Barcelona Culture, Travel, News and events.

Barcelona accommodation in Las Ramblas

2011-11-28T12:27:00.000Z

Nobody comes to Barcelona and leaves the city without having visited Las Ramblas. This emblematic boulevard is the most popular avenue in the city where you will meet all kinds of people from street performers to FC Barcelona fanatics. Therefore, this is a great area to stay.
If you want to stay in a lively area, you must rent a Barcelona apartment close to Las Ramblas. You will be near the port and Plaza Catalunya, and very well-communicated by metro, buses and railway network. Also, you will find great restaurants, awesome bars, fantastic nightclubs and the best shopping opportunities in this area.
If you are an art lover, you'll be fascinated while having a stroll along Las Ramblas, not only with the paintings and caricatures by the artists you'll find on your way, but also with the amazing architectonic works on both sides of the avenue. Besides, you will be within walking distance from the museums MNAC and CCCB, as well as the Wax Museum. And if you like music, the Liceu and the Palau de la Música Catalana will be just a few steps from you. Not to forget the famous Fountain of Canaletes, where FC Barcelona fans celebrate the victories of their team.

On the sides of Las Ramblas, there are the districts of El Raval and El Gotico. You are going to love the architecture of the houses and buildings, and you will feel the history hidden in their streets. There are great apartments in both districts, all of them with all modern conveniences and a fully-equipped kitchen. What is more, you will have a pleasant time while enjoying the great views of the city from the balcony of your apartment in Las Ramblas.

Guest post by Harriet Freeman, representative of Ok Barcelona apartments and interested in tourism in northern Spain and Madrid. Visit my blog Things to Do in Barcelona.

Barcelona still the benchmark for London 2012

2011-10-07T15:30:00.003+01:00

With the 2012 Olympic game’s less than a year away many will of course still have memories of one of the greatest of all the games that took place in Barcelona almost 20years ago in 1992. This iconic spectacle of Sport, still seen as a pinnacle of the long Olympic tradition, not only catapulted Catalonia’s capital into the world’s super league of cities but also left those that watched with truly dazzling images of sport caught against the backdrop of Barcelona’s panorama of extraordinary architectural elegance.

The city came into its own as it shouldered the enormous responsibility hosting of the world’s greatest sporting event and with an almost typically Catalan approach, made it look easy. The legacy of the games can still be felt today as the secret of the city’s sublime cultural nature and vitality, known only mostly to Europeans, was paraded to the world who immediately fell in love with the scenery that burst from their television screens, a love affair that continues to this day.

The man who caught the most iconic of Barcelona’s many moments during the Olympics, British photographer Bob Martin, has begun the search for the ultimate shot of the London games next summer.

His breathtaking image of a diver suspended high above Barcelona skyline with La Sagrada Familia shimmering through the summer heat in the distance became the defining image of the games. This time around Bob will have venues that are set amongst some of the most widely recognizable places in the world but his brief moment in time captured at the Montjuic pool, high on a hill overlooking Barcelona will most probably remain his legacy.

If you are looking for accommodation for the London Olympics, Wimdu.co.uk are one company worth checking given the wide selection of budgets they cater for. See you in London in 2012!

Guide to nightlife options in Barcelona

2011-09-07T11:37:00.001+01:00

After a busy day shopping or viewing the sights of the city, everyone likes to kick back and Barcelona is the ideal place to do that. No matter what your music tastes, Barcelona has the nightclub for you. Popular with tourists, students and locals, Barcelona's nightclub scene has to be experienced to be believed. Here are some of the most exciting areas to visit once the sun sets over the city.

Maremagnum -Maremagnum is Barcelona's main shopping mall, but as well as shops, the shopping centre also boasts a host of clubs and bars. Once the shops close, the area comes alive with punters going to the region's pub and bars. Whether you'd like a pint of Guinness or to dance to the latest club hits, there is something for everyone, however prices are unsurprisingly high due to its tourist-trap nature.

Port Olympic - All along the Olympic marine are a stretch of club and bars, all of which have open terraces that are perfect to relax in during the summertime. Of course, due to the exclusive nature of the area, prices are very high.

Las Ramblas and Barri Gòtic areas - The main nightlife in Barcelona happens here, in the main street of the city and the Gothic area are populated with bars, pubs and clubs. Due to the sheer number, there is something for everyone, but watch out for the obvious tourist-traps with their higher prices. On a Saturday night, this is where the party is going to be, just make sure you keep an eye on your possessions in the crowds.

If you are a group and are looking for an organised night out i.e. to take in several clubs and to eat somewhere, one of the EMC (Event Management Company's) are worth considering, especially if you are a stag and hens group in Barcelona, Spain. You might also be very interested in Ibiza nightlife if you plan to pop across the water to the Balearic Islands.

My favourite spots in Barcelona

2011-06-17T21:43:00.000+01:00

Having visited Barcelona on a number of occasions, I have found myself re-visiting certain places as I just simply cannot get enough of them. In all honesty, Barcelona is such a full and diverse city that each person will no doubt have their own opinions on where the best spots are, but below are some spots which I think would appeal to all.

Gaudi’s Former home in Park Guell - Park Guell in its entirety is my favourite place in Barcelona, but this house in particular has so much history attached to it that I always find myself drawn here.

With such glorious surroundings it is no surprise that Gaudi chose to base himself here for inspiration

Top of Montjuic - Barcelona from above is a splendid sight and this is one of the best vantage points around the city. Montjuic, Barcelona offers the best views of the city of Barcelona and is also a great place to stay if you want somewhere quieter at night time than the very centre of Barcelona, whilst still being very close for the daytime.

Icaria Beach- Walking just minutes from the city centre you can find yourself on one of Barcelona’s beaches. This beach is clean, sandy and provides a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It is especially worth visiting here in the summer months.

La seu Cathedral - The gothic cathedral is absolutely huge and never fails to take my breath away. Whether you visit for religious reasons or to just marvel in the aura of the building, you really must include this spot in your travels.

Las Ramblas - This may be a cliché choice, but the sheer amount of activity which takes place here embodies why Barcelona is such a great city. To stand and look around you can see locals making a living, tourists enjoying the culture and marvellous monuments and architecture from some of the world’s most celebrated figures.

Getting tickets for FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol games

2011-05-09T18:52:00.000+01:00

Spain, like many European countries, is football mad and has a host of famous teams that are known around the world – specifically FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol.

Nou Camp Stadium, Barcelona.

If you are visiting Spain and you are a football fan, you'll already be planning to see a match during your time there, however you may be wondering how best to get tickets. Below, we give you some hints and tips to secure tickets to your game of choice.

Firstly, unless you want to risk buying your tickets off touts, then it is best to go through official sellers. Assuming you plan on getting your tickets before you go to Spain, then your first stop should be a website like BarcelonaFootballTickets.com. Not only can you buy your tickets there for a reasonable price, but the website will send them out a few days before the game to your hotel or accommodation. Alternatively, you can pick them up from the ticket office.

Other outlets such as SpainTicketBureau.com are also a great resource for Spanish football game tickets, selling seats for not just FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol games, but most Spanish team matches.

Websites like Barcelona-Football-Tickets.com are always going to provide a cheaper alternative to buying tickets on the day or from stadium box offices, however you shouldn't worry that they are any less respectable as sites, such as the above one, often display that they are an official agency of certain first division clubs.

Now all you've got to decide is what game you're going to see and where you're going to sit to see the action!

