Barcelona apartments, Barcelona Hotels,

Are you wondering where to eat in Barcelona? You spend your holidays in Barcelona. You stay in apartments in Barcelona and you do not know where to eat in Barcelona? Here is a complete list with the best restaurants in Barcelona. So enjoy your holiday in a cheap Barcelona apartment to discover the cuisine of Barcelona testing the best restaurants in Barcelona.

Barcelona's best tapas restaurants

Restaurant La Luna Barcelona

Located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, Barcelona La Luna will seduce you with its lounge atmosphere and delicious tapas. The restaurants tapas have an appropriate price performance ratio. We recommend the quesadillas if you go to La Luna Barcelona. The tapas are quite in plenty supply unlike other restaurants in Barcelona. This place is both, bar and restaurant where you can enjoy tapas in Barcelona. La Luna Barcelona also offers delicious cocktails.

 
La Luna Barcelona - Tapas Bar

Carrer Abaixadors, 10

08003 Barcelona

9329555513

Metro Jaume - Yellow Line

Cerveceria Catalana

Near the Passeig de Gracia, this restaurant offers a wide selection of tapas of good quality. The tapas are not very expensive. Be aware of rush hours when the restaurant might be too busy.

Cerveceria Catalana - Barcelona Tapas Restaurant

Carrer Mallorca, 236

08013 Barcelona

932 160 368

Metro Passeig de Gracia - Yellow Line

Barcelona's best restaurants to eat Catalan specialties:

El 7 Portes

To eat paella, typical Catalan or Spanish food, such as watered or caldos fideua and many other typical dishes of Catalonia, the restaurant el 7 doors in Barcelona is opened from 13 to 1 without interruption.

El 7 Portes - Barcelona Catalan Restaurant

Passeig Isabel II, 14

08003 Barcelona

933 193 033

Metro Barceloneta - Yellow Line

Merendero de la Mari

If you like to taste the Mediterranean cuisine and delicious seafood in a restaurant in Barcelona, you should try the restaurant Merendero of Mari.


Merendero of Mari

Placa Pau Vila 1 Port Vell

08039 Barcelona

932213141

Metro Barceloneta - Yellow Line

Barcelona restaurant to eat international cuisine 

Arc Café

Located in the Gotico district, this restaurant offers international food from Italian cuisine to oriental until the French cuisine with for example the tartiflette.

Arc Café- International restaurant Barcelona
 
Carrer Carabassa to 19

08002 Barcelona

933 025 224

Drassannes Metro - Green Line

Barcelona restaurants where you can eat Hamburgers and Sandwiches

Pim Pam Plates Barcelona

Pim Pam Burger in El Borne is the best place to eat your burgers. Homemade in front of your eyes, burgers are delicious and off good size. Pim Pam Burger is located right next to the Pim Pam Plats, which offers more than 180 starters, main courses and desserts, a pleasure for real!

Pim Pam Plats Barcelona and Barcelona Pim Pam Burger

Sabateret, 4

08003 Barcelona

933 152 093

Metro Jaume - Yellow Line

As you may have noticed, most restaurants of the collection of "the best restaurants in Barcelona" are located in El Born district or in the Barceloneta area. If you want to eat in one of the best restaurants of Barcelona, we advise you to book a holiday apartment in Barcelona in these districts.

Enjoy your holiday in Barcelona!

San Joan in Barcelona is the celebration marking the start of the summer season and the day with the longest period of daylight in the year. The San Joan celebrations are on the evening of the 23rd June. The day after is the Saint John's day, the 24th June, is a public holiday in Catalonia and Spain. The San Joan fiestas take place from sundown to sunrise on the night before Saint John's day, and are also called "verbenas," which means open-air fiestas or celebrations. In Spanish it is also named as "La Nit de San Joan" - the night of Saint John.

In ancient times the summer solstice was considered the most important event of the solar year. The element of fire stands as the symbol of abundance, purity and fertility as it is today one of the central elements in the Festival of San Joan. The festival is marked by fireworks and bonfires enlightening the skies of Barcelona. Don´t miss it, take the opportunity to do a trip to the European metropolis and book a central Barcelona hotel or Barcelona apartment.

Coming back to the festival of San Joan, the element of this festival is fire. The flame to light the fires is called the "Flama del Canigó," which is taken to different villages every year. There are bonfires, called "hogueras" in Spanish or "fogueres" in Catalan everywhere in Barcelona and Catalonia. If you like to follow one of the traditions, take part in the rituals of fire purification, which are said to cleanse your sins and get rid of your bad luck by burning something. For the bonfire old furniture is often used to symbolize a gesture of "out with the old - in with the new!

 A big part of any Catalan festival is the food. During San Joan it is a tradition to eat Catalan 'Coca' desserts. Coca is a bread base stuffed with various kinds of fillings. The size of the bread should be twice as long as it is wide!

If you walk slowly from the Sagrada Familia on the Avinguda de Gaudí, after around 4 crossroads, you will encounter another masterpiece of Barcelona's architecture: the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona.

The Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona was built from 1901 and 1930 with designs from Lluis Domenech i Montaner, who also designed the Palau de la Musica Barcelona. And indeed you can see the similarity of style that both buildings possess. Today is the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona with the Palau de la Musica a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been used as a hospital until 2009. If you plan to spend your holidays in Barcelona, you should not forget this masterpiece of architecture and style when you stay in your Barcelona accommodation. The Hospital Sant Pau is often overlooked by many, but is absolutely worth a visit.

Although at the moment tours are not available due to restorative works being done, the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona is nevertheless worth a visit. The architectural work is detailed and fascinating to observe, from the inside as well as from the outside, so also the façade of the Hospital Sant Pau in Barcelona is worth the attention. If you book Barcelona accommodation near the hospital, you can even see it as often as you want.

The World Heritage hospital is located in the Horta-Guinardo district of Barcelona, in the north of the city. It is easy to access during holidays in Barcelona, as there are different metro stations and busses near the hospital. This makes the hospital one of the sights in Barcelona with a good connection, an important factor when staying in your Barcelona accommodation.

To reach the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona, you can take the blue metro line L5 and step out at Sant Pau (Dos de Maig), or you can take the yellow line L4 and step out at Guinardo.

In order to reach the hospital sight by bus, you can take the following bus lines in Barcelona: 15, 19, 20, 35, 45, 47, 50, 51, 92, 117 or 192.

But what I recommend you if you like to walk around the beautiful architecture of Barcelona with its nice streets and avenues during your holidays in Barcelona, is to start your tour at the Sagrada Familia and then walk towards the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona. This way, you can enjoy two sights in Barcelona in one tour, because the distance between the two sights (which are both UNESCO World Heritages Sites) is very small.

To kill two birds with a stone and enjoy two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in one walk, you should take the blue L5 metro line or the purple L2 line and step out at the Sagrada Familia Barcelona. Then, after admiring Gaudi's masterpiece with its fascinating architecture, go to the Avinguda Gaudi, directly next to the Sagrada Familia. It is the avenue lined with trees at is sites, running diagonally and crossed by Carrer de la Marina and Carrer de Provença (there is also a gas station, as a help).

Then you can walk comfortably along the wide street, passing cute and nice shops, restaurants and bars, maybe also stop by and enjoy some tapas.

After around 4 crossways, you will reach the Hospital Sant Pau Barcelona and can admire another one of Barcelona's many sights during your stay in Barcelona accommodation!

Did you know that most traditional dishes were originally "poor people's food"? The same applies for Barcelona tomato bread; in the past people used old bread rests and overripe tomatoes to avoid wasting precious food. But today it is a popular dish in all places of Barcelona and the Costa Brava and Costa Dorada, and you should definitely try out the tomato bread recipe for pan con tomate during your stay in an apartment in Barcelona!  

Shortly after Christmas you can prepare for another holiday time - New Year 2011 in Barcelona. During a holiday in Barcelona around New Year you can be prepared to experience something unique and exciting!

First, if you want to take part in the customs and traditions in Barcelona around New Year 2011 during your Barcelona holiday, prepare for a long night!

On New Year's Eve, or nochevieja in Spanish or Cap d'Any in Catalan, families and friends usually visit a nice restaurant or have a dinner at home to enjoy the time together and prepare and eat nice dishes.

Also in Spain, people wear red underwear for luck, so if you arrive early enough for your holiday in Barcelona, you can buy something in the many shops around Plaza Catalunya.

At 12 o'clock it is a custom to eat 12 grapes, one for each time the bell rings. So take your grapes with you and participate in this tradition on New Year 2011! Usually you can toast with Cava, which is harvested in the region.

