There are so many destinations within Spain that offer all the ingredients for a perfect European mini-break – the history and beauty of Granada; the culture and style of Madrid, or the laid-back surfing attitude of San Sebastian. But of all the destinations in Spain to choose from, my favourite has to be the beach-side party city of Barcelona. In this article we share with you a few hints and tips on some of the ways in which you can spend a weekend in this fantastic city.
Architecture
It’s impossible to visit Barcelona and not have some sort of encounter with the brilliance of Antoni Gaudi – the Spanish architect whose vision has helped shape the Barcelona that we know today. The style of Gaudi’s work is quite unique – it’s described as Catalan Modernism but it generally embodies the dark madness of neo-gothic art its best, with strong religious themes and inherent drama and romance. Gaudi is perhaps most famous for the Sagrada Familia – a still unfinished cathedral in Barcelona that has become the most-visited monument in Spain. Gaudi began the project in 1915, and after his death in 1926 numerous architects have continued its construction, continuing to bring Gaudi’s vision to life. Definitely worth a visit.
Beach
Summer is an ideal time to visit Barcelona – immersing yourself in the beach-side beauty of the city. Barcelona’s beach is a long strip of golden sand, notionally divided into different sections or neighbourhoods, some parts more oriented towards families, some parts more oriented to getting your clothes off and working on your all-over tan. You can easily spend a day (or several days) just hanging out on the beach and soaking up the sun. At the end of the day you can stroll along to the W Hotel and sip cocktails in their outdoor bar while the DJ spins some relaxed tunes. If you feel like a change of scene, then the beach-side resort of Sitges is just a short train journey away and it’s a lot of fun.
Neighbourhoods
Public transport in Barcelona is pretty efficient and easy to navigate, but it is important to choose your accommodation in a neighbourhood that will suit the kind of weekend that you’re looking for. The Las Ramblas area gives you good access to the beach and the old town (although you need to watch out for pickpockets). If you’re going to be out at the bars and restaurants then the Example neighbourhood would be a good choice, or there is also a good hotel on top of the Estacio Sants railway station that is perfect for connections to the airport or nearby day trips.
Food
Spanish food is fairly amazing, and nothing beats a few small plates of tapas while you’re sharing a few drinks to get the night started. Just off Las Ramblas is the Boqueria food market which is a great spot to explore and grab some food at one of the small busy counter cafes. For a traditional Spanish feast then I love Taller de Tapas which dishes up big hearty plates of fantastic food.
Nightlife
If you’re going to head out and hit the town then you’re going to need some stamina – like most of Spain, the locals of Barcelona don’t go out until late and then they stay out pretty much until the sun comes up. This is why a siesta each day is absolutely essential.
Whatever kind of holiday that you’re looking for, Barcelona has it all.
This article was written by Gareth originally published on www.etravelblog.com. Read the original here.
*Image of Park Guell in Barcelona via Shutterstock
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