The Sagrada Familia

We don’t have to remind you how beautiful and well-known Gaudi’s work is. Initiated in 1882, and nature themed, this cathedral is still to this day in construction. You will be able to visit it for 10€. It opens at 9 am and closes at 2 pm. 

Montjuïc Hill

This vast park possesses many touristic places and activities, some of these including the castle, the Olympic stadium, the old Spanish village (that you can visit for 6- 9 euros), Miro’s foundation, the Greek theatre and many others. This is a nice hill pleasant for long strolls under a fresh marine wind during a hot summer´s day.

The Ramblas

Barcelona’s Champs Elysées, this avenue is a central place for touristic shops. The statues (human disguised) most definitely animate this street situated close to the Gothic areas.

The “Paseo de Gracia” 

Take a walk down this road where, in the olden times, rich and famous Spanish people went to walk at the weekend to boast. It is now still a famous passage where you will be able to find the Pedrera House (entry costs 11 Euros), the Battló house (between 15 and 18 Euros for a visit) and various luxury shops such as Chanel, Burberry, Yves Saint Laurent…

The Picasso museum

Although much of his work is kept for private collections, this museum displays numerous paintings of this famous painter. Located in calle Montcada, between Jaume I and Arc de Triumf metro stations, this museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am till 8 pm.

The Gothic area

It is a small pedestrian area and this part of Barcelona is very typical and home to many small bars, and restaurants. There you will find Barcelona´s cathedral and the Pie’s church which possesses the largest European rosette. 

The park Güell

Known worldwide, this park was created by the famous Barcelonese architect Gaudí. Initially built as a luxury park which would have regrouped beautiful properties, it was finally turned into a gorgeous park where you can admire Gaudi’s work (mosaic sculptures, aqueducts…).You will be able to visit the Gaudí museum located in the park Güell. The entry is free; it opens at 10 am and closes at 9 pm.

The Spanish village

Testimonial of the architectural history from all Spanish regions, this small village located in Montjuïc Park, near the national museum of Catalan Art, was built in 1929, for the international exposition. It opens Monday to Sunday, from 10 am till 6 pm.

The National Museum of Catalan Art

You can get to thismuseum via the Montjuïc Park or the “plaza de España”. Its slogan, which resumes the entire museum, is “one museum, 1000 years of art”. Come to admire paintings and sculptures by the best Catalan artists. The price of the visit is 8.5€; the museum opens at 10 am and closes at 7 pm between Tuesday and Saturday. It opens from 10 am to 2.30 pm on Sunday.

El Camp Nou

On November 29, 1899, Hans Gamper founded Futbol Club Barcelona, along with eleven other football enthusiasts, a sport that was still largely unknown in this part of the world. With a capacity of 98,800 seats, Camp Nou has the largest seat capacity in Europe!  It is located in western of Barcelona, approximately 5km from the city centre, in Arístides Maillol Avenue, in the Les Corts district of Barcelona. You are sure to enjoy a true Camp Nou experience when you go there: it opens at 10 am and closes at 5.30 pm. The price is 18.10€ per person.  

 El Born area 

El Born is a small, fashionable, but also very authentic village. Glassmakers and designers are located everywhere. Feel free to engage in dark alleys to discover the old Barcelona. It grew in the 13^th Century due to a commercial prosperity, El Born (The Ribera) along with the old Gothic Area makes up the old of Barcelona.

Come to see this cultural city and book your apartment with ComeToBarcelona.

The Greek Festival is an event of great importance in the city of Barcelona.
This event began with a small group of talented artist and over the years has become a real project dedicated to new talents and art. Each year is different, adapting in relation to the various participating artists you will find some independent shows throughout the city but all related to the festival, the idea is to exchange the passion and love for theatre and arts.

Frederic Amat responsible for the image of the event which mission is scouting new emerging talents all around the world to bring you an amazing spectacle. The event is open to everyone. From June 16  until August 1.