Live Music in Barcelona – the Best Options

2011-04-06T01:09:00.000+01:00

Barcelona is famed for its night-life and when it comes to live music, it is one of the most diverse cities in Europe. Depending on your musical preferences, there is something for everyone in the city and below are some of the most popular music venues in Barcelona.

Live Music in Barcelona

While the city has the larger more popular venues such as the famous Gran Teatre del Liceu theatre (for opera), the Palau de la Música Catalana and other venues such as the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and the Teatre Lliure, it is the smaller venues dotted around the city that will provide something more different and let you see parts of the city that you might not normally see.The larger venues tend to attract the more international and famous artists, including some of the worlds top pop, jazz and world artists but the smaller venues are well worth checking the schedules for. Luz de Gas is one small venue which has attracted some world class performers including the likes of Stanley Clarke and George Mileson.

Nightclubs like the Jamboree are extremely popular, with the aforementioned club attracting huge crowds with its mixture of music styles that include hip-hop, Latin style and jazz. If you like your music a bit more on the retro side, then La Paloma may be the ideal place for you. One of the most popular night spots in the city, the club not only offers live music but also couples showcasing their moves to the band and the singers.

More local dance styles such as the flamenco and Latin music can be viewed at Los Tarantos, that not only offers live music and dancing, but allows guests to show off their own moves when the acts have finished.
Whatever your musical taste, the bohemian Barcelona has everything you'd need, from rock to Latin to classical, it's just up to you to find out where it is all being shown. Barcelona has something for everyone, whatever your prefereed genre of music.

5 Best Gay Bars and Clubs in Barcelona

2011-03-09T16:46:00.006Z

Barcelona is hugely cosmopolitan meaning that it has a large homosexual community. There are an increasing number of gay bars and clubs around the city of Barcelona where the homosexual community can mix. These bars and clubs vary in size and nature, meaning that there is something to suit most moods.

Disco Martins - This club is somewhat of an institution on the Barcelona gay scene. It is a well established and popular hang-out which has a reputation of having one of the better looking crowds in the city. The club is spread over three floors, including a large bar and disco floor. There is a different theme each Saturday.

Al Maximo - This is a pub style bar in the centre of Barcelona. With a relaxed atmosphere and a mixed crowd, Al Maximo is a great place to start the evening.

Punto Barcelona - This is one of the more established gay bars in Barcelona. It is popular as a meeting point for friends and peers and has changing art displays to add a bit of culture.

Dietrich - Although not as busy as it once was, the established reputation means that there is still a sizeable, friendly crowd with whom to mix. The large dance floor gives you plenty of space to bust your moves.

Zeltas - This is arguably the most popular gay club in Barcelona. The dance floor is small but is popular due to the live music, lighting and videos on display. Despite its popularity, Zeltas is generally not a place where people will spend the night. It is more of a meeting point.

Going to Barcelona for a stag or hen weekend?

Barcelona Cruises, the Port and Destinations

2011-02-11T00:43:00.004Z

Barcelona cruises have become extremely popular in recent years with tourists coming to the city via sea to enjoy its sights, sounds and night-life. With Barcelona being such a major city, all the major cruise liners operate out of the port going to most destinations in and around the Mediterranean.

Barcelona's port is sizeable with seven large terminals catering for the influx of cruise ships and liners. Once the ships are moored just south of Montjuic hill, then it is just a short ten minute taxi ride for the passengers to get to the city's Ramblas region.

From Barcelona, there is plenty to see and do via cruise tours. Each company offers something different, but there is plenty to choose from. At the higher end of the market is Celebrity Cruises that offers two week luxury voyages around the Mediterranean.

Meanwhile other firms such as Costa and MSC Cruises offer week-long cruises around the likes of the Costa Concordia or to the likes of Marseilles, Genoa, Tunis, Naples, Palma de Mallorca and Palmero. Meanwhile Norwegian Cruise Lines offers a week long trip aboard the Norwegian Jade to the likes of Monte Carlo, Rome, Naples, Florence and Palma.

If you want something a bit longer then Princess Mediterranean Cruises and Royal Caribbean Mediterranean Cruises offer 12 day tours all around the region stopping at the likes of Venice, Monte Carlo, Florence, Rome, Athens and other major Mediterranean ports.

Prices will vary from operator to operator, so it's best to do some research before settling on a particular tour.

3 Tour options for seeing Barcelona

2011-01-11T14:03:00.003Z

Getting around Barcelona is easy to do the hard part is choosing how you wish to do it. While most cities offer multiple bus and walking tours, Barcelona offers not only those but also boat tours!

If you wish to view the city via a boat trip, then tours are available from the Portal de la Pau. The 90 minute tour takes you up through the city's Olympic Port to view the city's waterside sights such as the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and the new Forum building.

The tours are quite cheap at five euros and leave every hour. However be warned, depending on the season, you may not be able to get a Golondrina boat tour as services shut from mid December to early January.

Never fear however for there is always the bus, which is an easy way to see the city. The Barcelona 'Bus Turistic' Tour is very popular as it includes all the city's sights. A day ticket costs nine euros and this covers travel all around the region, including the fares for the Tramv Blau and the Montjuc cable car. If you want to go more further afield, there are always tour options to take visitors to Montserrat and Costa Brava.

Walking around the city is also a fantastic way to see the sights and sounds of Barcelona and walking tours are available from local tourist offices. The tours take people through the sights and sounds of the city's Gothic Quarter, allowing visitors to try the local cuisine and, if you're willing to pay a little extra, take some cooking lessons from the local chefs!

Cold Weather in Barcelona

2010-12-18T19:36:00.005Z

As soon as I mention that I live in Barcelona, everyone seems to visualise sunshine, beaches and eating tapas in the outdoors - or at least a similar type of living. It isn't always warm though and the recent snow storms in the UK and across Europe have certainly also affected us down here.

Apart from several friends and family getting stuck in the UK because of the closure of Gatwick airport today and 2 friends being stuck in Barcelona (poor things) because their flight was cancelled back to the UK, it has also been chilly here.

With temperatures falling to 3 or 4 degrees Celsius, many people have A/C but not proper heating. Sitting outdoors with a coffee in a cafe has also been out of the question, although I have seen a few people determined not to have their routine affected/ They have dressed up in several layers and enjoyed a coffee in the outdoors.

The good news is that there are so many things to do here in Barcelona, regardless of the weather. There are some many wonderful exhibitions in Barcelona throughout the year and you can also choose from some excellent shops, museums and galleries for some indoor activities.

Happy Christmas you all of you and talk to you again in the New Year. Seasons greetings from Barcelona, Spain.

Barcelona’s Carnival: La Merce Festival

2010-11-17T15:36:00.003Z

If you love the outdoors as much as I do, you are sure to love the La Merce Festival, one of the grandest annual street parties in Barcelona. To visit the La Merce festival, all that you will have to do is book your flight tickets to Barcelona at the end of September. This festival, which is celebrated in honor of Barcelona’s patron saint, will be held for five days. The people of Barcelona have been celebrating this festival since 1902 to bid a fond farewell to the warmth of summer and to welcome the cool autumn.

You can expect to see a wide range of activities feature as part of the La Merce Festival, although not all of them are religious in nature. The people of Barcelona celebrate the season with sailing regattas, sporting events, parades, firework shows and plenty of dancing.

The competition of building human towers is one of the most is truly an extraordinary sight and is one of the most thrilling and unique aspects of the show. The participants wear traditional costumes and try to form the largest human tower. If you want to see human towers of more than eight levels, simply head over to Placa St. Juame.