Keep in mind that on New Year 2011 in Barcelona, there are usually no big fireworks or shows, however, there are small fireworks at the beach and light shows at Plaza Espanya and the Torre Agbar. Also on Plaza Catalunya people celebrate, so visit the Ramblas to experience the atmosphere there.

After that, people in Barcelona usually go to a club to dance and have a good time. There is plenty of choice in Barcelona on New Year, but on New Year the price are in general higher than usual.

Cap d'Any or New Year 2011 in Barcelona ends around sunset on the first day of 2011. Traditionally people go to the beach, mostly Barceloneta, and watch the first sunrises while enjoying hot chocolate and churros. What a wonderful way to start your new year!

Hot chocolate in Barcelona is still traditionally produces, with real chocolate in different flavours and versions, so you should absolutely treat yourself one. An apartment is a good option for accommodation in Barcelona, with Plaza Catalunya apartments or Barceloneta apartments in Barcelona you are close to the New Year 2011 celebrations in the city.

In general, let me summarize for you what you should do during New Year 2011 in Barcelona:

-          wear red underwear (there a lot of shops, for example Oysho, women's secret, Calzedonia, Yamamay)

-          buy at least 12 grapes per person (at La Boquería market, at Las Ramblas)

-          visit Plaza Catalunya and toast with a bottle of Cava (plastic cups are a good option to avoid shattering glass)

-          eat churros and hot chocolate at the beach at sunrise (there are a lot of churrerías at Barceloneta)

The Barcelona Metro operates the whole night on New Year 2011 in Barcelona, so you can get easily everywhere.  New Year 2011 in Barcelona is truly unique and an experience you are not likely to forget!

One of the most famous parks in Barcelona is of course the Park Guell, or Parc Güell in Catalan, located at the hill El Carmel in de district of Gracia in Barcelona. Spending your Barcelona holidays in the famous city is not complete without visiting the Park Güell!

As you already surely know, recreation during your Barcelona holidays is very enjoyable in the many parks of the city (e.g. in the Parc de la Ciutadella in Barcelona). And the Park Güell is absolutely worth a visit. The Park Guell was built from 1900 to 1914 by the famous Antoni Gaudi originally for the industrialist Count Eusebi Güell, as a housing site with many villas and buildings with a wonderful architecture.

The inspiration came from the English planned garden cities, surrounded by Barcelona nature and plants to avoid the side effects of industrialization such as smoke from the factories in Barcelona.

If you want to see the place Gaudí lived in or not, the Park Guell Barcelona should be visited during your Barcelona holidays, because you do not have to pay entry for that and can enjoy the wonderful Barcelona weather and sight from the hill. Of course the best solution would be a Barcelona Park Guell apartment, but also other apartments and holiday rentals in Barcelona are suitable.

There are different entries, but if you start at the main entrance to the Park Güell Barcelona, you immediately see the colorful dragon or lizard statue designed by Gaudi at the stairs leading upstairs to a terrace. This is said to be the most photographed part of Barcelona! There is also a fountain with little fish in it.

If you follow the stairs you find the famous terrace in the Park Guell Barcelona, the main point of the park. From this terrace you have an amazing view over the city of Barcelona and the sea. Sometimes music is played on the terrace and you can enjoy dancing in the Park Guell.

But you can also enjoy the famous Barcelona weather during your Barcelona holidays! The whole terrace is designed beautifully with mosaics on all walls. Be sure to look at them when you are visiting the Park Güell in Barcelona!

There are also different ways and footpaths you should follow to see the statues supporting the terrace walls! There are designed like trees and really beautiful. Also the footpaths leading away from the terrace and more around the hill should not be missed if you truly want to experience the Park Guell!

There are many wonderful plants and trees at the sides of the paths, leading to little stairs and fountains, to a place with benches and tables for a picknick or to two other buildings which fit wonderful in the park. If you walk long enough, you can also reach the forest area, which is more wild but also beautiful to wander in.

To get best to the Park Güell Barcelona and experience an unforgettable stay during your Barcelona holidays, you can best use the metro. Take the green L3 and step out at Lesseps or the yellow L4 until Alfons X (which is actually located directly at another park, the Parc de les Aigües) and then head towards the park.

However, be prepared for a strenuous walk for about 20 minutes up the hill before you reach the Park Güell. However, I have a nice tip for you: If you take the L3 green line and step out at Vallcarca (near the Parc del Turó del Putget), and then head directly towards the Park Guell, you will find some escalators leading to a site entrance of the park.

With all this information, be prepared for wonderful Barcelona holidays if you visit the Park Guell Barcelona!

Besides the wonderful Fira de Santa Llucia, Barcelona offers another Christmas Market 2010: the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia!

Starting in December until the 24th 2010, the Fira de Nadal Christmas Market 2010 will be held directly in front of the Sagrada Familia, Gaudis famous unfinished masterpiece. That makes an unique chance to enjoy Christmas holidays in Barcelona, the wonderful city at the Mediterranean coast. In case you would like to spend your holiday in Barcelona during Christmas, you should as always book your Barcelona holiday rental in advance, so that you can enjoy and plan your holiday abroad perfectly.

Compared to the Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market in Barcelona, the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia Christmas market 2010 is smaller and much younger than its bigger sister. But it is nevertheless worth a visit during your vacation in Barcelona.

The first Fira de Nadal at Sagrada Familia was held in 1962, next to the Cathedral and spreading out to the near park and streets.  With every year, it grew bigger (starting only with three little stands) and is now one of the main attractions during Christmas in Barcelona.

Of course, the location at the famous Sagrada Familia makes the Fira de Nadal Christmas market 2010 in Barcelona very special, too. And it is also very suitable that the most famous nativity scene is depicted at the Sagrada Familia! So why don't you appreciate the wonderful scene and visit the Christmas market while on holidays in Barcelona?

At the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia 2010 Christmas Market in Barcelona you can walk through the lovely decorated streets and enjoy the handcrafted pieces. Usually you can buy jewellery and ornaments, but also decoration and clothes, which also are excellent souvenirs for your friends and family!

But of course you can also buy Christmas gifts for yourself. Or, if you really want to experience a traditional Catalan Christmas and use the Fira de Nadal Christmas market at Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for that, why don't you take care for your Tio de Nadal and wait until he drops something out for you on Christmas day?

However, the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia 2010 Christmas market in Barcelona is easily accessible by metro, due to its location directly next to Gaudis Sagrada Familia. It is relative central, you just have to take the blue L5 or the purple L2 and step out at Sagrada Familia.

And if you want to wander around the streets of Barcelona in winter, you can also walk slowly to other Christmas markets in the city. The Fira de Santa Llucia is located at the Cathedral de Barcelona, which is a piece to walk, but you can always take a break and make a stop in the many Barcelona bars.

So if you spend your holiday in Barcelona, definitely visit the Fira de Nadal a la Sagrada Familia 2010 Christmas Market in Barcelona!

To get to the Camp Nou Barcelona in order to watch the exciting FC Barcelona match, you can take the L5 (blue line) and step out at Collblanc. It is also possible to take the green L3 and step out at Maria Cristina or Palau Reial. You could also use the Tramvia to see the FC Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan 2010 match; then you can take T1, T2 or T3 and step out at Avenida de Xile or Ernest Lluch. To use the Tramvia also means that you can see more during your vacation in Barcelona, so that might be a good solution!

Christmas time is near, and while you consider spending your Christmas holiday abroad, think about going for a Christmas  holiday in Spain to visit the Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market 2010 in Barcelona starting from November  27^th to December 23^rd at the Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter!

The Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market in Barcelona is one of the oldest Christmas markets in Spain. The first official mention of this market was in 1786, but probably it is much older. It is a part of the rich culture and traditions of Barcelona and if you are on vacation in Barcelona on that time, you should visit it.

Considering the fact that the Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market 2010 is from 27^th November to 23^rd December, it should be easy to find good Barcelona holiday rentals during that time. You can either book online a Barcelona hotel for a weekend or a Barcelona apartment for a week if you fully want to enjoy the Christmas market in this wonderful city!

  During the Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market in Barcelona you can find up to 300 different stalls, where you can buy little figurines for your nativity scene called "figuritas de Belén". Belén is the Spanish name for a crib as well as Bethlehem. These beautiful handcrafted figures have their own charm and make also a perfect souvenir for your friends and family! You can also buy greenery and plants to decorate your home with and furthermore you find other crafts to admire and gaze at.

