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12 Awe-Inspiring Things to Do in Barcelona
12 Awe-Inspiring Things to Do in Barcelona
Aweing and Inspiring are always the greatest means to get you all pumped up in anything you set yourself into. And when traveling to Spain, you can easily grasp awe moments almost every time. Yes, you excited or what? Another round of budget travel adventures from this Asian bloke, and yes, this time let’s do some salsa and tapa culture. BARCELONA: It’s one of the most mandatory countries to visit when it’s your first time in Europe, because of so much history, architecture, and culture you can find here. It’s one of the most beautiful countries one can ever go to. And to get awed and inspired by the things you can do in this city, makes traveling to Spain all the more important.
1. Walk the streets of La Ramblas
It’s true what the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca said about the La Ramblas Street - "the only street in the world which I wish would never end." From the world famous Christopher Columbus monument down to the harbour point of the area, this street in central Barcelona is beaming with striking architecture, Spanish performances here and there, and quaint cafes and bars. Whether day or night, the La Ramblas is always on a roll with so much local life. It’s the best place to see the busy everyday culture of Barcelona.
2. Stalk Gaudi
If you’ve heard of Michelangelo, then you most probably heard about Antoni Gaudí of Spain. His works are transcendent across the whole of Barcelona, from street designs to house inspirations. His uncanny architectural designs are jaw-dropping. You’ll never look at neo-Gothic art the same way again; you’ll see art in a more intense and passionate light, once you stalk Gaudi’s work across the city of Barcelona.
3. Shop at Zara
There are just superficial days when you get contentment from retail therapy. But, nothing is more substantially fulfilling than to have a retail therapy in one of the best Spanish clothing empires that has ever walked in the face of the earth: Zara. Fact is, it also happens to be the world's largest apparel retailer and even owns brands such as Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Uterqüe, Stradivarius and Bershka. It’s a Spanish success story, so taking pleasure in shopping at the hub of this Spanish clothing line is a definite event.
4. Hallucinate in Casa Batllo
To see the Casa Batllo for the very first time is like hallucinating of a place that’s imaginary. Spanish culture is a lot of things, but it certainly puts a premium on the arts. This art nouveau is one of the most astonishing houses you’ll ever see along the streets of Barcelona. A true standout, from its meticulous façade down to the dragon-like arched rooftop, and even the most unusual of balcony design, the Casa Batllo can command some awe moments from anyone who sees the place.
5. Traverse thru Trains
A trip to Europe won’t be complete without some roaming around in all forms of transportation, most important of which are the trains and railways. The Barcelona railway station offers inter-city and inter-country destinations thru their high-speed trains, and it’s one of the most comprehensive you’ll ever find across Europe. The airport-style and art-driven train experience in Barcelona are pretty fascinating for first-timers in Spain, cos thing is, oddly enough, it’s easy to understand despite the labyrinth-like extent of interchanges and stations.
6. Go Gothic in La Sagrada Familia
Gothic church designs will always be one of the most goose bump-worthy places to see and experience, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site approved church in Barcelona is the epitome of gothic excellence. Being in the presence of this cathedral makes you feel like you are discovering a new form of appreciation towards architecture. The façade alone has so much mysterious history to tell, and you’ll be left with a mouth wide open full of “wow” words.
7. Pick the Plaça de Catalunya
This large square central, which has a touch point with the Las Ramblas, is where the old city and city center interlocks together. With 50,000 square meters of pure streets and avenues, this area is known for its iconic fountains, statues, and theaters. Whether art, culture, food, or just plain hanging around with the flocks of pigeons you can find here, the Plaza de Cataluña is a THE hangout place when in Barcelona.
8. People Watching in Barcelona
I’m thinking I’m being a little biased because the Philippines had been colonized by Spain for hundreds of years and my mentality of beautiful women may have been a little distorted. Lol. But can we just all acknowledge that Spanish people are drop dead beautiful. They have the prettiest, most sophisticated looking ladies you’ll ever see in Europe and Barcelona doesn’t seem to ran out of beautiful people at all. It’s not the art nor the food nor the history that’s just the attraction in Spain, but so are the people. Feast your eyes, fellas!
9. Turn Right into Lefties
Another retail therapy joint, that’s more like the H&M, Uniqlo, and Cotton On type of market. Lots of affordable stuff for yuppies who are not too flashy yet not too trashy when dressing up. Inspiring to do, because it’s so easy to look good, thanks to Lefties. Catering to women, men, and kids, Lefties leaves a good impression ‘cos of its simplistic cool laidback style that can be adopted even if you’re from a different continent. More of the nice average joe kind of style, yes, good choice.
10. Overlooking View at Park Güell
Overlooking panoramic views will always take anyone’s breath away, no matter when and where. Barcelona’s Park Güell has an interesting take on this, and by interesting, I mean really really really riveting. UNESCO World Heritage Site-kind of interesting. Another Gaudi trademark, the Park Güell’s entrance has both Barcelona’s city view and a iceberg view of the municipal garden. It’s seeing the best of both worlds in one eyeshot.
11. Next stop: MNAC
The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya or widely known as the MNAC is the national museum of Catalan visual art. This art museum houses generous amounts of different kinds of arts – most interesting of which are the romanesque collection, highlighting mural paintings that are riveting to the soul, and the renaissance and baroque art collection, highlighting the taste in art of Spain during the olden times. It’s one of the art nerd spots to visit in Barcelona, cos you learn so much in a relatively little space.
12. Try All Tapas
Barcelona is not all beautiful places and beautiful people, it also is about beautiful fares. Tapas are the wide varieties of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine and there’s just so much new food finds when you’re here. Their long list of cold and hot tapas are all mandatory foods to taste when in Spain. Their calamares a la romana are of course the glutton’s favorite, Gambas for the seafood buffs, and croquette for this blogger. It’s a gastronomic experience that should be tried out when in Barcelona.
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your article is really complete ! i'm going to barcelona next week !!!!but i want to act like a local so i'll rent an apartment with this website http://www.barcelonapoint.com/ CAN T WAIT !
ReplyDeleteAlex
good suggestion, especially if you'll be staying in spain for some time! hope you enjoy barcelona!
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