Barcelona is a one of the most famous destinations for city trips and so I am always happy to visit the city. I go for some shopping and search for the best tapas specialties. Barcelona is versatile, also for returning guests like me. Because in recent years the area around the old harbor “Port Vell was strongly developed”: Dilapidated factory buildings have been replaced by modern shopping centers, instead of old rust buckets chic yachts lay at the pier.
Friday
3 pm: The best view over Barcelona offers the sail-shaped luxury hotel „W“ at the harbor entrance on the outskirts of the former fishing district Barceloneta. Behind the huge panoramic windows of the rooms the Catalan metropolis lays at my feet, and I leave the curtains open all night to watch again and again, what is going down in Barcelona.
5 pm: First I walk along the promenade with its numerous restaurants and bars around the old harbor “Port Vell”. White sail boats bobbing at the pie in front of the former brick warehouse with the Museum of Catalan History.
In the large shopping center Maremagnum, the shops are open daily to 10 pm, next door the Aquarium Barcelona attracts the visitors with a large shark tunnel – that’s fun not only for kids. Dinner is offered at a couple of restaurants at the Rambla del Mar – overlooking the cruise ships and ferries.
11 pm: In the evening I am tired and do not want to leave the hotel. But on the top of the hotel, there is one of the hottest clubs in town. So I go to the Skybar on the 26th floor of the Hotel W, the “Eclipse”. Many international Djs are working here and through the huge windows I see the sparkling city lights. My recommendation: Try a Watermelon Martini!
Saturday
10 am: On weekends the Catalans go to the market – and of course – I do it like the locals.
The Boqueria Market near the shopping street Rambla is the most famous market hall of the city with a huge selection of fresh fruit, fancy candies, living marine organisms, Spanish oils and olives.
Less visited, but well worth seeing, is the market hall Santa Caterina, with its colorful and artistic corrugated roof, snacks are available in the restaurant Cuines de Santa Caterina.
12 am: After a short refreshment I jump on the hop-on-hop-off bus and drive along unusual architecture and art to the highlights of the city.
The blue line of the “Barcelona Bus Turistic” stops at the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi. Be sure to get out and explore the World Heritage-facade and the unique interior of the unique of the unfinished basilica!
Continue to Park Guell, also designed by Gaudi.
My recommendation: Take a photo stop next to the staircase with the colorful salamander and enjoy the view from the terrace across Barcelona!
Stopping at the Tramvia Blau – the tourist tram – and the Camp Nou football stadium of FC Barcelona, the bus returns to the central Plaza de Catalunya.
5 pm: Then I change to the touristic red route and drive through the Parque de Montjuic around the local mountain of the city. With stops at the 50-meter high observation tower Columbus, at Port Vell and the Olympic Port the red bus returns to the cathedral. Now it is time for some shopping along the Ramblas with it’s nice flower shops.
8 pm: Now it’s time for Spanish tapas in Barceloneta! I leave the expensive and crowded promenade behind and walk into the narrow streets of the former fishing district with its small bars. Typical tapas in a cozy environment from three euros are served in the cosy bar Jai-Ca. Everytgime I have been here, I heard the same musicians playing und inspiring the guests with Spanish music.
Sunday
11 am: On Sundays at noon is Sardana time: In front of the great cathedral La Seu locals celebrate the Catalan folk dance, walk and jump in large circles hand in hand according to traditional patterns. For the music, the Cobla, an eleven-member orchestra is playing in front of the cathedral. So let’s dance – or only watch!
2 pm: At the end of the weekend I once again enjoy traditional tapas near the Cathedral in the quaint Mundial Bar in Barri Gotic. Since my flight starts in the late afternoon, I walk through this oldest district of Barcelona and discover medieval palaces, modern art and evocative spaces.
Get more informationen at Barcelona Tourisme.
