Loney Planet says: 'A feast for the senses, Catalonia's capital has a distinctly Mediterranean feel. Its revitalization for the 1992 Olympics made Barcelona the place to be on the continent. A picturesque location, Europe's best-preserved Gothic Quarter, Gaudí's delightfully cheeky architecture and galleries with the treasures of Miró, Tápies and Picasso make Barcelona visually stunning indoors and out. "New Catalan Cuisine" and tapas bars tempt the taste buds, and the nightlife and music are on the cutting edge.' And thery are dead right. There is so much to talk about the sub-capital, but here is my top 4 highlights of my trip.
Top sights:
Sagrada Familia: Otherwise known by the complicated name of : Temple expiatori del sagrada familia (church of the sacred family) If you are into churches and/or architecture as a tourist destination, La Sagrada Familia is a must-see in Barcelona. This magnificent structure was begun by Antonio Gaudi over 100 years ago and won't be finished until 2030. Plan to rent the audio-guide and take the entire tour in order to get your money's worth. The crowds are thick and as other reviewers have indicated, most of the interior is covered with scaffolding. We did not take the lift to the towers because the line was insufferably long, but we did enjoy the exterior of the church especially. The intricacy of the artistry involved is breathtaking. All this said, if you're not really into churches, then simply take pictures from the outside and enjoy the massive character of the building without paying for the tour.
Parc Guell: This park was awesome! The buildings at the entrance reminded me of Candyland or holiday Gingerbread Houses. Really very neat, lots of details to see and admire everywhere. We went on a Sunday afternoon and it was PACKED (though a brief rain shower helped some); trying to get a picture of the famous dragon was near impossible with everyone climbing on it for their own photos. But everyone was there with good reason: it was nice to be outside and walk around, and the more you walked, the more fantastical creations there were to see. Highly recommended!
Las Ramblas Las Ramblas so we strolled it up and down quite a few times. I really liked the street - it was buzzy and had a nice athmosphere. There were some really nice restaurants and cafés (e.g. MOKA) along it and good street performers. The prices were, however, slightly higher than in some other, uncrowded places but all in all, Las Ramblas was a great and positive experience for us
Tibidabo; Not the most popular attraction in the city but god knows why. It is fantastic. You get a tram, then funicular up the massive mountain looming above the city. At the top there is a huge church with magnificent panoramic views of the city. stunning. There is something for everyone. Church Views Religious tapestries A funfair (yes, up a mountain) And loads more. Highly Recommended...
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