BARCELONA

The district of Las Ramblas is crowded again. The slightly ascending hill is overwhelmed with flashy street artists and colourful flower markets also bird-traders advertise heatedly their singing goods. However, the tourists are more attracted by the other end of the avenue: Everybody wants to drink from the „Font de Canaletes” in order to finally and totally loose one’s heart to Barcelona and to return over and over again – at least according to the legend.
After Franco’s death in 1975, nobody expected Barcelona to let go of the ties of thraldom and turn into a vivid metropolis. Only 32 years later the Zeitgeist is pulsating, upfront Catalans celebrate in the streets as if there’s no tomorrow and exchange students track down Gaudi’s footsteps. Barcelona equals art and culture; Barcelona is an endearing revolutionist who calls for upraising but still sticks to traditions.

From the airport into the city
Barcelona Airport, also known as El Prat (to the south-west of the city, approximately 20 minutes from the center by car) was renovated and extended in 1991.
A taxi into the city center costs about € 12.50. Cheaper is the aerobus (tel. 906 42 70 17, www.tmb.net, € 2.50) that goes from the airport to the Plaça de Catalunya (subway access) in the city center in 15-minute intervals on weekdays and in half-hour intervals at the weekend and on holidays. Additionally, there is a train from the airport to Barcelona Sants station that departs every half hour.

Public transportation
The subway is cheap and fast: it goes from 5 a.m. to midnight on weekdays, until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 6 a.m. to midnight on Sundays and holidays. A single ticket costs € 1.15, a ticket for ten fares (T10) costs € 6.30. You can change trains between the different subway lines, buses, night buses (nit bus) and the suburbian rail FGC. A day ticket costs € 4.80, a two-day ticket € 8.80 and a three-day ticket € 12.40. Meanwhile, the bus stops have clear schedules, so it is no problem to ride the bus.

Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família by Antoni Gaudí is the eccentric diva among Barcelona's sights. It is famous all over the world, awe-inspiring and apparently doomed to eternal incompletion. Gaudí died in 1926 before he could complete his masterpiece, and architects and investors have been fighting about the issue and kind of its completion ever since. The tourist attraction enjoys a well-deserved reputation: you cannot leave Barcelona without having seen the seemingly living towers of the Sagrada Familia.

Santa María del Mar
Barcelona's most beautiful church in pure Catalan Gothic style is ornate and simple at the same time. Polychromic window panes, partially dating back to the 15th century, bathe the almost empty nave into a mytic light and intensify the impression of tranquility. The building with the high slenderly towering pillars on the inside was constructed between 1329 and 1384. This is almost a record for a cathedral from the Middle Ages, and at the same time an explanation for the consistent style. There are often concerts taking place in the church.
Plaça de Santa María, subway: Jaume I (L4), opening hours Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 - 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. - 1.30 p.m. and 4.30 - 8 p.m.

Barri Gòtic
The Old Town of Barcelona was built in the 14th and 15th century. The obtained core of this piece of jewellery consists of narrow, dim alleyways with battered cobblestone pavement and old taverns. Even though the houses’ gothic facades start crumbling away one automatically feels sent back in zenith times of Catalonia.
Two streets ahead, a completely different picture occurs: Long-time residents fled from the obtrusive real estate tyrants, picturesque streets gave way to broad boulevards and small businesses lost ground to large chains. Nevertheless huge parts of the charm retained.
Here one will definitely discover the very particular Catalan lifestyle.

Jaume de Provença
This gourmet restaurant serves traditional cuisine. Both the recipes and the products come from the hinterland or the local coast. There are also Basque dishes on the menu. Service is professional and prices are appropriate. We recommend you try steamed hake on herbs and algae. The wine menu is very well-assorted. You might want to book in advance!
C. de Provença 88, closed on Sunday nights, Monday and from August 1st to September 10th

Medulio
Medulio ist a well-tended restaurant in the style of a Galician country house. It specializes in Galician recipes. Seafood is fresh, and the fish and rice dishes as well as the solid stews and the soups are wonderful. On the wine menu, you can find many Galician white wines, red wines from La Rioja and others.
Av. Princep d'Astúries 6, closed Sunday nights and Mondays

Els Quatre Gats
Pablo Picasso and a number of nowadays less well-known Catalan painters used to visit the Els Quatre Gats frequently. The decoration is stylish and shows the decorator's artistry. A visit to enjoy some small appetizers or solid dishes will pay off.
C. Montsió 3b, closed Sundays at noon

Majestic
A guarantor for high-class, noble vacation, modern equipment blends well with old-fashioned flair. The roof terrace offers a magnificent view over Barcelona.
Passeig de Gràcia 70, Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4), Tel.: 488 17 17, DR starting at € 234,–,
www.hotelmajestic.es

Omm
Close to Gaudí’s Casa Mila you find a complete contrarian concept: strict lines, sterile ambience and functional design are the foundation of this in detail planned hotel. In the lobby, scenesters party in one of the hottest clubs in town and bohemians enjoy a marvellous view from the pool on the roof-terrace.
Rosseló 265, Metro: Diagonal (L3, L5), Tel.: 445 40 00, DR starting at € 225,– www.hotelomm.es

Comtes de Barcelona
A diligently renovated palace offers a modern ambience in upper location to its guests : sun terrace, pool, and conference rooms are only some of the comfortable components of this elegant hotel.
Passeig de Gràcia 73–75, Metro: Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4), Tel.: 467 47 80, DR starting at € 165,–,
www.condesdebarcelona.com

Gran Teatro del Liceu
Probably Barcelona's most famous theater, music and opera stage. Reopened in 1999. Tickets are best booked in advance!
Las Ramblas 51–59, tel. 485 99 00, www.liceubarcelona.com

El Cangrejo
This bizarre venue in the Barrio Chino that was decorated with pretentious kitsch attracts a colorful audience: demimonde players, gamblers, poor survivors, notorious bohemians, successful designers, shady-looking characters, sailors and danders. The club often plays soppy music, but also tango and rumba.
C. Montserrat 9, tel. 301 85 75, closed on Sundays

Palau de la Música Catalana
About 200 concerts, ranging from classical music to jazz, chanson and world music take place in this Art Nouveau hall every year. A second concert hall was inaugurated in 2004.
San Francesc de Paula 2, subway: Urquinaona (L1, L4), tel. 295 72 00, www.palaumusica.org

Harlem Jazz Club
Ambitious jazz music and live performances. This club is the meeting point for the city's jazz scene. A friendly atmosphere.
Comtessa de Sobradiel 8, tel. 310 07 55, opening hours 8 p.m. - 4 a.m.

Rambla
Different facets of the city are introduced on the one-kilometre-long promenade between Plaça de Catalunya and the port. “Ramble�? means “avenue�? in Spanish – then again it is easy to get it mix up with the English interpretation of “to ramble�?- hordes of people push through the honking cars, street musicians, pantomimes, the homeless and fortune-tellers. Watch your belongings in the turmoil: pickpockets, too, love the chaos at the Rambla! The eyes will not get a chance to rest: kitsch is to be found next to history, modernity next to long-forgotten – the former dried out riverbed daily fills with bustling people.

Colmado Moriscot
A treasure chest for travelers who want to take some of their holiday's odors and flavors home with them: you can find a huge selection of rare wines, cavas, spirituous beverages and delicacies here. The most precious objects - old whiskies, brandies or rare Spanish, French and German wine vintages - are exhibited in a back room. You might find wine and spirit treasures here that are hard to come by in other places.
C. Ciutadans 4, Girona

Größere Kartenansicht