Fast becoming one of the most popular “hubs” in Europe, Barcelona is continually experiencing a fast growth in tourism since the 1992 Olympic games. Since the year 2000, tourists numbers have more than doubled, and in 2006, more than six million visitors enjoyed a taste of the many attractions the city has to offer. From some of the most well preserved Gothic and Modernist architecture in Europe, a buzzing nightlife scene and the sparkling Mediterranean sea, Barcelona has something to offer everyone, no matter what kind of holiday you are looking for.

About Barceloneta: Barceloneta is easily the best district in Barcelona to experience the highlights of this amazing city. You are moments away from the beach in a quiet residential area with some of the best seafood restaurants in town, yet an easy 20 minute walk into the main tourist districts of the city, packed full of attractions, art, architecture and action! Barceloneta is compact and easy to navigate your way around. With a fresh food market and plenty of “paki” (Pakistani owned) corner shops, you don’t have to negotiate a crowded supermarket for food, alcohol, cigarettes or suncream. Lets take a look at some of the best attractions in the immediate area:

The Beach, Barceloneta The number one summer attraction in the area: the Mediterranean sea. During the winter just passed, swell breakers were installed just offshore in Barceloneta to minimise erosion and create calm swimming conditions. Perfect for families with small children and those who want to laze around on an inflatable air mattress. A number of beachside bars situated literally on the sand sell drinks, snacks and light meals. Some have DJ’s playing chillout tracks on weekend afternoons while guests can sip cocktails and watch the sun go down. For those that have a good spot on the sand, refreshments and creature comforts including beer, snacks, massages, sunglasses and caps can be bought without having to leave your towel by the many “beach vendors” bound to pass you by. Its a good idea to visit the beach without a lot of cash or valuables as this is an area with a particular habit of attracting pickpockets. There’s no need to be paranoid. Just keep an eye on your belongings and leave the fancy electronic equipment at home.

Here is our feedback:

+ good value for money, clean and comfortable
+ great location, walking distance to beach
+ great access to transport links
+ friendly and helpful staff

We had wonderful holiday in Barcelona. Our opinion Barcelona is the
friendliest city we have visited.

Regards

Juha and Riitta Vuorela

The apartment was in a great location, 100 metres from the beach, it was clean and comfortable, wouldn’t have minded air con in bedroom but otherwise very good.

Barcelona, loved the restaurants & bars.  The beaches were good though we found a great pool at the Athletic Club 10 euros per day, overlooking the beach next to the cable car station, the pool was ideal for our daughter eleven dead safe, dead clean.  The cable car up to Montjuic is a gas to ride recommend it.  What a great city can’t wait to go back.

I loved how helpful you guys were in finding us accomodation for another
couple of nights, didn’t get to thank you personally, but thanks heaps from
both of us (Mick and Claire). Also the apartments were awesome and in a
perfect part of town for beach going and relaxing!
Cheers
Mick

This is Thomas Drucker from Holland.

We really enjoyed our stay in Barcelona and the apartement.

good points:
-The location is perfect!
-your welcome and the service when our toilet’s flush was leaking
-the size of the apartment (for two persons, four would be crowdy I
think)

the apartment could really use two little fold-out chairs, to
enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a drink at night on the little
balcony.

All in all a very pleasant experience!

Here you can read about what our previous guests have to say about our apartments.

El Borne is a small neighbourhood that begins from the north of Barceloneta and joins the Gothic Quarter as it heads west. Its easily accessed by either Jaume I metro or Barceloneta, both on the yellow line. Its popular among visitors who are looking for original boutique style clothes and gifts. There’s plenty of great bars and restaurants, which come alive at night, particularly  along the tree lines pedestrian street Passeig Del Borne, which leads towards the main Cathedral, Santa Maria del Mar.

Palau de Musica Catalana

A beautiful Art Nouveau style concert hall built between 1905 and 1908 that is now on UNESCOS World Heritage List. Some of the world’s greatest musicians have graced its stage over the years including jazz icon Ella Fitzgerald and opera sensation José Carreras.
 It features beautifully coloured mosaic columns, a detailed facade and famous stained glass skylight in the main concert hall. The best way to experience the palace is by taking in a show. Check the website for performance schedules and ticket information. Otherwise a guided tour can be taken in English, Catalan or Spanish every half hour in the summer for 9 euros per adult.

