Mistakes NOT to Make in Barcelona

1. #1 Don't Dine along La Rambla
2. #2 Don't Forget to make Bookings in Advance
3. #3 Don't Pay to See the Monument Zone inside Park Güell
4. #4 Don't Forget to Be Aware of Pickpockets
5. #5 Don't ONLY Drink Sangria
6. #6 Don't Visit Girona on a Bus Tour
7. #7 Don't Spend a Beach Day on La Barceloneta
8. #8 Don't take a Hop-on, Hop-off Bus
9. #9 Don't Stick to Visiting only Gaudí Designs
10. #10 Don't Stop for the Street Artists along La Rambla

#1 Don’t Dine along La Rambla

La Rambla is one of the busiest streets in Barcelona and is notorious for being full of tourist traps. Mainly regarding restaurants. So many establishments along this wealthy avenue charge insanely high prices. And you are getting less than mediocre food, most of which aren’t even cooked authentically. Their paellas are reheated and the “fresh” fish is often from frozen. Skip eating at any place with an English menu out front or even worse…a talking head inside a paella.

Instead, Head down to La Boqueria Market

La Boqueria Market is an excellent alternative to the restaurants on La Rambla. Wander the market and explore the different small kiosks. Pick and choose the perfect mixture of snacks and ingredients for a little picnic. Prices are reasonable, and the food is as fresh as can be! You can take your goodies over to the scenic Plaça Reial, just six minutes down the road. This gorgeous square is the best place to sit and enjoy your food with a view.

#2 Don’t Forget to make Bookings in Advance

Barcelona, especially during the busy season, is one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations. And for a good reason! There are so many amazing architectural buildings to visit, great food to eat and incredible culture to experience. But you’ll want to book the reservations in advance to see some of these places or eat at a famed restaurant. Places like the Sagrada Família have really long lineups. Sometimes, it takes over an hour to get inside. Other tours, like the Palau de Musica, sometimes get totally booked up. Without booking far in advance, you might miss your chance to see these places at all.

Instead, Plan Out your Must-Sees

I would advise booking your reservations as soon as you book your flights. But be sure not to overschedule your vacation. Secure those all-important must-see attractions, but leave the rest of your day open around that one booking. That way, you will see what you’ve dreamed of but can still come across new discoveries you didn’t plan on.

#3 Don’t Pay to See the Monument Zone inside Park Güell

Now, before you get up in arms, don’t worry! I’m not telling you to skip one of the most amazing parts of Barcelona! Park Güell was created by the famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. The park is one of the most imaginative and symbolic works of art of the Catalan’ modernism‘ movement. Tickets to enter the monument zone, which contains the most stunning pieces of Gaudi’s architecture, cost 10 euros. And while that’s not a lot, the lineup to get inside can be staggering long! Even with a timed ticket to enter, you’ll need to arrive much earlier to wait in line during busy times of the year. So, if you’re pressed for time and money, you can skip the paid entry to the monument zone.

Instead, Visit the Forested Area for FREE

Park Güell is divided into two zones; the Monumental Zone (paid entry) and the Forest Zone. The forest area is adjacent to the monumental zone and occupies 8 more hectares. This area actually accounts for 90% of the park’s woodland. Although you might not be able to see Gaudi’s ceramic creations, there are plenty of FREE opportunities to see Gaudi’s architecture around the city. 

Instead, spend the morning wandering around exploring the masterful landscaping, gorgeous walking trails and lush gardens. You’ll be able to find vibrant exotic flora, local fauna and some unimaginable views. If you get here as the sun rises, you’re in for a real treat! Since Park Guell is located high up and north of the city, youy get the most beautiful picturesque view across Barcelon from this vantage pointa.

#4 Don’t Forget to Be Aware of Pickpockets

Barcelona has a huge petty crime problem. Pickpocketing is very common. There are so many stories of people putting their bags down for a second, and when they look back, it’s gone. Since pickpocketing is usually “theft under a thousand,” often the criminals will only have to pay a small fine. And that’s if they even get caught at all. But this shouldn’t prevent you from having a great time in this city.

