Ola Barcelona!

Planning a trip to Barcelona, Spain? Good choice. Actually, a very good choice. Me and my "lady-boss" stayed there last August 2011 for 5 days. I left Barcelona a year older, with tons of unforgettable experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. (Unless memory loss beats me to it.)

Weeks before my first Europe vacation (excluding where I live right now, no offense dear England), I ordered this Guide book online: DK Eyewitness Travel's Top 10 Barcelona. I think it is the best guide book out there, which gives you top spots, top restaurants, top shops, and even top things to avoid! It comes with maps, and also gives you a map of the trains in the metro, which was very useful and easy to navigate and understand.

According to the book, the Top 10 highlights in Barcelona are the following:


1 Sagrada Familia
2 La Rambla
3 Barcelona Cathedral
4 Parc de la Ciutadella
5 Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
6 La Pedrera
7 Fundacio Joan Miro
8 Museu Picasso
9 Palau de la Musica Catalana
10 Museu d'Art Contemporani & Centre de Cultura Contemporania

Except for #s 7 & 10, we've been to all of them, which is not bad. But of course, we've been to other places as well.

 Sagrada Familia
This gargantuan structure will leave an unforgettable impact to your senses. This church, started in 1882, is still incomplete. But with all its beauty and grandeur, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a product of the late genius Antonio Gaudi.

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  La Rambla

This pedestrian street pleases the visitors, from a gastronomic experience, to lovely shops and treats. You may find human-statues that may do a dance number, and some artists that will give you a sketch for a cheap price. 

Barcelona Cathedral

A Cathedral dating from 1298 is a unique collection of architectural style. Aside from the choirs, you will also find musicians playing beautiful music just outside of the Cathedral.

Parc de la Ciutadella's Cascade Fountain

This magnificent fountain is a creation of Gaudi. Surrounding the waterfall are cherubs, horses, and winged serpents.

Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

A world of Catalan art and a collection rightfully housed in the Palau Nacional. When you reach the entrance of the musuem, you'll be getting a gorgeous view of the city.

La Pedrera

If you have Gaudi as your designer for an apartment, you'd be expecting something unorthodox, or simply unique. And that would be La Pedrera. La Pedrera, meaning the Stone Quarry, was completed in 1910. It also contains a museum and private residences.

Museu Picasso

Do I need to say more about Catalan's favorite Pablo Picasso?

Palau de la Musica Catalana

The concert hall is filled with fantastic forms and figures, especially the stained-glass ceiling designed with angels, illuminating the hall with glorious light and sights.

Castell de Montjuic

Once a prison and torture centre for prisoners, it is now developed into an international peace centre. It is located on a mountain top, you can either reach it by using public transport or on foot! I think the best way to go up there is via a cable car ride (as seen on my previous vlog). Breathtaking views of the sunset is a bonus as well.

Fountains, Palau Nacional

When the night falls and the museum closes, people flock around the fountains, as they are treated with jaw-dropping "waterworks" show accompanied by heart-thumping classics from Mozart, Bach, etc.

Estadi Olimpic

The site of the 1992 Olympics.

Barceloneta Beach

Barcelona won't be complete without the beach. Sun-worshippers can freely lay on the sand amongst the crowd as you hear the waves crashing and the wind kiss your sun-burnt cheeks. It won't be a surprise to find a number of half-naked women lying beside you. Careful, for some pickpockets operate within the crowd.

Here's a short video in Barceloneta Beach.

Arc de Triomf

This is the grand entrance to the Parc de la Ciutadella, built for the 1888 Exhibition.

 The View from our Hotel, Expo Barcelona