BARCELONA IS THE VIBRANT CAPITAL CITY OF SPAIN’S CATALONIA REGION.
IT IS KNOWN FOR ART, ARCHITECTURE, CREATIVE CULINARY DELIGHTS AND AN ACTIVE STREET LIFE..
Barcelona is a city the faces east so the sunset in town is a show of dwindling light and lengthening shadows. To see the sun sink on the horizon, it is best to make a short trip outside of the city center and up the hill.
BARCELONA IS THE VIBRANT CAPITAL CITY OF SPAIN’S CATALONIA REGION.
IT IS KNOWN FOR ART, ARCHITECTURE, CREATIVE CULINARY DELIGHTS AND AN ACTIVE STREET LIFE..
TIBIDABO
Tibidabo is the tallest mountain in the Sierra de Colleserola and provides a panoramic view over all of Barcelona and the Mediterranean beyond. Tibidabo is derived from a Latin term meaning “all these things I give to thee.” At the summit of Tibidabo is a 20th Century church, Sagat Cor designed by renowned Catalan architect Enric Sagnier. The idea to construct a church on this location arose amid rumors that a hotel and casino project was in discussion. The Board of Catholic Knights jumped into action and secured the support of Pope Leo XIII to launch the project. The original chapel was constructed in 1886. The structure on the site today, as designed by Sagnier, was constructed between 1906 and 1961. Getting to the summit can be your daily dose of adventure. The trip begins at the Place de Cataluña Metro Station. Take the L7 line to the end. Across the street from the station is Tramvia Blau (Blue Tram) which takes you up the hill to the funicular railway. The funicular will deliver you directly to the summit. From the church’s overlooks, you achieve a 360 degree view which is amazing at any time of day but especially magical as the sun sets and orange light rains down on the mix of Gothic and Modern architecture that is Barcelona.
MONTJUIC HILL AND OLYMPIC PARK
Montjuic is located just south-east of the city center. You can reach the attractions of Montjuic by the funicular and cable lift that launch from the Parallel Metro stop. Montjuic served as the location of the 1929 International Exhibition and the location for the 1992 Olympic Village. The National Palace constructed for the Exhibition is an iconic building that today houses the Musea Nacional d’Art de Cataluña (MNAC). We recommend that you spend an afternoon enjoying a stroll through the museum to enjoy some of the 19th and 20th centuries’ best works. If you prefer to remain out of doors (or art is not your thing), no problem. Enjoy the sites and tours available at the Olympic Park. To prepare for sunset, head up to the Castell de Montjuic an 18th century fortress that was built to defend Barcelona. Find a comfortable place to sit and enjoy the view of the sun’s setting light on this special place. Once the sun has set, venture back down the hill to the plaza before the palace. The plaza’s Font Magic (Magic Fountain) will delight you with a water and light show which is a perfect ending to a perfect day.
LA RAMBLA
La Rambla is Barcelona’s famous promenade boulevard that cuts through the city. It is actually five different streets that wind together to create a 1.2 km stroll filled with an array of attractions including Barcelona’s famous street performers, budding artists, open markets, shopping and cafes. We highly recommend that you make time to sit at a café, enjoy a jug of sangria and watch the scenes. We also recommend that you save your appetite and enjoy a full meal at one of the many fantastic restaurants in town; La Rambla’s dining options are more mass-market and do not represent the best of Barcelona cuisine. La Rambla’s northern point is at Place Cataluña and extends south to Port Vell. La Rambla de Mar at Port Vell extends out over the water. We like to stroll from north to south in order to enjoy the setting sun from the water vantage. It is a popular vista and La Rambla will be crowded with tourists year-round. Make sure you allow ample time to enjoy the sites and performances of this promenade at your pace. Please note that if you conclude your stroll at the south end, this portion of La Rambla will transform into a more adult center of entertainment as the evening extends after dark. You may want to begin your stroll back toward the center and northern ends if you wish to stay on the promenade into the late evening and early morning!
INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT JOURNEYS TO BARCELONA?
There are so many different ways to visit the wonders of Barcelona. PA Travel can assist you by offering an array of tours, cruises and custom packages that spotlight Spain’s most interesting cities as well as cities throughout Europe. We specialize in finding the travel package that meets both your taste for adventure and your budget. You will quickly discover why we’re recognized as one of the top American Express Travel agencies for ten (10) straight years. Contact a PA Travel agent today.