Barcelona Guide, Author at Barcelona Guide

Barcelona in April: A Guide to Five Unforgettable Activities for those visiting Barcelona for the first time.

Posted on April 16, 2024April 16, 2024 by Barcelona Guide

Barcelona in April! Picture-perfect weather, vibrant streets, and a plethora of activities awaiting your eager exploration. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Barcelona never fails to enchant with its rich history, stunning architecture, and delectable cuisine. So, pack your sunglasses and your appetite because here are five must-do activities for your unforgettable April adventure in Barcelona.

Five fantastic Barcelona activities in April.

1. Take a Ride on the Montjuïc Cable Car

What better way to kick off your Barcelona escapade than with a bird’s eye view of the city? Hop aboard the Montjuïc Cable Car for a thrilling journey that will take you to the summit of Montjuïc Hill. As you travel towards the top you can marvel at panoramic vistas of Barcelona’s iconic landmarks, from the shimmering Mediterranean Sea to the sprawling cityscape below. It’s a ride you won’t soon forget, and the perfect way to get an overview while enjoying the stunning scenery.

Montjuic Cable Car — *Photo by Manuel Torres Garcia on Unsplash*

2. Sail Away on a Harbor Cruise

Next up, why not explore Barcelona from a different perspective? Climb aboard a harbor cruise and set sail along the glittering waters of the Mediterranean. Feel the sea breeze on your face as you glide past historic ports, towering yachts, and picturesque seaside neighborhoods. Keep your camera ready for breathtaking views of the city skyline and the majestic Montjuïc Castle perched atop its rocky cliff. It’s a nautical adventure that’s sure to make waves!

3. Bask in the Sunshine at Park Güell

April in Barcelona means one thing: glorious weather! And what better place to enjoy the sunshine than in the supreme Park Güell? Designed by the legendary architect Antoni Gaudí, this enchanting park is a feast for the senses, with colorful mosaic sculptures, lush greenery, and sweeping views of the city below. Take a leisurely stroll along winding pathways, strike a pose with the iconic mosaic lizard, and find a shady spot to relax and watch the world go by. It’s the perfect oasis in the heart of the city.

Parc Guell — *Image by ARTEM DA PICTURES from Pixabay*

4. Discover the Magic of Sagrada Família

No trip to Barcelona is complete without visiting the most famous of all buildings: the awe-inspiring Sagrada Família. Join a guided tour to unlock the secrets of this architectural masterpiece, where every intricate detail tells a story of faith, innovation, and sheer genius. Marvel at the towering spires, intricate facades, and kaleidoscopic stained glass windows that bath the interior in a mesmerizing kaleidoscope of color. It’s a spiritual experience that transcends time and leaves you breathless in its wake.

sagrada familia — *Image by Patrice Audet from Pixabay*

5. Indulge in a Culinary Delight: Paella and Seafood

Last but certainly not least, no visit to Barcelona is complete without tasting the cities world-renowned cuisine. Head to a local eatery and taste the essential Spanish dish: paella. This aromatic rice dish, brimming with succulent seafood, tasty meat, and fragrant spices, is a true taste sensation that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more. Pair it with a glass of Catalan wine and toast to the culinary delights of Barcelona!

April Weather in Barcelona: Sunshine and Smiles

As you embark on your Barcelona adventure in April, you can expect delightful weather that’s as warm and welcoming as the locals themselves. With average temperatures ranging from 12°C to 19°C (which means that it can easily get much warmer), and plenty of sunshine to go around, it’s the perfect time to explore the city’s outdoor attractions and soak up the Mediterranean vibes. Just don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses!

So there you have it, five fabulous activities to make your first visit to Barcelona in April an unforgettable experience. From soaring heights to culinary delights, this vibrant city has something for everyone. So, grab your camera, your appetite, and your sense of adventure, and get ready to fall head over heels in love with Barcelona!

If you’d like to read more about special events, concerts, festivals, or sports events in Barcelona in the upcoming days, weeks, and months, take a look at our Barcelona calendar to find out more.