Usually you can also participate in different events, such as making your own figurine, watch a giant Tio figure or listen to Christmas carols and stories and enjoying performances. The Tió de Nadal, or Christmas log is also a wonderful tradition and custom in Barcelona! Be sure to buy one at the Fira de Santa Llucia to bring it back to your home. If you feed it every day and cover it at night to make him comfortable, who knows...maybe you get some delicious candies, nuts or the traditional turron on Christmas day! It is similar to the chocolate calendars found in some countries of Europe.

But did you know that in Spain, the children do not get any presents until January 6^th? On this day, they wait for the Three Kings to bring them presents. So no Santa Claus in Spain!

However, if you want to spend your Christmas holidays in Barcelona, do not miss this wonderful Christmas market 2010 in Barcelona!  After or before a enjoying and warming walk over the Fira de Santa Llucia, which is held in front of the Barcelona Cathedral, you can walk around the stunning Barcelona Gothic quarter to admire the architecture. During Christmas time, it will be a pleasure to walk through the streets and alleys and maybe warm your insides up by drinking a hot chocolate in the many cafes and bars.

Be sure and book your Barcelona holiday rental early enough to enjoy the Christmas market the most. I suggest a Barcelona apartment or a Barcelona hotel in the Gothic Quarter, so that you have a walking distance to the market. But you can also book other accommodation in Barcelona and take the metro. The stations near to the Barcelona Cathedral are Jaume I (yellow line L4), Liceu (green L3) and Plaza Catalunya (red L1, green L3 and purple L2).

By the way, in the past the unmarried girls and women of Barcelona dressed up and went to the Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market to find their future husbands! Maybe that could be a nice thought for you, too. But also married couples can spend a wonderful time in the best time of the year during the Fira de Santa Llucia Christmas Market 2010 in Barcelona!

Twice a year, there is a football game in Spain which is one of the most important and legendary games, the match FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2010, the battle of the giants. And on 29th November 2010 the match will take place in the famous Camp Nou Barcelona. Buy the FC Barcelona tickets along with a nice Barcelona holiday rental Camp Nou already now, so you don't miss it!

News: The date of the match was delayed because of the Catalan parliament elections taking place on the 28th November.

Because of this, El Clasico 2010 - the match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid takes place at Monday, November 29th. Prepare for that and enjoy this incredible football game!

El Clásico or the Classic, as this match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid is called, dates back to 1902, when the first match between these football legends occurred. The Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona rivalry is therefore very old and the two football clubs regularly compete against each other in order to determine who the best team of Spain is. The Barcelona against Madrid matches can also be seen as a match between Catalonia and the rest of Spain.

 
During the time of the matches, Barcelona will be visited by many fans wanting to see the highly anticipated football game, not only from Spain, but also from the whole world! A perfect occasion for a short trip holiday in Barcelona of course. Real Madrid vs FC Barcelona tickets usually sell out really fast, so book early to experience the most important football match in the world.

 
If you have the FC Barcelona tickets, it is wise to choose a Barcelona holiday rental close to the Camp Nou Stadium, as you can be sure that metros and other public transports are full. I suggest Barcelona hotels or apartments in Les Corts, because from there, you have a walking distance to the stadium. So a Barcelona Apartment Camp Nou is the best way to enjoy the match the most.

But of course, also Barcelona visitors who do not get the chance to purchase a ticket for Camp Nou can enjoy the match; the FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid 2010 game will be showed on big screens throughout the city. In any case, during your Barcelona holiday you will experience the city pulsating and vibrating. And besides the game, there is a lot to see and to do in Barcelona.

The last football game between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona was in April 2010, with FC Barca as the clear winner scoring 0-2. Another famous piece of Barcelona's pride was the game against Real Madrid in May 2009, where FC Barca won and scored 6 goals!

So this El Clasico match of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid 2010 is really a must, whether you like football or not! The atmosphere in the city cannot be described, with numerous after parties (no matter how the results are) and an anticipating exaction. Don't hesitate and plan your Barcelona hotel or apartment near Camp Nou now, for a weekend of unique events!

The Colombian-Spanish singer Shakira is coming to Barcelona this year! Known for her belly dance moves and sensual songs, Shakira will have her concert on November 24th at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona. So don't miss the Shakira concert in Barcelona 2010!

 Shakira was already a successful singer in Latin America before becoming popular around 2001 in other parts of the world, too. Her most famous songs are « Whenever, Wherever », « La Tortura » with Alejandro Sanz, "Hips Don't Lie" and "She Wolf". More recently she provided the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, called "Waka Waka". Her newest album should be released around October 19th, so you should take a few minutes and listen to it...

Shakira's complete name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, and she has Lebanese, Italian and Spanish - or more specific - Catalan origins (her name Ripoll is actually a city of the Girona Province in Catalunya). During your next holiday in Girona you should remember that!

But maybe is this the reason Shakira chose Catalunya's most famous holiday destination city, Barcelona, as location for her new video shoot? Yes, the video for the new Shakira single Loca was filmed in Barcelona in August! But of course Barcelona is one of the most popular locations for anything, with its famous parks, buildings, beaches, culture and many other sights. So you can start planning your Barelona holidays already!

If you stay in your Barcelona holiday rental, for example a Barcelona hotel or a Barcelona apartment, you can walk through the city and discover the places Shakira used for her new single Loca. And after that, or before, you can watch her incredible performance during the Shakira Concert in Barcelona 2010!

To best get to the location for the Shakira concert 2010 in Barcelona, the Palau Sant Jordi, you could use the green L3 or purple L2 metro line and step out at Poble Sec or Parallel. From there, you can walk slowly towards the Parc del Montjuic, where the Palau is located. The Palau Sant Jordi is very often host to concerts (e.g. the Sting Concert 2010, Lady Gaga Concert 2010), so you can be sure to spend a wonderful time there.

You can already purchase the tickets for the Shakira Concert in Barcelona through the official Shakira site, so book early enough! It is also wise to book a nice Barcelona apartment or hotel in advance, so you can choose the most suitable accommodation for you. Or maybe you want to explore Shakira's Catalan origins in a Girona hotel?

Starting on November 14th, all athletes or people who like to walk have the chance to participate in the Caminada de Montjuic 2010!

The Caminada de Monjtuic marathon is a yearly walk around Barcelona and the Montjuic Mountain which is about 10 km. Not only people who want to attend this Barcelona event will like it, visitors can also just watch the impressing number of people walking around the city. A perfect occasion to book a Barcelona apartment or a Barcelona hotel!

1283 people participated in the Caminada de Montjuic 2007, in 2008 there were 1771 and last year, during the Caminada de Montjuic 2009, 2161 people participated in this exciting event. You can see its popularity rising, so be prepared that this year there are going to be even more participants!

The Caminada de Montjuic 2010 starts on 14th November at the Parc de les Tres Xemeneies, Barcelona at 9.30 am, with no necessary registration. You can easily get there by using the metro and stepping out at Parallel. The Parallel station is crossed by the green L3 and the purple L2.

If you decide to participate in this Barcelona event during your Barcelona holiday however, be aware that this walk can be strenuous and exhausting. You should have build up a decent condition and have trained in advance to avoid accidents or injuries. But you can also always stop and take a break!

When you plan your vacation in Barcelona and arrive a little bit earlier than November 14th, you could also train in one of the wonderful parks in Barcelona. The Parc del Montjuic is for example favored by many for that.

 
I also want to give a little bit general information for beginners in walking. Like mentioned before, it is important to have a enough condition and practice in walking. In case you feel insecure that you finish the Caminada de Montjuic, don't be ashamed to stop! Your health is more important! It is also wise to consult a doctor for a medical inspection, or a professional trainer in a gym club.

Because this sport event in Barcelona is gaining more and more popularity, you should be there an hour before it starts. This way you have enough time to prepare and warm up.
Besides that, the Caminada de Montjuic 2010 in Barcelona should be an exciting event and perfect if you want to experience sport activities during your Spain holiday in Barcelona!

To all the avid readers among us: The annual Barcelona Book Fair will start this year on the 17th September and end on the 3rd October!

It is still not too late to book a suitable Barcelona holiday rental and visit this traditional fair, which this year is organized for the 59th time.

It takes places near the Placa Catalunya in the city centre of Barcelona, so you should search for Placa Catalunya accommodation to be close. This allows you to walk comfortably to the Barcelona Book Fair.

But for all of us who search for Barcelona apartment rentals that are in different locations, don't worry.
Directly at the Placa Catalunya is a metro station and the L3 (the green line) and the L1 (the red line) pass every few minutes!

The Barcelona Book Fair 2010 offers a unique feeling, you have the chance to buy antique books and feel the hint of mystery that old books posess. Why don't you buy an interesting book to improve your Spanish skills? But there are also books in more languages that could be a good investion for you.