 There is a wide variety of events that you can attend: circus, dance or music that you can  find in theaters and libraries in Barcelona.
You can choose the event that you like on the website of  Greek Festival and book your tickets online. Each show is independent and has its own space reservation.

Do you love the theater? ComeToBarcelona.com will book your accommodations so you can come and enjoy the beauty of art in Barcelona.

Just a  few kilometers from Barcelona, Sitges:City that has hosted many artists such as Santiago Rusiñol, Ramon Casas, Miquel Utrillo and Charles Deering among many others, also  tourists and people from all parts of Spain. For many the secret that makes this city so magical is in its light, with over 300 days of sun per year, this said by many painters, sculptors and writers of the end of nineteenth century that came to settle in this small fishing village. Art and creativity are the key words to describe this city, which besides being cosmopolitan is also rich in architecture.

Full of amazing history, Roman culture that mixes, Arabic and Medieval. Sitges also offers various festivals like “The Sitges Film and Culinary Festival” and the famous “Jazz Music Festival of Sitges” during the months of June and August. You can also visit some museums or palaces like Maricel Palace, the Cau Ferrat Museum, or the Church of San Bartolome and Santa Tecla.

Right next to the natural park of Garraf, Sitges community count with  17 beaches, each with its own personality. All with direct interaction with nature. Sea caves that are formed by the power of the ocean, waves seething at the rocks sometimes producing huge caverns. Definitely one of the few reasons that makes this city an ideal place to spend the day or to plan your vacation.

After a long day by the sea you can enjoy the view by relaxing and enjoying a delicious dinner at the “Can Martí Restaurant”, where you can experience authentic Mediterranean cuisine or a wide variety of tapas. “La Casa Hidalgo” will delight who likes fresh seafood like lobster, shellfish and mediterranean fish traditionally cooked.

The gay community is very well accepted and welcomed. The city offers great places for the community such as “Bar La Locacola” or the “Beach House”. But there are many more ... visit: http://www.gaysitges.com/portada.html and you will find your perfect place.

Come and enjoy Sitges! ComeToBarcelona! 

If you're in Barcelona, it's a guarantee that you've noticed the large mountain on the northern side of the city. This spectacular feature of Barcelona is somewhat mysterious to people who have yet to visit, although they see it everyday. Mount Tibidabo offers much more than just an incredible view of the whole city of Barcelona.

Mount Tibidao is the highest peak in the Serra de Collserola mountain range, the strip that separates Barcelona from the plains to the north. There are various ways to make the journey up to the top of the mountain, including bus and car, but the other options provide a much more rewarding experience. There is a tram that can take you through a gorgeous neighborhood on the way up, and goes all the way to the base of the mountain. A funicular railway will then serve as the means to reach the very peak, providing astonishing views the whole way up. Looking out the window you will see the whole city of Barcelona, bordered by the impressive Mediterranean Sea. This breath-taking view is a must-see of Barcelona, but there's more to Mount Tibidabo than reaching the top.

This is home to Barcelona's oldest amusement park, which has been in operation for over a century. Although it's not packed with high roller coasters that twist and turn, the somewhat smaller rides provide a more quaint feel, and the ferris wheel only furthers the impressive view. Tibidabo is also home to the Temple de Sagrat Cor, a church built back in 1806. More recently renovated in 1902, the gorgeous church has a lift to the top which provides the highest view from the peak of the mountain. There are also numerous places around to just sit down, relax, and have a picnic while taking in the amazing view.

Make sure that you book your apartment soon so that you can get to the top of Tibidabo and see Barcelona like never before.

Coming up two weeks from now in Barcelona is St.George's Day, or El Dia de Sant Jordi. This nationally-celebrated holiday in Spain is traditionally the second most important National Feast in Catalonia. Celebrated on April 23rd, Catalonia is taken over with book stands and stands selling roses, as it is customary for lovers and friends to exchange these gifts on this day. The giving of roses has been an ancient tradition, but the giving of books is more recent, and based upon the deaths of Shakespeare and Miguel Cervantes on the same date.

