Barcelona offers everything that is most charming about Mediterranean cities – a relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food, a unique culture and amazing architecture. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and the rolling forest covered Collserola Hills, Barcelona is picture postcard pretty.
The city has inspired great artists like Salvador Dali and Picasso, is home to the whimsical creations of Gaudi and the mighty FC Barcelona football club and also features traditional Catalan cooking complimented by fine wines.
Following our arrival in the harbour Alan and I joined a morning cycling tour of Barcelona. With fabulous cycleways this is a great way to get off the beaten track and explore this interesting city. Good thing it was early morning before the crowds arrived as we were able to cover a lot of ground and it was so much fun cycling through the Gothic and Jewish Quarters, El Born, along Passeig de Gracia and the beachfront.
No one should leave Barcelona without seeing the works of Antoni Gaudi. The architect’s works include a massive church, La Sagrada Familia, still under construction nearly 90 years after his death. This living work of art is fanciful, quirky, brilliant and complex; a mass of spires pillars and mosaics. Another ‘must see’ is the Picasso Museum which is simply mesmerising.
We did a self-guided tour of La Sagrada, I had to be dragged away when my travelling companions had enough – I’m just fascinated by this structure. Next stop was another of Gaudi’s magnificent creations; Park Guell where he turned his hand to landscaping. Apart from the magical structures, the views from the top of the park are stunning.
Las Ramblas is another essential experience. The crowded tree lined pedestrian mall is filled with street performers, restaurants, bars and kiosks selling food, flowers and souvenirs. The cathedral, squares, narrow streets, old city walls and other remnants of the middle ages live on in Barcelona’s Gothic quarter. The neo Gothic La Cathedral is equally impressive outside as it is within. Venture inside to take in the soaring domed ceiling, pillars and cloister with courtyard of palms, orange trees and a resident gaggle of geese.
La Boqueria is Barcelona’s most famous market and is frequented by tourist and local. Stalls line the large iron cad building with a colourful explosion of gleaming fresh produce, gourmet delicatessens, tapas bars, and butchers selling meaty legs of jamón. Located in the old city at one end of the Las Ramblas, the market has been operating here for centuries.
The city’s cosmopolitan international vibe makes it a favourite city for me!
This article was published in the Coffs Coast Advocate on 21 October 2017.
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