After all, the Barcelona Book Fair offers something for everyone, wether you like classic dramas or modern comics, you will find something here! With your newly bought discoveries you can spend an afternoon reading in the Park de Güell or in one of the other wonderful Barcelona parks or famous Barcelona places. They offer you a calm surrounding to get perfectly lost in your books! And if it rains, you have still the opportunity to stay in your apartment or hotel.

But even if you don't find a book (which is nearly impossible), the Barcelona Book Fair also shows an exposition "Photography and Books" and the wonderful artworks of the photography and poster artist Toni Catany.

So for all the culture interested people, don't hesitate to experience one of the many cultural facets of Barcelona. Plan a day or two for the fair and you will surely find something you like!

On the 11th of September, and since 1980, the Catalans celebrate their National Day. This is a moment for all the inhabitants to celebrate with parades, concerts, and demonstrations. If you are in a Barcelona Hotel or in a Barcelona Apartment during this week end, you will be able to enjoy the shows taking place in the whole city: the balconies will be decorated and you will see the Catalan flag floating everywhere.

Why the 11th of September? It refers to the 11th of September of 1714 when Barcelona was forced to admit its defeat to French and Castillan after more than a year of siege. Since then, Catalonia began and never stopped fighting for its independence. The national day of Catalonia or "La Diada Catalunya" in Catalan was first celebrated in 1980, just after the Spanish government recognized the right of autonomy of Catalonia as a community and the Catalan as an official language.

 During the 11th of September, a tribute is paid to the national heroes: floral offering are laid by the Rafael Casanova and Josep Moragues monuments in Ciutadella Park. However, the major place of celebration during the National Day Of Catalonia is Fossar de les Moreres square near from the cemetery of Barcelona's defenders who died during the siege of the city.

And of course don't miss the concerts and shows all over the city. This is a good occasion to see the amazing and famous "castells" or human pyramids!

As every year, at the end of September, Barcelona will be celebrating its largest festival: La Merce Festival of Barcelona. During approximately 5 days, you can enjoy street parties, music and fireworks. It is one of the most important festivals in Barcelona and if you wanted to visit the city it might be the right time to book a Barcelona hotel or a Barcelona Apartment!

La Merce festival was held for the first time in 1902 in honor of Mare de Deu de la Merce who is the Patron saint of Barcelona. Each year the event became bigger and now you can enjoy hundred of different activities held in the streets of Barcelona.

The main attractions of La Merce Barcelona are the Correfoc (a run under the sparkles of the fireworks) , the Giants parade (an event for all generations : Huge reproductions of king queens and nobles are parading.) and the Castellers (very high human tower with a child on the top : very impressive!)

Of course you will enjoy a lot of others street performances that will please all the family! Every year hundreds of thousands persons come to be a part of this huge event and discover the traditions of Barcelona.

If you want to join as well, this year La Merce Festival Barcelona will take place on the 23rd,24th,25th,26th of September.

Barcelona and its surrounding coasts, the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada, are famous for their seafood.

Seafood belongs to the local cuisine like Tapas or "Pan con Tomate". Often, these traditional dishes are combined with each other and can be considered as a part of the Catalan culture. Those of you who would like to explore more, should take a trip from your Barcelona apartment or your Barcelona hotel to the city center or the Barcelonaeta area.

Barceloneta is the district right next to the harbour and the beach. There, you will be able to find plenty of fish and seafood restaurants. They often offer also traditional and international delicacies. Just take metro line 4 to the same-named station "Barceloneta" and walk along the harbour promenade.

One of these restaurants is called "Kaiku". It has a quite good reputation within the Barcelona gastronomy. While enjoying your meal, you can take a look upon the beach area - simply a perfect location. Of course, fish and seafood are the specialties on the menu. If you would like to enjoy a nice view combined with great food a reservation is advisable, because the restaurant is not an insiders' tip anymore. 

Visitors appreciate especially the diverse culture, when they come to Barcelona.The city is home of several world famous musicians and artists. One of those, is Joan Miró.

A major criteria for Barcelona visitors is to resident in the proximity to the main city sights in a hotel in Barcelona or an apartment in Barcelona. Especially in spring and summer there will be crowds of people passing by or visiting the famous museum "Fundació Joan Miró".

The museum itself impresses art lovers with a huge choice of art. This includes more than 225 paintings, 150 Skulptures and numerous graphical works. Moreover, the museum provides a huge exhibition of 5000 drawings from Joan Miró.

In conclusion, this museum is perfect for art lovers and those who would like to know more about this artists.

The museum is open almost throughout the year. It is possible to take part in a guided tour trough the "home of Joan Miró". These tours usually take place during weekends (temporary exhibitions on Saturdays and permanent exhibitions in Sundays).

Barcelona offers plenty of interesting spots to discover. Among them is the Plaza Catalunya, Plaza Reial, Plaza Espanya and of course the Plaza del Sol.

As its name implies, the place is famous for its sunshine hours. During the whole day, you can enjoy the day and lounge in the sun, provided that the sun is shining, of course. Being located in the Gracia district, it provides a typical Spanish atomsphere with its small alleys and old buildings all around.

Departing from your Barcelona apartment or your Barcelona hotel, this place can be reached by public transport. Take metro line 3 (green) until you reach the station "Fonatna". From there, you reach the place within a few minutes on foot. The audience is quite diverse: Beside tourist you will be able to find a lot of students, as well as locals and other sunseekers.

Plaza del Sol is also famous for its numerous cafes and bars. One of them is the Cafe del Sol. It is open all year long and offers a variety of cold and hot drinks, depending what the weather is like in Barcelona.

Those of you, who already have visited Barcelona once, might know that the city offers numerous festivities and activities throughout the year. Especially during summer, the festivals become more and more. One of them lasts nearly throughout the whole summer: The Grec 2010 festival.

You can guess from the name, that the festival has something to do with Greek culture. Being located at the foot of the Montjuic hill in Barcelona, you will find a Greek amphitheater, where most of  the acts will take place. It can easily be reached with public transport from your Barcelona apartment or your Barcelona hotel (metro line 1, station: Espanya).

Due to its length, lasting from June to August 2010, the Grec festival is also called to summer festival of Barcelona. Since years the festival incorporates 45 events that became a part of the citly life in Barcelona and the Catalan culture.The programm comprises theater, music and dance events,

Beside traditional music and dance, there will also be modern pop artists, such as Craig David, Joss Stone, Brian Wilson and Marianne Faithful. Ticket prices range, depending on the event you would like to visit. Ticket are to be bought using the following address:

Caixa Catalunya Tel-Entrada

Mo - Fr, 8am- 10pm 

Sa, 10am - 10pm / So 10am - 7pm :

Tel. (+34) 93 326 29 46

The Casa Àmatller by Antoni Àmatller is one of the architectural highlights withín the city of Barcelona. Built in the style of "Modernisme Catala", it is also a likeness of the Catalan Culture.

When visiting Barcelona, you should take a trip from your Barcelona hotel or your Barcelona apartment to the Casa Amatller at Passeig de Gracia. Built in 1899/1900 by Josep Puig i Cadafalch, this building has been inspired by the Dutch townhouses from the 17th century. Inside, you will find bright wall constructions with tall windows that are omated with mosaics.

At the entrance hall of the palace different kinds of sculptures by Eusebi Arnau can be admired. Among them chocolate makers, almond trees and blossoms, as well as St. George - the dragon fighter. Beside chocolate, photography has been a huge passion of Àmatlle. Thus, a large exhibition of fhis otos are on display at the ground floor.

Guided tours through the chambers of the chocolate baron, his photo exhibition, as well as a visit in the old kitchen to try some his famous chocolate take about one hour.

address: Passeig de Gracia 41

metro: Passeig de Gracia

opening hours: 10am - 8:30pm

FC Barcelona is one of the most successful football clubs in the present time. With numerous cups in the past, FC Barcelona can be sonsidered a s the top 3 clubs in the world.

Those of you who would like to see to largest stadium in Europe should book an exclusive Camp Nou Tour. Usually, there are plenty of requests, so that it is advisable to book your tickets in advance together with your Barcelona Hotel or Barcelona apartment booking.

Come and experience the breathtaking atmosphere a take a walk through the catacombs of Camp Nou. In addition to the tour, just a few steps from the stadium, you can find the FC Barcelona museum. Beside souvenir shops you, as a football fan, will find everything about FC Barcelona.

