self-sufficient pod, which has its own markets, schools, housing, shops, and so on. You could live in your own block and never have to really leave. While building and designing this area, they got the architect Gaudi to come in and do some of the fancier places, which is pretty impressive. Everything about these places are trying to outdo their neighbors. No to balconies in here are the same! Everything is so ornate for fanciness. The walkways here are huge- there's not hard corners to the buildings, which gives a better walkway for the pedestrians. All the corners on the major streets are shorn off, so it has a diagonal entryway to the buildings, which makes for a larger area to congregate at the entrances. I felt safe in this neighborhood.