Posts in ‘Things to do in Barcelona’

There is so much to see in the city, sometimes it can be a challenge to decide what and how to do it. But if you’re on vacation, why not try being a tourist with a difference! Here’s a selection of different ways to explore the wonderful, vibrant city of Barcelona – and make sure you make the most of your trip by staying in one of the best Barcelona hotels.

Kickbike and Scooter Tours of Barcelona!

For the eco conscious amongst you, why not take a cross between a bike and a scooter as a way of transporting yourself around the city. Kickbikes are suitable for pretty much anyone, and you can either join a guided tour or just rent the kickbike and take off for the day. Either way, it’s a great way of keeping fit and seeing the sights at the same time.

Barcelona Ice Bar

With a cool -5 ambient temperature, Barcelona’s Ice Bar is the only one of its kind in the world which is built on a beach. Situated at Playa de Barceloneta, the Ice Bar offers the perfect place to cool down from the hot Mediterranean sun. Just don’t forget your jacket and gloves!

Antique Caravan Tours

If you fancy seeing the surrounding area from the back of a traditional horse-drawn caravan, then why not take a tour to discover a little more about the tradition Catalan farmers of the area. From years gone by up to modern days, these tours will give you an insight into the Catalan culture and how the locals live at one with the countryside. The tours last from half a day up to a week in duration.

Rickshaw Tour

Rickshaws are a great way to explore the area, and the fact that someone else is doing the pedalling is always a bonus! What better way to have a local show you around their city, and you never know, you might learn a few words of Spanish along the way!

Go Back to School

No, not seriously, but how about signing up for a cocktail making class and learn how to mix ‘em up like a pro. You’ll be taught some neat bartender tricks, and no doubt be allowed more than just a few tasting sessions along the way. Then at the end, you can watch the professionals show you exactly how it should be done. Cocktail classes are run in a few venues in the city and last a few hours.

Guest post by Escapio.com

Does the thought of having to find a costume for Halloween fill you with more dread than the haunting face of a man wielding a chainsaw? If so, Europe could be the answer. With some semblance of a cultural festival still being celebrated across the Channel you can take advantage of an excuse for a holiday without the dodgy eye make-up, fraying bandages and the handing out of ‘treats’ to hungry teenagers.

For a last minute trip Paris is the perfect option, and easily accessible. The city of love is slowly becoming one of horror for one night of the year only, but like the rest of Europe celebrates All Saints Day on November 1^st, where the dead are honoured and the graves of loved ones are visited to pay respects. This also constitutes a national holiday so many attractions will be closed. The Paris Hop-on Hop-Off Bus takes in all the sights and runs all year, so while Parisians are paying their respects, the city can be explored. The route takes in all the most popular sites such as the Louvre, Champs de Mars, Notre Dame and the Champs-Élysée. continue reading

Experience Barcelona

Park Guell (Flickr by MorBCN)

Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city, which explains the city’s wide array of activities to partake in.  When I was a senior in high school I visited Spain with my Art History class.  Looking back, Barcelona was sadly the city where we had the shortest amount of time and I wish I had a couple more days to experience Barcelona.

As of recent, Barcelona has become one of the most visited cities in Spain because of the vast amount of activities to experience.  Whether you enjoy thrilling tours and experiences, the arts, or learning more about a city’s culture then Barcelona has something to offer. continue reading

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Sagrada Familia, Gaudi - jurvetson

There is plenty to explore in Barcelona, a city notorious for its relaxed pace of life. Things work on a slower timetable here, great for a walk about! Take your time, you have all day! (Literally, dinner often doesn’t start here until 10 or 11pm, and nightclubs usually don’t begin filling up until around 2am). There’s plenty to do and see, and in recent years, Barcelona has become quite the multicultural hotbed. The area is home to a high population of immigrants, which means not only interesting people, but amazing international food, and a rich collection of books, art, and shopping. Cafés (yum, churros and chocolate!), galleries and parks (with lots of famous street art) galore!

As the home of nine UNESCO World Heritage sites (seven of which were designed by the famous Antoni Gaudí) there are plenty destinations for you to check out on that slow ramble around the city. continue reading

Sports fans will be able to incorporate some high-octane entertainment into their Barcelona tours later this year when the MotoGP motorcycling season comes to the Circuit de Catalunya.

The sixth race in the 2009 MotoGP World Championship will be held on the testing track just outside Barcelona on June 14th.

Qatar was the destination for the opening event in the 2009 season last weekend, with Australian rider Casey Stoner taking an early lead prior to races in Japan, Spain, France and Italy before the end of May.

People who make it to the event in Barcelona will be treated to an impressive sporting spectacle as the courageous riders fly around the track at speeds of up to 185mph and attempt daring overtaking manoeuvres.