Cathedral de Santa Maria del Mar

A lovely church built in the 14th Century, right in the heart of El Borne, at the end of the main thoroughfare, Passeig Del Borne. Its an excellent example of early Catalan Gothic style architecture. Its a simply decorated church (compared to the Gothic Cathedral) and to some, the most beautiful in Barcelona. It’s interior was badly damaged by fire during the Spanish Civil war but has been painstakingly restored.

Parc Cituadella

A small but lovely park very close to the Borne. With groomed gardens and lots of shady areas to sit, it’s a popular Sunday location for many locals for a lazy afternoon. The park is also home to Barcelona’s Zoo, and has a small lake and fountain called La Cascada. A beautiful baroque style monument built in 1888 and said to be inspired by the Trevi fountain in Rome. It’s especially pretty when its running, usually in the evenings.

Chocolate Museum

Children and chocoholics will be fascinated by this quirky museum, wedged between the Borne and Parc Cituadella. Learn about the history of chocolate through the ages from its arrival in Europe to its medicinal and aphrodisiac properties. Open Monday- Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 10am- 3pm. Single tickets are 3.90 euros

The Gothic quarter is the area to the left of the Rambla if you’re facing towards the sea. It’s the oldest part of Barcelona and has many excellent examples of Medieval and Gothic architecture from the 14th and 15th Centuries. Architecture buffs will be in their element here but most visitors usually find the area fascinating as well. It’s so well preserved, a walk around the Gothic Quarter is really like stepping back in time.

You could easily spend a day or two wondering all the little side streets with cobble stones, decorative balconies and building facades. There are plenty of little plazas scattered around where you can enjoy a good coffee and tapas. There’s also some great shopping in this area. Steer clear of the junky souvenir shops and check out the local art shops, boutiques or artist markets for a unique souvenir.
The Gothic Cathedral of Santa Eulália

The Cathedral of Santa Creu or Santa Eulália is one of the largest buildings in the Gothic Quarter and one of the best preserved Gothic Cathedrals in Europe. It can be found right in the heart of the Gothic labyrinth facing Plaça de la Seu.

Although it has been undergoing extensive restoration work on its facade for many years, covering most of the ornate decoration on the main entrance, the building is definitely worth a look around inside. Remember to wear sleeves and avoid skimpy shorts or skirts or you may be refused entry. In busy times of the year, you may be asked for a donation to enter. The Cathedral is not just a tourist attraction, it’s a place of worship so keep as quiet as you can and avoid using flash photography inside.

The first construction work of this grand cathedral began in 1298, continuing for most of King Jaume II’s rein. The tropical garden inside is really beautiful and the geese pond is a popular corner of the courtyard for children.  Inside the church are several impressive stained glass windows. You can also view the crypt where Saint Eulálias remains are kept.
Plaza Reial

Just off La Rambla in the lower half of the Gothic Quarter near Liceu metro is Plaza Reial, a popular meeting place for young people in the city, with some excellent (albeit expensive) restaurants and tapas bars. The plaza was built in the 19th Century and features several large palm trees, a beautiful fountain, lamp posts designed by Gaudi and plenty of city life to watch go by. There’s bound to be several performers in the plaza especially in the busy evenings.
Plaza Saint Jaume I

Take Calle Ferran from La Rambla opposite Liceu Metro station up to Plaza de Jaume I to have a look at two of Barcelona’s government buildings. The Palau de la Generalitat is the one with the colourful tiled dome on top, and is the home of the Parliment, the President and the Executive Council that manage the government of Catalonia. Almost 130 presidents have managed their rule from this building over the years. Opposit the Palau is the Casa Del la Ciudad (City Hall) otherwise known as the Adjuntament, which was built in 1831.

Roman Walls

The Romans came to Barcelona between 15 to 10BC during Augustine’s rule. At the time the Roman city was just over 10 Hectares in size. Not much of the walls built by the Romans remain today but every couple of corners you turn in the Barrio Gothic you are likely to find another preserved section of it. The walls were built for fortification against attack and to support aqueducts in the city.

Plaza Del Rei

Located very close to the Cathedral, this Medieval square used to be where the locals shopped in the market for fresh produce, outside the Royal Palace. Built during the 10th Century, the palace was once home to the counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon.

King Ferdinand and Queen Isbella were said to have received Columbus upon his return from discovering the New World in the archway of the palace, looking down onto the square below. Today the palace and the Museum of City History make for a fascinating insight into Barcelona’s History, including the ruins of part of the older Roman city, where foundations for a forum, streets, shops and family homes were discovered.