If you decide to do so, you should consult the online booking page to save a lot of money: Booking online will not only give you access to the stadium, but also to the FC Barcelona museum (price: 13 EUR). If you buy directly at the stadium you will pay 8.50 EUR for the museum and 17 EUR for the tour.

The capital of the autonomic region in Northern Spain is worth travelling almost every time. Especially in spring, the city awakes from it's winter sleep. A lot of tourist use the days of Whitsun to take a short trip to this vivid metropolis.

Barcelona incorporates art, culture, sun, sea and beach. It has all what you need to spend a relaxing short trip. No matter if you are staying in an apartment in Barcelona or in a hotel in Barcelona, there is something for every taste and every pocketbook.

This year, Whitsun takes place at 23 May and 24 May (Monday). For working people, it could be interesting to combine this with one or two days of a holiday. Due to its diversity, nice weather and cultural activities Barcelona is the perfect destination for a short trip. A good tip for visitors who have a limited time in the city are the numerous bus tours that are offered across the city. Buying a "day pass" gives you the opportunity to see most of the attraction within a short period of time. Be aware of the fact that there are several routes. Though, with a day pass you are eligible to use all of them as often as you like.

You can find cheap flights with low cost carriers that depart from numerous airports in the UK and Ireland. Ryanair for example offers cheap flights to Girona or Reus. Those airports are close to Barcelona and can be reached easily by bus. Also, using a low cost carries makes a lot of sense for short trips. Due to the severity restrictions you usually pay more for luggage that exceeds 10 - 15 kilos. Consequently, you will not only save money but also strech your nerves at the airport. 

barcelona is famous for summer, sun and sightseeing. Thousands of people spend their Barcelona holidays in one of the hotels in Barcelona. You will recognize that not only sightseeing offers a lot history, there are also a lot of historic rites.

Actually, this day has emerged from the religious connection of the Catalan people to Saint George. To honor him, the 23 April is celebrated with roses as a symbol of love and a book as a symbol of their literary connction.

According to legend, Saint George defeated a dragon to serve the life of a king's daughter. This legend arose from the 15th century and is still present in Catalonia. At that day people donate each other roses and books. Since 1926, April 23rd is the day of the book.

Nowadays, this two tradition have merged to the day of "Sant Jordi". It is celebrated in the whole city as a sort of street festival. This festivity is celebrated every year. It is one one of the most important days for the Catalan people celebrating the victory of Saint George.

Even though, Saint George is today more than a celebration of Saint George. Today, it is known as the day of the book, of the rose and therefore a day of love and literature. Alos, it is the day of the community, of culture and respect.

Eixample is a neighbourhood of Barcelona that stands for its characteristic architecture. The name "Eixample" means extension and is a planed district of Barcelona with a special flair.

Travellers who are interested in architecture will recognize the appealing charme of the houses across the district. Visitors are not only able to admire this architecture; they are also able to live in one of the numerous hotels in Barcelona, especially in the neighbourhood of Eixample.

The architecture is characterized by its square blocks of houses and bevelled angles that are called "Chaflanes". Also, Eixample is characterized by its modernistic architecture that has been developed in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Eixample's genisis begins with the tear-off of the old city walls. At that time a lot of immigrates came to the city. The government in Madrid and the local government in Barcelona considered it necessary to build a new part of town. Therefore, they assigned the Catalan architect and builder Ilderfons Cerdà.

He wanted to create a part of town, where the people have enough place to live, as well as offering some natural corners, such as little parks. However, the city government rejected this idea. They rather wanted to ensure the building of new apartments. Only little of Cerdà's ideas have been realized.

Nevertheless, the district of Eixample is a beautiful place that offers a unique architecture. The Casa Milà and the Casa Matiló are two artworks created by Antonio Gudi. Both are part of UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage and gems of Barcelona's architecture.

If you are planning to spend your next holiday in Barcelona and you are interested in culture and art, you should definitely go to visit the MACBA. The museum of modern art is located in the "Raval" area not far away from a comfortable Barcelona apartment or Barcelona hotel.
Even the building of the museum is extraordinary and reminds one of the Modernism. Created by the American Richard Meier it was opened 1995. The rooms are illuminated by natural light and you will have a great view over the square infront of the building. Furthermore, there is also a library in the museum with mainly books of art.
The main part of the exhibitions contains of the contemporary art from the last 50 years. The art is from Spanish people as well as from all over the world. In addition concerts, events and courses take place.

The whole exhibition contains of 300 paintings, 150 sculptures and 800 drawings.
The outstanding thing about the museum is that the shown art is about events of the day and politic and questioned it consistently.
You see it is really worth a visit, even if you don´t know much about art. The closest metro stations are Catalunya and Universitat. From there it is quite simple to find it. During the week the opening hours are from 11:00 am to 7:30 pm, except on Thursday.

A holiday in Barcelona during the summer would not be complete without sampling some of the city's typical drinks. With many fine restaurants, cafes and bars, you will be able to try traditional favorites such as Sangria or trendy drinks that have become popular in nightclubs and beach parties. Drinking a glass of wine or beer or two during an evening meal is common in Barcelona and in other parts of Spain. Here is a list of Barcelona´s most popular drinks:

Sangria
Sangria is a fruity mix of red wine, fresh fruits and other liquors. Even though this drink is considered traditional, there are many varieties that will appeal to your individual taste. You can add different fruit combinations and use a variety of wines that range in flavor, so that two glasses of Sangria will not taste the same.
Sangria is such a fun drink to have during the summertime because of its array of colors and flavors. Since the fruit is meant to soak up the wine, you will taste many flavors as you drink. Edible flowers are often added to give the drink a more colorful appearance.

Beer
In addition to fruit and vegetable based drinks, beer is very common in the bars and restaurants of Barcelona. A cold beer on a hot day is a great way to relax after a day of sightseeing. With many varieties, you should be able to find one that you like.

Orxata
Another popular drink you will find in Barcelona is Orxata. Made from water, sugar and tigernut, this refreshing drink can be found in bars, restaurants and street vendors. Even though this drink is simple to prepare, you will be amazed by the taste. You should have this drink with a dessert or as an afternoon snack between visits of museums and other historic sights of Barcelona. Many Barcelona hotels and cafes serve Orxata and other light drinks, so you should be able to find it easily.

After the lights and energy of Christmas, it's time to see in the new year. This is an exciting and vibrant time of the year in many faiths and countries around the world. It's a time to forgive and forget and to make those all important resolutions; most importantly, it's a time to start afresh. Experience New Years Eve in a cosmopolitan city and spend your holiday in Barcelona.

Keeping with tradition, the new year celebrations begin by eating twelve grapes, one for every time the clock chimes for midnight. In many Spanish places this is performed outside and the streets are covered with people eating grapes. In Barcelona, it is not seen as necessary to eat the grapes outside and many eat their grapes at home before venturing outside for the big party.

Every club and venue is called into action at this time and usually organizes a special new year party for which tickets are issued in most cases. There are also super-sized parties held in venues across the country and some people choose to hire out their own private venue for a special party of their own. Others may be slightly more intimate and hold a party at their Barcelona accommodation for friends and family only. Although a diminishing tradition, some people wait to see the sun rise over a beach. Traditional food associated with new year is "churros", a finger or banana shaped pastry and hot chocolate. During the New Years Eve time you can still find a lot of available Barcelona hotels and Barcelona apartments.

The first week of the new year is dedicated to children. On the night before the 5th January, the three kings - Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar, disembark their ship at the harbour and there is a grand parade through the town with the kings and their pages - another opportunity for the children to get involved. The kings are then left alone in the city to hide presents. It is customary to write a letter to the kings and request specific presents although they may like to throw in a few little surprises.

These traditions are not all necessarily followed to the letter although the majority will participate, especially in the precession of the kings. In Barcelona Christmas is accepted as a time for having fun with friends and most importantly family.

Like many of the great European cities, Barcelona comes alive over the Christmas period. There are many traditions and activities for all ages as well as exciting festivals which capture the true spirit of Christmas. It is a great chance to spend a holiday in Barcelona during Christmas.

There is a Christmas market each year called the feria de Santa Lucia which is in operation form early December until Christmas eve. It is located in the Plaça de la Seu and Plaça Nova and has an array of hand crafted gifts and traditional nativity scenes. On a practical note there are also many opportunities to stock up on the Christmas essentials such as the all important tree. The streets surrounding the square are, of course, brilliantly adorned with every type of light conceivable in order to create a magical Christmas atmosphere. Around these two places you can find comfortable Barcelona apartments and Barcelona hotels.

