This summer, while living in Barcelona, I had the chance to review Art Ticket Barcelona. And I must say this pass is the perfect thing for any art lover. If you plan on visiting any three of Barcelona’s premiere museums listed on the Art Ticket Barcelona, then you’ve already paid for the pass in one go. And with the pass, you might be pushed to discover some museums and galleries you might never have thought of seeing before. But many of these might open your eyes to works of art you will come to have a deep appreciation for.

Table Of Contents

1. About the Art Ticket BCN
2. #1. Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
3. #2. Fundació Joan Miró
4. #3. Museu Picasso
5. #4. The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona
6. #5. The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona
7. #6.

About the Art Ticket BCN

Barcelona Art Passport invites you to take a fascinating journey through the art at the six best museums in Barcelona. Discover the finest collection of Romanesque mural paintings in the world, enjoy Modernisme and be surprised by the most contemporary art and creation at the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona and the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona. The universes of Miró, Picasso and Tàpies await you as you embark upon this unique experience. The most obvious benefit of these passes is that you will save 45% off the normal admission price. But you also get to skip the line, which can be a real-time saver, especially in the busier summer months. The pass is also valid for 12 months, so if you plan on returning, it is easily spread out over a longer period.

How it Works

The best way to purchase the Articket is online. Once you’ve purchased your ticket online, simply exchange it for your Barcelona Art Passport at the ticket desk of any Articket museum. Then enjoy the experience of seeing the best art in Barcelona!

As someone who loves pieces of ephemera, I was so gleeful when I saw them stamp my actual art passport in each museum I visited. I loved collecting all the stamps as we went!

If you’re unfamiliar with some of the museums and galleries on this list and are considering buying the pass, I’ve given you all the details about each museum. As well as some of my favourite artworks in each space. This piece better helps you understand the culture and history of the Catalan people, as well as the artistic movements that put Spain and Barcelona on the map!

#1. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya sits in the towering Palau Nacional that looks over the city like an artful guard tower. The Palau National was the piece-de-resistance of Barcelona’s 1929 International Exhibition, so even just visiting the museum building itself is an experience. The Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya is the largest museum in Barcelona. It exhibits the world’s finest collection of Romanesque murals. Included in the collection are some fantastic paintings by influential Spanish painters El Greco and Diego Velázquez. It is also a wonderful place to visit to see beautiful examples of Catalan Modernism, with works by Gaudí. To end the experience, head to the roof, where you can enjoy 360º views of Barcelona.

Frescos of Church of Sant Climent de Taüll

The most important artworks to see in the museum are the Romanesque frescos. These incredibly preserved artworks from the Church of Sant Climent de Taüll were painted 1000 years ago! If they had been left in their original location they would have been lost to the ages, but art collectors and historians managed to move the fresco, by striping them off the walls and reproducing the exact same architectural details of the original churches here inside the museum. Here they will rest for ages to come in an environment which will assure their safety for hundreds of years to come. These frescoes are still as vibrant and the faces of the people painted on them still astonishingly emotive. It’s amazing to see the amount of colours used throughout and makes the world of thousands of years ago that much more amazing.

The Spanish Wedding by Marià Fortuny

Going ahead a few hundred years in Spain, we find ourselves in the middle of Catalan Modernism. Marià Fortuny is one of the most important Spanish artists of his era. He is best known for his incredibly detailed paintings, which provide an almost photo-realistic view of what life would live looked like in Spain in the 1800s. In this painting, we see the scene of a wedding party assembled to sign a wedding contract. Surrounding the group are textiles and furnishings which give us a glimpse in the styles popular at the time. Seated to the right of the wedding party are lower class groups of lower class people, highlighted with a bull-fighter in full regalia.

Address: Parc de Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona
Hours: From 10 am to 6 pm, from Tuesday to Saturday.
Until 8 pm, from May to September.
From 10 am to 3 pm, Sunday and public holidays.
Closed: Mondays (except public holidays), Jan 1st, May 1st, Dec 25th

#2. Fundació Joan Miró

The Fundació Joan Miró is an internationally renowned museum where visi­tors can enjoy and learn more about Joan Miró. Joan Miró’s imaginative and abstract art, characterized by playful shapes, vibrant colours, and dreamlike symbolism, blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, incorporating elements from his Catalan heritage and personal experiences. He was a pioneer in surrealism and contributed significantly to 20th-century modern art. 

The Fundació is an exceptional building designed by the architect Josep Lluís Sert. It stands inside the Parc de Montjuïc, and you can enjoy magnificent views over Barcelona. So even a trip up here will provide you more than just a visit to a museum but also a fantastic view of the city.

