Tours & sights




Barcelona Bus Turistic:


The Tourist Bus has 44 stops along three routes: Northern Route (red), Southern Route (blue) & Forum Route (green).

You can get on and off as many times as you like along the journey. This way, once you have visited those places you have been interested for, you can catch the next bus and continue the route. Just with the same ticket! On board, there is a tourist information guide who announces the stops in different languages and helps you to make the most of your visit.
You will also receive a complete information guide leaflet, in six languages, about the tourist attractions at each Barcelona Bus Touristy stop. Besides, remember that you have a voucher with many discounts to visit places of interest with the tickets purchase.

The first buses from Northern and Southern routes are at most of the stops from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m. Last ones depart from Plaça de Catalunya at 7:00 p.m. in winter (November to March) and at 8:00 p.m. in summer (April to October).

Both, Northern and Southern routes last about 2 hours and they run daily all year round, except December 25th and January 1st.

The first buses from Forum route depart from Port Olímpic and Fòrum stops at 9:30 a.m.

Buses run every 5 to 25 minutes, according to the season. Please click on the official page to check up to date fares and where to buy your tickets.
http://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/web/guest/informacio

Routes and stops:
http://www.barcelonabusturistic.cat/web/guest/rutes


Design Tour


BARCELONA – DESIGN CITY

Barcelona is a city that breathes art and creativity: Hotels, shops, restaurants, bars, markets, bookshops, parks and endless spaces, where to appreciate what is known as one of the world capitals of design and modernity.

Barcelona offers an inheritance of universal artists such as Gaudi, Miro, Tapies and Brossa, but furthermore in the past years the city has become one of favorites for illustrators, designers, architects, photographers and creative professionals from around the world.

If you want to know more The Barcelona Design Centre offers you the BCN Design Tour with 250 essential points in Barcelona to create your own route. Every part of this tour will help you understand why Barcelona has become one of the design cities around the world.

BCN Design Tour BCN Design Tour Download the application and you will get the more innovative and creative trends in Barcelona.



Modernist Tour


In Barcelona you will find entire districts spattered with Modernist buildings, like in no other city in the world. For those interested there is the Modernist Route (La Ruta del Modernisme) which we will describe to you:

The Modernist Route begins near the foot of the Rambla, at the Palau Gëll on carrer Nou de la Rambla.
Palau de la Musica Catalana (1905-1908). Doménech i Muntaner created one of the Modernist masterpieces. Sheet iron was used precociously in this building, and the preciousness of the lavish decoration makes it feel like a piece of jewellery. The auditorium has an inverted cupola made of stained glass that will take your breath away. Sculpture and painting are also a crucial part of the buildings decoration.

The Catalan Modernism was adopted also by all kind of patrons, especially shops. There two of these on the Ramblas. The Antiga Casa Figueras, in Rambla 83, was decorated by Antoni Ros in 1902 and it is richly decorated with mosaic and stained glass. The 1911 Famacia Genove in Rambla 77 by Enric Sagnier includes gothic elements as well.

The Palau Gëll vwas projected by Antoni Gaudi in 1886, and built with the best materials. With superb metalwork, stone masonry and woodwork that includes ebony and rare brasilian woods.

Passeig de Gracia The Passeig de Gracia probably has the highest concentration of different Modernist buildings in the city. Starting at the Plaça Catalunya, the first building to impress us is the 1890 Casa Pascual I Pons in Passeig de Gracia 2-4. By Enric Sagnier. At number 6-14 stands the magnificent and stately Cases Rocamora (1918) by J. Bassegoda. Crossing the Gran Via, moving up the Passeig de Gracia, we come across the façade of the Roca jewellery shop, a design by Josep Lluis Sert.

The Casa Lleo Morera At number 35 of Passeig de Gracia is another of Lluis Domenech I Montaner's brilliant masterpieces. The Casa Lleo Morera is on what is known as the "block of disagreement" because of the contrast between the major Modernist buildings, including this one and Casa Batllo and Casa Amatller.

Casa Amatller At number 41 we arrive to Casa Amatller (1898-1900) by Puig I Cadafalch. The outside combines a rigid stepped gable with floral neogothic details. The façade shows St. George fighting the dragon, which is a Catalan nationalist theme.
Right next door is the Casa Batllo. Metro to: Passeig de Gracia.

