Travel Journal

Barcelona (Oct 2003)

For Laura's milestone birthday - she's now 21 (with 19 years experience!) - we visited Barcelona. Join us as we stroll down Las Ramblas, enjoy Gaudi's Architecture and cheer on Barca at the Camp Nou ...

Las Ramblas

Our hotel was only a short walk from the Placa de Catalunya at the top of Las Ramblas. Despite the numerous warnings about pickpockets and con-artists, we spent quite a bit of time 'rambling'. We can recommend Les Quinze Nits restaurant in Placa Reial - we had to queue for almost an hour to get in, but the street entertainment was excellent and the food was worth the wait!

The Old Town and Port

The old town lies to the east of Las Ramblas - a maze of narrow streets surrounding La Seu Catedral and more street entertainers! Head south and you reach the port area - very lively and some nice yachts too.

Sagradia Familia and Parc Guell

Barcelona wouldn't be the same without Modernisme and particularly, Antoni Gaudi. Work was started on the Temple de la Sagrada Familia in 1882; we were hoping they might have finished it in time for our visit, but alas no ...

Described (by someone) as "a cross between a surreal Disneyland and a Max Ernst painting", the Parc Guell is another Gaudi masterpiece and well worth a visit.

Other Bits

From the Parc de la Ciutadella, through the Eixample to Monjuic and the Olympic Stadium, Barcelona has something for everyone. But what trip would be complete without taking in a game at the Camp Nou?