Planning a short break to Barcelona? Check out Travel Library's recommended Top 10 Things To Do in Barcelona. It's a perfect companion for weekend city breaks to Barcelona. Once you've been you can add your own tips and suggestions to help other visitors.
The Montjuic hill overlooks the city centre form the Southwest and is the home of many beautiful fine art galleries, entertaining leisure activities, large selection of restaurants and cafe's, mind-soothing parks and the main sites of the 1992 Olympics.
Situated on the North side of the hill, you will see the Placa de Braus Les Arenes, which was originally a bullring, where the Beatles performed in 1966 and located behind the arena, you will find Parc Joan Miro, on which stands the sculpture Dona i Ocell, which is also known as the Woman and Bird.
Located nearby, you will find the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, which is home to an amazing collection of Roman art. Littering the terraces below the museum, are breath-takingly beautiful fountains, including the largest one La Font Magica, which livens spirits with lights and music shows during the hot summer months.
Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel - Hotel
Travellers visiting this hotel, are promised to be housed in grand style. It has the perfect location, situated only 10 minutes from the airport and the Sants Central Train Station. The hotel features the most amazing views. It is sea facing and boasts a total area of more than 200,000 square feet. The building rises on the western side of the rectangle that consists of the World Trade Centre complex.
The hotel has many facilities available allowing visitors to indulge in a dreamlike stay on the lap of luxury. These facilities include 3 restaurants, a bar, room service, laundry and dry cleaning facilities, a pool, a gym area, sauna and baby-sitting facilities. Perhaps the biggest luxury which the hotel has to offer is its direct connection to the heart of the city's historical, financial and commercial sites.
Travellers who seek futher information regarding the hotel can visit their website on www.grandmarinahotel.com
Catedral de Barcelona - Tourist Attraction
This honorific cathedral was built in the 13th century and completed in the mid-15th century and stands as a celebrated memoir of Catalonian Gothic architecture. The cathedral features large bell towers, a high placed altar, beautifully designed side chapels, gorgeous gothic arches and a splendid blend of medieval and Renaissance styles. The breathtaking gardens, polluted with magnolias, medlars and palm trees are surrounded by vaulted galleries forged with iron grilles. The cloister, which is illuminated on Saturdays and fiesta days houses a museum containing beautiful medieval artworks. On Sundays at noon, visitors are entertained by a Catalonian folk dance, which is performed in front of the cathedral.
Admission to the cathedral is free of charge and should you wish to visit the cloister museum, it will cost you $1.5. The opening hours are daily 8am - 1:30pm and 4pm - 7:30pm. The cloister museum is open daily 10am - 1pm.
Parc Zoologic - Children’s Activity
Located in Parc de la Ciutadella, it is ranked as one of Spain's top zoo's. The zoo is set in a beautiful garden, which is more than 100 years old and covers around 13 hectares of the Ciutadella Park. The zoo is home to a collection of 7,500 animals, which range from 400 different species from around the world. One of the most exciting attractions of the zoo is the albino gorilla, named Snowflake. Snowflake was captured in 1966 and is the only albino gorilla known to exist.
Not only does the zoo offer the unique opportunity to view some magnificent animals, but it also offers Zoology day camps for children, which are conducted by biologists from the Barcelona Zoo Education Department. Person's interested in the course, should contact the zoo via their email address: .
The zoo is generally open from 10am - 6pm, but can vary during the seasons. Visitors are recommended to enquire prior to their visit. Admission costs are as follows: Adults $16, Children (3 - 12yrs) $10, Pensioners $9 and Disabled persons $7.
Pl. del Tibidabo, 3-4.08035 Barcelona. This 100 year old amusement park is the perfect place of enjoyment for young and old. It features state of the art entertainment, as well as not so modernised classic enjoyment. During the summer months, the park takes on a carnival-like atmosphere. Aeromagic, a unique monorail train ride offers breathtaking panoramic views and crosses mysterious tunnels full of magic and mysterious surprises.
A highlight of the park is most definitely the Hurakan, which is an adrenaline flowing, head spinning joyride, which takes the user on sudden plunges, 360º turns, high speed and excitement galore - best of all, it is set in a tropical forest with majestic Aztec features. The park also features many rides designed specifically for the very young ones, like the Pony Rodeo, a Choo-Choo Train, the Transmobile and the Zoo Choc.