Instead, Keep your wits about you and keep everything Secure

Being aware is the key! If you prepare for it accordingly, you can go smoothly about your travels without worry. I had a tiny little lock on my knapsack I used to secure the closure. This way, I knew even when I didn’t pay too much attention to who was behind me, there was no way of slipping a hand inside. This meant I didn’t even worry about the subways or busy streets. Most pickpockets are just looking for a quick and easy theft. They don’t want to go to the trouble of tearing your bag off you. So, keeping things locked up is the best way to keep yourself safe. Knapsacks can also be worn in front to keep an eye on them.

Make sure your passports are locked up in your hotels. While I don’t love the look of a money belt, I do often use those money necklaces to keep small bills and loose change close at hand. But out of the public eye.

#5 Don’t ONLY Drink Sangria

While I would never say you should avoid Sangri altogether, there are way better things to drink here. Some Catalans might turn their nose up at the thought of drinking Sangria in Barcelona. This is because it’s not traditionally a Catalan beverage. But for those travellers who might not be visiting any other part of Spain, this might be their only chance to sample real Sangria. So drink it if you must. But know that it will usually be subpar wine and soda, and there are much better local drinks to try.

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Instead, Try out the Catalan specialty, Cava!

Cava is Catalonian sparkling wine. It’s sweet, tart and refreshing! There are so many different regions of the Catalonian cava to explore, each with its own distinct flavour profile. Ask your server for their recommendations I loved seeing the response this gets since locals are very passionate about their Cava and adore seeing tourists asking for something other than Sangria.

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#6 Don’t Visit Girona on a Bus Tour

Girona is one of the most magical historical towns to see and the best day trips from Barcelona. Girona is best known for its medieval architecture, walled Old Quarter and the Roman fortress. Many people will visit Girona on a bus tour, which usually also stops at a few other places along the way. This means you’ll be rushed through the city and won’t have the time to explore at your own pace and focus on the things that matter to you.

Instead, Go by Public Transit

Many people don’t know just how easy it is to visit Girona by public transport. The AVE high-speed trains run from Barcelona to Girona in under 40 minutes and for less than 10 euros! Trains run multiple times throughout the day, making it easy for you to escape the city and head out into the medieval countryside in under an hour. This way, you can stop into shops, wander the alleys, explore the tiny yet sentimental museums, sit by the riverside and just relax.

#7 Don’t Spend a Beach Day on La Barceloneta

La Barceloneta is Barcelona’s most famous sandy beach. And while its close proximity might make a beach day a tempting proposal for many travellers, the reality of this spot is less than appealing. La Barceloneta is full of tourists, teaming with pickpockets, tourist traps and overpriced food and beverage. Overall, it’s a waste of time to make your way down here and then have a stressful time while trying to relax.

Instead, Head to Costa Brava

Catalonia itself has some fantastic beaches just a few hours away from Barcelona. If you take the train to the beach village of Costa Brava, you’ll have the chance to visit this quaint seaside village but also dive into one of the most stunning beaches with beautiful vistas in all of Catalonia. There are some incredible small bays to explore and discover, and the crystal blue waters are some of the most impressive anywhere around the world. Costa Brava can be reached by train in under two and a half hours, or if you can have a car, you’re in for a fantastic journey on the road to the beach with so many different places on the way to stop and enjoy the scenery.

If you’re not looking to travel that far away, consider heading to the Playa de Bogatell. Playa de Bogatell, also known as Bogatell Beach, is one of Barcelona’s popular urban beaches, situated in the city’s Poblenou neighbourhood near the Port Olímpic area. The water is crystal clear, and the fact that it isn’t right in the center of the tourist quarter means you’ll find prices at the beach bars aren’t quite as high as in the Barceloneta.

#8 Don’t take a Hop-on, Hop-off Bus

Although a bus tour may be a good way to get an overview of the city, there is a lot you miss out on. Your guide is a pair of headphones that can’t answer questions or point out any of the good bars or restaurants you should visit. Nor can the bus take you through the back streets of the city, where you find Barcelona’s hidden gems and real history. On the bus, you see, rather than feel the city, you become acquainted with it, rather than friends.

