Barcelona in two days
Hello everyone,
I am writing this article today because I have noticed that there are many forums where people ask whether it's necessary to stay in Barcelona for at least 4 days to enjoy it. Well, certainly 4 days is a reasonable amount of days if you are looking for a pleasant stay relaxing and enjoying the southern movida. Nevertheless sometimes we are bound to give it up due to narrow schedules that don't allow us to stop for so long. So shall we give it completely up? I don't think so, you may call it hit and run tourism, but there are so many of us that have important business to do and only one week time to visit. So guys this article is for you, I'm going to report my experience lasted two days, let's say one day and a half almost... but that had been memorable and to be repeated!
So be ready to walk a lot and get the bus... and let's start!
When we booked the flight we did it with Ryanair, took the cheapest offer with horrible timings but we were on a budget... as usual!! This meant that the flight was in the evening and landed in Barcelona late at night, let's say approximately midnight. Don't worry about that, Barcelona is a lively city and many services run all night long. Moreover, the airport is very close to the city center and we reached our hotel in less than half an hour. Anyway when we arrived it was 1:30 am already, as the flight company delivered our bags more than one hour later our arrival...we didn't do that, but if it happens again, I will ask for a refund. The worst about Ryanair is that they don't pay much and are reducing the personnell in every airport.
Well, so what was left to do? We had travelled in the hope of having the first noisy night and what was expecting us was just going to bed... We found this idea unacceptable and went to the first available pub we found. It hadn't been to hard to find, though, as Spain offers bars open till late at night.
We almost didn't sleep that night, as the following morning we had to start our adventure as soon as possible! Something that I find annoying about the hotels in Barcelona is that very few of them offer breakfast included in the rate. So was our hotel. Perfectly located near the Rambla and the old citadel (ciutat vella).
In the past the ciutat vella was surrounded by ancient walls and was the heart of the city. In the XIX century the walls were broken down and nowadays the only trace of it is the maritime museum.
The photo above was taken on a typical cataln road leading to Placa sant Jaume.
Walking around we found ourselves in fron of a magnificent architectural gothic wonder, the Catedral de Barcelona, the main cathedral.
The first works are dated back to the XIII century, and it is certainly a work of art. The facade is neogothic and is so rich and decorated that needed to be photographed again. It somehow reminded me to the dome in Milan, and also the dome of Nürnberg. I loved walking around the cloister. Inside, it was extraordinary.
There are so many side chapels and a wonderful choir. What makes it even more interesting is that play of light and shadow that alone characterizes it and gives a sense of magnificence without being oppressing.
Since it was winter and being Barcelona originally a catholic city, we thought it was necessary to visit other important churches too. So we went on discovering another beautiful one, the Saint Mary of the Sea cathedral, also knowns as the catedral de la ribera. It's definetly big and large and the huge stones which it is made of look tiny and small if compared to its spaciousness.
For more info visit: http://www.santamariadelmarbarcelona.org/home/
The light, the chandeliers, everything were great, even if I was told that there's an amazing view from the rooftop. We didn't have time, and it was too cold, but I regret not having seen the panorama.
However I love folk culture, dialects, people's everyday life and that's why I fell in love with these tiles that embellish the streets of the barrio gotico, full of narrow streets, shops and medieval buildings.
I bet it must be striking in the Summer, but honestly even in Winter it was impressive. I was dazzled by the monument to Francesc Macià, as he was the first president of the Generalitat de Catalunya, another hint that made me understand how the people here feel different from the Spanish.
This square is pretty big and surrounded by marvellous buildings, if you want to enjoy the view from above, go to the top floor of Corte Ingles, a chain of shopping malls all over Spain.
A curiosity: if you have time enough, stop for a coffee at the bar Zurich, it seems that the famous novelist George Orwell used to have a break here. He wrote "Homage to Catalonia", his personal account of the Spanish civil war.
Terraces and balconies are an estabilishment of the central houses and palaces and sometimes make the difference. I find it extremely clever, it's a natural escape from the heat of the high floors, mainly in the summer.
About art, I love it in all its forms, be it contemporary or not, I’m always looking for something inspirational. Just like this statue, a monument dedicated to the Olympic Games, a tribute to the greatest artists of the country, Miró, Gaudì and Picasso. If you’re wondering what it is, it's the Cap de Barcelona, a surrealistic creation made of ceramic tiles.
The monument in the photo below is called El Fossar de le Moreres and is a memorial of the siege of Barcelona, in the early 1700s. It’s not far from the church of st Mary of the sea and drew my attention because it conveyed a sense of sadness and despair. It was maybe due to the materials used, maybe because it is linked to the church, anyway the dead buried in a mass grave beneath the square were somehow palpable.
And after an immersion in works of art and great architectures, it was time for a relaxing walk to the beach. Yes, Barcelona is probably one of the most interesting gates in Europe, as it combines the features of a capital to those of a fresh and young maritime attracting spot.