The Spanish not only love dancing and singing, but also encourage tourists and visitors to join in the fun. A wide range of dance and music groups will be milling around the major squares of Barcelona during the La Merce Festival, entertaining people with their performances and even encouraging them to join in the fun. If you are interested in street theatre, visit the Cultura Contemporanea, and if you want to enjoy some circus acts, head over to Moll de la Fusta.

The De La Merce Festival is a time to rest, relax and have fun. You will not have to worry about entertaining the children because the festival includes plenty of activities for their benefit.

If you need Barcelona accommodation for La Merce Festival then staying in an area such as Las Ramblas or Exiample is a good option for attending this festival.

Travel agency offering vacation for teddy bears!

2010-11-08T21:58:00.004Z

Sometime the craziest ideas win and I am very curious if it will be the case of Barcelona Toy Travel agency. This agency offers your cuddly toy one week sightseeing and adventure tour in Barcelona, and you can choose from 3 packages containing various activities, an organized meeting with other traveling cuddly toys on the beach with lunch, trip to amusement park or tasting of Spanish traditional meals!

Some could get the impression of that this is a joke. But then I remembered a scene of the movie “Amelie”, when Amelie’s father received photos of his garden gnome in front of the most famous monument all around the world. The travel of the gnome gave the father the desire to travel as well as the photos of Barcelona Toy Travel give me.

If you are still not satisfied the agency offers additional trips. The lovers of Gaudi´s architecture have the chance to visit masterpieces of world-famous architect Antonio Gaudí and for football fans the agency offers a visit to the largest football stadium in Europe, Camp Nou.”

There is plenty to do in Barcelona and why couldn´t your teddy bear enjoy it as well? When he´ll come back he will bring many beautiful photos, certificate and gift from Barcelona. You will also be able to communicate with him via Facebook. As they say “Everybody deserves vacation“ and there is something true about that.

Step Back in Time in Barcelona

2010-10-21T12:22:00.002+01:00

Like many European cities, Barcelona has its historical centre – in Catalan known as Cuitat Vella – or the Old Town. The myriad of winding streets known as the Gothic Quarter sits atop the ancient Roman city of “Barcino”; a citadel constructed on top of the hill known as Mons Taber. Many of the typical Roman constructions that made up a Citadel remain. The actual Town Hall is located in what would have been the central square of the town of Barcino, and the old city walls can still be seen in many parts around the city.

The now famous promenade of Las Ramblas which dissects the Old Town is the remains of an old dry river bed which acted as a natural border to Barcino. The popular shopping street of Portaferrissa is literally translated as “the Iron Gate” and still has the watering troughs for tired horses approaching the city.

However, there is an even better way to view the Old City of Barcino in all its glory – the City History Museum. Hidden away in the Old Town, you could be forgiven for missing the entrance. Indeed, once inside there is little to impress apart from a few old keystones and plaques. However, step inside the elevator, and you’re literally transported back in time to over 2000 years ago.

Below the busy streets of Barcelona, in an air-conditioned chamber, you can walk the old Roman streets of Barcino, view the ancient laundry buildings where clothes were washed and dyed, old market places with huge urns of oils and wines, marvel at the primitive drains and waterways and witness first hand the constructing methods of their chapels, walls and other places of worship. Photography is not allowed, and there is an eerie silence as you walk around the elevated platforms just above those populated streets of centuries ago. And one of the best things about the City History Museum is that it opens its doors for free on the first Saturday of each month.

Guest post from David Brydon, writer of the popular Barcelona Sights blog - an alternative look at the city including news, reviews and Barcelona accommodation tips.

Another Typical Weekend in Barcelona

2010-10-18T00:49:00.003+01:00

It has been a quite typical weekened in terms of its eventfulness and another social couple of days. Every weekend here in Barcelona though for me brings new experiences and opportunities.

Friday night started off with a visit to Barcelona's latest new English Bar "The Chill Bar" - a bar run by the local surfer Richard Doleman. Although quite a small place it is intimate and thus easy to talk to others.

Saturday was different though with a chance this weekend to sample some Outdoor Karting in Barcelona for a friend's stag weekend here in Spain. If you have never tried indoor or outdoor karting, it is great fun and whether or not you normally drive, karting is fairly easy to do. The organisers have it run such that there is a small tournament and mini cup for the winner and this adds some competitive edge, for those who want to push the limits.

Even when it is not so warm and sometimes overcast, going for a walk on the boardwalk is always worthwhile, as I never get bored of the smell of the sea air. Beats the smell I'd experience on my weekend walks in Milton Keynes! A roast dinner in Dunnes Irish Bar was a great way to end the weekend.

My experience of going to watch FC Barcelona in the Nou Camp

2010-09-07T17:17:00.003+01:00

A few months ago, while on holiday in Barcelona with two of my best friends, I got the opportunity to visit the Nou camp Stadium to watch FC Barcelona (my favourite team) take on Tenerife on the green turf.

We got seats in the tenth lateral among the first two tiers, from which we were able to get a good view of the players and the match. Since this was my first visit to the Nou camp Stadium, I was quite excited and ended up taking several shots of the stadium even before the match could begin. After it did, I was too busy cheering the FC Barcelona team on and only managed to get a few pictures of the match. Although I did not know the team song when the match began, I eventually learned it during the course of the game.

It had rained during the game but no one left, and watching hundreds of people sit in the rain and cheer FC Barcelona was an incredible experience in itself. It gave me an instantaneous insight into the city’s love for football and the patriotism of the people. The game ended 4:1 in favour of Barca and will always be one of my favourite memories of my first trip to Barcelona.

This is a must do activity and if you are in Barcelona, even if you are not an avid football fan, do not fail to get tickets for a FC Barca match in the Nou camp Stadium. If only to experience the electric atmosphere and the fervent support of the team, a trip here will be worth your while. The staff at the Nou camp Stadium is both friendly and efficient and will help you with your queries. Do not forget to take the stadium tour and visit the museum while you are there.

Why I love summertime in Barcelona

2010-08-10T19:18:00.004+01:00

Barcelona is the city of Gaudi and all things Spanish and my favourite time to visit this spectacular city is during the summer. Barcelona comes alive in the summer and despite the heat sees a lot of tourists fly into the city. The city puts up shows, events and concerts and festivals during its summer months and if you happen to be in the region during this season, you are sure to enjoy yourself.

When in Barcelona, do not forget to sample paella made with the seasonal catch and vegetables and try out local tapas and cool Spanish beers to refresh you from the summer heat.

Some interesting things to do in Barcelona include visiting the region’s beautiful beaches which offer a host of water sports and beach activities during the summer. I would recommend a trip to Barceloneta beach in particular which has been recognised to be one of the most popular beaches in the world. You can also opt to visit the Mar Bella and Bogatell beaches which are relatively quieter are far more private.

Other interesting places you may want to visit include the Ramblas Boulevard, which is lined with bars, shops, cafes, restaurants and cinemas, the Gothic Quarter, Montjuic Park, the Port Olympic area and Park Guell. You can also opt to take a Golondrinas pleasure boat cruise around the harbour area or go in a Catamaran.

Most tourists to Barcelona will enjoy sightseeing around the promenades and the squares. The city has several restaurants and cafes that allow patrons to sit on their terraces or at street side tables and enjoy their tapas in the evening breeze.

If you are looking for events that you can attend, the Festa Major de Gràcia and the Festes de La Mercè are good events that take place in August and September respectively. Also for short term rentals in Barcelona a company such as Holiday-Velvet.com specialise in Barcelona.