Instead, Take A Buena Vista Bike Tour

On a Buena Vista Bike Tour, the guide is a local who knows the city backwards and can not only tell you all about Barcelona and its history but can answer all the oddball questions you may have, like what time people go to bed in Barcelona? It’s like having a friend show you around the city. The Buena Vista Tours are all made up of small groups, so it’s a friendly, laid-back experience where everybody gets to know each other – some tours even include a picnic on the beach. What’s more, this is pedal power – no emissions. Buena Vista also specializes in private tours, so if you are a small group or a family, they can customize a tour to suit you.

#9 Don’t Stick to Visiting only Gaudí Designs

While I will admit that Gaudí’s influence over the design and atmosphere of the city is undebatable, he was not the ONLY architect who helped shape the artistic and creative nature of Barcelona. In creating the ‘Modernisme,’ Gaudi, along with several other influential artists, worked together to create this unique cultural movement which makes Barcelona the artistic landmark city it is today.

Instead, Learn about other Modernisme Artists

Domènech I Montaner is another artist who really helped shape the direction of modernism, and his work best works to check out in Barcelona are the Hospital de Sant Pau and the Palau de la Música Catalana. Casa Amatller, located right beside Gaudi’s Casa Batllo, is often mistaken for being by Gaudi, but it was designed by Puig I Cadafalch, another influential architect. 

If you’re interested in learning more about Modernism’s art, design, and architecture, I can’t recommend the Museu del Modernisme Català more! Here, you can peruse some incredible pieces from the Modernisme era, and although it’s a smaller collection, it feels like it perfectly sums up what Modernism is all about, and you really get a great sense of what they were trying to achieve in Catalonia through this artistic endeavour.

#10 Don’t Stop for the Street Artists along La Rambla

Although La Rambla is one of the most famous streets in the world, and there are some gems to be found along the way, there is also a lot of cheesy, touristy tat that comes along with popularity. One of which is the street performers who cruise this strip. No matter the time of day, it seems as if this classical street is littered from end to end with Spidermen slinging fake webs for crowds or shoddily painted gold “mannequins” trying to attract attention.

Some tourists take a picture with them just for fun, and they are often forced quite aggressively into paying for the “privilege.” Most of the time, I think these are easily avoided by not engaging at all, but it’s frustrating to see them take up so much attention away from the beautiful architecture around them.

Instead, Go on a Street Art Tour

Instead of paying attention to these tacky “street artists,” pay attention to the street ART! Barcelona has always been a haven for creatives, which is still true today. The Bohemians have taken to the streets in Barcelona, and there is so much incredible art to be found on doorways and in alleys, hidden just steps away from huge tourist attractions.

One of the best ways to see these works of art and get the story behind them is on a guided tour from a company like Barcelona Street Style. It’s one of the most unique tour options in the city, and the people guiding the tour are so passionate about the art that it makes a difference in how you approach the designs.

Hopefully, with these tips, your travels around Barcelona will go off without a hitch!

Happy Travel Adventurer!

The post 10 Tourist Mistakes NOT To Make in Barcelona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Guide to Park Güell

1. Access
2. Opening Hours
3. Tickets
4. History
5. TIPS
6. Entrances
7. Plaça de la Natura
8. Laundry Room Portico
9. Portico of the Washerwoman
10. The Ramp and Casa Larrard
11. Central Entrance 
12. The Lodges
13. Escalera Monumental or Dragon Staircase
14. Dragon Fountain
15. Hypostyle Room
16. Austria Garden
17. Gaudí House Museum
18. Public Area
19. La Casa Trias
20. Turó de Les Tres Creus

Access

Although Park Güell is a bit of trek from the centre of the city you’ll be more than rewarded for your efforts. The best way to get to the Park is by taking the Metro. Get on the Green line (L3) and ride it to Vallarta station. From here you have about a 15-minute walk up a steep hill to reach the park entrance. Vallarta station is the preferred access point since parts of the hillside here have an escalator to help you up the hill. Very useful if you’re travelling with mobility issues. The climb is pretty steep and if you’re visiting during the heat of the summer, remember to bring some water!

You can also take bus #24 or #32 which will drop you off right by the park’s front gates but tends to run on a more limited schedule than the metro. The Bus Turística also stop near the park if you already have a pass. 

