“I wrote every day between the ages of 12 and 20 when I stopped because I went to Barcelona, where life was too exciting to write.” – Colm Tóibín
You know what? A person spending a mere two days in Barcelona can only ever be a teaser to him of what it actually has in store to offer. So make sure you keep in mind that this is a subjective bag of highlights which spans a package of modern and ancient delights engulfed into an eminently walkable and geographically convenient weekend tour.
And your itinerary begins…*drumroll*…now!
What can I do on a Saturday?
10 am
Start your trip by having breakfast at Els Quatre Gats. It is based in a building which is designed by Puig I Cadafalch (one of the contemporaries of Gaudí’s). He had his own distinctive spin on the Modernista (Modernisme is a close relation of Art Nouveau) style.
11 am
Take a stroll from the Portal de l’Àngel to Plaça Catalunya. It is the starting point for the elegant Passeig de Gràcia which is considered a long display of Modernista architecture and haute couture shops.
2.30 pm
You can continue your trip up to Gaudí’s La Pedrera apartment block which is quite interesting to watch. Take a short walk to Catalan bistro Embat from Gaudi’s apartment to enjoy a leisurely lunch.
5 pm
You can either take a 15-minute stroll or jump on a bus from here to the unfinished cathedral of Gaudí, the famous La Sagrada Família. Love it or hate it, but you cannot deny that it’s one of the quintessential sights in Barcelona. Book Sagrada Familia Tickets in advance.
7 pm
You’ll find the Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau situated nearby. It is the most under-visited site in Barcelona. It is a former hospital which was designed by an architect named Domènech I Montaner. Visitors can admire the fanciful pavilions that once served as wards. It requires a small fee.
Also See: Park Guell Tickets and Tours
9 pm
Are you ready to jump in a cab to Casa Calvet? I think you would be by now! It’s a smart Catalan restaurant which is housed in a Gaudí-designed townhouse. It also retains many of the fixtures of the Modernista style.
11 pm
If you still have any energy left, you can catch some live music at Harlem Jazz Club by heading down into the Barri Gòtic or El Paraigua. These places specialize in soul and funk in their cozy basement space.
What can I do on a Sunday?
9 am
Head to La Rambla from here. This is a tree-lined boulevard that is known to only display its true beauty early in the morning. Run your eyes from top to bottom to look out for the Plaça Reial on the right, the Liceu opera house on the left, and the Miró pavement mosaic right in the middle. After this, head to the historic Cafè de l’Òpera for a coffee and croissant.
10 am
Follow the Carrer del Ferran from around the halfway point on La Rambla. It will lead you north to the Plaça de Sant Jaume. This is a handsome square which is flanked on one side by the ajuntament (city hall) and on the other side by the Generalitat (the seat of the regional government of the Catalan).
11 am
Keep walking down this street to reach the back of La Catedral which is a looming Gothic affair. It has 13 geese resident in the cloister. It has one for every year of St. Eulàlia’s life.
12.30 pm
Now walk past the Sardana dancers who perform here every Sunday mornings. After this, head right to the Via Laietana. Taking a short walk uphill will get you to the fanciful a Modernista concert hall called the Palau de la Música Catalana.
2 pm
The Mercat de Santa Caterina is just a couple of blocks south of here. It is a colorful food market which has an undulating Gaudíesque roof. After you walk past it you can have lunch in the sunshine in a small square at El Atril.
4 pm
Head to the nearby Parc de la Ciutadella after lunch. It is a verdant oasis which has a rose garden, a zoo, and a boating lake. You can then head to the Museu Picasso (free to enter on Sundays after 3 pm).
7 pm
You’ll arrive at the Passeig del Born by heading seaward from the Museu Picasso. It is a pedestrian boulevard flanked by the 14th-century Santa Maria del Mar basilica at one end and by the Born Centre Cultural at the other.
8 pm
After having dinner at the at Casa Delfín which is just around the corner, you can head to the laid-back cocktail bar named Guzzo. It is run by one of the best-known DJs of the city. This is the perfect place for a sundowner.
Hope you like this guide.
Happy touring!
Be the first to write a comment.