La Rambla and Plaça Catalunya are the most frequented places on this day, as over four million roses and over 800,000 books are sold. These book sales account for nearly half of the yearly book sales in Catalonia! The Sardana, the national dance of Catalonia, is performed throughout the day in Plaça Sant Jaume, and many bookstores and cafes hold readings of classic novels such as Don Quixote. As the patron saint of Catalonia, this is an important and fun day for all of those around. Make sure you have a place to stay so you can witness this lovely celebration!

As you may know, Barcelona is divided into multiple different neighborhoods or "barrios", each with its' own vibe and defining characteristics. Depending on what you're looking to experience, a certain neighborhood is sure to provide just that.

L'Eixample is a pleasant, upscale neighborhood just outside of the middle of the city. The name means "extension" in Catalan and was originally created as a place to live for those who could not afford to live in the center of Barcelona. However, almost the opposite had happened by the end of its' creation and it is now one of the posh, wealthy areas of Barcelona. Streets are lined with stores of international designers such as Armani, Chanel, and Burberry, but there is much more to see than just these high-end shops.
Passeig de Gracia is home to two of Antonio Gaudí's works of art, Casa Batlló and Casa Mila. Also, a couple blocks further down the road is one of Gaudi's unfinished masterpieces, The Sagrada Familia. The unfinished church has been worked on by various architects throughout the years and has come to be known as one of the important symbols of Barcelona. If you're looking to experience some brilliant architecture and do some shopping, this is the place for you.

Near L'Eixample is the neighborhood Gracia, which begins at the intersection of Avingunda Diagonal and Passeig de Gracia and goes north. It was originally a village of its' own but was connected to the rest of Barcelona when L'Eixample was created. However, it has a different feel than L'Eixample, with an active community that has a more relaxed attitude.Various different plazas throughout the neighborhood help provide a sense of authenticity that the neighborhood maintains. The gem of Gracia is Park Güell, a must-see for anyone visiting Barcelona. The elaborate park features various creations of Gaudi and an experience of art unlike any other. Gracia is the place to go to experience the real sense of neighborhood here in Barcelona.

Heading in the other direction, el Born is one of the more modern neighborhoods in Barcelona. What began as a settlement for medeival fairs and celebrations has become a haven for small boutiques and excellent tapas bars. The different cafes and stores provide a relaxing way to spend the day as well as good places to go at night. El Born is also home to the Picasso Museum and the Textile Museum, as the original textile mills were located here. One of the most fascinating pieces of el Born is the church of Santa Maria del Mar, an elegant church showcasing some of the gothic architecture seen throughout the city. El Born also provides the ideal location for those looking to experience cultural aspects of the city as well as the beach. A ten minute walk to the city center and a ten minute walk to the beach make it one of the ideal places to stay in Barcelona.

For those looking to experience the beach and an exciting night scene, Barceloneta is the place to be. One of the largest beaches in Barcelona, it has over 1,000 meters of beach for one to enjoy. Frequented by tourists, Barceloneta is the perfect place to spend the day lying in the sun and eating at one of the many restaurants located on the boardwalk. The boardwalk is also home to many extravagant bars and nightclubs, with stellar views of the beach. Barceloneta provides both fun and sun.

No matter what it is you're looking for, Barcelona is bound to offer it. Pick your favorite barrio and book your apartment there now!

 

Start off spring with a bang and take a day trip from Barcelona to Valencia for Las Fallas this weekend! The festival is filled with fireworks and flames, the whole city being set ablaze with high-spirits. The population of the city grows to over 3 million for the next five days as people from all over Spain and the globe travel to see the unique celebration. The celebration begins with the creation of niñots, huge cardboard or plaster statues created to depict satirical scenes or current political figures. Some of the niñots are over 7 stories tall, costing over $75,000 and taking over an entire year to construct. These giant dolls remain on display until March 19th, La Crema, or the Day of the Burning. All of the streetlights in the entire city are turned off and at exactly midnight, the niñots are set afire, igniting the city with a blast of glowing light. The festival carries on into the night, the streets are lined with fireworks around literally shake the streets with a climactic explosion around 2am. Why not book your apartment in Barcelona today and get a head start on one of the most specaticular festivals in Spain!

