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Free Barcelona tourist spots
The
Port and Barceloneta (FREE)
One of the big advantages
Barcelona
has over some other Spanish cities is the coast. The port is accessible
just from the bottom of Las Ramblas and there is a footbridge that
takes you onto the quay, where there are bars, restaurants, shops, a
cinema and the aquarium. It is a great place for watching the ocean
liners come and go. METRO: Drassanes
Barceloneta is the name of
Barcelona's beach and is about a 10 minute walk further up from the
port. There are many chiringuitos (beach bars) and it is usually
packed with both locals and tourists. METRO: Barceloneta
Las
Ramblas (FREE)
Las Ramblas is perhaps one of the
most important and well known tourist spots in Barcelona. Also known as
"La Rambla" in its singular form, it is a long promenade (approximately
1.2 km) made up of consecutive smaller streets - hence the plural form.
Rambla
means
intermittent flow of water and was originally a stream (or occasionally
a dry river bed) that ran into the sea.
There
is a lot to see
in this street; there are many outdoor bars, restaurants, market
stalls, street acts and the famous human performance statues. Halfway
down there is the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boquería, Barcelona's
ancient and iconic food market. Further down just of Las Ramblas there
is the impressive Plaça Reial, a beautiful square with bars restaurants
and night clubs. The Gothic area touches La Rambla
on one side and on the other side there is the diverse and ever more
fashionable Raval. If
you are limited for time in Barcelona then Las Ramblas should be first
on your list. It also has the advantage that very close by you can see
the Gothic area, Plaça Reial, the Cathedral, la
Boquería, and Raval. Also, the street leads down to the Statue of
Christopher Columbus and the port is just a 2 minute walk further down.
METRO: Catalunya (top of Las Ramblas),
Liceu (halfway down), Drassanes (bottom).
Plaça
Reial (FREE)
Plaça Reial meaning "Royal
Plaza"
is a large open square just off La Rambla in the Barri Gòtic. Filled
with palm trees, lanterns designed by Gaudí and a fountain in the
centre, it is a great place to eat or drink outside or under the arched
walkways. A lively atmosphere and not to be missed. It is also a good
place to stop off before or after exploring the nearby Gothic area. METRO: Liceu
Caixa
Forum (FREE)
It's not often you get
something
for nothing, so it is well worth taking advantage. Even if you are not
on a budget the Caixa Forum is still a great place to visit. The
building is a converted textile factory and is now an art gallery that
exhibits a wide range of contemporary art. It is conveniently close to
Plaça Espanya, Font Màgica de Montjuïc and the Parc de Montjuïc.
ADMISSION: FREE ADDRESS: Av.
Marques de Comillas 6-8, Barcelona METRO: Espanya
Parc
de Ciutadella (FREE)
Parc de Ciutadella is the
biggest
and main park in central Barcelona and is a great place to visit, or
even to have a picnic. It has the Cascada (the arch and waterfall shown
in the picture), children's play areas, the Barcelona Zoo, a lake, a
castle (Castel dels Tres Dragons), museums and much more. It is
perfectly situated, just a walk away from Barceloneta, the port and
even the Gothic Area
METRO:
Ciutadella-Villa Olimpica or Barceloneta
The
Cathedral of Santa Eulalia (FREE)
The Cathedral of Santa Eulalia is
the Gothic Cathedral of Barcelona. Completed in 15th Century it is a
beautiful church with several chapels, 13th century cloister, crypt,
fountains and a garden. There is also a lift that takes you to the top
of the roof of the cathedral.
ADMISSION: Cathedral
FREE, Museum 2€, lift
to roof 2.50€
ADDRESS: Plaça de la Seu, 7
METRO:
Jaume I
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