5 Best Summer Events in Barcelona, Spain

2010-06-15T12:29:00.003+01:00

Barcelona is reputed to be one of the most popular destinations in Europe during the summer. The city has many attractions and events that can be enjoyed by visitors should they be in Barcelona during this season. A look below at 5 of the best summer events in Barcelona that tourists to Barcelona can attend.

1. Primavera Sound Festival – This is the biggest music festival in Barcelona and takes place in the beginning of summer, towards the end of May, at the Parc del Forum. The festival features performances from some of the biggest rock and pop stars from around the world and visitors are sure to enjoy this great musical concert in Barcelona.

2. SONAR: International Festival of Advanced Music and Multimedia – The Sonar festival sees some of the most innovative artists and film makers from around the world displaying their talents. The event is well attended and features several stalls and food counters, creating a complete carnival like atmosphere at the festival. (More about SONAR).

3. Feast of John the Baptist – In the middle of summer, the skies of Barcelona are lit up with fireworks to celebrate the annual feast of St. John the Baptist. This festival focuses on the theme of fire, featuring a number fireworks displays and a magnificent bonfire.

4. Barcelona Summer Festival – Also known as the Grec Festival, this is one of the biggest summer events in Barcelona. This festival celebrates various art forms and takes place at the height of summer.

5. Barcelona Guitar Festival – The Barcelona Guitar Festival takes place every year during the summer months and features some of the best guitar acts from around the world. The festival is hosted at various concert halls and bars across the city, giving both the locals and tourists a chance to attend these live music events in Barcelona.

Barcelona for Free

2010-05-20T16:32:00.005+01:00

A lot of people are still travelling to Barcelona and further afield but many people are being more money conscious with the economic situation as it has been recently. Below a look at some ideas for saving money when visiting Barcelona. What can you do for free?

Free entertainment in Barcelona - If you spend time slowly walking down Las Ramblas (the main tourist street near to the marina) you will see a number of very good street entertainers. Human statues, ball jugglers and comedy a few things you can expect to see and for free (unless you like something so much you want to give a tip).

Barceloneta and other beaches - It does not costs a penny to lie on one of the many excellent beaches on the Barcelona coast. There are miles of beaches and plenty of space and the weather in spring or summer is most often ideal for sun-bathing.

Travel Guides and ideas - There are a number of free guides and a printable pop up Barcelona map available online. Also, although not free, buying one of the main travel books such as the Lonely Planet guide can save you far more money than the book costs, given the tips you will find in the book.

Menu of the Day (Menu Del Dia) - Not free but a wonderful way to save significant costs on food is to always go for the 'Menu of the Day' when eating out in Barcelona. This can literally half the cost and the food is often very good.

Volcanic Ash update: Barcelona Airport to North Ireland coach space

2010-04-21T15:41:00.004+01:00

Space is available from:
Barcelona Airport tonight if anyone needs to get to Northern Ireland by coach.

You can contact richmondcoaches.com on Telephone: 0044 7702 820077 (24hr contact).

Have transport to help stranded people in Barcelona. Send us details.

Barcelona Weather and lifestyle

2010-04-12T12:16:00.003+01:00

It seems like only yesterday when it was snowing here in Barcelona and life was quit chaotic. People here are just not used to snow and it this fact was clear as people struggled to get around and were just not sure how to make the most of a snowy beach and frozen coffee if one were to sit outside in an outdoor cafe (I did see a few people still doing this).

It was the people who had come to Barcelona in March from countries such as the UK, Germany and Italy who were expecting warm weather and a beach style few days. Only to find the snow. In the UK in fact on those same few days it was sunny and quite pleasant.

Right now the good true Barcelona weather has returned and everything is back to normal. People are out on Las Ramblas, walking and enjoying the street entertainers and hundreds are walking down the boardwalk and sat in the cafes and seafood restaurants.

If you want to have the very best chance of good weather in Barcelona your best bet is to come here in June, July or August. February and March are the winter months and it is always a gamble.

Barcelona Snow and what to do in the cold

2010-03-09T14:32:00.002Z

It it ironic that several thousand tourist have been in Barcelona, Spain the last few days, in search of the beach life and long sunny days. Yet what they have been faced with is having to trundle through the snow and cold winter temperatures and lots of snow.

The main streets, the tourist attractions and even the sand on the beach have been covered in snow the last few days and winter sports have been more suitable than summer activities. Sledging and ice skating have been pastimes a few people have been trying out and it has been quite an experience for those of us who have lived in Barcelona for many years and who were born here.

What to do in snow in Barcelona - well the great thing always about Barcelona is that there is simply so much always to do and see and many of these things are also indoors. There are many museums and art galleries in Barcelona and these include the Contemporary Art Culture Centre and the many Gaudi locations.

I actually like the idea of an outdoor Barcelona and sat out in the snow 9although well dressed up with many layers on). How often do you get to get a photo and people watch in this type of scenario in this city? For the locals it has been an experience. For tourists a pain but I am sure everyone has had some fun with the snow here.

Buying foreign newspapers in Barcelona

2010-02-06T18:37:00.004Z

Many tourist enjoy reading their own national newspapers whilst on holiday or vacation whilst sat in a cafe and thus the question is often - Where can I buy a German, French, English or American newspaper?

Las Ramblas - The newspaper and magazines kiosks in Las Ramblas is the best bet, with this street the central hub for tourist activity; an area which is near to the marina, beach and served by several metro stops. You normally have a choice of 3 or 4 of the UK newspapers and a few other national dailies.

Outside Metro stations - Metro stations such as the one at Sagrada Familia on one of the exits has a kiosk with a vendor selling a few of the international papers. The selection is not as good as on Las Ramblas but it can be more convenient for some people.

Newspaper Tobacconists shops - there are several shops in the city of Barcelona which also sell international newspapers. You kind of need where to find these shops because a lot of shops only sell the local papers. If you want to be sure of getting a paper then heading down to Las Ramblas is your best bet.

Barcelona Half Marathon

2010-01-27T22:04:00.002Z

I've been hard in training in the last few weeks and with 3 weeks to go until Barcelona Half Marathon, I am almost ready for the event itself. This is my first half marathon so I have made sure to take the training seriously to be sure. I am looking forward to running but to be honest I think I'll be happy now to get it done with . Practising daily has cut into my Tapas time.

If you are interested yourself also to take part, the official Barcelona Half Marathon website is the best place to go to for signing up information. The cost is very cheap at Euros 15 and with the temperatures still mild on the day of the marathon, 14th February, you'll hopefully not get too hot (at least compared to if it were in the Barcelona summer months).

I saw the marathon last year, but as a person watching. The atmosphere seems great and the route will take you around some of the best landmarks in Barcelona. If you are not from this city then its almost like a city tour. Could be worse. See you ate the finishing line!

Holiday apartments in Sagrada Familia

2009-12-10T10:58:00.004Z

Quite a few questions come up from time to time and many are often about accommodation i.e. vacation rentals and holiday apartment rentals in Barcelona. Las Ramblas is often asked about, as are Exiample and Sagrada Familia. Taking a look this time at Sagrada Familia, an area I have lived in for a few years in the past, some thoughts about this area.

Location - Sagrada Familia is a very central area and perfectly positioned. It is a short bus ride or subway ride to the marina and beach area i.e. a little further away than Las Ramblas, but it is also a bit quieter but still very lively. One of the main attractions the La Sagrada Familia church is also on yoru doorstep if you stay here.