Opening hours vary according to the season, but are generally open weekdays from 12am - 10pm and weekends (including Sundays) 12am - 11pm. Admission prices vary according to age, but generally $27. Enquire at entrance for specials regarding youngsters and pensioners.
For further information, travellers can go to the amusement park's website: www.tibidabo.es
Museu de la Ciencia (Science Museum) - Cutural Attraction
Known as one of the most popular museum's in Spain, it is host to more than 500,000 visitors annually. It sports a very modernised design structure, featuring various hands-on activities which visitors are able to touch, listen and watch. The museum offers a world of science waiting to be discovered, ranging from the magnificent beauty of marine life to the majestic powers of holograms.
There are more than 3000 exhibits which explore the wonders of science and leaving no stone unturned. Some of the major highlights include walking inside a kaleidoscope, tornado swirls, walks inside a submarine, feeling an earthquake and watching plants magically change their form when they are touched.
For the explorer at heart, there are planetarium shows available where the beauty of the night sky surrounds the audience. Admission cost to the planetarium only is $2 and admission cost to the museum and planetarium is $4.
L'Aquarium de Barcelona - Children’s Activity
Located in Moll d'Espanya del Port Vell, s/n - 08039, Barcelona. This is the largest aquarium throughout the whole of Europe. It features 21 glass tanks which are positioned either side of a long curved corridor. Every tank features a different marine habitat, emphasising everything from neon and multicoloured fish and corals to sharks.
A specific highlight of the aquarium is the Planeta Aqua, which is a brand new exhibition area depicting life in the Abissal depths, life in the cold and life in the tropical river waters. Here you can expect to find creatures such as living fossils, penguins, piranhas and alligators. Another exciting part of the aquarium is the Oceanarium, which is designed as a synthesis of the Mediterranean Sea. This is the place to see the most fascinating predator of the deep - the shark.
Opening times are Mon - Fri 9:30am - 9pm and weekends and public holidays 9:30am - 9:30pm. Admission costs are Adults $16, Children and Pensioners (4 - 12 yrs) $11.
Hotel Rafael Diagonal Port - Hotel
Located in Front Maritim, Lope de Vega 4. The hotel is situated only 15 minutes from the airport and has direct access to the beach. The hotel bar has become a favourite watering hole amongst the local yachtsmen. The hotel features 105 rooms and 10 suites, which are equipped with technologically advanced luxuries. The rooms feature bathrooms covered in marble, individual temperature control, a digital safe, ISDN internet connections, satellite TV and a minibar. The hotel also features the Alencena Restaurant where visitors can enjoy mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine.
Travellers who require further information regarding the hotel can visit their website on www.rafealhotels.com
El Raco de Can Fabes - Restaurant or Cafe
Located at Sant Joan 6, Sant Ceoloni. This restaurant is known as one of the greatest restaurants in Spain. The restaurant is housed in a 3 century old building in the centre of the Catalan village. The restaurant has a very elegant look, yet retains its rustic aura of originality. Meals that you can expect to find at the restaurant include dishes such as hot and cold mackerel with cream of caviar, tender pigeon basted with duck tartare and for desert, nothing in the world beats their famous Festival de chocolate.
Due to the desire to lavish the needs of each individual visitor, reservations are required. The restaurant can be contacted on Tel: 93-867-28-51.
Museu Picasso - Cutural Attraction
The most visited museum in Barcelona is home to numerous displays dating back to the early years of Picasso's art life. It features works from his Blue Period, specifically canvasses such as The Defenceless, as well as ceramics from the 1890's.
The rest of the museum is dedicated to the life and travels of Picasso. The beautiful stone mansion which is home to the museum is situated on the Carrer de Montcada. During the medieval times, this was the approach way to the port.
Good small group day trips to places outside of Barcelona. Entertaining guides and the day even includes a great restaurant lunch. Bob Sanders, Kenai, Alaska.
La Fiannna - Restaurant or Cafe
Rocking restaurant, lively entertaining and great cocktails. A must for a visit to this great city.. La Fianna, 15 Banys Vells the Borne Barcelona, close to the Santa Maria del mar Basilica.
Montjuic
Eurostars Grand Marina Hotel
Catedral de Barcelona
Parc Zoologic
Parc d'Atraccions (Tibidabo)
Museu de la Ciencia (Science Museum)
L'Aquarium de Barcelona
Hotel Rafael Diagonal Port
El Raco de Can Fabes
Museu Picasso