An appartment block which has an unreal appearance. The façade is covered with multi-coloured tiles and the roof uses glazed ceramic "scales", following the theme of St. George and the dragon.
Just around the corner on Arago street you can visit one of the earliest Modernist buildings, the Editorial Montaner I Simon built in 1880 which is now the Antoni Tapies Foundation, one of the most innovative and active art centres in Barcelona.
The Casa Mila (1906-1912) in Passeig de Gracia 93. Tel.: (34) 934 845 900. Metro to: Diagonal.

La Pedrera Also called La Pedrera (the Quarry) is Antoni Gaudi's most mature work. In 1984 it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. This is a mandatory stop if you want to learn about Barcelona and Modernism. There is a exhibition space in the restore attic, and a conference hall in the basement. The view from the rooftop is priceless.

Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau Hospital de la Santa Creu I Sant Pau.This unique hospital complex is an unqualified masterpiece of Modernism. It is located not far from the Sagrada Familia, at the other end of the Avinguda Gaudi. Recently this building, along with the Palau de la Musica Catalana, was declared to be a World Heritage site by the UNESCO.

Park Güell Park Güell. Olot s/n. Tel.: (34) 932 130 488. Opening hours from 10am to 9pm.

This park was originally intended to be an English style garden city. This enchanted world was projected by Antoni Gaudi, but executed by his disciple Josep Maria Jujol. The undulating benches are covered with fragments of brilliant ceramic tile, all sizes, kinds, colours and qualities. The main entrance to the park is flanked by a couple of buildings that look like they illustrate a fairy tale. Next come the famous staircase, with a multi-coloured dragon keeping watch over the falling water that spouts from its mouth. Then the staircase bifurcates and leads the visitor to the impressive and monumental hypostyle hall. The ceiling is completely covered with the characteristic mosaic of broken tiles and there are several "suns" that beak the monotony of the white tile.


Gaudi Tour


Sagrada Familia
Plaça Sagrada Familia. Tel.: (34) 934 550 247. Metro to: Sagrada Familia.

Visiting hours from 9am to 9pm daily. In 1882 started its construction and still less than half of it completed. This is undoubtedly one of Barcelona's most characteristic buildings. You can visit the structure and climbing up some of the towers. There is a museum that has models of what the final structure will look like. There are two façades: the Passion and the Nativity with sculptural contributions from different sculptors.

  • Casa Mila
  • Casa Batllo
  • Park Güell


Gothic Tour


Carrer del Bisbe
The Gothic quarter is the heart of the city. It is very recommended to stroll through the historical centre of Barcelona. You will discover the remains of the ancient fortifications and the temple to August built by the Romans on Mount Taber. These remains are next to the old palace of the count-kings, the Cathedral and other Gothic buildings which mark the apogee of the city and its culture in the medieval period.

You can start your walk at the Plaça de Sant Jaume, with a visit to the interior of the City Hall, where you can admire the historical Salo de Cent.

The Cathedral The Cathedral, close by is a beautiful example of Catalan gothic, started in 1298. There is a very interesting ancient crypt and a unique cloister.

At Palau del Lloctinent, we have an excellent example of very late gothic civil architecture from the 16th century.

Plaça del Rei Plaça del Rei. This is one of Barcelona's favourite venues for concerts and artistic activities. It is an extraordinarily coherent mixture of singular buildings, including the chapel of Saint Agatha, the Palau Reial Major, and the Palau del Lloctinent.

Also see the Pia Almoina, which was the residence of the 16th century canons. Close by, there are the Roman Walls, remains from the 4th century A.D. These walls are part of a series of gothic period buildings. From Via Laietana there is a peferct view of them.


Walking Tours:


Find below some of the most important walking tours available in Barcelona city. For more detailed information on each tour, click on the link provided below.


  • Gothic Quarter Walking Tour - This tour explores the historic quarter of the city. This includes incredible architecture, as the Cathedral and the roman walls.

  • Picasso Walking Tour - Picasso spent his early years in Barcelona, leaving his touch in places as Els 4 Gats restaurant.