Accommodation types - One of the most popular forms of accommodation in this area is holiday apartments. Apartments can be quite noisy in Barcelona, as apartments (flats0 tend to be. For a holiday though these accommodation types are great in that you tend to have a cafe and shops almost downstairs or on the same street.

Nightlife - If you are staying in this area, there are a few bars and a decent Irish pub also and several very good restaurants. For nightclubs and a wilder scene the younger ones head down to areas such as Las Ramblas and Barri Gotic. This is though as benefit to staying in Sagrada Familia in that it is more relaxed at night and despite being close to everything, you do not have the problems that the night clubs areas can have i.e. with the rowdiness.

Best of Barcelona on the cheap

2009-11-03T23:18:00.004Z

So what if you want to visit the best restaurant, the best shop, see the best entertainment and drink in the best pub in Barcelona and all in the same day and on the cheap. Choosing the best of Barcelona is all relative and depends for sure on ones own opinion. Below my best attempt though at the best of for a day in Barcelona on the cheap.

1. Best Shop - El Corte Ingles is one of the biggest stores if not the biggest in Spain and it has everything you could expect to find. On the cheap though? You do not have to buy anything and to be honest, just walking around the store is an experience, such is the size. It is also close to Las Ramblas which takes us onto entertainment.

2. Best cheap entertainment - Las Ramblas is in fact free for entertainment, with a large number of street entertainers lining the street on a daily basis. Watch out for example for the ball juggling Ronaldinho look alike.

3. The Michael Collins Irish pub - Perhaps not the cheapest place for a drink but after the money you have saved from window shopping and the free entertainment, head to the Sagrada Familia area via the subway and grab yourself a pint of well earned Guinness.

4. Excellent food on the cheap - Maybe the most expensive part of the day, but very cheap for the value, head to the restaurant Madrid Barcelona - an excellent Catalan restaurant on Carrer d'Aragó 282.

Barcelona Metro System

2009-10-20T17:20:00.004+01:00

Getting around Barcelona is quite easy with a very good local transportation system in place in the city. Plenty of yellow and black taxis roam the city, the buses cover most of the city and the Metro System (underground in London and called a subway system in some places) is arguably one of the best in the world.

If you are planning only to spend a few days or let us say no more than a week in Barcelona, then I really would recommend just using the subway as the main form of transport. The tourist bus is excellent in that you can hop on and hop off and it tours the main attractions so that is a definite alternative. Apart from the hop on, hop off bus though (which is expensive if you used it every day), the metros is by the easiest way to get around.

Advantages - The Barcelona metro is just so cheap! One trick is to make it even cheaper by buying a 10 trip pass. When you by a ticket from the ticket machine in the station, choose the 10 ticket pass. The menu is always also in English if you choose that option and the ticket easy to buy for 10 trips. The metro system here is also very clean, spacious and trains very regular. So regular that it will be a pleasant surprise for those of you used to the London Underground!

Barcelona Dance classes for women

2009-09-16T23:08:00.004+01:00

Barcelona is a vibrant city that offers classes and entertainment of every kind. There is a variety of courses and classes which involve dance for locals and for tourists and some new additions include Belly dancing and pole dancing.

Belly Dance in Barcelona - In Barcelona you can find many belly dance courses. Every gym and every cultural centre in this Mediterranean city, nowadays has its own belly dance course. Some belly dance teachers in Barcelona include Aida, Cecile and Munique Neith, who runs a bellydance academy in the centre of the city and organises a yearly international belly dance festival. The 3rd edition of the belly dance festival in Barcelona took place this year in February and featured famous Egyptian dance teachers, such as Raqia Hassan and Dr. Mo Goddawi.

In addition to Egyptian belly dance being so famous in Barcelona, you can also find courses on zambra mora, or flamenco belly dance fusion. This style was born in Spain but is now taught all over the world and it sums up together the passion of Spain with the freedom of belly dance.

Pole Dancing classes - This is aimed at hen party groups and thus tends to take place over the course of a few hours and as a one off event. This is an event which has been popular here in Barcelona of late and seems to get people laughing. Several companies seem to offer this event now such as Barcelona Events.

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

2009-09-01T23:04:00.005+01:00

Those of you who already know a lot about Gaudi will most liekly already have heard about the area of Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. As one of the nicest areas in Barcelona, the name Sagrada Familia is interchangeably used with the church of this name.

Over 100 years in development already, it is expected to need at least another 100 years to complete. Everyone working on it right now in other words, will never ever get to see it finished.

The building itself is one which you will very see when shown images of Barcelona in newspaper, magazine and TV articles. The shape and design is distinctive in true Gaudi style. You can learn more direct from the official La Sagrada Familia site online.

The area of Sagrada Familia though is not just the church. There is a lot more including:

An area with several bars and restaurants.
Some good places for live music including the Michael Collins Irish pub.
A great place for holiday and vacation accommodation (as this is a relatively safe, quiet but pleasant area).

Great Catalan food in Barcelona on the cheap

2009-08-18T15:13:00.004+01:00

There are so many places to eat in Barcelona but finding a good place which serves Catalan and which serves food at a price which most people can also afford, is not always easy.

My wife and I though got lucky on the weekend and we can highly recommend the interestingly named 'Madrid, Barcelona' restaurant, located on Arago 282 Barcelona. The location is east to get to. You can walk there within 15 minutes from the top of Las Ramblas and the Paseo de Gracia subway station is within 5 minutes walk.

The thing we liked about Madrid Barcelona was:

Very high quality yet simple food
Menus in different languages
Great service
Not a pretentious restaurant but still great quality
Affordable. We paid approx 30 Euros each including drinks, 3 courses and wine.

I do not work for the restaurant and have no friends working there in case you are wondering. Both my wife and I loved the place so much I felt I had to share news about it. I just hope that it does not get too busy as I do not want to be queuing to get in next time!

Super Cup 2009 tickets: Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk

2009-07-06T20:57:00.003+01:00

Just a quick blog to let you know that further news is now available regards the Super Cup 2009 game between Barcelona and Shakhtar Donetsk.

The game this year takes place in the principality of Monaco at the Stade Louis II stadium.

To get tickets: You must visit http://www.uefa.com/ and fill out a request and then in 2 or 3 weeks time tickets will be allocated.

Local Transportation - GoCars

2009-06-21T19:22:00.003+01:00

I am not sure if you have been walking around Barcelona and noticed a strange bright yellow organge contracption with 4 wheels and with guided tour audio playing? What it is a GoCar.

GoCars are an American franchise and the tourist cars are presently in a few U.S. cities such as San Fransisco and Miami now Damien Harris who lives in Spain has got the Spanish franchise and the cars now roam around Barcelona.

My thoughts:
They are an interesting idea and certainly an alternative to the tourist bus and walking.

Pros:
- Make it fast to get around the city.

- The audio tour is very good.

- Affordable.

Cons:

- Not good for the shy as everyone looks at you.

- Slight concerns over driving one of these in the Barcelona traffic. You need to be brave!

You can book online via their site at gocartours.es

Barcelona Internet Marketing training

2009-04-20T16:01:00.004+01:00

A number of enquiries have been coming to us via our SEO and Internet Marketing arm and requests come in for:

Barcelona Internet marketing training.
Barcelona Online marketing and SEO training.
Adwords training and management.

The good news is that ProMarketingOnline.com and barcelona-seo.com are teaming up and holding a number of workshops in Barcelona, Spain and Bristol, England for the start of 2010. You can email paul@promarketingonline.com if you wish to state your interest.

If you are a company with more than 6 people you wish to be trained we can also help you. Additionally we do offer 1-to-1 training in Barcelona and in parts of the UK.

