Barcelona in pictures

Loneliness

2009-01-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

English Dental Clinic

2009-01-17T14:04:00.000-08:00

Initially, I was surprised when I saw the above dentist in Barcelona. However, it is true that going to the dentist could be pretty "painful" for both you and your wallet so you want to be sure there is no misunderstandings.

I did some research and in 2007, most recent official figures I could find, there were more than 5,000 people holding a British passport registered in Barcelona, so based on the fact that only a percentage of people living in other countries register to the local authorities, the amount of UK citizens living in Barcelona has to be at least four or five times this amount.

We also have to add people from the US, Canada or Australia so I guess this dentist must be very busy as well.

Parc de la Ciutadella

2008-12-03T09:02:00.000-08:00

Parc Ciutadella

Arc del Triomf

2008-11-25T11:51:00.000-08:00

The Arc del Triomf, designed by the architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas, was built for the 1888 Universal Exhibition. It is located just beside the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Palau de la Musica Catalana

2008-11-12T09:40:00.000-08:00

The Palau de la Música Catalana is a concert hall designed by the famous Architech Lluís Domenech i Montaner.

Neighbours protest

2008-11-05T10:02:00.000-08:00

A few months ago, the neighbours of this building decided to protest against a brothel located at the first floor. The banner reads "No volem a prostibul a casa" which translates "We do not want a brothel at home". Unfortunately, the police forced the neighbours to remove the banner.

Street artists

2008-10-29T08:21:00.000-07:00

At the bottom of La Rambla there are a number of street artists that will make you a portrait if you want. Most of them are extremelly good painters as the one in the picture.

Casa Batlló

2008-10-26T05:40:00.001-07:00

Casa Batlló, designed by Antoni Gaudí.

* Thanks to Gabriel for the picture.

Bullfighting in Barcelona

2008-10-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

Although is getting less and less popular and local government is trying to get it banned, it is still possible to watch bullfighting in Barcelona. Bullfighting is a very controversial issue. On one side we have the supporters that argue it is an important cultural tradition while on the other side animal right activists argue that bullfight cruel causing suffering and death to the bull.

Museu Historia Catalunya

2008-10-09T13:26:00.000-07:00

Museu d'Historia de Catalunya (Museum of Catalan History). The museum's café offers great view of the Port.

* Thanks to Gabriel for the photo.

Passeig de Gracia from Casa Batllo

2008-08-25T11:10:00.001-07:00

Passeig de Gracia from the Casa Batlló.

* Thanks for Gabriel for the photo.

Barcelona from the Air

2008-08-10T13:11:00.000-07:00

Aerial view of Barcelona. On a nice day it is absolutely beautiful.

The happy Lobster

2008-07-17T02:11:00.000-07:00

This giant 'happy' lobster is located by the harbour. It is quite unlikely that you'll miss it.

View from Bus Turistic

2008-06-26T10:14:00.000-07:00

The Bus Turistic will bring you all over the city. It is great to take it when the weather is nice.

Dragon fountain at Park Guell

2008-06-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Dragon fountain at Park Güell (Antoni Gaudí).

Plaça Catalunya

2008-06-10T11:30:00.000-07:00

Practically everybody that has been in Barcelona has been in Plaça Catalunya as it is the hub for Barcelona's public transportation (metro, train from/to the airport, bus from/to the airport). It is a beautiful square surrounded by stunning buildings such us the Banco de España (see picture) and the famous mega department store 'El Corte Inglés'. It is also where the La Rambla begins.

Castellers

2008-06-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

Castellers are one of the greatest and most impressive Catalan traditions. A Castell (castle) consists of a human tower which can have up to ten levels high.

Castells are built during local festivals where competitions between groups (colles) take place in order to build the most impressive castell. In order to be successful they have to be assembled and dismantled.

Ronaldinho in Barcelona

2008-05-25T10:40:00.000-07:00

Although it is very unlikely that Ronaldinho will stay at the Camp Nou next season, it is still possible to see him, or should I say his impersonator, around Las Ramblas.

Fleca

2008-05-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Fleca is the catalan word for bakery, where you can buy not only bread, which by the way is delicious, but also all kind of cakes and pastries.

Tapas at the Mercat Boqueria

2008-04-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

Apart from being a food market where you can have almost all kinds of food, the Mercat de la Boqueria is also a cool place to go for some tapas.

Beautiful building

2008-03-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Barcelona has an enormous amount of stunning buildings all over the city. Even if you are not into architecture you will raise your head to admire such a beautiful buildings.

Mammoth in Barcelona?

2008-02-14T13:01:00.000-08:00

This huge mammoth statue is located in the Parc de la Ciutadella and although it is pretty big, it is not easy to find as the park is pretty big too so now you only have to find it.

Torre Agbar

2008-01-23T10:56:00.001-08:00

The Torre Agbar from the streets of Barcelona. This impressive skyscraper can be seen from many parts of Barcelona.