  • Modernist Walking Tour - Barcelona Modernist architecture is world known, thanks to Antonio Gaudi, Josep Puig I Cadafalch and Luis Domenech I Montaner.


Barcelona Sights:


Barcelona Beaches

Barcelona Beach In 1980's there was the first projects that opened Barcelona to the sea. The seafront was developed from the Moll de la Fusta and the area around the Palau de Mar to the Rambla and the Olympic Port area. This last one, that has become one of the most popular spaces for recreation and leisure. These new projects have also been extended to improve the access and the services in all the city seafront transforming the beaches all around the city. With more than four kilometres overhall we have the following beaches in Barcelona city: Sant Sebastià, La Barceloneta, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella. Please click on each name to see more information.


Barceloneta

Metro to: Barceloneta

This area has had a tremendous revitalization since the 1992 Olympic Games, as it stands between the Olympic Port area and the Port Vell. It is built upon a triangular peninsula. Until very recently this neighborhood was Barcelona's only point of contact with the sea, and its residents were mostly fishermen and seafarers. It is well known for its many seafood restaurants and some very good beaches.


Columbus Monument

Metro to: Drassanes

Columbus Monument Overlooking las Ramblas, almost at the water's edge is the 19th Century monument to Christopher Columbus. The monument was built to commemorate the return of Columbus from his first trip to the Americas, because it was at Barcelona that the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdianad and Isabel, welcomed him home. The 50 metre tall structure, was built in 1888 and has become one of the identifying symbols of Barcelona.


Estació de Francia

Estació de Francia France Station at Av. Marques de l'Argentera s/n. Metro: Barceloneta

This is a masterpiece of 19th century metal architecture and engineering.


Montjuic and The Magic Fountain

Montjuic and The Magic Fountain The dominat feature of Barcelona's skyline is the 570 foot high mountain of Montjuic. It was already settled well before Roman times, and was later known by the Roman as Mount Jupiter. After being a military fortress, in the 19th century started the first plans for urbanizing the mountain. The 1929 Universal Exposition held in Barcelona was the beginning of Mountjuic's integration with the city, and which was completed with the 1992 Olympic Games. Montjuic is also one of Barcelona's most imortant natural parks.

The Magic Fountain located at the end of Main entrance of Exhibion center, (metro: Espanya), was conceived as a new type of fountain consisting in changing shapes of the water, whilst this dances along with the music and a show of colours. Check timetable for the show - Worth to see!


Olympic Ring

For the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games the 1929 Olympic Stadium was refurbished and expanded. Next door, the futuristic Palau Sant Jordi was built without supporting columns for the huge monolithic roof. It took 10 days to lift the roof using hydraulic lifts. Since the Games it has become a favoured concert venue.


Palau de la Musica

Metro to: Jaume I, Urquinaona

Palau de la Musica One of the best examples of Modernist architecture in Barcelona. The architect Domenech I Muntaner, whose work is also on the Passeig de Gracia, made this his masterpiece in 1908. Check for the multicoloured mosaic and stained glass.


Palau del Mar

Metro to: Barceloneta

Palau del Mar A beautiful 19th century port building, carefully renovated by a Canadian architectural firm, in host to a variety of restaurants and the spectacular Museum of Catalan History. Its warm brick texture walls and arcades, overlooking the harbour, create a perfect venue for a relaxed meal.


Plaça del Pi and Carrer Petrixol

Metro to: Liceu, Jaume I

Plaça del Pi and Carrer Petrixol One of the best loved areas for artists and bohemians is the confluence of the plaça del Pi, plaça Sant Josep Orion and Plaçeta del Pí, located just off the Ramblas. The area is dominated by the church of Santa María del Pí. Frequent arts and crafts fairs, as well as sales of natural foods such as honey and mild cheese (typical).


Plaça Reial

Metro to: Liceu, Drassanes, Jaume I

Plaça Reial Just off the Ramblas is this interesting porticoed square. Of special interest are the two central lamposts, Antoni Gaudi's first commission in Barcelona. Under the porticoes you will find a variety of popular restaurants and bars. Street musicians entertain you.