Catalan peasant in the moonlight

Catalan Peasant in Moonlight evokes two recurring themes within Miró’s body of work: the connection between humanity and the earth, symbolized by the peasant figure, and the mystical allure of the night, represented by the moonlight. The fusion of man and the earth becomes evident through the shared use of the colour red, both for the peasant’s face and the exposed portions of the landscape. However, in Miró’s artistic universe, the boundaries between sky and earth blur, highlighting their interdependence. This interplay results in a harmonious exchange: the peasant’s attire adopts the hues of the night, while the sky assumes the tones of the field. Additionally, the moon’s shape hints at a sickle, imparting a poetic layer of meaning to the scene.

Pair of Lovers Playing with Almond Blossoms

During the 1970s, Miró began to explore larger and more ambitious sculptural projects, receiving notable commissions for outdoor pieces, which he enthusiastically embraced. Pair of Lovers Playing with Almond Blossoms embodies a minimalist approach, featuring simple shapes adorned with vibrant colours, suggesting that the larger sculpture closely adhered to the smaller original model. The artwork portrays two abstract figures within an enigmatic, perhaps surrealist, realm.

One figure is a tall cylinder with yellow and reddish sections, crowned by a blue spherical shape embellished with prehistoric-style abstract motifs imbued with symbolic significance. The second figure is a tall structure with a pointed blue element leaning away, accented by a red, claw-like feature around its midpoint. This element could be interpreted as a hand reaching out to catch the ball perched atop the other figure, though further exploration is required for a definitive interpretation.

Address: Parc de Montjuïc s/n, 08038 Barcelona
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, from April to October, from 10 am to 8 pm
Thursday, from 10 am to 9 pm
Saturday, from 10 am to 8 pm
Sunday and public holidays, from 10 am to 3 pm
Closed: Mon (except public holidays)

#3. Museu Picasso

The Museu Picasso of Barcelona is the reference centre for Pablo Picasso’s formative years. The 4,355 works of the Muse­um’s permanent collection reveal the genius of the young artist. The Picasso Museum of Barcelona is filled with a piece of Picasso’s work before he discovered Cubism, but many of which lend hints of what’s to come. Some people might be disappointed not to see any of his more famous pieces, but I think this collection is unique and truly personal to this city. We’ve all seen, at least in photographs, most of Picasso’s classic paintings, but these hidden gems are something you’ll only find in Barcelona. And they give us a glimpse of a young, burgeoning Picasso.

Science and Charity

At first glance, Science and Charity looks like it was painted by Goya or Fortuny. You’d never have imagined that a painting with such attention to realistic detail and subtle tones would be from the same man who later was defined by primitive geometric shapes and powerful colours. As a child, Picasso was a prodigy, and his father encouraged him to enter this piece into a competition, launching his career into the stars, where it would only expand from there.

Las Meninas Series

Pablo Picasso’s series of paintings based on Diego Velázquez’s masterpiece “Las Meninas” is a notable example of his exploration of art history through reinterpretation and reinvention. Picasso created a total of 58 paintings, drawings, and studies inspired by Velázquez’s iconic work between 1957 and 1961. In these reinterpretations, Picasso reimagined the characters and elements of Velázquez’s composition in his distinctive Cubist style, which he had pioneered earlier in the 20th century.

The original “Las Meninas” depicts members of the Spanish royal court, with a young princess at the center and various attendants and courtiers around her. Velázquez’s painting is celebrated for its complexity, use of mirrors, and exploration of perspective. In Picasso’s versions, he fragmented and deconstructed the figures, reshaping them into abstract and geometric forms. Faces became masks, and bodies dissolved into angular and overlapping planes. Picasso’s reinterpretations play with the viewer’s perception of space, form, and identity, challenging traditional notions of representation in art.

Address: Fundació Museu Picasso of Barcelona, Montcada 15-23
Hours: Tuesday to Sundays: 9am to 7pm (including holidays)
Thursday: until 9.30pm
Monday: 10am to 5 pm (from July 24 to September 25)
Closed: 1st Jan, 1st May, 24th June and 25th Dec.
On 24th and 31st Dec museum closes at 2.00pm.

#4. The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona

The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, commonly known as MACBA, is the most prominent contemporary art museum in Barcelona. The MACBA Collection consists of artworks produced by artists from Catalonia, Spain, and around the world, primarily from 1960 to the present day. These collections encompass a diverse array of artistic mediums and materials, encompassing painting, sculpture, drawing, collage, assemblage, objects, installations, audiovisual creations, and sound recordings, among various other artistic forms and expressions.

Self Portrait, Jean-Michel Basquiat

Basquiat’s self-portrait is a highly charged piece with many influences and expressions. Basquiat himself was highly inspired by Spanish painter Pablo Picasso’s work, which is especially evident in this work. He combines dynamic use of colour and abstract forms to convey layered meanings throughout his paintings. Basquiat was one of the first “graffiti” artists to make this type of work considered “good enough” to make it into the galleries and now is considered one of the seminal artists in the neo-expressionist pop movement. The brush strokes and colours used throughout the piece convey such emotion and, in this piece, anger; it is hard to view the piece without becoming enraged yourself.