How the Summer Olympics in 1992 helped Barcelona become a tourist magnet.

Posted on February 13, 2023February 13, 2023 by Barcelona Guide

One of Barcelona’s most important historical events is the Barcelona Olympic Games, which were held in 1992. The games were a major turning point for the city, as they helped revitalize and transform Barcelona into the thriving metropolis it is today.

Before the Olympics, Barcelona was known as a major industrial city, with a rich cultural heritage, but it was not considered a top tourist destination. The decision to host the Olympic Games provided an opportunity for the city to showcase its beauty and culture to the world, and to prove that it was capable of organizing and hosting a major international event.

The Barcelona Olympic Games were a huge success, with athletes from around the world competing in a wide range of sports. The games also allowed the city to showcase its rich architectural heritage, including the stunning Gothic Quarter and the iconic Sagrada Familia.

In addition to the sports events, the Olympics included various cultural activities and exhibitions, showcasing the city’s rich artistic and cultural heritage. The games helped put Barcelona on the map, establishing it as a leading tourist destination and cultural hub.

The impact of the Barcelona Olympic Games was far-reaching and long-lasting. The city underwent major renovations and improvements in preparation for the games, which helped transform it into the modern, cosmopolitan city that it is today. The games also helped to spur economic growth, as new businesses and industries emerged in the city in the wake of the games.

In conclusion, the Barcelona Olympic Games were a defining moment in the city’s history, and they played a major role in transforming it into the vibrant and dynamic place it is today. They remain a source of pride for the people of Barcelona and are a testament to the city’s spirit of resilience and its ability to overcome challenges and emerge stronger.

Hotels near Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Posted on February 7, 2023February 7, 2023 by Barcelona Guide

Are you looking forward to your trip to Barcelona? Are you traveling with great expectations of what you will see and experience? Is Sagrada Familia the number one highlight you look forward to seeing more than all the other attractions? Would you like to live in a hotel or apartment close to the famous church designed by Antoni Gaudi? Here you can find five recommendations!

We will include some cheaper and nicer options on this list so that everyone will find something suitable for them. You can read general hotel recommendations for Barcelona here.

Five great places to live near Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

Sercotel Hotel Rosellon (4 stars)

Sercotel Hotel Rosellón is a 4-star hotel located in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. The hotel is in a prime location, close to many of the city’s most popular attractions, including the Sagrada Familia (200 meters), Park Guell, and the Gothic Quarter. The hotel is also well-connected to public transportation, making it easy for guests to explore the city and its surroundings.

The hotel features comfortable and well-appointed rooms with modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi access. Guests can choose from various room types, including single, double, and triple rooms and suites.

The hotel also offers a range of on-site facilities and services to ensure that guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. These include a restaurant, bar, gym, and meeting rooms. In addition, the hotel has a 24-hour front desk, providing guests with assistance and information around the clock.

Check the prices and book a room in this hotel.

Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel (4 stars)

Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel is a 4-star luxury hotel in Barcelona. This historic hotel was built in 1882 and has been fully restored to provide guests with a unique blend of old-world charm and modern comfort. The hotel is located in the Gothic Quarter, a historic neighborhood known for its narrow streets, charming plazas, and stunning architecture. It is within walking distance of many of the city’s most popular attractions, including the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and the Picasso Museum.

The hotel features well-appointed rooms and suites, each equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi access. Guests can choose from various room types, including standard rooms, superior rooms, and junior suites.

In addition to comfortable accommodations, the Radisson Blu 1882 Hotel also offers a range of on-site facilities and services to ensure guests have a memorable and enjoyable stay. These include a restaurant, bar, fitness center, and meeting rooms. The hotel also has a 24-hour front desk, providing guests with assistance and information around the clock.

Check the prices and book a room in this hotel.

Suite Place Barcelona Còrsega (3 stars)

Suite Place Barcelona Còrsega is a modern apartment complex located in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. The apartments are located in a convenient and accessible area, close to many of the city’s most popular attractions, including the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and the Gothic Quarter. The complex is also well-connected to public transportation, making it easy for guests to explore the city and its surroundings.