The Raval is the district to the right side of La Rambla if you are facing towards the sea. It used to be one of the poorer areas of Barcelona and housed the majority of the city’s migrant community. It was also one of the more seedier areas of town where petty crime and dark streets would keep away most tourists.

In recent years however, the Raval has undergone considerable renovations in an effort to clean the area up, including widening streets, better lighting at night and more green areas for the community to gather. It’s a colourful area with lots of cultural influences and whilst you would be missing out on one of Barcelona’s most lively areas if you were to avoid the Raval, caution is still advised with regards to your valuables and personal possessions. Keep these items out of sight and close to you at all times.

Rambla De Raval

Running parallel to La Rambla in the lower section near Liceu metro station is La Rumbla De Raval. Like the original, it’s a palm tree lined pedestrian street, but has a very different feel and a lot less tourists walking around. You can find a variety of international food options from Indian and Pakistani to good old English Fish n Chips as well as a multitude of bars and coffee lounges. There is often a festival or market held there in the summer.

MACBA, Museum of Contemporary Art

Barcelona’s Museum of Contemporary Art lies in the top section of El Raval. The best way to get there is by taking calle Elisabets from La Rambla. The closet metro stop would be Plaza Catalunya.

Its a very cool building and is surrounded by cafes and restaurants. A good place to get some tapas or a coffee. You can also spend some time watching the skateboarders who congregate out the front of the building.

The museum has several permanent and temporary exhibitions on at any given time. Check the official website for information about these and seasonal activities which are held in the museum. Opening hours are seasonal but during summer there are usually one or two evenings when the museum is open until midnight. An all access ticket for an adult is 7.5 euros.

La Boqueria, Fresh food markets

A must see in Barcelona is La Boqueria, the famous fresh food market, located about half way down La Rambla on the Raval side. Construction began in 1840 and today the market is one of the most iconic in Barcelona. A range of fresh produce including fruit, vegetables, seafood, meat, and cheese is available as well as an array of delicatessen items like cured meats, pickles, herbs and spices.

 It’s the cheapest way for locals to buy top quality fresh produce. A dozen eggs for  1.20 euros, a kilo of cherries for 2 euros, there are plenty of bargains to be had. Some of the best and freshest tapas can be found in the market also, in addition to the restaurants which line the outer walls. Its a noisy, bustling place with plenty to see.

As a city with a reputation as a cultural hub for arts and design, its only fitting that one of Europe’s most prestigious and fastest growing fashion events has made itself well at home in the Catalan Capital, Spain.  

The Bread and Butter fashion trade show for apparel and accessories was first launched in 2001 in Berlin, Germany. The first year saw just 50 exhibitors and just over 5,000 visitors participate, but by 2004, there were 580 exhibitors and 34,000 visitors. Word was catching on that B&B was the place to be for the best brands, the biggest talent and the most innovative newcomers to the world of fashion.  

In order to extend the festival to the rest of the European market, BBBarcelona was launched in 2005 as a complementary show for those in the industry that could not attend the main event in Berlin. Since then however, attendance figures in Barcelona began to supersede those in the German Capital.  

In 2007, the Berlin event was cancelled due to lack of registration, making Barcelona the new home town of one of the most important European fashion fairs.  

The three day extravaganza in July 2007 hosted 91,000 trade visitors from 87 countries around the world in Plaza España, opposite the historic National Modern Art Museum of Catalunya, where 100,000 squared meters of space was turned into exhibition space, catwalks and promotional stands for the show, organised by themes such as Denim, Urban and Street Culture.  

At a cost of between 350-500 euros per square meter, presence at BBB is not cheap, but for the fashion labels awarded the prestige of selection for the show, the value of attendance for one of the best networking opportunities in the business falls well in front of the cost of exhibiting.  

As BBB Managing Director Karl-Heinz Müller says: ‘BBBarcelona is the largest and most important European trade show for denim, urban wear and sportswear. The entire industry meets in Barcelona and uses the trade show as a communication platform. ‘  

As well as fashion, the event has also become somewhat of a cultural festival at the same time, with international DJ’s, lounge areas, cocktail bars, massage, live concerts, brake dancing and skateboarding demonstrations, the fair has also become somewhat of a good excuse to relax and have fun.  

As Karl-Heinz Müller says: ‘BBBarcelona is a “Fashion Festival”, where lifestyle and trends are made to come alive – and so offers an inexhaustible source of inspiration.”  

The next event is scheduled for January 16-18^th 2008, with plans to expand the exhibition space by a further 60,000 square meters, inside the Palau Nacional. Unfortunately the event is for trade only, and entrance is not available to members of the public.