For those who really like to get involved and really get into the Christmas spirit there is the Tio de Nadal. This is a decorated Log with a face painted on it. The idea is for children to find the log by coincidence and then beat it before Santa arrives. This is believed to release the presents and occurs on either Christmas eve or Christmas day itself. The children also sing songs to the log and this is a traditional activity.

Christmas day itself is a time for spending with the family and of course opening the presents which are placed underneath the Christmas tree. This is a very strong tradition in all Catalan homes and this often continues through to boxing day or St. Stephen's day. It is said that this period cannot pass properly without the famous cannelloni which is a dish prepared by hand consisting of square pasta sheets and a filling. In more modern times, many restaurants have been opening on boxing day and are therefore incredibly busy; they serve traditional Christmas meals and of course cannelloni. A lot of Barcelona hotels are also carrying out a special Christmas program with some activities and Christmas meals.

It is true that the modern way of celebrating Christmas has become very consumer lead but Barcelona is one of the few places which still has an incredibly strong sense of tradition. This is highly evident over the Christmas period during which the city really comes alive. You can experience true tradition by spending your Christmas holiday in Barcelona.

Gracia, one of the most beautiful districts in Barcelona lies at the north end of the Passeig de Gracia, and just north of the center of Barcelona. To get the distinctive feeling of this district, you must try and find a Barcelona hotel in its vicinity. It is a characteristic Catalan neighborhood, and unlike much of Barcelona, which is more cosmopolitan in nature. This part still retains a more local flavor.

Moreover, it is just a stone's throw away from the center of the City, making it a melting pot of tourists and locals. Quite a few people who visit Barcelona prefer to stay in Barcelona apartments in this quarter of the City. You can get a taste of the quaint old-world Spanish life-style with people spending a large part of their time on the many public squares that abound around the Gracia.

The area offers a nice collection of bars and restaurants that serve both the local, as well as, international cuisine. Bars such as the El Dorado have reached a ledgendary status, and all visitors, take time out to visit the bar at least once.

As already mentioned, you can find various types of hotels in Barcelona, which have opened shops in this area. They cater to all manner of budgets, and requirements. This will help you enjoy the Gracia, in a better manner.

If you want to see the famous architecture and modernist buildings of Barcelona, then there would be nothing better than taking a walk through the Gracia. You can feast your eyes on the buildings and their design that carry the stamp of famous architects like Antoni Gaudi.

If you are in Barcelona, then Gracia must be on your must-see list. Once your search for Barcelona accommodation is over, the first thing you should do is visit this inherently charming part of the City.

Gaudis cathedral Sagrada Familia is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Barcelona

If you will do vacations in Barcelona and stay in an apartment in Barcelona or in one of the many hotels in Barcelona go and see this master piece of architecture. If you stay in one of the holiday homes Barcelona in the Eixample area you can reach the cathedral easily by walking.

The Sagrada Familia which is located in the area Eixample was planned by Antoni Gaudi in 1882. The original architect was Francisco de Villar who had an artless church in mind. After Gaudi took over the project the plans were drastically changed and referred to the Gothic style.

The building has a crosswise outline and around it there is a cloister. All over the cathedral are adornments like the towers which look like sandcastles. The church has different fronts. There is a Nativity Façade to the East, the Glory Façade to the South and the Passion Façade to the West. The Native Façade is the one which had the biggest influence of Gaudi because it was built before his death in 1926.

During the construction of Sagrada Familia the architect Antoni Gaudi died because of an accident in front of the building. After this the work was interrupted until 1935. In the civil war the construction plans got lost but the later architects reconstructed the idea of Gaudi through oral tradition and from they still knew of the former plans.
Today 8 of the planned 18 towers are finished as well as the crypt and apsis. Furthermore, the most of the pillars are finished and in the near future the room for the mass will be completed.

The building will be finished in the year 2026, the 100th anniversary of the death of Gaudi, but of course it depends from the financial situation.

This weekend a farmer's market takes place at Placa del Pí in the Barrio Gotico.

If you are on holiday in Barcelona and stay in a nice Barcelona centre hotel or in one of the many apartments in Barcelona go and see this farmer's market. It's definitely worth a visit!

Every first and third weekend of the month this market with a lot of regional products from the Pyrenees is held in the Barrio Gotico. So if your trip to Barcelona is on the first or third weekend of a month you shouldn't miss the opportunity to visit the market and see and try the regional products.

Mainly food and drinks are offered on the market and many things can be tested. Wander from stall to stall and try all the delicious self-made food. The range of products is quite diverse, no matter if you prefer honey, jam, cheese, chorizo, pâté or herbs you will definitely find something. At the same time it is a good opportunity to buy some really authentic and special souvenirs.

In September the most important festival of Barcelona takes place - La Mercè!

So come for your holidays to Barcelona and join the festivities. Book an apartment in Barcelona or a hotel in Barcelona and celebrate the whole night.

The holiday was officially introduced in 1871 and it is a kind of surrounding festival for the Catholic feast day of Our Lady of Mercy (La Mare de Déu de la Mercè) on the 24th of September. This year the festivities start on the 23rd of September and end on September 27th.

Different events take place all over the city but most of them are in the city centre. The most common known events are:

Castellers - human towers

Correfoc - fireworks and dragons

Gigantes - a parade of giants

The story behind the holiday traces back into the 13th century. In the night of the 24th of September 1218 the Virgin of Mercy appeared simultaneously to King Jaume I, Sant Pere Nolasc and Sant Ramon de Penyafort. She told them to free the Christian monks, who were imprisoned by the Saracens. In the year 1687 the Virgin of Mercy prevented Barcelona from a plague of locusts and freed the city from the Black Death. Since then the Virgin of Mercy is the patron of Barcelona. Here portrait is kept at the Basilica La Mercè at Placa de la Mercè.

The Feste de la Mercè is the highlight of the Catalan festival calendar, so don't miss the opportunity to be a part of it!

The famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi has left his creative footsteps all around Barcelona. His most famous works are Parc Güell, Casa Milá and Casa Batlló. The latter is a very popular tourist attraction at the Passeig de Gracia. Visit this unique masterpiece of architecture and spend your holiday in Barcelona. You could, for example, rent a comfortable Barcelona apartment or stay in a beautiful hotel in Barcelona.

Gaudi has planned and built this house for industrialist Josep Batlló. Batlló lived on the ground floor with his family while the other floors were rented to other families.
The extraordinary front represents the legend of Sant Jordi, who is the patron saint of Catalonia. The roof represents the scales of the dragon against which Jordi had to fight and the cross on the roof is his lance. The balconies out of wrought-iron represent skulls and the gallery on the first floor stands for the jaw of the dragon.

Of course, it is possible to visit the building and have a look at its interior. Already in the stairway one can recognize Gaudi's fondness for details. The blue ceramic in the courtyard progressively brightens so that there is an equal amount of light on the ground floor as there is on the top floor. The roof with its fairy tale chimneys is also open for visitors and from up there you have a fabulous view over the city.

Casa Batlló is listed for preservation since 1962 and was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.

So don't hesitate to visit the Casa Batlló the next time you are in Barcelona. Book a Barcelona centre hotel near Placa Catalunya and Passeig de Gracia and experience the amazing architecture of this district.

Address: Passeig de Gracia 43, Barcelona
Phone: (34) 93 216 03 06
E-mail: infovisites@casabatllo.cat
Metro: L2 , L3, L4 (Passeig de Gracia)
Opening times: Mo - Sun, 9 - 20 h
Entrance fee: 16,50€ (audio guide included)

Here some first impressions:

Catalonia is known for its excellent Mediterranean and culinary food. In Catalonia you can find various restaurants in that you can experience the exceptional Catalan food. Their chefs are known for giving their meals a handful of essential ingredients like olive oil, garlic and tomato which gives Catalan cooking the special Mediterranean flair. The creativity of the Catalan cuisine is known in the whole country. Specialties are for example to cook meat with fruits, to mix nuts and raisins into vegetables or to combine rabbit with snails. It is a great experience to visit Barcelona and try the amazing cuisine during your stay you can live on on of the various Barcelona hotels.

The Catalan food is an important ingredient of the Mediterranean tradition. You will notice neighboring influences from France and Valencia when enjoying the extraordinary Catalan cuisine. The closeness to the sea also influences the cuisine by adding a lot of seafood. In general you can find 3 kind of Catalan cuisine. There is the cuisine from the Mountains, with its meat, cheese, sausages, and vegetables. Then you have the cuisine of the coast which includes fish with rice, pasta or potatoes. Finally there is the cuisine from the cities with its diversity of traditional and international meals.