The apartments at Suite Place Barcelona Còrsega are designed to provide guests with the comfort and convenience of a home away from home. Each apartment features a fully equipped kitchen, a nice living area, and modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi access. Guests can choose from various apartment types, including one-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom apartments, and penthouse suites.

In addition to comfortable accommodations, Suite Place Barcelona Còrsega also offers a range of on-site facilities and services to ensure that guests have a memorable and enjoyable stay. These include a 24-hour front desk, daily cleaning services, and an on-site restaurant and bar.

Check the prices and book a room in this hotel.

Acta Antibes (2 stars)

Acta Antibes is a two-star hotel located in Barcelona. The hotel is situated in the Eixample neighborhood, known for its spacious streets and iconic architecture. The hotel is close to many of the city’s most popular attractions, including the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, and the Gothic Quarter. The hotel is also well-connected to public transportation, making it easy for guests to explore the city and its surroundings.

Acta Antibes offers comfortable and well-appointed rooms equipped with modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi access. The hotel also offers a range of on-site facilities and services to ensure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable stay. These include a restaurant, bar, gym, and meeting rooms. In addition, the hotel has a 24-hour front desk, providing guests with assistance and information around the clock.

Check the prices and book a room in this hotel in Barcelona.

acta antibes barcelona hotel near sagrada familia

Enjoybcn Gaudi Apartments (4 stars)

Enjoybcn Gaudi Apartments is a serviced apartment complex. The apartments are situated in the Eixample neighborhood, only a few hundred meters from La Sagrada Familia. The complex is also well-connected to public transportation, making it easy for guests to explore the city and its surroundings.

Enjoybcn Gaudi Apartments offers comfortable and well-appointed apartments, each fully equipped with a kitchen, living area, and modern amenities such as air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and Wi-Fi access. Guests can choose from various apartment types, including studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments.

In addition to comfortable accommodations, Enjoybcn Gaudi Apartments also offers a range of on-site facilities and services to ensure that guests have a memorable and enjoyable stay. These include a 24-hour front desk, daily cleaning services, and a concierge service. The complex also has a lounge area where guests can relax and socialize with other guests.

Check the prices and book a room in this apartment complex.

A few words about Sagrada Familia and the neighborhood.

La Sagrada Familia is a famous basilica located in Barcelona, Spain. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi, this architectural marvel is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the city. The church has been under construction since 1882 and is expected to be completed in the next few decades. Despite its incomplete state, the Sagrada Familia is considered one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year.

The basilica’s unique design combines Catalan modernism, Gothic architecture, and natural forms, creating a truly unique and captivating structure. The exterior of the building is adorned with intricate carvings, sculptures, and stained glass windows, all of which are inspired by nature and the life of Jesus Christ. The nativity façade, for example, is covered in intricate carvings of animals, plants, and other natural elements, while the passion façade is decorated with sculptures depicting the last days of Jesus’ life.

The interior of the Sagrada Familia is equally impressive, with high vaulted ceilings, intricate stained glass windows, and beautiful sculptures. The church is also known for its impressive acoustics, making it a popular location for concerts and other cultural events.

The area surrounding the Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s most vibrant and bustling areas. The basilica is located in the Eixample district, known for its wide boulevards, stunning architecture, and lively atmosphere. The neighborhood is home to various shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals. The nearby Park Guell, another famous Gaudi creation, is also a popular destination for those visiting the area.

Christmas markets in Barcelona in 2019

Posted on October 21, 2019October 21, 2019 by Barcelona Guide

When will the Christmas markets be arranged in Barcelona in 2019? Here you will find the Christmas market dates and everything else you want to know.

Before you continue, check our page dealing with general information about the Christmas markets in Barcelona.

Christmas markets dates for Barcelona in 2019

The most famous Christmas market in Barcelona can be found in front of the Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic part of the city. This is a beautiful area. The Christmas market here will open on November 29th in 2019 and it will remain open until December 23rd.

