Barcelona is another one of those cities that everyone must go to at some point. It is quite special and I still need another visit to get to some of the other places I didn't manage to see. What I did see was more than enough to whet my appetite to go back.
Being a footy fan one of my stops was the enormous Nou Camp or more accurately Camp Nou stadium, home of Barcelona football club.
We took a tour around the ground (11 euros) which is a must and included a look around the museum, the trophy cabinets as well as the obvious look at the pitch itself. Simply magnificent, the sheer scale of it is breathtaking and one can only imagine what it would be like with a capacity crowd of nearly 100,000 people, if you manage to get a ticket! Certainly one to remember.
If you do just one thing in Barcelona, you must go to the church of La Sagrada Familia. Started by Antoni Gaudi (his work is all around the city) way back in 1882 and still unfinished. It is stunning although it is odd as there is clearly parts that are hundreds of years old and bits that are days old and to be fair I do prefer the old stuff much more delicate. It is a shame we'll have to wait another 20 years to see it without the cranes.
I didn't go inside at the time as I needed to get back across town so can't pass judgement on the interior. Anyone got any views? In saying that, seeing the outside is enough, although it is strangely situated right in the centre of shops and roads, although I think I remember hearing they will be removing some of them to make way for more building? It is a sight to behold and hopefully some of these poorly taken mobile phone images will seduce you into taking a trip.
When the sun sets make sure you take a trip over to the magic fountain. It is really quite special, our view was high above in front of the palace (cannot remember the name). It is a superb display of colour, music, light and water aerobics, whats more its absolutely free.
Some information I blagged:
Performance times of the Magic Fountain of Montjuic:
Winter: (October to April)
Fridays and Saturdays from 19:00 to 21:00
Music sessions: 19:00, 19:30, 20:00, 20:30
Summer: (May to September)
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 20:00 to midnight
WARNING: watch out for pesky pick pockets, we witnessed several of them scouting for targets and managed to warn some, they are pretty blatant. Make sure you are alert everywhere particularly on Las Ramblas.
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Comments
Hugo says...
Darn it! When I went to Barcelona I missed out on the Magic Fountain. Great photos by the way.
Posted 530 days ago.
Jimbo says...
Yeah, its definetly one to see. Cheers about the photos, pitty they were taken with a mobile. Hopefully I can get back to take some high-res ones.
Posted 526 days ago.
madisteps says...
Barcelona is worth 2 or 3 visits in my opinion! The gothic quarter is beautiful and 2 hours outside the city is Figueres- a town which is home to the best Dali museum in the world.
Posted 519 days ago.
Jimbo says...
I totally agree, I will be getting back there for sure.
Thanks for the heads up on Figueres, much appreciated.
Posted 519 days ago.
jesikha says...
thanks for the tips..i should be in barcelona for a day or so in about two weeks!
Posted 512 days ago.
asa says...
Very odd looking building that church!
Posted 511 days ago.
shar1406 says...
church looks fabuolus..the picture are good and descriptive writing!
Posted 507 days ago.
itchyfeet76 says...
Very cool Sagrada Familia pictures. I've been to Barca since but last time I saw the church as 2001... doesn't look like much has changed! Will they ever finish it??
Posted 485 days ago.
Jimbo says...
Thanks itchyfeet, pity they were taken with a mobile phone! Slow progress then. I think its probably the type of project fraught with delays, meant to remain unfinished. Cheers.
Posted 485 days ago.
CocaColaAguaSkol says...
Nice pics and good info - I was in Barca for five days and it was nowhere near enough time. So much to do!
Posted 463 days ago.
Samster says...
Its great. I'm heading there in a week so i'll look out for the magic fountain...
Posted 330 days ago.
Amelia says...
It is definitely worth checking out the inside of La Sagrada Familia if you go back, which it sounds like you will! Thanks for the tips, I'll be referring to your piece next time I go!
Posted 273 days ago.
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