Barcelona v Chelsea tickets - Champions League semi-final

2009-04-16T00:56:00.002+01:00

Wow - several of you have already contacted me about how to get tickets for the Barcelona v Chelsea champions league semi-final game to take place in a few weeks time. Tickets information has not yet been released but will be very soon.

The people I always buy from and who offer standard prices and are affiliated as official sellers for FC Barcelona are www.barcelonafootballtickets.com - they also deliver tickets to your hotel as needed, I believe.

So it looks like another all English final with Man. Utd v Arsenal in the other semi final. Can Barcelona stop Chelsea? Should be a good game.

Las Ramblas and should you stay there?

2009-03-17T14:06:00.008Z

I get asked often if Las Ramblas is a good place for staying at i.e. if it is a good place to book a hotel or holiday apartment. There is often confusion if an area such as Eixample, Las Ramblas or Montjuic for example are the best places or not, to stay.

So looking this time at Las Ramblas. There are pros and cons to staying in this area and hanging out there and staying there are different.

Las Ramblas is very close to the beach (10 minutes walk) and right beside the marina and it is overall a very good location. You will experience tourist prices in the bars and restaurants and tourist style service (in good and bad ways) and this area is always very crowded and lively.

There are always lots of street entertainers at different points down through Las Ramblas and this makes it an interesting area.

In terms of staying on Las Ramblas:
The benefits:

Central to everything. Great location.
Lots of bars and restaurants in the area
Close to the Metro
Lively area

Disadvantages:

Very crowded and noisy area
Tourist prices and service in the bars and restaurants
Can be more expensive than some other Barcelona areas

A number of companies offer Las Ramblas hotel accommodation and this overall is a great location to stay.

Barcelona Hen and Stag Weekends

2009-01-18T12:54:00.003Z

Spring is already in the air here in Barcelona and the stag and hen weekends tim eof year is almost upon us. It's actually quite good for local business and the parties who do come over seem to leave having had a great time.

There are a number of companies who deal with Barcelona Hen nights and weekends and Stag weekends although Barcelona Adventure are one I know and can recommend.

It is a great city for Stag and Hen weekends because of the combination of whether, facilities, trasnportation, accommodation and activities. Some of my favourite activities I have been involved with when attending Stag weekends include:

Christmas Shopping in Barcelona

2008-11-25T19:09:00.004Z

With the festive season fast approaching, and everyone eager to have a great Christmas to forget about the credit crunch, it's time to go shopping! Shopping in Barcelona is one of the best things to do to apart from visiting many of the cultural and heritage sites the Catalan Capital has to offer. The old town (Casc Antiguo) has a myriad of shopping malls and small winding alleyways filled with shops and there are certainly some bargains to be had if you know the right places.

Leather is very cheap in Spain as a whole, and Barcelona is no exception, so let’s start with one for the ladies. Carrer Pelai, just off the top off Las Ramblas and stretching to the Plaça Universitat is a great place for shoe shopping! This street, along with the nearby Portal del Angel is the best place to pick up your footwear, and don't be just expecting Winter Boots - Barcelona's mild climate means that there is always a selection of great footwear at attractive prices.

The Spanish giant Zara also has two downtown outlet stores, where many a bargain can be grabbed - the store's name is Lefties, head down to Maremagnum over the bridge at the bottom of Las Ramblas for the main store, where you'll also find stylish designer shops such as Desigual, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear alongside the classics such as H & M, and there's even a Haagen Daas ice cream cafe to top up those energy levels!

Barcelona's markets also have a lot to offer, and the Christmas market in front of the Cathedral is a must-see, with traditional Nativity ornaments, Catalan festive ornaments and wonderful sweets and delicacies on offer. On the opposite side of town, just a 10 minute stroll the Rambla del Raval hosts a market complied exclusively of local Barcelona fashion designers - the next Custo or Agatha Ruiz de la Prada is right here guys. Finally no trip to Barcelona is complete without a stroll down Paseig de Gracia with its exclusive boutiques, big name fashion brands and fantastic jewellery stores. Take a cafe in front of one of Gaudi's masterpieces (Casa Battlo or La Pedrera are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites), and dream of the big bucks you would spend when you win the Spanish Christmas lottery!

Many Christmas shoppers take advantage of the cheap flights flying into Barcelona, Reus and Girona airport daily and also find some great deals on Apartments for Rent in Barcelona, too. Why not check it out this time of year - you might be surprised.

Staying in Barcelona

2008-10-15T22:18:00.004+01:00

There are a number of options for staying in Barcelona and I've bought this subject up before but many of you re still emailing so a few thoughts below.

I personally often prefer to Barcelona apartments rentals because this means I can take advantage of self-catering facilities and also relax like I am at home, with a fride, TV and lots of space.

For hotels I have normally found Expedia to almost always offer the most competitive rates. They sometimes have expedia specials and if you want a flight also, their flight+hotel combos work out pretty good normally. You can use http://www.expedia.co.uk/ or http://www.expedia.com/ according to where you are based.

New season about to start - barcelona sports

2008-08-07T11:14:00.002+01:00

The new La Liga Season is about to get underway and Barcelona have got rid of a lot of the so called big stars that were a core part of the team in previous seasons. Ronaldinho, Messi and Eto'o are look like they'll be playing for other team other than Barcelona for the 2008-2009 season.

In case you are planning to visit Barcelona for the coming season, a few sites which might be very useful for you are:

Buy Barcelona Football Tickets - with tickets now on sale for all Barcelona games.
Barcelona sports information - details on a variety of sports throughout Barcelona.
Barcelona apartments - Accommodation for your sporting trips to Barcelona.

With the Olympics, football season and World Cup qualifiers are coming up soon, bring on the sport!

Barcelona Imports and Exports

2008-05-15T18:43:00.004+01:00

Many of you in Barcelona who are ex-pats and have started a business often ask me about information concerning how to import and export items to and from Barcelona, Spain.

I have added a Barcelona imports and exports page onto Barcelona-Culture to try and start answering some of the questions. There is probably a lot more information I could do with adding so please feel free to email me with what you know so I can improve the info and maybe also add in an FAQ section. Looking for a freight company to Barcelona, Spain?

Barcelona News: The water problem continues with the well only 1/8th full, despite lots of rain this week. This week they started shipping in water on huge cargo ships and this should help to avoid the possibility of water rationing. I'll keep you posted.

Getting set up with a mobile phone in Barcelona

2008-03-27T11:48:00.005Z

When I moved to Barcelona one of the first things I, and probably you, will need to do is get set up with a mobile phone. There are a few options and some more complex than others. To get an apartment and get set-up you need a mobile phone so that you can talk to property agents etc and to get the phone you often need to have a residence etc. Getting a Pay-as-you go is easier enough but getting an account for better rates is harder.

Brightco.com is probably the best I found in Barcelona because they were English speaking and allow mobiles without the need for any paperwork etc. As long as you leave a deposit, you can start a mobile phone contract account. You can find their site at www.thebrightco.com.

Do you have any better option for getting set up with a mobile phone account in Barcelona. Let us know with your comments!

SONAR Music Festival 2008 (Barcelona)

2008-01-17T14:00:00.000Z

Tickets are now on sale for the 2008 SONAR International Music Festival so do not leave it too late. This music festival which is relatively close to Barcelona, is one of Europe's biggest annual music festivals.

This year the festival takes place in June 2008 and tickets prices for SONAR wil lbe from twenty Euros through to just over one hundred Euros. You can find out the full SONAR line up from the official website http://www.sonar.es and tickets can be bought via http://www.ticktackticket.com

For more information on Barcelona Events click here.