The Christmas market by Gran Via, will most likely open around December 20th and remain open until January 6th. The dates haven’t been 100% fixed yet, but those were the dates in 2018, so we guess they will look quite similar also in 2019.

There will also be a Christmas market in front of Sagrada Familia, but the dates for this market haven’t been set yet.

If you want to discover and see even more Christmas market in 2019, why not extend your trip and go to Prague as well? You can read more about Prague and the beautiful Christmas markets in the city at http://www.praguepraha.com/

Merry Christmas and enjoy your stay in Barcelona!

Support the environment as you book a hotel in Barcelona!

Posted on July 25, 2019July 16, 2019 by Barcelona Guide

Barcelona is a fantastic city with lots of awesome hotels. But, if you haven’t booked your hotel in Barcelona yet, stop for a few minutes and read these sentences before you move on.

It is nice to travel the world and to see new cities. But, all the pollution coming with traveling shouldn’t be forgotten about. And, to make things worse – we keep on chopping those all those trees in order for new cities to be built and to make sure our “luxury” lifestyles can be kept up. So, why don’t you at least help the environment a little bit as you book your hotel in Barcelona?

How can I help the environment as I book my Barcelona hotel?

It is much easier to help the environment than you would think… in fact, you can actually save quite a lot of money as you do it. What is this all about? Instead of just visiting your favorite booking site (like you normally would), install the Ecosia addon in your browser. This is the search engine that will help you plant trees whenever you search the Internet. That in itself is a fantastic idea and one we should support. If you are eager to earn money while planting those trees as well, check this article.

But, when you have Ecosia up and running, do a simple search for Barcelona hotels. At once, all those hotel booking sites will start showing up, but before those search results are shown, you will see something looking like this.

Ecosia will help you travel and help the environment.

If you press the “Search hotels” button, you will be taken to Ecosia’s very own search motor that will let you search among the best booking sites online. You can compare the prices of your favorite hotels and book the hotel at the cheapest option available. That is fantastic in itself. But, did you know that the booking sites give a very nice commission to its referrers? So, when you book a room using Ecosia costing 200 USD, you might end up actually giving a nice amount of money to protect the environment as well.

You would book a hotel room anyway…

You would pay for your hotel room anyway, but in this way, you will actually support the environment at the same time! That is simply brilliant and something we recommend everyone to do.

Not only will you pay less, but you will also feel even better as you fall asleep in the bed in your hotel room in Barcelona, knowing that you have financed the planting of several trees simply by booking the room using Ecosia!

For more information about different Barcelona hotels, check this article. You can also find lots of other information about attractions and cool activities in Barcelona here in our Barcelona Guide.

How to travel from Barcelona to Valencia?

Posted on March 21, 2019December 15, 2020 by Barcelona Guide

Are you looking for a way to travel from Barcelona to Valencia? Are you on a trip to Barcelona, but looking for a way to do a day-trip to Valencia? Which is the best way of traveling between the cities?

It is extremely funny to look at the map portraying the ride between Barcelona and Valencia. If you just look at the map, it looks so close, and it might just be considered a nice walk. But, the truth is that the distance between Barcelona and Valencia is more than 350 km.

The ride from Barcelona to Valencia looks short, but it is more than 350 km.

If you look at the little image above, you probably understand what I mean by saying that it looks so easy to travel from Barcelona to Valencia.

And easy it is, but it will require some time. But, how should you travel from Barcelona to Valencia? Which is the preferred method of traveling if you want to go from one city to the other?

In 2019, the Spanish football team will play their Euro 2020 qualification matches at the Marbella Stadium in Valencia. If you want to watch these, you can easily follow these instructions to discover how you can travel from Barcelona to Valencia in order to watch these matches at the stadium of the football team Valencia. Notice that there is a 3 km distance from the train station in Valencia to the stadium, but that is easy to cover on foot, or by using the well working public transportation in Valencia. If you want to find out more about the Euro 2020 qualification matches and when they will be played in Valencia, check the following Euro 2020 qualification streaming guide.

