Touring Barcelona
by acemj
A good walking tour of Barcelona begins at Placa de Catalunya. Start here and walk down Las Ramblas toward the port. Or head the other direction and you'll be exploring some of Gaudi's best architectural examples in El Eixample. The beauty of the place and its people.
Tibidabo
by sue_stone
The highest hill to the north of the city is called Tibidabo. Many of the streets on the way up the hill are lined with some of the most expensive homes in town. Needless to say, the hill offers up some spectacular views over Barcelona and out to sea.
To get up to Tibidabo by public transport, first catch the FCG train to Avinguda del Tibidabo. From here you can catch the gorgeous little Tramvia Blau (blue tram), the city's last surviving tram, which winds its way halfway up the hill. It operates most days, during daylight hours only. At other times it is replaced by a bus. The tram (or bus) will drop you at Placa del Doctor Andreu, and from there you can catch the Tibadabo funicular, through the woods, to the top of the hill (the funicular was closed for renovations when we visited in Jan 2007). Once you make it to the top of the hill you will find the Parc d'Attraccions which is an amusement park (refer to the website for opening hours), and a popular place for the locals in the warmer months.
Needing something a little more cultural - head to the Museu de la Ciencia (Science Museum) or the Museu-Monestir de Pedralbes - an old convent which has been converted into a museum of monastic life.
You can't miss the impressive Temple del Sagrat Cor - the Church of the Sacred Heart, which was built based on Paris' Sacre Coeur; or the Torre de Collserola, a 288 metre high telecommunications tower designed by Sir Norman Foster.
Barcelona is the city of Gaudi...
by Zoe_bcn
Barcelona is the city of Gaudi and Modernism: the Eixample is the largest 'open air' museum of Modernism in the world, and to celebrate its 150th birthday, this year Barcelona is preparing a year dedicated to the personality and work of Gaudi with an extensive programm of exhibitions, studies, seminars... which will be open to the public during this year.
The city's cultural agenda offers a large variety of shows, popular festivals (great events such as the Grec summer Festival from July to August), theatre, dance, music, opera, flamenco....
Interesting museums to visit: Museu Picasso, Fundació Joan Miró, MNAC (the largest collection of Roman art in the world), MACBA (periodical contemporary art exhibitions).....
I attach a little map of Barcelona where you can see most of the Modernism buidings.....
Architecture
by IIGUANA
Barcelona's architecture can be breathtaking. I suggest you to get lost in the city, and take a look at the building façades, the roofs, or even the small streets that surround the city. There are many impressive buildings, many street scenes that seem to be taken from a history book and many roofs decorated with bautiful brass statues. This is what makes this city so special. Put beautiful architecture in a jar and mix it with wonderful people, and you'll get a great city, you'll get Barcelona.
The Pedralbes area, North part...
by DanielF
The Pedralbes area, North part of the Diagonal avenue, is one of the chic neighbouhoods in the city. There are beautiful shopping malls and a young atmosphere because there is a University campus there. You can also visit here the royal palace and its ceramic museum (the park in front is very beautiful) or admire some examples of contemporary architecture. I have always liked the building on the picture. Seems nice to live in an apparment where so many plants hang from the balcony.