Top 10 Free Things to Do in Barcelona
Barcelona is a wonderful city to visit and it need not be
expensive. There are free gardens, exhibitions and galleries, and
discovering the city's ancient quarters, markets, boulevards and
churches is completely free - you just need to know where to look. So
here are my top ten free things to do in Barcelona.1. Parc Güell.
Designed by Antoni GaudÃ, Barcelona's celebrated architect, the park is just outside the centre, situated on a hill overlooking the city. Designed originally as a residential park, it's a joy to visit and you can easily spend several hours there.
The park includes extraordinary houses, wonderful structures, mosaic designs and fantastic views over Barcelona to the sea. To reach Parc Güell take the metro (green line) or bus, followed by a 10 - 15 minute uphill walk.
2. Las Ramblas.
Las Ramblas is the famous boulevard which runs from the old port to Plaça Catalunya through the centre of the old town, and is lined with café terraces and plane trees.
Mid-way along Las Ramblas you will find Barcelona's opera house - Gran Teatre del Liceu. Directly opposite is Café de l'Opera, the perfect place to stop for a drink, either on the terrace or inside where you can enjoy a typical Catalan atmosphere.
A little further is La Boqueria, a vast, bustling food market with architectural displays of fruit and vegetables. Sample inexpensive meals from the fresh produce at one of the restaurant stalls.
3. Barrio Gótico.
The gothic quarter is the oldest part of Barcelona and its maze of narrow streets are full of ancient buildings, shops, bars and restaurants, which open on to small squares with market stalls selling crafts and foods.
Plaza Real is one of the grandest squares, great for eating al fresco, and is full of bars and clubs at night. Plaza Jaume houses the impressive town council buildings, including the Palacio de la Generalidad.
There are several beautiful churches, most of which are free to enter. Santa MarÃa del Pi, one of the best, dominated by its large circular window, is located in Plaça del Pi, and some of the most historic buildings, dating from the 14th century, are in Plaça del Rei.
4. Montjuïc.
Montjuïc is the large hill to the south of Barcelona overlooking the city, and has many gardens, parks, buildings and attractions. To reach Montjuïc the most dramatic way, take the cable car from the old port, or approach from Plaça Espanya between two huge Venetian towers - this is the area of the magic fountains, which perform in the evenings during the summer months.
As well as gardens, there are several museums, an olympic stadium, Montjuïc castle dating from the 17th century and the communications tower.
5. Caixa Forum.
The Caixa Forum is a free art gallery close to Montjuïc with permanent and visiting exhibitions and housed in a beautiful building that includes a café bar and terrace. The permanent exhibition has details of the Caixa Forum building itself, its architect and other contemporary artists of the Art Nouveau style. Reach the Caixa Forum by metro or bus from Plaça Espanya.
6. Old Port and Barceloneta.
From the bottom of Las Ramblas, walk across the wooden footbridge to Mare Magnum, a complex of shops and restaurants looking out onto the World Trade Centre and port. This area houses the aquarium and Imax cinema and you can continue across the port to Barceloneta.
Barceloneta overlooks the old port and is full of fish and seafood restaurants. Step into the narrow streets and you will find restaurants with a cheaper menu. Keep walking and you will arrive at the beach, where you can stroll to Port OlÃmpic beside the sea.
7. Parc de la Ciutadella.
Parc de la Ciutadella is open from 10am until dusk, it includes the zoo, Museum of Zoology, Parliament buildings, Natural Science Museum, as well as a lake where you can hire a rowing boat. There are picnic areas, a children's cycle park, play areas and bars.
The largest colony of grey herons in Catalonia live in the park, and every year between June and September there is a jazz programme. Jazz starts at 10pm on Wednesdays in July, and Wednesdays and Fridays in August.
8. The Cathedral.
Barcelona's cathedral is an impressive gothic building situated in the old town, and features large bell towers, gothic arches and a beautiful carved wooden choir. Records of a religious building on this site go back as far as 925, but the current building dates from 1298.
The cloister, which always contains 13 geese, is a beautiful part of the cathedral with a garden of orange, magnolia and palm trees. The free hours are: 08.00 - 12.45 & 17.15 - 19.30.
9. Free Entrance Days.
On the first Sunday of every month many museums and art galleries open for free. They include the Picasso Museum; the Museu d'Història de Catalunya; Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya; and the Natural History Museum.
The Maritime Museum has free entrance on the first Saturday of every month after 3pm, as long as that Saturday is not a public holiday. The MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) has free entry for exhibitions on their first day of opening.
10. Passeig de Grà cia
Passeig de Grà cia is a grand boulevard running from Plaça Catalunya to Avinguda Diagonal. It's a wide tree-lined street of beautiful buildings, decorative iron street lamps, shops (it's a designer shopper's paradise) and smart restaurants. Two of GaudÃ's most famous buildings adorn Passeig de Grà cia - Casa Milà (La Pedrera) and Casa Batlló.
Palau Robert, at the top of Passeig de Grà cia, is a small gallery which is always free. Behind the palace you can take a rest in its charming shady garden.
Enjoy Barcelona!
MovingToBarcelona.com
is a guide to living in and visiting Barcelona, Spain. Information is
given from first-hand experience on the best places to visit, how to
save money in the city, finding a job, learning Spanish and on legal
issues. Plus there is an extended version of this article giving more
details and tips: Top Free Things In Barcelona.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Georgia_Davey
Category: Holidays in Barcelona, Spain
0 comments