WONDERLAND OF GAUDÍ
On Spain’s northeast coast on the Iberian Peninsula, the Catalonian regional capital of Barcelona, situated on the Mediterranean Sea, is deeply rooted in its Catalan heritage. UNESCO World Heritage sites by Spanish Modernismo movement architect Antonio Gaudí are found throughout this city.
Basics
Administrative: Regional Capital of Catalonia
Languages: Spanish and Catalan
Currency: Euro €
Airport: Barcelona–El Prat Airport BCN has 2 terminals (T1 is international)
Train Stations: Sants Estació (most central) and El Prat Estació (east near airport)
Tram and Metro: tickets sold at any metro station (single-ride or 2-5 day pass)
Safety: Barcelona is ranked a safe city, but be aware of the high risk of pickpockets, particularly in tourist areas and public transit areas
| District | Neighborhoods |
|---|---|
| Ciutat Vella | Reval + Barri Gòtic + Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera (el Born) + Barceloneta |
| Eixample | Sant Antoni + Nova Esquerra + Antiga Esquerra + Dreta de l’Eixample + Fort Pienc + la Sagrada Familia |
| Sants-Montjuïc | Poble Sec + Parc de Montjuïc + Hostafrancs + Sants + Sants-Badal + Bordeta + Marina de Port + Marina de Port Vermell + Zona Franca Port |
| Les Corts | Les Corts + Maternitat i Sant Ramon + Pedralbes |
| Sarrià-Sant Gervais | Sant Gervasi-Galvany + el Putxet i el Farró + Tres Torres + Sant Gervasi-la Bonanuova + Sarrià + Vallvidrera, Tibídabo i les Planes |
| Gràcia | Camp d’en Grassot i Gràcia Nova + Vila de Gràcia + el Salut + el Coll + Vallcarca i els Penitentes |
| Horta-Guinardó | Guinardó + Baix Guinardó + Can Baró + Font d’en Fargues + Carmel + Teixonera + la Clota + Vall d’Hebron + Sant Genís dels Agudells + Montbau + Horta |
| Nou Barris | Vilapicina i la Torre Llobeda + Porta + Turó de la Peira + Can Peguera + La Guineueta + Verdum + Prosperitat + Canyelles + Les Rosquetes + Trinitat Nova + Torre Baró + Ciutat Meridiana + Vallbona |
| Sant Andreu | Nevas + Congrés i els Indians + la Sagrera + Sant Andreu de Palomar + Bon Pastor + Baró de Viver + Trinitat Vella |
| Sant Martí | Vila Olímpica del Poblenou + Parc i la Llacuna del Poblenou + el Poblenou + Provençal del Poblenou + Diagonal Mar i el Front Marítim del Poblenou + Besòs i el Maresme + Verneda i la Pau + Sant Martí de Provençals + el Clot + Camp de l’Arpa del Clot |
Rail
- RENFE trains and over 200 coach companies serve Estación Barcelona Sant, including high-speed AVE trains (also run by RENFE) to Madrid takes just over 2-1/2 hours; and France’s TGV high-speed rail with journeys to Paris taking 6-1/2 hours
- TrainLine rail app is a good resource for making reservations
- Rail Europe is also a great source for making necessary train reservations—more travel information can be found in my post on an earlier trip: Northwestern Europe
- Our Eurail passes covered our train travel between cities and villages within our selected countries on the continent
- For local transport throughout Barcelona, we purchased unlimited journey day tram/metro passes (for 2-5 days) from the kiosk in the metro station—information guide HERE
- Metro maps were stored on our phones for quick reference, such as this one for Barcelona:
Barcelona: Spain or Catalonia?—When we unexpectedly met its complexity and conflict
Many may not even realize—I, one of limited knowledge, can only begin to understand—the layers of Barcelona’s complicated history within the region of Catalonia. Seeing their pride and their frustration in action only gave me a glimpse. What I do know—people want to be heard. Acknowledged. Respected. Our issues are universal. A common desire among…