Travel from Barcelona to Valencia with train

The easiest way of traveling from Barcelona to Valencia if you do not have a car, is by train. The trains leave from Barcelona Sants (the main station in Barcelona several times a day), and the travel time is around 3 hours. That might feel like a lot, but that is what you have to be prepared for if you want to travel with train from Barcelona to Valencia.

A train ticket will cost you around 25 Euro, but if you book a ticket just before departure, it might get more expensive. Try to order the ticket as soon as possible to get your ticket as cheap as possible.

You can find train schedules and book tickets at renfe.es.

Travel from Barcelona to Valencia with plane

This might seem like a faster option, but if you take into consideration all the extras that come with a flight booking, you might not really save time, nor money. The flight time from Barcelona to Valencia is around 50 minutes, but if you take into consideration the ride to the airport in Barcelona, arrival minimum 1 hour before departure (rather 2 hours), and then waiting for the luggage in Valencia and then the actual travel from the airport in Valencia to the city center, you will most likely spend more time and money using this option than going by train.

If you still want to travel by plane, visit the airline Vueling for more information.

Travel from Barcelona to Valencia by car

The most comfortable might be to travel to Valencia with your own car, or by renting a car. If you travel 3-4 persons, it might also get cheaper, and it is easier as you can go exactly where you want to, without having to use public transportation, wait for trains to depart, or be dependent on other ways of transportation.

It is easy to do the ride and you should plan to use around 3,5 hours to cover the distance of 350 km between Barcelona and Valencia.

What to discover during a trip to Valencia?

Maybe you are visiting Valencia to watch a football match in which Valencia will play, or maybe to see the Spanish national team play one of their Euro 2020 qualifying matches. Or maybe you want to visit Valencia to discover the city and see the fantastic sights and attractions that the city has to offer? But, which are the most important sights in Valencia?

Here are some of the sites and places you definitely should visit during a trip to Valencia.

L’Oceanogràfic (a giant aquarium)
Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (an art and science part, looks really cool)
La Lonja de la Seda (a beautiful Gothic building in the center of Valencia from the 15th century)
The main market in Valencia (a fantastic market that has been renovated and now has more than 1000 stalls running)
Torres de Serranos (beautiful towers from the late half of the 14th century)
Valencia Bioparc (a beautiful park that kids will love. Here you can see wild animals in a beautiful area)
The Cathedral (a magnificent cathedral in Valencia that some people claim give house to the holy grail).

These are just some out of many beautiful attractions waiting for you as you decide to give Valencia a visit!

Valencia is a modern city with some amazing attractions! Source: Pixabay

Which is the best option for traveling between Barcelona and Valencia?

The decision is entirely yours, but I would personally prefer the train ride as it is quiet, comfortable, you can read a book and enjoy your time to the full, without running after luggage, watching out for traffic (if you drive a car), and all those extras that come with flying or driving a car.

Have you traveled between Barcelona and Valencia yourself? Which kind of transport did you use? Were you satisfied? Would you recommend it to others? I would love to hear your thoughts and comments on the matter!

Beautiful Barcelona pictures from Pixabay

Posted on September 21, 2018November 21, 2022 by Barcelona Guide

Would you like to get a glimpse of Barcelona without actually visiting the city itself? Here you can find a selection of some beautiful Barcelona pictures offered to us all for free at Pixabay.

But, the fact that they can be used for free, doesn’t mean that we are ungrateful. Click the links beneath to see even more pictures from the photographers you like, and make sure to share this article with other people who you believe would love to get a glimpse of Barcelona as well.

Gaudi style in Barcelona — Gaudi style: Benedicl – Pixabay

Barcelona port — Barcelona Port: Aranoa – Pixabay

Barcelona cathedral — Barcelona Cathedral: Rytter – Pixabay

Arc Triumph — Arch in Barcelona: MHachem – Pixabay

Parc Guell in Barcelona — Parc Guell: Travelkr – Pixabay

Colorful Barcelona: Kirkandmimi – Pixabay

I hope you have enjoed these pictures from Barcelona. Please share it with your friends and other fans of Spain and Barcelona. Should you have some praise to give to any of the photographers, visit the links above and write a comment to the actual picture, or you can write a comment here as well.