A visit in Catalonia is not just advised because of the great cuisine, the nature and culture of Catalonia is also very interesting. The region satisfies every kind of traveler. You can travel to the big city Barcelona, you can do a party holiday in Lloret de Mar or Blanes or you can just spend a relaxing holiday on the nice Catalan coast with its long beaches. During your stay you can stay in one of the various Costa Brava hotels or Costa Dorada hotels.

The FC Barcelona is one of the biggest and most impressive football clubs in the world. If you visit the city of Barcelona you should definitely watch a game of the FC Barcelona or at least visit their museum including the stadium. During your stay in Barcelona you can live in one of the numerous Barcelona hotels or you can rent a comfortable Barcelona apartment.

The Camp Nou, which is the great stadium of the FC Barcelona, is situated in the middle of the neighborhood Les Corts. It is the biggest stadium in Europe, with a capacity of 98.600 seats. You can easily reach it with the Metro lines 3 and 5. Tickets for the FC Barcelona are really easy to get. The FC Barcelona has signed several world famous players. One of them is Lionel Messi, who is seen as the best football player in the world of many football experts. In summer 2009 the club won the Champions League which underlines the extraordinary strength of the team.

The Motto of the FC Barcelona is "més que un club", which means more then a club. The motto totally fits for most of their supporters. For most of them the FC Barcelona is part of the family. The club is the way of life and is a symbol for freedom and home. Especially for the proud Catalans, it is a pleasure to win against their unpopular enemy Real Madrid which represents the central Spanish force Madrid. This game decides every year again about the mood of most Catalans.

If you experienced the atmosphere in this stadium once, then you will realize that the FC Barcelona is more than just a football club. If you feel like visiting this stadium now, then come to Barcelona and spend a few days in a comfortable Barcelona accommodation. The city also offers more cultural and artistic highlights, so that you can also discover a lot of other attractions besides the stadium.

Each region of Spain and other countries has his own traditions and celebrations. As eastern is approaching, I would like to provide you with some useful information about eastern in Barcelona.
"Semana Santa" is the name for the eastern week in Barcelona and the Catalan culture generally and means "Holy week". During this week, more than 600 000 habitants of Barcelona leave the city and with their families travel to other villages, sea-side locations or even abroad.
Typical Catalan Easter processions can be seen in different churches of Barcelona. For instance, the church "La Iglesia de San Agusti", which is located in Barcelona's district Raval is a nice location to experience this procession with its traditional music and its sinister hooded penitents. The celebration there starts at 17:00 and more than 300 people are expected to attend it. Another nice place to see the Catalanian Easter celebration is by the "Iglesia de Sant Jaume" in the centrally located Gothic district, also at 17:00. Both occurrings take place on "Good Friday".
Of course, eastern in the Catalan culture has also a culinary side: The most important culinary delight is the "Mona de Pasqua" eastern sweets which can be found everywhere during Eastern. It is a must, that the godfather gives such a delicious chocolate composition to his godson after the Easter mass on Sunday. On the following day, the Easter-Monday, there is usually a family-gathering where they will eat paella or rabbit together bevor eating lots of "Mona de Pasqua" as dessert afterwards. (And of course, the wine is not missing too!)

The sweet "Mona de Pasquas" can be found in many different shapes and colors almost in almost every pastry shop during Eastern. For instance, sometimes you can find houses and little man in chocolate shape which can be eaten.
Eastern is an occasion to spend holidays in Barcelona and experience this very important celebration and get your own "Mona de Pasquas" - you will love it!!!

One of the most famous sights and probably the symbol of Barcelonian architecture is the massive Roman Catholic Church Sagrada Familiawhich has been under construction since 1882.

The church was designed by the famous Catalonian artist Antonio Gaudi who dedicated 40 years to this project. It is supposed to be finished by 2026. Sagrada Familia is very rich in Christian symbols due to Gaudi intending to build the "last great sanctuary of Christendom". Its 18 tall towers symbolize the Twelve Apostels, the 4 Evangelists, the Virgin Mary and the tallest of all Jesus Christ.

The construction of this unique project is financed through private investors (Roman Catholic church as well as the government do not fund this project) and the money spent by visitors on entrance and funding. More than 2, 26 Million people have already visited the Sagrada Familia and it does not seem to become less.
Opening hours are from October - March from 9am to 6pm and from April - September from 9am to 8pm. General entrance fee lies at 11€.

If you want to stay in the nice neighborhood of the Sagrada Familie during your stay in Barcelona, the best apartment to choose would be the Eixample Sagrada Familia Apartment.

Parc Güell

Situated in the district of Gràcia, designed by the architect Gaudi and part of the UNESCO World Heritage, Park Güell is probably the most famous park in Barcelona. It can be reached by metro or bus (the town's touristic bus tours are also coming to the park). The entrance to the park is free and from there you have a beautiful sight over all of Barcelona. The park is marked with colourful mosaics on benches, stairs and walls. Different animals such as snakes and saurians are lining the buildings. The park was designed on behalf of the manufacturer Eusebi Güell who loved the parks he has seen in England and wanted the same for Barcelona. Best access to the park is given if you sleep in one of the apartments in Gracia such as the Goya Loft penthouse.

Parc de la Ciutadella

This park is located in the city centre and includes the Barcelona Zoo, several museums and a huge fountain. The park was named after the citadel, a fortress located on the outskirts where King Philips V kept control over the people of Barcelona. The symbol of central government was nearly destroyed in the 19th century. Only the chapel, the governor's palace and the arsenal, now hosting the Catalan parliament survived the demolishment. At the northern corner of the park, the Cascada is located, an triumphal arch with waterfall and fountain to built for the Universal exhibition in 1888 hosted by Barcelona.

Montjuic

The Montjuic is not only famous because you have the best view over the town, hosted the Olympic games in 1992 and the world exhibition in 1929 but also because of its wonderful parks all over the mountain. The museu nacional is situated on this mountain and shows off some of the best artists in Catalunya. It is also home to a huge castle and the museum of the famous catalan artist Joan Miró. The castle is especially famous for all the activists, politicians and socialist executed during the Franco regime. The beautiful apartment Magalhaes Poble Sec Apartment is the best opportunity when you want to be close to this famous sight of Barcelona.
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Barcelona, one of the top city spots in Europe and a famous tourist destination all around the year, has many a lot to offer to visitors. Spending Barcelona holidays sightseeing will be one of the main things to do to get to know the city and its rich cultural, historic and architectural heritage. From A as Arc Triomf to Z for the Zoo of Barcelona you will have plenty of choices to discover the Catalonian capital. From the heart of the city, Plaza Catalunya, you can stroll around Barcelona´s center with the Gothic quarter and the famous Ramblas. Gaudi´s artworks throughout the city, including Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell and La Pedrera, are another "must visit".
After visiting the city center holiday makers can relax on the Barcelona beaches or enjoy best cuisine in one of the restaurants at Port Vell. On the evenings from Thursday to Sunday it is worth to go to Montjuic near Plaza Espanya to see the Magic Fountain - a unique light, music and water spectacle.
Barcelona is an amazing city where you probably only see your Barcelona accommodation for sleeping a few hours as there is so much to discover.
Traveling with children it might be a perfekt choice to choose a Barcelona apartment for the stay offering privacy, calmness and a Barcelona home that will never be forgotten.
Come to Barcelona and enjoy the Catalan hospitality in a breathtaking beautiful city!

Those spending Barcelona holidays at the end of September should not miss to discover Catalan culture at the biggest "fiesta" of the city, La Mercè 2008.
Barcelona will be celebrating around the 24th of September in honor of Mercè, the patron saint of the city. More than 500 different cultural, music and dancing acts will be expected.
Wheter your Barcelona accommodation is in the heart of the city or a bit more outside - from 24th of September you will be able to experience Barcelona even more active than on normal days. All day long, from family friendly activities up to long night concerts for all music tastes throughout the city you are welcome to celebrate together with the locals!
Some of the highlights will be: the performance of the "castellers" building high human towers of up to 9 floors and the "correfoc". This is a parade where Barcelona will be inflamed when fire-breathing dragons and devils will be dancing around the streets to the noise of fireworks and drums.

After Barcelona inhabitants and guests of the city have been enjoying the colourful Festa Major de Grácia, the next "Fiesta Mayor" of Barcelona´s districts is going to start! Tonight, the district Sants-Montjuic starts its Festa Major. Until the 31st of August a variety of activities, cultural programs, music and concert acts and other "fiesta" elements will invite locals and Barcelona visitors to join the Festa Major de Sants.
Sants is a really nice neighbourhood of Barcelona. Holiday makers will find offers for Barcelona apartments and Barcelona hotels in this charming neighbourhood, right next to Montjuic and the Fira Barcelona. If you want to see Barcelona´s Magic Fountain on Montjuic, near Plaza Espanya, you just need to walk. By metro you can reach the city center within 10 minutes.
Furthermore, the main train station "Barcelona Sants Estació" offering a direct connection to the Barcelona airport is located in the heart of Sants.