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Barrière, Jaume Xifra

Jaume Xifra was a famous Catalan Conceptual artist. In 1959, he fled to France to escape the dictatorship. And it was here in France where he would pour his traumatic experiences into a new form of art. Xifra worked with cheap materials and objects to critique the world of consumerism. ‘BARRIÈRE’ is Xifra’s commentary on the police’s control over the people. A barrier, a device supposedly used to protect pedestrians, is here covered in barbed wire. Putting the supposed pedestrians at risk and creating an even more violent separation of the people from the state.

Address: Plaça dels Àngels, 1, 08001 Barcelona
Hours: From 11 am to 7.30 pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Until 8 pm, from June 24th until September 25th.
From 10 am to 9 pm, Saturday.
From 10 am to 3 pm, Sunday and public holidays.
Closed: Tue (except public holidays), Jan 1st, Dec 25th

#5. The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB) is a vibrant cultural center dedicated to contemporary culture and the arts. It serves as a multidisciplinary space where various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, music, literature, film, and digital culture, converge. Unlike the other museums on this list, the CCCB hosts a diverse range of exhibitions and installations that explore contemporary themes, trends, and issues. These exhibitions often incorporate innovative approaches and multimedia elements, encouraging visitors to engage with contemporary art and culture in thought-provoking ways. But the program is always changing as there is not a permanent collection.

When we visited, the exhibition on display was titled “Sade: Freedom or Evil.” This exhibition explored the contemporary cultural, philosophical, and political impact of the Marquis de Sade. De Sade’s writings are seen as both liberating and corrupting, embodying a philosophy of freedom and evil simultaneously. The exhibition delves into his influence on artists and intellectuals, as well as his role as an icon in mass culture. Although the exhibition was pretty confronting, it was by far one of the best-curated art exhibitions I have seen in years. So I can confidently say that any exhibition you come to see here is bound to be of the highest quality.

Address: C/Montalegre 5, 08001 Barcelona
Hours: From 11 am to 8 pm, from Tuesday to Sunday and public holidays.
Closed: Mon (except public holidays), Jan 1st, Dec 25th

#6.

 houses a large collection of artworks by Antoni Tàpies. And the foundation was created to promote knowledge of modern art. Many people don’t even know who Antoni Tàpies is, but learning all about him is a great way to spend a breezy afternoon. The foundation is housed in a modernist building designed by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. And the building is an architectural gem in its own right. 

For those unfamiliar with Tapies, he is one of the greatest Catalan artists. His father was a lawyer and Catalan nationalist who influenced his cultural and political identity. Tàpies initially studied law, but his artistic inclinations led him to pursue art at the Acadèmia Valls in Barcelona. His early works were influenced by Surrealism and Catalan artists like Joan Miró. Especially once you’ve visited the Joan Miró foundations, you can see how closely he was tied to the works of Tapies.

Earth on Canvas

Tàpies is famous for his ‘pintura matèrica’ style, where he often incorporated a wide range of materials, including found objects, mixed media, and unconventional materials like sand, string, and marble dust. àpies had a deep fascination with the materiality of art. His paintings are characterized by their textured surfaces, as he used thick layers of paint and collage elements to create tactile, three-dimensional effects.

Address: C/ Aragó 255, 08007 Barcelona
Hours: Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Closed: Mon, public holidays, Jan 1st and 6th, Dec 25th

With so many museums to see, it’s always nice to be able to save a few bucks where you can. With Articket Barcelona, you get access to all six museums for only 38€, a savings of 45% off the normal price of admission. And with this ticket, you’ll find that you’re more inclined to visit some museums you might not have thought to see and experience something unexpected.

The post An Honest Review of Art Ticket Barcelona, A Guide to the Most Amazing Museums first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. History
2. When to do this Tour?
3. How to Get There
4. Accessibility
5. Plaça de Catalunya
6. Avinguda del Portal de l'Àngel
7. Santa Anna de Barcelona
8. Els 4Gats
9. Font de Santa Anna de Barcelona
10. Plaça Nova
11. La Casa de l'Ardiaca
12. Cathedral of Barcelona
13. Monument to the Heroes of 1809
14. Plaça de Sant Felip Neri
15. Bistrot Levante
16. Pont del Bisbe
17. Statue of Saint Jordi
18. Cases dels Canonges
19. Temple of Augustus
20. Craft Barcelona
21. Plaça de Sant Jaume
22. Palau de la Generalitat
23. Barcelona City Hall
24. Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor
25. Font de San Just
26. Plaça del Rei

History

Despite the name “Gothic Quarter”, it’s important to know that most of these buildings were actually all built in the late 1800s through the 1900s in neo-gothic style. In 1929 there was a massive International Exhibition planned to take place in Barcelona. Wanting to jump on the tourist train, Barcelona decided to pour all their money into a massive restoration project. This project aimed to recreate the feeling of Barcelona in the medieval ages. They were inspired by European neo-gothic architecture and wanted to bring back some of their destroyed medieval histories.

