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Barcelona tourist spots
Many of the top Barcelona tourist
spots featured here include the work of the great Catalan architect
Antoni Gaudí. Due to his influence it is impossible to go to Barcelona
without seeing some of his work. This list is in not in any way
exhaustive, but if you have a short time in the city then these are the
ones to see.
Sagrada
Familia
 The Sagrada Familia
(Sacred Family)
is perhaps the one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain.
Although the project started in the late 19th Century, construction is
still ongoing in spite of the death of Gaudí in 1926. Completion is not
expected until 2026. This Roman Catholic church is an icon of Barcelona
and definitely work a visit.
ADMISSION: 11€
OPENING
TIMES:
Oct-Mar from 9.00 to 18.00,
Apr-Sep from 9.00 to 20.00, 25 and 26
Dec, 1 and 6 Jan from 9.00 to 14.00
ADDRESS: Calle
Mallorca, 40
METRO: Sagrada Familia
Montjuïc
(FREE)
The
site of the Olympic stadium,
Parc de Montjuïc offers great views of the city. It is home also to the
National Palace, the iconic telecommunications tower and the Castell de
Montjuïc. It is situated just on the hill above the famous roundabout
Plaça Espanya, between the enormous Venetian style towers. It is a
great site to walk around; there are many parks, beauty spots and
spectacular views.
Access
to the Olympic stadium (which is also the
Andorra national football stadium and until recently the ground of RCD
Espanyol) is free and there is also a cafeteria. The National Palace is also home
the National Art Museum of Catalonia - an art museum of Catalan
sculptures andpaintings: Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Renaissance and
local art up to the mid 20th century. ADMISSION: €8.50, valid for 2 days.
METRO: Espanya
Castell de Montjuïc is a 17th-18th
century fortress and now a military museum. From the flat roof of the
citadel there is a complete panorama over the sea, port, city and
mountains. Admission to most areas of the Castell is free.
ADMISSION: FREE or €3.00 for military museum
METRO:
Paral.lel
La
Pedrera
Also known as Casa Milà this
building was designed by Gaudí and completed in 1912. It has an
accessible roof top ornately decorated with Gaudí mosaic statues and
chimneys and offers great views of the city.
The limestone building also has an impressive central atrium and
bookshop.
ADMISSION: 9.50€, free for children under 12 years.
ADDRESS: 92, Passeig
de Gràcia
METRO: Passeig de Gràcia
Casa
Batlló
Located
just a few blocks further
down Passeig de Gràcia from La Pedrera, the Casa Batlló is another one
of Gaudí's creations. It was remodelled in the early 20th century by
Gaudí in collaboration with another Catalan architect Josep Maria
Jujol. The building is locally known as Casa dels ossos meaning the
"house of bones", due to the remarkable skeletal nature of the façade.
The building is perhaps not as popular as La Pedrera, but the interior
is stunning and you will still need to queue to get in.
ADMISSION:
16.50€ with audio guide included
ADDRESS: 43, Passeig de
Gràcia
METRO: Passeig de Gràcia
Camp
Nou
The Camp Nou is one of
the temples of European football and the biggest football stadium in
Europe with a capacity of just under 99,000. For football fans it is
worth taking a tour round the stadium. You can see every corner of the
stadium including the pitch, changing rooms, the press area, the
presidents box, the FC Barcelona museum and the trophies. Also for most
league games you will be able to get tickets at short notice. You don't
need to be a member as the stadium is so large that there are usually
tickets available. As long as it is not against any of their major
rivals.
ADMISSION: 17€
Adults, 14€ Children
up to 13, FREE for children under 6 years
ADDRESS: Avinguda
Aristides Maillol
WEBSITE: http://www.fcbarcelona.cat/web/english/index.html
METRO: Les Corts, Maria Cristina or
Avinguda de Xile (tram)
Parc
Güell (FREE)
Parc Güell is another one of
Gaudí's impressive architectural creations, situated in the hills of
the Gràcia district of Barcelona. It was completed in 1914 after Count
Eusebi Güell's original idea of building an upmarket housing site there
failed. The entrance gate to the park is flanked by two typically
ornate and outlandish Gaudí houses and on the steps to the roof
supported by the Doric columns there is the famous mosaic dragon
fountain. It is also well known for the impressive vaulted arched
walkways. In the park there is a shop where you can buy Gaudí postcards
and books, and also la Torre Rosa (Gaudí's own house) containing
furniture that he designed (entrance fee only). Access from the Metro
to the park requires a bit of effort as it is extremely hilly but you
can take a number 22 bus to the junction of Avinguda de Valcarca and
Carrer de la Farigola. From there you will find a series of escalators
to go up the hill.
ADDRESS: Carrer d'Olot 7
METRO: Lesseps
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