Opening Hours

Park Güell is one of the most popular destinations in Barcelona so it’s advisable to buy your tickets in advance. The best time of the day to arrive is early in the morning on a weekday. This time of the day is not only the least busy, but you’ll avoid that midday heat.

The park is open:

12 February to 26 March 2022: 9:30 AM to 6 PM
27 March to 29 October 2022: 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM
30 October 2022 to 31 December 2022: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM

Tickets

You can easily buy tickets online before arriving. Timed Entry Tickets for Adults cost 10€. Children aged 7 to 12, as well as adults over 65, get reduced prices. Children aged 6 and below can enter for free. For these timed entry tickets, you select the hour at which you want to enter the park. You must enter within 30 minutes of the selected slot time. You can buy tickets up to three months in advance. If you’re visiting during peak season you should buy them as soon as possible since they’re likely to sell out. Even with the timed entry tickets, you will still need to get in line and wait to enter. If you are visiting at peak season I would advise arriving at least 30 minutes prior to your entry time as the line can take a while.

There is also an option to buy Guided Tour with Skip-the-Line Access tickets. These cost 23€ per/person but allow you to skip the line entry into Park Güell. You’ll also get a tour with an expert local guide, and learn about the history and details of Gaudi’s masterpiece. But if you’d prefer to save the 13 euros you can simply use this guide!

History

Barcelona’s Park Güell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most impressive designs by famed architect Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi along with Spanish entrepreneur Eusebi Güell had a vision for a highly stylized housing community for Barcelona’s elite. In 1900, Güell bought immense expanses of farmland in the north of the city. These farmlands would eventually be converted into Park Güell.

Gaudi designed a winning plan for 60 townhouses. They were all connected by naturalist viaducts, with a large central square for festivals. He added a market area and fabulous landscaping all around which highlighted the already stunning environment of Catalonia. But in 1914, after only two of the 60 planned houses were built, the project was shut down. There was a huge lack of interest and funding from the public – which is unimaginable now! Despite the public’s disinterest, the city itself saw the beauty and potential of such a large usable public space. And so the municipality bought the land in 1922 and transformed it into a public park.

Throughout the park, you can see Gaudi’s didactic forms. He wanted to use symbolism to help restore the values of Christianity and Catalanism.

TIPS

There is only one cafeteria inside the park and prices are pretty outrageous. Also, the food isn’t very good either. The best thing to do is bring some food with you for a picnic. You can eat here looking out at one of the best views in the city. Be sure to wear lots of sunscreens! Although there is some shade most of the park is fully open to the sunshine. Lastly, when exploring the parts of the park outside the admission zone, be careful of pickpockets. Even inside pickpockets pay admission to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. Just keep your wits about you and make sure your bags aren’t hanging open. 

Entrances

There are three main entrances to Park Güell. The most popular is the one along Carrer d’Olot. Despite the Carrer d’Olot being the most iconic view of the park, the best entrance is the Plaça de la Natura. The entry is much less busy throughout the day. Plus it gives you access to the incredible Nature Square viewpoint first thing in the morning. This is a great lookout spot to see the sunrise peeking up above the ocean.

Plaça de la Natura

From the moment you step into the park, you will be overwhelmed by Gaudi’s iconic style. Gaudi was inspired by the squares and theatres of ancient Greece and wanted to create a similar space for the people of Barcelona. This is the Plaça de la Natura or Nature Square. It was here that over the years many plays, festivals and events have taken place. The square is half-built into the rocks of the hillside itself and is supported by the hypostyle room below. The square seems to reach out towards the ocean as if one could simply walk right out and touch it.

Surrounding the south side of the square is a balustrade called the “Serpentine Bench“. The bench is meant to resemble the shape of a swimming sea serpent. The curves create small areas for seating. This bench is thought to many in the art community as one of the first examples of surrealism in architecture. It is covered in hundreds of tile mosaics. The tile is meant to look like the scales of the serpent but also creates a fantastical rainbow-like effect across the skyline.

Trencadís

These mosaics were a creation of both Gaudi and his collaborator Josep Maria Jujol. Both of whom helped develop Trencadís. Trencadís is a style of mosaic created using pieces of old tile, glass, buttons, shells and broken chinaware. They are then cemented together to create designs, patterns, and even images. The term Trencadís means “chopped” and was a method both for aesthetic purposes and to help recycle old materials. These previously thought of as useless items are given a new and beautiful life!