For more information about Barcelona and what the city has to offer, look around in our Barcelona Guide.

What did Picasso see as he visited Paris?

Posted on August 11, 2018 by Barcelona Guide

Pablo Picasso visited Paris for his first time in 1900. One year later he returned to the city again. What did he see during his stay? How did it influence his art?

The Picasso museum in Barcelona is a fantastic gallery for those in love with Picasso and his works. But, if you decide to visit the museum sometime between September 21st and January 6th, you can enjoy a temporary exhibition consisting of works made by lots of other painters. Why?

*The Blue Room, painted by Picasso in 1901 – Source*

To answer the question what Picasso saw in Paris in 1900 and 1901, you need to look at the works of the painters who had their art exhibited in Paris at that time. Some of the artists you will meet as you come to check out this exhibition are Bartholomé, Carrière, Delacroix, Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, Capiello, Degas, Cézanne, Steinlen and Gauguin.

The exhibition is a cooperation with Musee d’ Orsay in Paris from whom they get most of the exhibited paintings. To return the kindness, the Picasso museum in Barcelona will let Musee d’ Orsay in Paris borrow some of the pictures from the permanent exhibition in Barcelona for the same period of time.

Doesn’t this sound like an interesting temporary exhibition to check out in Barcelona? You can read more about it at the official site.

The entry to the temporary exhibition alone is 6,50 Euro. To visit the permanent exhibition and the temporary exhibition together the price is 14 Euro.

Watching the World Cup 2018 in Barcelona

Posted on May 31, 2018May 28, 2024 by Barcelona Guide

Spain is a nation of football fanatics, so you do not have to worry about not finding a place to watch the World Cup 2018 in Barcelona. Where can you watch the event in Barcelona? Everywhere!

There will be large screens in bars, pubs, restaurants, and cafes in Barcelona during the World Cup. But, if you want to watch the matches in a sports bar, the most famous in all of Barcelona is Sports Bar Rambles, a sports bar with 16 big screens available. This is located in the heart of Barcelona, so it is easy to find.

There are several other bars in Barcelona suitable for watching the World Cup as well. Here are some great bars worth considering.

Flaherty’s Irish Bar
The George Payne
The Quiet Man
The Irish Sailing Club Pub
Belushi’s
Devil’s Kitchen
Sonora
Paris Taxi

The Fifa World Cup will be broadcasted by Telecinco and Cuatro in Spain. These are free TV channels, meaning that you can just turn on the TV in your hotel room to watch the matches as well. You can also watch them online at their websites. If you do miss some English commentators, you can read more about how to stream the FIFA World Cup online on BBC/ITV in the UK in this article. You can also find a full FIFA World Cup schedule here.

Spain will play their first match of the tournament already on June 15th (second day), and they will play against Portugal on this day. This is one of the most interesting group-stage matches during the tournament, so make sure to arrive in time if you want a good chair in a sports-pub in Barcelona if you want to watch this match.

It will also be interesting to follow the event for the people of Barcelona, as lots of FC Barcelona players will play during the tournament. Lionel Messi will play for Argentina, while Luis Suarez will play for Uruguay. There will be other players active as well, but these are the two biggest stars playing for other countries during the tournament.

Picasso in the kitchen [Exhibition]

Posted on April 3, 2018 by Barcelona Guide

What did Picasso think of the kitchen? In what way did food, restaurants and the kitchen inspire Picasso? Come to Barcelona and discover this temporary exhibition in the Picasso museum between May and September in 2018.

In this exhibition, you can discover more than 200 works of Picasso, and they will all give you some insight into how food inspired Picasso. Not only will the exhibition show food pictures, but it will also give you insight as to how he ate, what he ate, where he ate, and in what way food influenced his senses and the kitchen gave space for dreams and pleasures.

The exhibition will open on May 25th and it will remain available until September 30th.

If you want more information about other events in Barcelona, or maybe just find information about the most famous attractions in town, look around here in our Barcelona Guide.