Olympic Harbor - Village, Barcelona

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I don’t really know how was the area of the old industrial waterfront before 1992 but the renovation for the Olympic games brough in life a new seafront neighborhood.
First of all you can spot the Olympic port (pic 1) easily because of the twin towers which are the highest skyscrapers in Spain. They have 44 stores (pic 2)and one of them houses the hotel Arts while the other one (Mapfre Tower) has offices.
Behind the towers is the Parc del Port Olimpic with a nice fountain a modern sculpture at pl.dels Voluntaris Olimpics(pic 3). In front of the towers you will notice a giant whale made by bronze by F.Gehry the designer of the two towers.(pic 4)
There are several café/restaurants to relax and have a light meal or just a drink and although the prices are higher I enjoyed it because it’s always nice to have sea and sun on your feet isn’t it? (pic 5) At least try it once.
The Olympic port is busy during the night too because of the casino and the clubs but I preferred other areas of the city for having fun. The people walk next to the beach under the palm trees, it’s one of the reason I like Barcelona, because you can always stroll next to the sea. Of course many tourists come here for swimming at the golden sand beaches because the majority of the hotels are in walking distance. The locals prefer other nice beaches outside of the city.

There is a large white tower inside the olympic village, that was built as a communication tower for the coverage of the Olympic games of 1992. The form of the tower is based on Calatrava sketch of a kneeling figure making an offering.

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The XXV Summer Olympic Games of 1992 were held in Barcelona. Close to the Palau nacionale, there is the Olympic village where one can see the olympic stadium and many important structures built during the olympic games.

Once you enter the casino, you will walk into the area where you can play on the gambling machines. Downstairs is where you play roulette etc. You will need to go to the desk to pay a fee, show your passport and get a ticket. However, because i was staying at the Gran Marina hotel, i was allowed in free.

Inside you can try; French Roulette, American Roulette, Blackjack, Punto Blanco and La Boule.

There is also some very nice nice restaurants inside with a nice selective menu, such as steak etc. More my style of food.

This stadium which comfortably hold 65,000 was built originally for the 1929 Exhibition. It was completely refitted by Catalan architects for the 1992 Olympic games. The Galeria Olimpica has on display items from both the opening and closing ceremonies.

The Montjuïc was selected as the site for several of the venues of the 1992 Summer Olympics, centered around the Olympic stadium. Extensively refurbished and renamed the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The 65,000 seater stadium saw the opening and closing ceremonies and hosted the athletics events. Around it was build the Anella Olímpica (the "Olympic Ring") of sporting venues, including the Institut Nacional d'Educació Física de Catalunya (a center of sports science), the Piscines Bernat Picornell (the venue for swimming and diving events), and the striking, telecommunications tower, designed by the architect Santiago Calatrava.

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Port Olimpic was built for the 1992 Olympic Games. It has it all: entertainment, leisure, business, commerce and dining in one place.
It's most recognisable feature are the impressive twin skyscrapers - Mapfre Tower and Hotel Arts Barcelona, and a steel fish designed by Frank Gehry between the two .

It's a great place for all beach activities, strolling down as well as having great dinner in one of the sea-view restaurants and enjoing the nighlife.

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The Olympic Village was composed by two towers, currently the Mapfre Tower and the Hotel Arts. Both buildings were the second tallest buildings in Spain, after Torre Picasso, in Madrid, but they're the third right now after the construction of Bali Tower in Benidorm. Mapfre Tower has the highest helipad in Spain as well, at 154 metres high. The Hotel Arts building was designed by Bruce Graham and it hosts a 5 stars hotel and some luxurious apartments. There are a big golden fish between both skyscrapers made by Frank Gehry.

La Villa Olímpica estaba compuesta por dos torres, las actuales Torre Mapfre y el Hotel Arts. Ambos edificios fueron los segundos más altos de España, tras la Torre Picasso de Madrid, pero actualmente son los terceros tras la construcción de laTorre Bali en Benidorm. La Torre Mapfre tiene el helipuerto más alto de España, con 154 metros de altura. El edificio Hotel Arts fue diseñado por Bruce Graham y acoje un hotel de 5 estrellas y algunos apartamentos de lujo. Hay un gan pescado dorado entre ambos rascacielos hecho por Frank Gehry.