The columns supporting the upper terrace along the north side of the square are designed to look like palm trees. But they are made of brick and stone. These are set in between actually palm trees, furthering the aesthetic of the natural environment and blending in with Gaudi’s architecture.

Laundry Room Portico

Walking west from Nature Square, you head down a small staircase into the Laundry Room Portico. The Laundry Room Portico is another great example of how Gaudi blended the natural environment into his designs. These passages were meant to connect the potential houses to each other. But by doing it this way the pathways didn’t stand out and were almost camouflaged into the hillside. Walking under the porticos is like taking a breath of fresh air in the heat of the summer. The shade and cool earth provide natural air conditioning even in the middle of the afternoon.

Portico of the Washerwoman

As you walk under the rocky porticos, you’ll come upon a statue resembling a woman with a basket of laundry on her head. This is the Washerwoman. Gaudi was inspired by classical Caryatids that adorn Greek temples. A Caryatid is an architectural column which takes the form of a standing female figure. More of these perhaps were designed but this is the only one which was actually constructed.

The Ramp and Casa Larrard

Past the statue of the Washerwoman, you will round the corner into the famous double-galleried hairpin ramp. The ramp leads down to the Casa Larrard. Casa Larrard was once the family residence of the Guell family but has been since turned into a municipal school.

Casa Larrard was the first project Gaudi worked on for Guell. The building was an old mansion that Gaudi renovated for Guell in 1907, but much of the old Spanish architecture still is very prominently on display. The brilliant red brick is a pop of colour amongst the green trees and sandstone arcades. The best part is the intricate alternating coloured brickworks which create stunning patterns on the outside of the building.

Central Entrance 

As you continue around the pathway in front of the Casa Larrad, you now come upon the “official” entrance to the park. The blooming black iron gates open up into the park. The theatrics here were used by Gaudi to denote a separation between the mundane, grey city into the dream-like compositions of the park. He wanted the Park Güell to feel like a touch of the divine. A paradise or Eden here on earth.

The outer walls of the park as covered in these enormous medallions with the words “Park” and “Guell” emblazoned upon them in the same mosaic style as within.

The Lodges

The two large buildings flanking the entrance are entirely organic in their designs. Like they simply grew out of the earth. Gaudi thought of them as images from the fairytale Hansel and Gretel, like they were made of gingerbread and topped with bright white icing.

The administration lodge, while small has two floors (one of which now contains the gift shop) and a rooftop terrace. The roof is topped with a large gable crowed with a four-armed cross which has become synonymous with Gaudi’s work.

The caretaker’s lodge on the right is decorated with upside-down coffee cups along the exterior. It is rumoured that while trying to give up caffeine, Gaudi was consumed with thoughts of coffee and even began to weave them into his designs, the cravings were so powerful.

Escalera Monumental or Dragon Staircase

One of the most photographed parts of the park is the quintessential Dragon Staircase or Escalera Monumental. Four sets of staircases lead you into the Hypostyle Room, a beautiful backdrop behind the stunning staircase. 

As you walk toward the stairs, take a moment to admire the crenellated walls. The organic forms along the walls are meant to represent the idea of the geographical magnitude of Catalonia.

On either side of the staircases, there are benches for shade decorated with some of the most stunning pieces of tile work from the park. Each of the designs is so different and seems to come from all different periods of art history. I love thinking about how they found each of these pieces and the care that was taken in ensuring each piece complimented the next.

As you walk up the first staircase, you pass the first fountain. Although it might look like a garden, look closely to see trunks and stalactites which creates layers for the water to falls upon.

Standing on the first landing, you can view the second fountain. The head of a snake, burst from a mosaic crest. The outer blue circle represents the world and within in a small central crest you can see the Catalan flag.

Dragon Fountain

The second landing is the best place to see the famed Dragon Fountain. The dragon is covered in trecadis. Gaudi is said to have created the shape of the dragon by jumping up and down on a mesh wireframe before he was satisfied with the way the dragon seemed to melt right into the staircase fountain. Gaudi was so inspired by Greek mythology and the dragon is no exception. This is thought to be “Python”, who in Greek mythology is a dragon, who lives at the centre of the earth, and protects the temple of Delphi. Here we have our own dragon created by Guadi, to help protect the people of Catalonia and any visitor to the park.