Discover Sants and join its Festa Major tonight and during the next week!

This night Barcelona´s streets will be filled with life and people. Come and celebrate Sant Joan (St. John´s Day) in the streets and on the beaches of Barcelona. Celebrations take place across the city and will be crowned by bonfires, fascinating fireworks and plenty of concerts and dances. In the night before Sant Joan every Barcelona holiday maker should leave their Barcelona hotel or Barcelona apartment to join the biggest fiesta of Spain´s cultural highlights during the year in the heart of Catalunya. Celebrations last from sunset on 23rd of June to sunrise on 24th of June which will be a bank holiday in Spain. Every district of Barcelona will have its own little fiestas with bonfires and plenty of activities. Traditionally, Sant Joan is most of all celebrated on the beaches. Staying at Barcelona hotels in Barceloneta and Barcelona hotels in Borne you will be close to vibrant party nightlife on the beaches of Barcelona combined with long-lasting traditions to celebrate the summer. Don´t miss to swim in the Mediterranean on midnight to forget all the stress and problems of the last months and start a new episode of life by refreshing yourself in the sea. You should also try the traditional dish of Sant Joan. In various shops and bakeries you can by sweet cocas, a special Sant Joan cake. If you want to know more about the Sant Joan celebrations in Barcelona, please visit the official Sant Joan web page of the city. Have a good time!

In Barcelona Corpus Christi is celebrated with parades of giants and big-headed carnival figures known as 'Cabezudos' that converge around the cathedral area in the centre of the city. Processions of Corpus Christi can be seen in many cities of Spain. One of the most known proccesions include those of Granada, Barcelona, Toledo, Cádiz, Valencia and Sevilla. If you are staying at a Barcelona hotel on the 22nd of May you should jaunt to the Cathedral of Barcelona. At the square around the cathedral the celebration of the L'ou com Balla, or "dancing egg" festival, will take place. The L'ou com Balla is a tradition dating back to the 16th century. But what is it about? At many fountains in the city, which are decorated with fragrant flowers, an emptied eggshell is perched above a stream of water. As the eggshell climbs up the water jet, it appears to dance on the top of it.
During the summer there will be many more festivals held in Barcelona. Have a look at the Calendar of Barcelona holidays and festivals provided by BarcelonaPoint.com so that you don't miss one of the cultural highlights in the Catalunya sunshine capital.

Sardana - a two-step and certainly much quicker to grasp than Flamenco, has its origins in Empordà, Catalunya. It is not a typical Mediterranean folks dance it might be comparable to the Greek Siataki, as it is also a dance danced in a circle. The participants hold their hands above their heads and a band of about a dozen people starts to play the wooden flute and step by step other instruments join in. You may also join the people dancing Sardana. If you have a downtown Barcelona accommodation, you may join them on a sunday at noon in front of the cathedral, or saturday late afternoon, at 7pm and wednesday at 6:30 pm. also in front of the cathedral. Of course, you are not obliged to join in, you may also watch them from the street or your Barcelona holiday apartment close to the cathedral.
Let's dance!

They might involve running through fireworks, gobbling grapes or raffling pigs, but parties are the life and soul of barcelona, and an enthusiastic crowd always materialises to make things go with a bang. Even though there are 15 public holidays a year, the notoriously hard working barcelonins somehow find the energy to celebrate even the smallest events before an early start at the office the next day. Most of those events take place in the center of Barcelona. The annual round of 30 or so neighbourhood festes share many traditional Barcelona events; among them are castellers (human castles) and papier mâché giants, both spectacular for rather different reasons, and the correfoc is a nocturnal frenzy of pyromania, when groups of devils dance through the streets, floutiing almost every safety rule in the book. The orderly antidote to this pandemonium is the sardana, Cataloni's folk dance. Watching the dancers executing their fussy little hops and steps in a large circle, it's hard to believe that sardanes were once banned as a vestige of pagan witchcraft.The sardana is much harder than it looks, and the joy lies in taking part rather than watching.
If you feel like taking part in one of the events and festivals taking place in Barcelona during the year just book a Barcelona apartment or Barcelona Hotel and enjoy the special atmosphere.

The night between the 23rd and the 24th of June, Catalan people celebrate the Sant Joan. This night is the shortest of the year and it is the summer solstice. Then the 24th is the longest day of the year. Bonfires and fireworks take place in the whole city. Sant Joan holds 3 symbols. The first is fire which is a sign of purifying element. At Sant Joan eve, people throw old furniture on to fire. The second symbol is water, which is said to have curative virtues, that's why people bath in the sea during the night. Finally the third symbol is herbs like thyme, verbena or rosemary which are said to multiply their curative properties during this night.
At this occasion people eat the ?coca? which is a kind of bread, sweet or savoury, with pinenuts on the top and filled with custard.
If you want to enjoy this unique experience just rent a Barcelona apartment and take part in this event.

Barcelona has a lot of festivities all year long.
On the 6th of January is the Kings Day (El Dia Dels Reis). There are processions in the streets with walk-on actors dressed like the Three Wise Men who give candies to the children.
At the end of February is the Carnival of Shrove Tuesday as well as the celebration of Santa Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona.
In March the Holy Week is an important religious event, with many processions in every city.
The 23rd of April, boys offer a rose to girls and girls offer a book to boys for the Sant Jordi, a patron saint of Catalonia. The book stands for the death anniversary of Cervantes, a famous Catalan writer but also of Shakespeare. The rose comes from the legend of Sant Jordi who killed a dragon. The story says that a rosewood bloomed at the place where the dragon was killed.
The 20th of May comes Pasqua Granada, the second Easter.
For the Saint-John, on the 24th of June, people meet on the street and concerts, dances and pyrotechnics are organized everywhere in the streets. On this occasion, people in Spain eat the 'coca' a special sweet bread.
On the 15th of August, the Catalans celebrate the Assumption.
The 11th of September is the national Day of Catalonia. At this day, in 1714, Catalonia was defeated by the Spanish armies of Philippe V of Bourbon. Catalonia lost its national liberties, its own politics and the Catalan language and culture were prohibited.
Mercè is also a patron saint of Barcelona and is celebrated on the 24th of September, because she showed much bravery in pushing back alone a grasshoppers invasion in 1637.
Finally in December, the week before Christmas is the occasion of the Carnival of Santa Llucia. You can find many stands with the figurines of the crib, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men...
It's nice to come to Barcelona for one of this events and get to know the traditions of Catalonia. It's easy to find the suitable Barcelona accommodation.

Spain is known for its gastronomy and nobody will be disappointed of the Catalan food! Moreover, Barcelona is said to be the capital of the Catalan gastronomy. The Catalan cuisine uses basic ingredients that we all know, but its particularity is to mix them in an unusual but delicious way. Thence come tasty flavours that delight your plate.
One of my favourite type of meal are the tapas. Of course we all know tapas, but what I enjoy the most are the 'pa amb tomàquet' : bread rubbed with tomatoe and garlic and spayed with olive oil. Delicious! Tapas can be cold or warm and enables you to taste plenty of different things because of the small portions.
What else? The paella of course! With a lot of seafood. Actually I prefer the Fideua, exactly the same than the paella with prawns, scampis, chicken, pepper, tomatoes but vermicellis substitute rice.
Another speciality I discovered during the spring is the Calçotada; the calçots are kind of new onions burnt in vine shoots; you have to 'decaçote' then, it means to put off the first skin and then to eat them with this special sauce : romanesco. It tastes really good!
As desserts, we have to name the crema catalana, perfumed with cinnamon or the pastisset, a richness cake with anise.
To help you going on with all this tasty meals, Catalonia proposes severals drinks. La Orxata (or Orgeat) comes from la Chufa, a sort of papyrus growing in the marshland of the Guadalquivir and from which the essence is taken. The region also offers good wine from the Penedès, an area which cultivates numerous grape varieties. Finally, the Cava is the most known speciality of Catalonia; it's the Catalan Champagne, a really tasty sparkling wine.
If you like cooking, I think the funniest is to try making these recipes by yourself, at home. If you come on holidays, I know that you can rent Barcelona apartments which have nice kitchens with all the appliances. The apartment in Barcelona, located in the Eixample Dreta is a relly nice one.