Barcelona International Jazz Festival

2007-11-07T16:14:00.000Z

I am not sure if you already knew but in case you didn't know, Barcelona International Jazz Festival 2007 is presently taking place, and will be on until the 1st December. Already there have been some excellent live jazz performances at Palau de la Música, in Barcelona.

The Barcelona International Jazz Festival is an annual event which continues to be very popular and this season some quality performers are lined up. These include:

Sonny Rollins
Chick Corea
Harry Connick Jr
and Eric Harland.

Tickets for performances are available from https://www.telentrada.com/. For information on budget flights to Barcelona you can also check Barcelona-Culture.com. You can also book Barcelona football match tickets online if you need to for your trip.

Barcelona accommodation in Spain

2007-10-09T18:16:00.005+01:00

Finding somewhere to stay in Barcelona can be one of the challenges when planning a trip to Barcelona. Whenever I go to Barcelona I actually always prefer to rent a short-term rental apartment rather than pay for a hotel room.

The best I have found so far that I would recommend in accommodation in Barcelona specialists. They also have information on cities including for Rome accommodation and Paris.

Where to stay in Barcelona. The best areas in my view are:

Las Ramblas (although can be noisy).
Montjuic
Exiample

La Liga 2007-2008

2007-09-09T23:42:00.000+01:00

The Spanish football series La Liga is now underway again and it looks like the battle this season will once again be between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Real Madrid have started very well and some clever signings and a continued sense of purpose has left Real Madrid with two wins out of sit and a nice position at the top of La Liga. Barcelona on the other hand stumbled with a nil nil draw in the first game but they picked up pace with a convincing home win in their second La Liga game. Thiery Henry has already shown his worth and in time, the arrival of Henry is bound to have a positive affect on the Catalan side.

Learn more about football in Barcelona and why not even consider attending a Barcelona football game?

La Rambla, Barcelona - Tourist Mecca

2007-07-02T19:53:00.000+01:00

Some people love La Rambla in Barcelona, others despise it. La Rambla is a wide street full of tourists and occasionly of a loan local guy protesting the influx of tourist onto this street (seemingly wanting La Rambla rid of tourists, although I presume not the loss of the tourist dollar or pound :)

La Rambla is perfectly located for many tourists, with its location so close to the beach and harbour and in a city without any real defined centre as such, La Rambla for many, acts as an unoffical centre for many people.

Personally I like La Rambla a lot and I dislike it a lot. On a positive, the street is great for watching and enjoying street entertainers and entertianment, and it is lively and vibrant and an easy walk to the beach. If in the city for a few days, this is the perfecy place to stay for getting around.

On the negative side, the service is terrible in many restaurants on La Rambla, with many horror stories from friends, the street often is also too busy and things often over-priced. Overall I like La Rmabla though and a stroll down La Rambla on a Sunday afternoon and down to the harbour is great!
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The Barcelona F1 Grand Prix

2007-06-04T23:36:00.000+01:00

If you ever visit Barcelona then I would well recommend trying to plan your visit to coincide with the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix in Barcelona. Appreciating the sheer speed and noise of a F1 car annot be appreciated until you have attended a grand prix.

The beauty of the Barcelona F1 is that the circuit is relatively easy to access and the prices cheaper than some of the other grand prix's.

You can read more information here on the Barcelona F1 is you are planning for 2008. In the meantime, check out the photo we took at the race.
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Barcelona Weather

2007-05-03T16:28:00.000+01:00

One of the great things about living in Barcelona and also the rest of Spain, and something which attracts so many British immigrants, is the Spanish and Barcelona weather. It can get a little chilly in the winter months i.e. November through to March in Barcelona, but generally the temperature does not go below five celcius.

The months of March, April and May 2007 though, so far have been unseasonably rainy and cool. The expected good weather in Barcelona these last few months has not materialised. In comparison, Northern Europe has seen better temperatures and far more sunshine.

The bad weather has happened to coincide with the arrival of many friends. Some of the family from Sicily experiences 7 days of cold and rain. Some other friends came over from England for 6 days of sunshine, with plans to spend the week on the beach. As you can see from the photo, it was overcast everyday and they were the only ones barve enough still to go in the water. The good news is that there is stil plenty to see and do in Barcelona in bad weather, including all of the Gaudi designed buildings.
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La Rambla, Barcelona (17th Apr 07)

2007-04-17T21:39:00.001+01:00

La Rambla is bound to be a name you have heard of and a place you would have visited in Barcelona, if you been here. Some people love La Rambla in Barcelona, others dislike it. La Rambla is the main tourist street in Barcelona and it runs down near to the marina. The equivalent in a place such as Thailand is Kaosan Road, or in NYC, Broadway.

Personally I love La Rambla. You will be charged tourist rates if you eat there and the service is often poor, but it is an energetic place with lots going on. My personal favourites are the human statues which adjorn the street (see photo on left).

It is a place of comfort in many ways in that you can speak in Italian or English or get a newspaper you are familiar with. You also get locals who protest against the influx of tourist on La Rambla and a group now exist for this purpose, despite the tourism income which results in the visitor numbers.

One excellent place to visit on La rambla is the food market which is half way down La Rambla and on your right (if you are walking towards the marina). Be sure to take a lok at the fish section and also stop to see the amazing way in which fresh fruit is stacked vertically.

Need apartments for rent in Barcelona including Las Ramblas and for

Sagrada Familia in Barcelona (13th March 07)

2007-03-13T12:16:00.000Z

For me personally, one of the most interesting atractions in Barcelona, and a place I would highly recommend visiting is the Sagrada Familia. I am not one for churches and I wasn´t particularly looking to visit any Gaudi designed attractions, but after visiting the Sagrada Familia I was left impressed.

What you can is go up to the very top of the towers of the church and the view of the city of Barcelona is excellent. You can also choose if you wish to buy a ticket which combines the Sagrada Familia and the Gaudi's Guell Park. Both are excellent and both can easily be visited in the same day so I´d personally buy the combines ticket. The Barcelona tourist bus stops at the Sagrada Familia so if you are using a day ticket on the bus, you can jump off here on the way.

The Sagrada Familia is also interesting in that it has already taken over 100 years to build and is expected to take another 100 years to build. If you need information about flights to Barcelona say no more!
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Carival in Sitges, near Barcelona (2rd Feb.07)

2007-02-23T12:34:00.000Z

Carnival is a very popular festival in many countries including Italy and Spain, and it is a time for wild celebrations and street parades. In Barcelona, Carnival used to be very popular but many residents complained about the noise and now the main place for the celebrations is Sitges, just outside of Barcelona.

Sitges is now said to be the most expensive place to live in Spain and it is not hard to see why when you visit this seaside town (which doubles up as the gay capital of Spain in the summertime).

If you are ever in Barcelona during february then it is worth making the effort to get down to Sitges for this week long Carnival celebration.
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Organisation and disorganisation in Barcelona

2007-01-01T13:25:00.000Z

Barcelona can really be a mix of the good organisation and poor organisation and a good example happened last week. We have just taken a trip to NYC in America and landed back in Barcelona airport and after collecting our bags we headed out to the front of the airport to catch the bus which goes to the centre.

It was utter chaos. There there was no queue for the bus and when the bus arrived it soon became clear also that the driver had no change to give to the pasengers; passengers who had just flown in from other countries and who were unlikely to have the correct change for the bus tickets. The bus driver was clearly angry with the passengers for not having exact change and he thus got involved in arguements with several passengers . The end result was that the bus driver drove off with the bus half empty because he was angry, with about 30 people stood remaining at the bus stop.