Love is in the air this spring in Barcelona with Dia De Sant Jordi coming up on April 23rd! The Dia de Sant Jordi, or Saint George, is a holiday of romance and a day to honor the patron saint of Cataluña. The ramblas is packed with vendors selling roses and books, the traditional gifts given to women and men respectively on the holiday. By the end of the week, over 4 million roses and 400,000 books are bought in Barcelona, over half the book sales for the entire year! It´s rare to walk the streets of the city and not see a man or woman without a rose or book in hand, but singles never fear, the Dia de Sant Jordi celebrates the love between friends as well. Watch the dancing of the Sardana, a traditional Catalonian dance performed throughout the day and even join if the mood strikes, or take a coffee break in one of the many cafes and enjoy a book reading! So gather some friends or your significant other, make a reservation at a great restaurant, and join in on the love and celebration in Barcelona. Book your apartment for the weekend today with ComeToBarcelona!

February marks the start of the De Cajón! Flamenco Festival in Barcelona. The festival will feature new outlooks on the traditional dance, as well as the standard flamenco we have come to know and love. With different events taking place daily, there is sure to be a show everyone will enjoy.

The history of flamenco has only been documented for the past two hundred years and its’ origins before that point are speculation. While it originally started as only voice following a rhythm that was beat on the floor, it has grown drastically since. Flamenco is now typically composed of four elements- voice, dance, guitar, and “jaleo” which refers to the foot stomping and hand clapping. Much of the basis of flamenco comes from the gypsies when they came to Spain from India.

It took sometime before flamenco was recognized as something worthwhile and it was originally only played in small private settings. Around the beginning of the 20^th century, people began to pay attention to and appreciate flamenco. Just as the music was gaining support, the various wars in the 1930’s put a halt to the progress that was being made. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that some passionate flamenco artists began to revive what was becoming lost. Many flamenco artists have become very well-known for their work and still continue to perform.

The De Cajón festival brings together various different aspects of flamenco. With artists from all over coming to perform, each showcase is sure to be different from the one before. The praised flamenco singer, José Mercé, will perform his cante jonde on March 8^th. The acts before and after him are sure to deliver and to focus on different elements of flamenco. Whether you’ve never seen or heard flamenco, it is an experience unlike anything else. While it is not as common in Barcelona as in other parts of Spain, it will be here for quite some time.

The festival continues until April 15^th, so there is plenty of time to catch a show or two!

Your flat in Barcelone in just one click!

With the weather warming up in Barcelona and along the coast of Spain, it´s the perfect time to take a day trip and see the fantasy Dali-land in Figueres, a small town about two-hours from Barcelona. The museu Dali is filled with some of Dali´s most famous works of art, and the renovated theatre is personally decorated and designed by Salvador Dali himself.  The museum is a surrealistic portrayal of Dali´s life, everything with no logical order and without any sort of audio guide, a request by Dali himself. You´ll be able to look closely into Dali´s personal life, specifically the boat hanging above the tire tower representing his soul mate Gala and the tears representing her death. Look next at the homage Dali paid to Mae West, a room where her face can be seen in the furniture only from a certain vantage point. You can spend hours in the surrealistic museum, looking at how Dali portrayed famous works of art in the most peculiar ways. 

If you haven´t had enough of Salvador Dali yet, take a trip from Figueres to Cadaques, about a 45 minute drive, to see the Dali House, his home where he created most of his bizarre artwork. His home, which he shared with Gala, proves how a person´s creativity can be expressed through all types of medium. His front door, a work of abstract art, was created when he asked the local fishermen to wipe their brushes on it when they finished painting their boats. The house is left almost exactly as it was when Dali moved out in 1982, after the death of Gala.

Dali´s house and museum are both reflections of Dali´s personality, fun and a little bit provocative. Before you leave Barcelona make sure a trip to Figueres or Cadaques is on your list of things to do, and don´t forget to book your Barcelona apartment today!