| Destinations
> Spain >
Barcelona
> Featured Sights |
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C/
Marina, bet. Mallorca, Provença
Metro: Sagrada Familia |
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Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia
Stunning unfinished cathedral, designed and begun by Barcelona's
legendary modernist master, Antoni Gaudí. The building swims with
color and with sacred sculpture, illustrating the doctrine of the death
and resurrection. Visitors can climb the spires, and cross between them,
getting an aerial view of the city, even as construction continues below. |
C/
d'Olot
Metro: Lesseps + 3/4 km. walk
Buses: 24, 25, 28, 31, 32, 74, 116 |
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Parc Güell
This public park is entirely unique in all the world.
Its design artfully integrates human design and the natural elements
of the indigenous landscape. Gaudí's structures intertwine with
the foliage of the hills, and his trencadis tile mosaics adorn the rim
of the park's elevated central plaza, from which one can enjoy a view
of all Barcelona, down to the sea.
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Bet.
Plaça Catalunya, Ramblas, Port
Metro: Catalunya, Liceu, Drassanes, Urquinaona, Jaume I |
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Barri Gòtic
The Barri Gòtic, along
with El Born, encapsulates what was once the thriving city itself, the
Casc Antic or 'Old Shell'. Strolling its charming narrow passageways,
there is a wealth of textured and unexpected scenery to experience,
ranging from the ancient to the medieval, even to the modernist flare
of Picasso, the gothic Cathedral, the Roman walls, the Ajuntament (city
hall), and a broad array of shops, cafés and eateries.
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Bet.
Plaça Catalunya, Avda. Diagonal
Metro: Catalunya, Pg. de Gràcia, Diagonal |
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Passeig de Gràcia
Barcelona's preeminent shopping street has long been
a place to see and be seen. Formerly a site of Eixample evening promenades,
it is now a major thoroughfare, with wide sidewalks, and an abundance
of terrazas, or sidewalk cafés. Within a few blocks, the visitor
is treated to some of the finest of modernist architecture, including
works by Antoni Gaudí, Josep Puig i Cadafalch, and Lluís
Domènech i Montaner.
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Plaça
del Tibidabo
FCG: Tibidabo to Avda. Tibidabo + 15 min. walk or Tramvia
Blau |
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Tibidabo
All of Barcelona is available to the eyes from this spot,
named for the biblical passage in which the Devil tempts Jesus with
the worldly riches of the land spread before his view, saying "Haec
omnia tibi dabo". When lit by night, the Temple del Sagrat Cor
cathedral appears to float over Barcelona, with an amusemuent park by
its side. Also, see Norman Foster's Torre de Collserola, and the Museu
de Ciéncia. The restaurant Mirablau is a prime spot for taking
in the view while relaxing over tapas, copas or coffee.
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Montjuïc,
below Paral.lel
Walk from Plaça d'Espanya
Metro: Espanya or Paral.lel + Funicular |
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Montjuïc
This seaside hill is the site of the Olympic ring, which
includes Calatrava's communications tower and the Olympic stadium and
diving platforms. MNAC is at the bottom, near the Plaça d'Espanya.
Just above that is the Poble Espanyol, which features structures and streets
emblematic of provinces from all parts of Spain, as well as artisans,
foundations, restaurants and a nightclub. The Fundació Joan Miró
is located about halfway up the slope. Atop the hill, there is a fortress,
which has served a military role and as a prison throughout the city?s
difficult history. |
Foot
of Ramblas
Metro: Drassanes |
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Maremagnum
An impressive seaside mall, popular with tourists
and natives, some will say it represents the generic international urban
retail experience; others highlight interesting restaurants, and an enjoyable
walk from the foot of Las Ramblas, over the inlet to the mall, then across
to the aquarium and the Port Vell (Old Port). |
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Palau de la Música Catalana
There are scarcely words available to describe the
lush, colorful and ingeniously decorated interior of this modernist
masterpiece of the architect Domènech i Montaner. Guided tours
are available; photographs are prohibited. The best way to see the Palau,
however, is to attend a concert held there; the experience will surely
reinvent your notion of anything you hear there.
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