Upon the last landing, you can sit on the Odeon bench. This bench is designed to provide shade in the summer, sun in the winter and protects visitors from the wind. Each of the benches are surrounded with dark green tiles and beautiful golden flowers tiles. It feels more like a thrown than a park bench.

Hypostyle Room

Moving from the staircase into the Hypostyle Room, you are immediately hit with a cool breeze. This large open space was created as a covered marketplace for the potential residences of the community and is still used today as a marketplace for the entirety of Barcelona. 

Hypostyle means a room which has a roof supported by pillars, typically in several rows. In this case, it is supported by 86 Doric columns which hold up a brilliant white domed ceiling. Gaudi was inspired by the ancient Greek temples and loved the appearance of the repetitive doric columns as they resembled the appearance of a large forest.

Amongst the white tiles on the domed ceiling are colourful circular rosettes. The larger rosettes represent the four seasons and the smaller ones are meant to be versions of the sun and the moon. Take a moment to study each of them and see if you can identify each season. They are more abstract and take some imagination to interpret.

Along the outer cornices of the marketplace, there are various gargoyles peeking their heads out. These act not only as decoration but also function as an overflow for the rainwater from above.

Austria Garden

Exiting the marketplace to the right, you exit into the Austria Garden. When the park was given over to the city in 1922, this area was transformed into a municipal plant nursery. The name is because in 1977 so many trees were donated from Austria and are the reason this part of the park’s landscape feels so different than the rest of the environment. As can be seen below the image of a fir tree popping its head out among tropical palm trees.

You can often see many green parrots flying amongst the greenery. The flowers are always blooming throughout the gardens. Bright pink bougainvillea, brilliant red Hibiscus Flowers, periwinkle Apocynaceae and even purple forget-me-nots are just some of the flowers you will see as you walk up and down the garden pathways.

Gaudí House Museum

As you continue walking throughout the gardens, you’ll come to the Gaudí House Museum. Gaudi lived in this home from 1906 to 1925. It was designed by Francesc d’Assís Berenguer I Mestres, not Gaudi himself. You can visit the interior of the house for five euros. Inside, there are various pieces of Gaudi’s furniture designs and some of his models for future buildings inside. But overall I’d save your money for something else. You can still walk around the exterior of the house and take in all its glory. While viewing it you can think about how Gaudi would have spent his time while living here. Using the gardens around here as inspiration for his future designs.

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Public Area

Exit along the north-east exit to enter the public area of the park. From here you can walk across many of the park’s different viaducts. The viaducts were created to give residents easy access to flowing, fresh water as well as to create remarkable pathways which connect all the areas of the park together.

The rocks which were extracted from the site to create even land for construction were reused here to create these uneven, natural passageways. Sizeable oval plant pots can be found throughout the path. Inside are agave plants which thrive in these dry climates but create a lush tropical environment.

La Casa Trias

Future up the hillside you can see the La Casa Trias. The Casa Trias was designed by architect Juli Batllevell in 1905. These are additional sample houses designs for what was supposed to become the gated community.

Turó de Les Tres Creus

Walking across the very top of the park, you have one of the most incredible views of the city. As you walk from the east side to the west side, you will come across the Turó de Les Tres Creus. This is the highest part of the park. It was here that Gaudi wanted to build a great chapel. When they found prehistoric remains here, it became clear that they could not excavate the earth. So instead, Gaudi built a monument atop the hill, which resembled the prehistoric caves found throughout Spain. Atop the monuments are three crosses, pointing to the cardinal directional points.

This is one of the best places to end the tour. The view is stunning and looks across the entirety of Gaudi’s stunning vision for heaven on earth. Walking through this park, you really do start to live inside that vision Gaudi painted for you. His dreamlike creations do make you feel like you’re wandering somewhere outside this earth. Somewhere you have only ever seen in dreams. I absolutely loved my time here and hope you find time to visit the park and live out the dream for yourself!

The post The ULTIMATE Guide to Park Güell Barcelona [UPDATED 2022] first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.