Poble Espanyol

Metro to: Espanya

Marqués de Comillas s/n. Tel. (34) 933 257 866.
http://www.poble-espanyol.com/pemsa/en.html

The Poble Espanyol, or Spanish Village, was built for the international Exhibition of 1929 as a showcase of Spanish architecture. This represents 117 buildings of the Spanish architectural heritage. The architectures did such a good job that the village remained after the Exhibition and the whole complex has become one of Barcelona's main tourist attractions and an important recreational centre. It is a fascinating collection of replicas of some of Spain's best architecture throughout the ages.

There is a unique Artisans route that includes 18 artisan workshops with activities such as cloissonne enamel, sculpture, ceramics, leather, restoration, and glass blowing. The workshops are open to the public for visits and you can buy items directly from the artisans. Here you can find from shops to restaurants, banks, church, and performance venues.


Port Olimpic

Metro to: Ciutadella-Vila Olimpica

Port Olimpic The beaches in the Olympic Village and Port area are probably the best in Barcelona. The Olympic Port commercial infrastructure is magnificent and is complemented by Barcelona's two skyscrapers, the Hotel Arts and the Mapfre building. Also one of best nightlife areas. Exciting venues such as Luna Mora and Baja Beach. Continuing along the waterfront you will see the Olympic port itself which boasts many of the seafood restaurrants in Barcelona. Special attention for its quality and value is "El Cangrejo Loco" restaurant.


Ramblas

Metro to: Catalunya, Liceu, Drassanes

Ramblas Barcelona's most characteristic avenue, the nerve centre of the city. Whenever somehting important happens to the city this is where everyone shos up to celebrate or protest. All Barcelona's soccer triumphs are celebrated. There are always people on the Ramblas, right up to the very early hours.

The Ramblas run from the Plaça Catalunya right down to the monument to Columbus at the water's edge. This unique street in fact bears five different names, each describing a section of the street: first there is La Rambla de Canaletes, a name used by the people of Barcelona because of the Font de les Canaletes fountain. Folk tradition says that anyone who drinks from this fountain will subsequently keep returning to Barcelona. The next section of La Rambla is known as La Rambla dels Estudis, after the mid 15th century building of that name, the Estudy General or Universitat, which was demolished. Continuing towards the sea you will enter the stretch known as La Rambla de les Flors, the only place in 19th century that flowers were sold and which even today preserves its that old special charm. Next coms La Rambla del Centre, also known as La Rambla dels Caputxins, because of the old house of Capuchin friars there. And finally, there is the La Rambla called La Rambla de Santa Monica, giving access to the Port. All this avenue is full of terraces, shops, mimes, etc, and do not miss out the Joan Miro Mossaic on the pavement, The Boqueria Market or the Liceu Opera House located on its sides.


Santa Maria del Mar Church

Metro to: Jaume I

Santa Maria del Mar Church One of the best Gothic architecture in Catalonia (XIV-XV c.). The interior is an example of harmony and the feeling of airiness and lightnes is unrivalled in all but a select few gothic structures in Europe. The spacing between columns is the lartgest of any gothic structure, over 9 metres, and the acoustic properties of this beautiful space have made it a favourite for concerts.


Theatre Liceu - Opera House

Metro to: Liceu

Theatre Liceu - Opera House Considered one of the finest opera houses in Europe along with the Scala of Milan, it burnt to the ground tragically in 1994. But now it is fully reconstructed conserving the original façade, but keeping all its charm.


Famous Attractions

  • Aquarium - Moll d'Espanya, Port Vell s/n. Tel.: (34) 932 217 474. Metro to: Drassanes, Barceloneta.
    Barcelona's Aquarium is the wolrd's largest and most important with a Mediterranean theme. Holding more than 4000 fish, the stars are the sharks. The miniacuaria, a living show of the great treasures of the sea in their most tiny scale. It is worth to see.

  • Imax 3D Port Vell - Metro to: Drassanes, Barceloneta.
    Imax Port Vell the cinema of the future, is a show of image and sound unique in the world. 27 metres high screen, also experience cinema in 3 dimensions.

  • Zoo - Parc de la Ciutadella. Tel.: (34) 932 212 506. Metro to: Ciutadella.
    The Barcelona Zoo houses over 7000 different animals belonging to 400 species. There is also a children's zoo with petting animals.