Tapas Bar

2007-11-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

A tapa is a small portion of food that you get when ordering a drink, normally beer or wine. Depending on the bar, it can vary from peanuts to Spanish omelet or even a small portion of paella. In some parts of Spain such as Granada or Leon, the tapa is free. Unfortunately, this is not the case of Barcelona where you have to pay for them.

MACBA

2007-10-10T14:47:00.000-07:00

Designed by the American architech Richard Meier, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) is one of the most emblematic buildings in Barcelona.

Castell del Tres Dragons

2007-10-03T14:18:00.000-07:00

Popularly knows as the Castell del Tres Dragons (Three Dragons Castle), this stunning building was designed by the famous architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner for the World's Fair of 1888. It currently hosts the Zoology Museum of Barcelona.

Located at Parc de la Ciutadella, it is one of the most important examples or the Art Nouveau (Modernisme Català).

Traditional shop

2007-07-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Taste of the old days when shopping was done at the small local shop around the corner. There are a large number of shops within the Gothic Quarter.

Sant Jordi

2007-07-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

April 23rd is the feast of Sant Jordi (Diada de Sant Jordi), the patron Saint of Catalonia. The tradition is that the man buys the woman a rose and the woman buys the man a book.

Estrella Damm

2007-04-28T11:19:00.000-07:00

This is probably the most important truck in Barcelona, the Estrella Damm beer delivery truck. It supplies Estrella Damm and Voll Damm to the entire city. There are, in fact, several delivery trucks so don't worry as Barcelona will be properly supplied in the event of the above truck breaking down.

Mercat de la Boqueria

2007-04-14T06:13:00.000-07:00

Mercat de Sant Josep, commonly known as Mercat de la Boqueria, it is the most famous and picturesque market of Barcelona, in it you can buy all kind of products. If you cannot find it there, it doesn't exist.

Located on the right hand side of Las Ramblas when heading down towards the port. A beautiful market definitely worth visiting.

Palau de la Música Catalana

2007-03-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

The Catalan Music Palace (Palau de la Música Catalana) is one of the most beautiful buildings in Barcelona. Designed by the architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, it was built between 1905 and 1907. In 1997 it was declared as an World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Tags: Palau de la Música Catalana

Street Performers

2007-03-12T14:15:00.000-07:00

Street performers are one Barcelona's major attractions. Most of them are located in the Ramblas also you will also find them in the Gothic Quarter, specially around the Cathedral.

Among the street performers, I will highlight the "human statues" as some of them are impressive although my favourites are the singers. Some of them even sell their own CDs, so if you like their music, why not spending a few euro on a CD.

It is also not unusual to see tenors and sopranos, and in general quality of the street singers is pretty good, so if you have the time, why not spending 5 minutes listening to them as you may be impressed and you may end up standing there for a good while. You can even grab a coffee and come back to listen to them, I am sure they will like, specially if you show some financial support.

Barri Gotic - Gothic Quarter

2006-11-04T07:48:00.000-08:00

The Barri Gotic, also known as the Gothic Quarter, is the oldest part of the city with narrow streets and old buildings. There are lots of smalls shops.

Plaça del Pi, located just 2 minutes from Las Ramblas, it is the perfect place to stop for a coffee at any of its bars and to enjoy the city. You can also admire the paintings exposed by local artists.

Parc Güell

2006-11-04T07:38:00.000-08:00

The Parc Güell was designed by Antoni Gaudí as per request of the count of Güell who dreamed about aristocratic city-garden with single-family residences. Built from 1900 to 1914. The project did not succeed and the park became property of the Barcelona city council who transformed it in a public park in 1923. Free entrance.

Picture of the Casa Museu Gaudí where Gaudí lived for 20 years (from 1906 to 1926).

Photo of the Plaza of the Park, which offers amazings views of the city.

Antoni Gaudi - Modernisme

2006-11-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Barcelona is probably the world capital of the Modernisme (Art Nouveau). Antoni Gaudí is its greatest figure, his works are famous all over the world and attract millions of visitors every year. The majority of his work is located in Catalonia, and more exactly in Barcelona. Gaudí died in 1926 run over by a tramway.

La Pedrera (Casa Milà) is located on the Passeig de Gràcia. It opens from Monday to Sunday from 10 am to 8pm and the ticket is 7€. Guided visits in English are available from Monday to Friday at 4pm.

Casa Batlló is also located on the Passeig de Gràcia, just in front of the La Pedrera.

Les Rambles

2006-11-04T06:22:00.000-08:00

Les Rambles is probably the most famous street in Barcelona and is one of the places that must be visited in Barcelona.

Les Rambles is famous for its kiosks where you can buy not only newspapers but also flowers, birds and small pets. You can also find human estatues, artists that will draw you a portrait and a large number of cafes and restaurants.

The Font de Canaletes is located at the top of the Les Rambles . A legend says that if you drink water from it, you will come back to Barcelona. It is also the place where Barcelona Fans celebrate their victories.