This is the last part of my travel posts. Yes, I know I still have to write about the food. But wanted to get this series over with before I get into the food post. Barcelona was the last and best part of our vacation. We spent five nights in this charming, lively city- a place where I could actually imagine settling down at.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia province, which has its own language. They sell T-shirts here that declares- “You’re not in Spain, You’re in Catalunya!” The city is truly unique with its wildly imaginative architecture of Gaudi, but it also has the history, culture and spectacular coastlines that you would expect from Spain.
The Stay
Before I show you the spectacular sights of Barcelona, let me cover the part that might be most useful to those who are planning a visit- the accommodation. When we visited Paris a few years ago, we loved the food, but after four days of eating out, we were craving for some spicy homemade food. Keeping that in mind, we booked a condo with a kitchen in Barcelona. Even though we never got to that stage on this trip - maybe because we just love Spanish food much better than French food, or because our palettes have become more diverse in the past couple of years - it was a great decision to rent a condo. It was so nice to have more space, we made breakfast every morning, and even cooked some dinner two nights.
Our condo was right in the middle of the city at Placa de Catalunya, the center square of the city. The largest department store chain in Spain - El Corte Ingles was right across from our condo. El Corte Ingles has a large supermarket where we could buy all groceries required for our little stay. La Rambla - the busiest street and a major tourist hangout in Barcelona starts right from across this store. It was the most convenient location to stay in the city, we got lucked out again.
We made the booking through http://www.friendlyrentals.com as recommended by Frommer. They sure lived up to the name, I give them five stars for service and promptness. Not sure where all the other apartments listed in the site are, but the place we stayed at was called Plaza Cataluna 3. Very clean and aptly furnished, this little place felt like home. 
The Sights
La Rambla -this world famous street is overflowing with people regardless of the day and time, lined with newsstands, shops, cafes, street performers and even a bird market. Strolling the one mile stretch of la Rambla from Placa de Catalunya to the harbor is one not-to-miss activity, with pit stops at cafes and tapas bars.
A view of the Ramblas on a Sunday morning- can you see the crowd?
Just a few of the mimes and street performers along Las Ramblas:
La Boqueria Market - lively produce market along the Ramblas where they sell everything from fresh fruits to fish and meat. There are a bunch of small cafes and tiny tapas bars inside the market. 
Works of Antoni Gaudi - the eccentric architect known as the guru of modernism, has built some truly unique structures across Barcelona. His works are such engineering marvels, you can’t help but admire the crazy mind of Gaudi.
La Sagrada Familia - Gaudi’s most famous work is still under construction! Started in 1884 by Gaudi, this cathedral will be the largest in the world if completed. It is estimated to take another 50 years to be done!
Casa Mila (La Pedrera) - is an apartment building designed by Gaudi, and is the crowning glory of Gaudi’s work.
The roof top with the water tanks and chimneys that look like Darth Vader is just another example of the eccentric vision of Gaudi.
Parc Guell - Another one of Gaudi’s work, this park was intended to be a large housing project that flopped, and got converted into a park. Another peek into Gaudi’s eccentric genius.
Barry Gotic (Gothic Quarter)- Barcelona also has its cathedrals and historic buildings.
Cathedral of Barcelona is the focal point of the Old City and is a showcase for the Gothic architecture.
Sardana Dances - locals get together in front of the cathedral on Sundays to perform a form of Greek style dance. The participants gather in circles, hold hands and hop and sway to the tune of the music. They put all their belongings in the middle of the circle - a symbol of community and sharing.
Finally, there is the harbor. We had lunch from an amazing restaurant along the beach, that is the only time we spent next to the ocean. The weather was not as cold as in Madrid, but still on the colder side. 
There are many many more sights in this marvelous city, but these were the highlights of our trip. I know I will be going back here sometime, I fell in love with Barcelona on this trip!