Other circuits that will feature on the MotoGP World Championship this year include Indianapolis in the US on August 30th and Phillip Island in Australia on October 18th.

Motorsport fans will also be provided with plenty of opportunities for globetrotting by the Formula One season, which will take in such exotic destinations as Monte Carlo, Istanbul, Singapore and Sao Paulo.

Barcelona – Wonderful Gaudi architecture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere have made Barcelona Spain’s most popular city.

Spain has always offered a variety of attractions from discovering hidden courtyards and junk shops in the Barri Gotic in Barcelona to sun-bathing on the golden sands of Mallorca. Choosing which of their hottest destinations to visit is a hard decision. Do you want to visit a water park in Mallorca, go to the Picasso Museum in Barcelona, or buy knick-knacks in Ibiza? If you do decide on Ibiza over Mallorca you’re immediately left with the sad feeling you’re really missing out on the soft sands of El Arenal beach. Luckily, now there are new tours to help you make the most of your time no matter where you choose. continue reading

Rock and roll fans will be provided with some unmissable and unforgettable entertainment during Barcelona tours later this year when the legendary AC/DC bring their world tour to the city.

The veteran rockers have been touring the world since February to support the release of Black Ice, their first album in eight years, last October.

Barcelona’s Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium will be the venue for the show on June 7th.

Belgrade (May 26th), Athens (May 28th), Lisbon (June 3rd), Madrid (June 5th), Paris (June 12th) and many other destinations will feature on the band’s tour before it finally comes to an end at Glasgow’s Hampden Park on June 30th.

AC/DC have now been rocking for more than 30 years and have been responsible for creating some of the most recognisable songs in modern music, including Highway to Hell, Back in Black and You Shook Me All Night Long.

Music fans taking Barcelona tours this year may also have the opportunity to see U2 in concert when they play at the Nou Camp stadium on June 30th and July 2nd.

Barcelona – Wonderful Gaudi architecture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere have made Barcelona Spain’s most popular city.

Guitarists and music fans will be arranging Barcelona tours over the coming months as part of plans to visit the city while it hosts the Guitar Festival.

This giant celebration of one of the world’s most popular musical instruments began on March 24th and will continue to present intimate gigs and major concerts around the city until June 18th.

One of the highlights of the festival for many music fans will be the appearance of David Byrne, one of the founding members of Talking Heads.

Byrne will perform a number of pieces he created in collaboration with Brian Eno at the Palau de la Musica Catalana on April 24th.

Madeleine Peyroux will also perform at this venue on May 8th, followed by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jackson Browne on May 13th, while Wilco will play at L’Auditori on June 4th.

Music fans could also be planning Barcelona tours this year to visit two major festivals being held in the city – Primavera Sound (May 28th to 30th) and Sonar (June 18th to 20th).

Barcelona – Wonderful Gaudi architecture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere have made Barcelona Spain’s most popular city.

Travellers on Barcelona tours will soon be able to head off on an even longer adventure through the Collserola natural park, which is set for a major expansion.

Barcelona mayor Jordi Hereu and Catalan minister for the environment and housing Francesc Baltasar were among the attendees at a recent meeting to guarantee the future of the park.

The area will be expanded to cover some 8,320 hectares and will include the individual nature reserves of La Rierada-Can Balasc and Font Groga.

Mr Baltasar said that Collserola will now be the "big park" for most of the citizens of Catalonia and visitors to Barcelona.

It is expected that work to improve and develop the park into a more attractive area for visitors will be completed by the end of the year.

Other natural areas that visitors to Barcelona can explore during their trip include Parc Guell, which was designed by the architect Antoni Gaudi, and the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Barcelona – Wonderful Gaudi architecture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere have made Barcelona Spain’s most popular city.

People with a passion for cars will be able to visit a major event dedicated to the world’s newest automobiles during Barcelona tours in May.

The Barcelona International Motor Show will be held at the Fira de Barcelona between May 9th and 17th, where it will be celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2009.

Considered one of the biggest motor shows in Europe, the event will feature 171 direct exhibitors and 44 leading automobile brands from around the world, with more than a million visitors expected to see them this year.

The fair will cover cars, vans, customisation equipment, spare parts, audio technology, vehicle services and much more.

In a major development for 2009, the show has been declared an ‘event of exceptional public interest’, a classification previously given to occasions such as the Barcelona Olympic Games and the Seville Universal Exposition.

An added bonus for petrolheads taking Barcelona tours in May will be the Formula One Catalunya Grand Prix, which will take place on the weekend starting May 8th.

Barcelona – Wonderful Gaudi architecture and a cosmopolitan atmosphere have made Barcelona Spain’s most popular city.