But then the great organsation and the Barcelona subway system. Barcelona has one of the best subway systems in the world 2nd only perhaps to the Subway system inSeoul, Korea. The trains are very frequent, the system is very clean and trains quite spacious. The terrible bus journey yet an excellent subway system and experience. A city of contrasts.

Barcelona airport is not good - ie toilets, lack of useful shops, childs area which takes up so much space, seats faces inward

Getting by in Barcelona without speaking Spanish or Catalan

2006-12-11T19:16:00.000Z

The situation this morning was strange because the buzzer near the front door of our apartment sounded, so I answered it with a "hola". I heard the guy say something similar to "Quiero butano" and because I do understand a few words of Italian, to me it meant "I want a male whore". I guessed at this meaning because I know that quiero in Spanish means I want. And in Italian butana means female whore (in slang). It turns out that butano are the gas cyclinders and he was collecting gas cylinders - and not male whores.

When you first move to Barcelona and do not speak Spanish or Catalan, it is not always easy getting by. You always find a way to communicate and you will always get by, but it is still a bit awkward when you order a coffee in a coffee shop, with the few words of Spanish you do have, and then you get asked a question and you have no idea at all what was asked. All you can do is stare and hope the person asking does not proceed any further.

The stubborn old lady next door to me just doesn't accept that I do not yet speak Spanish or Catalan and she continues trying to converse. This will perhaps be very useful once I build up my vocabularly but so far, these 15 minute conversations have resulted in nothing at all. The conversation ends with zero learnt

It is of course a priority of mine to learn to speak Spanish and I will start lessons in January. Catalans are very sensitive to their own language and in time I will try and learn some Catalan also. It makes much more sense for a foreigner to learn Spanish first though because is is easier to be understand by other foreigners and in other parts of Spain.

Dress sense in Barcelona

2006-12-10T23:15:00.000Z

One of the first things I noticed in Barcelona is how people dress because people seem to dress down in Barcelona, very much the opposite to in Madrid. It isn´t that people are necessasily any more affluent in Madrid but just that there is a more relaxed attitude in Barcelona and that people do not seem to be out to impress. It is almost as though people in Barcelona are dressed ready to go down to the beach at any given moment. The dress style seems to me that it reflects the coastal natue of Barcelona and I prefer it.

I like the lifestyle where you do not have to dress to impress and as a man, suffocate with a tie stuck aroudn my neck. I always wonder in fact, who invented the tie and why? Why did someone decide that men would have to put a piece of material around their neck, a piece of material that in summertime stops you from breathing so well. Anyway for clothing you can buy many of the top brands and many European styles in Barcelona. Not everyone wears then though so if clothing in your thing you might be better off in Madrid, Paris, Milan or London.

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Barcelona: Finding an apartment and electricity (17th Nov. 06)

2006-11-17T12:59:00.000Z

Arriving in Barcelona: Finding an apartment in Barcelona is harder that what it is, in some other countries. You have to view a lot of apartments (i.e. sometimes up to 30) before you will find something which is suitable, because there are a lot of highly unsuitable places, in addition to the good ones. The apartments are also all listed according to size in square metres, something which you will soon understand after a few viewings. Once you have found an apartment then you just need the right paperwork, i.e. work contract and ID etc. Not so difficult as long as one of you speaks Spanish, which my wife does luckily.

Finding an apartment turned out not to be too hard for us in the end, BUT, getting the electricity connected was. The Spanish electricity company took a week to turn the juice on and thus we had to stay with friends for an extra week until this was sorted out. Some things happen slowly in Spain and there is little you can do about it. Overall though, things here happen very quickly and efficiently. This is in contrast to what we were told about Spain so perhaps it is because we are in Barcelona, which is more cosmopolitan than the rest of Spain.
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Getting set up in Barcelona (23rd Nov. 06)

2006-11-10T16:01:00.000Z

It can be difficult when you first arrive in Barcelona and you need to set up certain things in order to rent an apartment. Having a wife who speaks Spanish and having friends who helped us navigate the paper trial though, has saved us what must be, for some foreigners moving to Barcelona, frustating times.

It is great to have moved to Barcelona and even in November, the days are hot and sunny but sorting out how to get a DNI ID number though was confusing and you can literally go in circles. You need a work contract (written in Spanish or Catalan) or a form from the city hall. To get the city hall form you need to have a signed rental contract. To get a rental contract you need a work contract and so on. Alas, once you know the system and have the forms you need, things are actually quite easy.

We have found that things in Barcelona are actually very well organised. The transportation system is excellent and very simple to understand, a bank account is very very simple to open (you only need a passport) and Telefonica set up telephone and Internet within 2 or 3 days normally. Things actually happen very fast here, contrary to other parts of Spain.
For more information about Barcelona

Good websites about Barcelona (17th Oct.06)

2006-10-17T19:36:00.000+01:00

I have been surfing the Internet trying to find information out about Barcelona before we head there in 2 weeks time, and I thought I would share the information. There were sites that I found particularly useful about Barcelona.

The first site is Loqua and this s a site I am sure youhave already come across, if you yiurself have been doing research on barcelona. This site covers many section including jobs, housing, community and vehicles. Visit there site at http://www.loquo.com/english

For searching for property and real estate to buy in Barcelona, http://www.kyero.com/ is the best one I have found. The site is excellent, with many Barcelona properties of all types, and with photos etc included.

For general information, especially information on budget flights to barcelona and also books about Barcelona, Barcelona-culture.com is very good. The site is still being developed. there is nevertheless, some good info on the site.

Barcelona - we are on our way! (11th Sep. 06)

2006-09-11T16:15:00.000+01:00

Living in England certainly could be worse! Millions of people are attempting to emigrate to the UK, with a huge shift of Eastern Europeans in particular, moving into all parts of the UK, now that the doors to the UK are fully open for EU member states. The shift of people has occurred through history, but is happening at a faster rate now. Similarly, British people are leaving in record numbers; leaving for destinations such as Portugal, Spain, France and Cyprus.

Well, my wife and I are looking to add +2 to the number of people leaving for Spain (although to be honest, my wife herself is not English anyway - she is Italian (if Sicilians count as Italian, because many Sicilians prefer to consider themselves as Sicilian first :)

There is certainly a huge amount to like about living in England. People lead very free life's and there are so many opportunities for all, in England. Whatever you want to study there is always a course; the economy is great (at the time of writing in 2006 it is anyway); it is a multi-cultural country these days (which makes things more interesting) and you can get foods from around the world in English supermarkets these days. Valeria and I eat almost the same as what we would in Sicily, easily being able to buy Italian extra virgin oil, Parmesan cheese, Italian made pasta and Italian wines, in our local supermarket. The downside quite simply is the weather (although global warming seems to be changing that) and also the fact that people seem to work so many hours and so hard in England these days.

So why move to Barcelona where jobs are much harder to find, where there is a language barrier to overcome etc? Well, we are looking for a better quality and pace of life, fresh foods (i.e. fresh fish and good whether. Will we find what we are looking for? Follow this blog diary and you'll find out :)

At the moment it is not easy because the actual part of getting to Barcelona from England,with all of out belongings is a pain. It's also difficult to give notice in your job. To say you are leaving after a year is strange. But it has to be done! Well, the countdown to Barcelona begins. 6 weeks to go. I wonder what we will be saying in a years time?