Barcelona, Spain-Beautiful Beaches

 

We were fortunate to visit Barcelona on our Trans- Atlantic cruise. Although we only spent one day in this city, it could easily capture your heart. An  internationally renowned  tourist destination, it boosts one of the best beaches in the world, mild and warm climate, historical monuments, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and many good-quality hotels.  We visited in March and the temp was 20 C and sunny. Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, after Madrid, with a population of a million and a half people and  the 16th-most-visited city in the world and the fourth most visited in Europe after Paris, London, and Rome, with several million tourists every year.

The capital of Catalonia, a region with its own language, character and history – many Catalans think of their home as a separate country. The city itself could keep you occupied for weeks but just outside it are sandy beaches, Sitges and the Montserrat mountain range - so be sure to make time for a few day trips during your stay.

Barcelona beach was listed as number one in a list of the top ten city beaches in the world according to National Geographic. You will find seven beaches in total.  Sant Sebastià, Barceloneta and Somorrostro beaches, are the largest, totalling 4.5 km of coastline, and the most-frequented beaches in Barcelona.

We began our journey into the mysteries of Barcelona at the port. We travelled by bus up the Montjuic Mountain to Montjuïc Castle is located on a rocky terrace more than 170 metres above sea level.  An old military fortress with a long history closely linked to the city, it was an interesting and educational stop.  Our bus tour took us past  Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner, and included in the UNESCO Heritage List in 1997.

Especially remarkable is the work of architect Antoni Gaudí, which can be seen throughout the city. His best-known work is the immense but still unfinished  Barcelona Cathedral Sagrada Família, the international symbol of Barcelona,

which has been under construction since 1882. It is financed by private donations and completion is planned for 2026.  Next we pass the truly unique apartment complex, Casa Batlló  by the same architect.

 The Cathedral of St. Eulalia was on our tour and because it was Easter week and services were being held, we did not go inside.

El Poble Espanyol de Barcelona  is an historic Spanish village filled with artisans and craftsmen displaying and selling their wares. It is one of the popular spots to visit in Barcelona and the Spanish architecture and beautiful flowers are breathtaking.

Another must is a  visit to Barcelona's Monumental Bull Ring and the famous Cathedral Sta Maria del Mar, the only completed Gothic church in Catalonia.

If you are feeling thirsty or hungry, there are a variety of mojitos on offer at Gimlet.  Classic, coffee, ginger, red fruit, cumquat, passionfruit, perilla (shiso)...¡Salud!

Escribà Barcelona is a definite for chocolate lovers. Antoni Escribà and his  family tradition since 1906, delight with remarkable pastries and criminal chocolate creations. Try the Easter bunyols de xocolata (little round pastry balls filled with chocolate cream). Yummy !

 

Cruise ships dock right in Barcelona and access to the city is immediate. There are on and off tour buses and lots of taxis at the port.

 •Getting to / from the airport

Renfe’s R2 Nord train line runs between the airport and Passeig de Graçia in central Barcelona (about 35 minutes). Tickets cost €3, starts at 6.08am and ends at 11.38pm daily.

 

 

 

 

Travel: if not to new lands, then to the nooks and crannys of your heart. Don't worry if you don't know where you are heading, just go !