And exactly where you would never expect, it, a large beach widened my heart and all of a sudden made me forget the tumult of the city lifting our spirits. And in fact it's maybe the opposite in the summer, when this wide beach is probably overcrowded, but I suggest you to try and experience sea in winter at least once in your life because it is tremendously healthy for anyone's soul and nerves.
So we continued our stroll, cheered by the clouds that were creating an exotic atmosphere and the strange feeling of our bare feet touching the cold sand.
And up the beach back on the walkway we got lost on a road that took us to that part of Barcelona where more modern buildings were expecting us.
The highest one and the most beautiful one in my opinion is Torre Glories, also known as Agbar tower. What amazed me the most were the magnificent colours of this building, which changed continuously depending on the direction of the sun rays. The building is covered with glass panels reflecting the light causing the iridescence. And in fact it represents trick fountains.
Another very dynamic space, just a few steps from the tower is the one in the photo, the Disseny Hub, a serviceable area studied to create the least impact to the urbanization of the city. As a matter of fact, the desiners who worked on this project produced a sustainable model of self-powered system.
And you know what? This is what I love about travelling and discovering new places… In such a modern business area discovering that people's lives are just like grass bushes peeping out of the concrete, showing us the power of nature and traditions!
Just like in this place pictured below: what is here photographed is the mirror ceiling of a huge flea market called Els Encants, selling antiques as well as trash from all over the world, It's the oldest one in town, but has become a touristic attraction thanks to its fabulous roof remake that is really worth a visit.
Now it was time to head into another neighborhood hosting the monumental bull fighting arena, the Museo Taurino in Barcelona. Before introducing you to this location, I'm going to say that I HATE bullfighting, as I find them totally incorrect and violent. Probably I'll be hated by a large amount of people for saying this, but I need to punctuate and underline it again and again. On my first trip to Spain I had been taken to one of those corridas in Madrid, I wrongly accepted to go, tried to avoid it slowing down getting ready but unfortunately the ticket counter let us in anyway. Well, that was the most tremendously horrible show I have ever attended in my whole life. At the end the bull was killed merciless and the fight had been unequal from the beginning. I didn't dare to watch it, I turned my face back to the spectatos instead, for the entire duration of the corrida, I couldn't stop tears and what made me hate that place to the utmost was people's faces. Sanguinary and blood-soaked. Again, there's no other way I could describe it. Just disgustingly cruel.
Given my introduction to this place, thanks God the corridas had been banned since 2010, with my utmost happiness. Moreover, I cannot say that the building is as ugly as the killings perpetrated inside, actually the museum reveals the qualities of the architectures influenced by the bizantines, with its characteristic blue and white tiles.
Time was up and we needed a break, therefor before approaching Gaudì's most incredible legacy, we stopped and had a meal in a typical bar on the way to Sagrada Familia. I particularly insisted in having a real spanish meal, as we had too little time to spend here to miss this opportunity.
And then all of a sudden we made it and eventually bumped into the greatest work of art in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia, a temple, a shrine and sanctuary of Divinity and Inspiration. That the architect left it unfinished didn't diminish its power, on the contrary it makes it even more interesting at people's eyes.
All around it was packed with churros and chinese rubbish kiosks. And the gigantic towers of the Church witnessing this all. I was overwhelmed.
As it was pretty late and the sunset wouldn't have waited our longings, we jumped onto the bus and went fast to Parc Güell, projected by Gaudì too, who fas friend of the enterpreneur Eusebi Güell.
Although today this public space is considered one of the most incredible sites of Barcelona, at the time of its realization, Gaudì's design was criticized and a considered big failure.
I found it great. The vegetation that welcome the onlookers is rich and conveys the idea of a natural beauty.
The buildings in the two pictures were the annexes that greeted us by the entrance, situated in the lowest part of the mountain.
The only misfortune we had travelling in winter was that it was half closed due to restoration works.
So we carried on wandering and admiring some of the characteristic spots from faraway.
By the time we got off the park it was almost evening and just had the time to pass by Casa Batllò.
We had little money and little time, so we decided not ti visit it, but I'll include it next time, because I would like to go to the terrace and observe the aura of the city and breathe its smell.
On our way back to the hotel we eventually could get the chance to have a gourmet break inside the busiest and most folkloristic market ever: La Boqueria! This is unmissable and a must-see!
Right close to the entrance we were struck by the vivid colours of the fruit and vegetables displayed on the booths. We continued our tour...our eyes twinkled at the sight of all those wonderful delicatessen!
Of course, with all those good things we couldn't pretend being on a diet, so we ordered a typical dish that tasted absolutely delicious and yummy, the Pulpo a la Gallega, just awsome!
And that was just the first course because we couldn't pass by, as we felt the necessity to stop at a nice restaurant with barrels on the ceiling decorating and warming up the rooms… and eat out again!
I'm leaving now, but here is another photo for you: the popular Jamon de Serrano! There was a boutique selling it just outside our hotel, so we took the opportunity to bring a souvenir back home… well just back to the airport indeed, because it finished even before reaching el Prat...
Bye bye, talk to you soon!