Comments
32 Responses to “Spanish Vacation Part 3 - Barcelona”
Leave a Reply
-
Subscribe
-
Recent Posts
-
Archives
Similar Posts
-
Categories
- Awards
- Blog Events
- Book Review
- Ingredient Guide
- Random Musings
- Recipes
- By Category
- By Cuisine
- By Ingredient
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Banana
- Beans
- Beef or Veal
- Bell Pepper
- Berries
- Bitter Gourd
- Cassava or Tapioca or Kappa
- Chestnut
- Chicken
- Coconut
- Crab
- Dates
- Diary
- Eggs
- Fruits
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Gooseberry
- Greens
- Jackfruit
- Lamb or Goat
- Lentils and Legumes
- Lychee
- Mango
- Mushroom
- Nuts
- Oranges and Kumquats
- Papaya
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Pomegranate
- Pork
- Potato
- Quail
- Rice
- Rosemary
- Scallops
- Seafood
- Shrimp or Prawn
- Squash
- Star Anise
- Sweet Potato or Yam
- Tofu
- Tomato
- Vegetarian
- Watermelon
- Restaurant Reviews
- Seattle
- Tech
-
Blog Event - Grill It!
-
Sponsors
Subscribe in a reader
Add to Google Reader
Subscribe with Live
wow..sig..beautiful pictures…these picture make us fall in love too…those street performers are excellent!
Sig, Lovely picture tour, would love to see those beautiful structures by Gaudi.
Great pics and a neat writeup. The antonio gaudi’s architecture got me reminiscing my college days!!
love the pics and i want to soo go there too…so how was ur weekend…u must be out of jet-lag..are you out of vacation mode
Love the pictures. Yeah it is true one get fed up with hotel foods after a while.
Hey Sig
Incredible photos sweetie and you are having a ball!!! Enjoy enjoy while we are sweeped away in cold freeze!!
wow! amazing pics of the works of gaudi!
condo w kitchen gets my vote as well
nice to see spain…oops! catalunya thru ur camera
Awww….i want to do a sardana dance now…:)))
one day..
Thanks for sharing your travelogue with us… From the looks of it, I think i like barcelona the best! That’s one comfy condo.
Lovely pictures, Sig! This sure must have been loads of fun
Love the fruits and vegetables in the market, so good!
Lovely pictures…btw, where are you now?…are you back home…did I miss anything…
Looks fanastic!!! the produce market pic reminds me of the veggie markets in India!!
It’s Barcelona for me next! Love the pics of the market!
I want to dance now!!! Great pics, Sig. Oh, I need a vacation again!!
Wow Sig. You seem to be enjoying your holiday wholeheartedly. Awesome architecture …….BTW, are you anywhere amongst the dancers….mabye you’ve had your hair coloured blond!!! Enjoy girl, n I sure am waiting for the food part!!!
Girl, we bet u did not want to come back(:-)!!!
Ahhhhhhhhhhh what bliss, the condo looks wonderful,must ahve made the holiday more relaxing
Beautiful pics
I love Gaudi’s crazy works! Brilliant…and you got to see it all! What a glorious trip you’ve been on!
Sig i have tagged you for weirdest Meme
enjoyed the sights and scenes of Barcelona!
lovely market.. 
Thank you for the virtual trip, Sig. I thoroughly enjoyed and don’t even had achy feet!
Sig
Looks like you are having lot of fun !!
I have a question to ask - Do you know of a good restaurant in LA near the downtown - For a quite, upscale dinner..
Pls let me know if you know of one. Thanks
Enjoy your vacation !
I don’t know when and if I’ll ever get to Spain but thank you most sincerely for this virtual tour.
the street mimes look awesome, the architecture is superb. what a great trip report.
Good to see the food recipes too.
I am in a deep freeze myself.
Awesome pics! The condo looks great but I think I want to live in Casa Mila
And hey, Blogger now lets you leave comments using your Wordpress credentials.
da food! sho me da food!
Wow…. thats all I can say
gorgeous picture, Sig! thanks for sharing!
I accidentally stumbled upon this webpage whilst surfing for information on hotels or accomodation in Barcelona. And boy, am I glad I did!!
The apartment you stayed in seems wonderful and really something me and my husband would want for our trip in May. I am going to try and find the location you gave for your apartment, since it seems perfectly situated! The pictures are great too and really show the heart and soul of the city.
Best regards and thanks for the recommendation and “suggestion”
Rannveig
barcelona??……like in a tale!!!
I fell in love with Barcelona! Now it is becoming my obsession, my consumption..