Barcelona - It's worth 10 Stars (Barcelona)

Member Name: karenroach

Product:	Barcelona
Date:	16/06/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fabulous City, so much to see and do

Disadvantages: You'll never get to see and do it all!

Barcelona is an absolute jewel of a city. If you enjoy fascinating buildings, quirky art forms, friendly people interesting side shows, diverse markets... go by plane, train, bus or car, just go.

Barcelona is an eclectic mixture of Old and New. Wander around the windy lanes of the old district. Visit find ancient buildings made into Museums for such artists as Picasso. You can pay to go in and see where he lived, but be prepared for massive queues.

Walk along the sea front, and ponder the sculptures. Visit the exhibition centre enjoy the museums that are scattered about. Visit the Botanical gardens. Explore La Boqueria, a wonderful market crammed full of fresh fruit and vegetables and other interesting foods.

Head up into the shopping areas of the city through the wonderful wide avenue called Las Ramblas. You will not find another one like it anywhere else in the world. The pavement is set out in a wavy pattern that makes it appear as if it is not flat (even though it is). There are stalls all the way up through Las Ramblas selling anything from exotic clothes and jewellery to flowers and little birds. It is the perfect place to pick up unusual gifts for family and friends. As you walk stop and look carefully at the life size statues dotted along the route. If you are willing to pay, you will see the human statues spring to life and perform for you! Some of the are quite ingenious.

Dotted about the city are beautiful and unusual buildings. Some of the most spectacular were designed by Antoni Gaudi. Go along to Casa Batillo and La Pedrera and if you find his style fascinating visit Parc Guell, an amazing place which is dedicated to his art. It is a bit like walking through the world of Doctor Seuss.

Barcelona is full of interesting places to eat. Try the Fresc Co at Avinguda Francesc Cambó. We had an all you can eat buffet for about 10 euros after we were handed a leaflet with a money off voucher. If that doesn't suit you try Ovni at Via Laietana or Hanagin at C/ Provença 201.

We stayed at the Ibis Molins de Rei on the outskirts of Barcelona. We stayed there because we had booked online and did not realise how far out of the city it was. We had to use the train service to commute into Barcelona, so we purchased all day tickets for 12 euros. This allowed us to travel on the buses and trams as well.

Arm yourself with a good tourist guidebook and town map. Have a plan, but be flexible as there is so much to see and do. If you are looking for shopping, sun and sea, or history art and architecture, Barcelona is jam packed with things to see and do.

Summary: Fantastic Magical City