While many of the sights might not date back to the early 13th century, I still think this neighbourhood is wonderfully charming and it contains some of Barcelona’s most important architectural structures. Plus, with these renovations, you do get the sense of what it would have felt like to explore Barcelona of the 13th century.

Layout of Barcelona

The neighbourhood retains its medieval labyrinth-like street layout. Most of these streets are still closed off from traffic, as they would have been before the invention of cars. When not overwhelmed with tourists, this vehicle-less area really adds to the ancient feeling of the neighbourhood. A walking tour is the best way to experience all the sights and sounds this place has to offer. Download the google map at the bottom of this post which plots all the different stops we’re going to make on our tour! Save as an offline map to follow along from point to point so you won’t miss a beat!

When to do this Tour?

The best time to take this walking tour is early in the morning. Since the area is so popular, it becomes overrun with tourists in the afternoon. There is just something about exploring in the early morning, when you have the entire place to yourself (trust me, I did it!), which feels absolutely magical. I would also try to avoid the weekends since they can be also a busier time to visit.

How to Get There

Our tour is going to start at the Plaça de Catalunya. To get there you can easily reach the square on foot if you are staying nearby. If you need to take transit, Catalunya is easily accessible from multiple lines of the metro, making it a great place to start the tour. Cataluyna Station is serviced by Line 1, 3, 6 and 7. Just take the metro to Cataluyna Station, hop off and follow the signs for Plaça de Catalunya.

Accessibility

Barcelona is heralded as one of the most wheelchair accessible cities in the world! In the gothic quarter, there are more bumps and hills than in the rest of the city, but with a powered chair, this shouldn’t be an issue. For more information on accessibility in Barcelona check out Cory’s blog! The Gothic Quarter is fairly small, so although we may weave around these streets, we won’t be going a huge amount of distance.

Plaça de Catalunya

The best place to start your tour is at the Plaça de Catalunya. The Plaça de Catalunya was built in 1927, just before the 1929 International Exhibition. It would be the central meeting point where people would gather from the moment it was inaugurated. Surrounding this plaza were the city’s most expensive and exclusive hotels, bar and theatres. Every builder was clamouring to get a piece of real estate around this square. It was to be the Times Square of Barcelona.

The enormous plaza covers 5 hectares of land and although it seems altogether too big, it almost NEEDS to be. Nine different major streets all converge together at this plaza. You can hear them zooming around you, like buzzing bees at all times of the day. This place is always packed with locals eating lunch, tourists taking pictures and street artists performing their act. 

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Sculptures

One of the nicest features of the plaza is the number of sculptures to be found surrounding it. It feels almost like an outdoor art gallery. One of the most impressive is Jose Maria Subirachs’ ‘1991 Monument to Francesc Macià‘. It looks like two sets of stairs, one turned upside down atop the other. If you’ve already been to the Sagrada Familia, the name Subirachs will sound familiar. Subirachs was the designer who took over the Passion Facade of the great cathedral for Gaudi. The normal staircase represents Catalonia’s history while the upside-down stairs represent the dynamic future of the Catalonian people. Catalonians will always subvert and aim to be different than the rest of Spain and this sculpture exemplifies that nature.

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Avinguda del Portal de l’Àngel

Move towards the southeastern corner of the square towards Avinguda del Portal de l’Àngel. The Portal de l’Àngel is a beautiful pedestrian street that leads you into the Gothic Quarter. It runs parallel to Las Ramblas and while Las Ramblas might be a little more touristy, Angel is as upscale as it gets in Barcelona. When the street was first established, it was the main hub for the fashion industry. Hundreds of textile stores could be found here. Women of the Spanish elite would come here to have the finest dresses of the day custom made for them. Nowadays, you can find some of the most expensive brands and department stores along this stretch which are still serving the elite of Barcelona.

Santa Anna de Barcelona

Making your way away from the busy street down the Carrer de Santa Anna. Here, you’ll find yourself walking down a narrow shopping street. On your right, keep your eye open for an unassuming archway. This leads you towards one of the most underrated churches in Barcelona. Tucked in between a few residential buildings and almost lost in an overgrown forest of trees, this church doesn’t immediately look like much. But a step inside will reveal its hidden beauty.

The church was founded in 1177 by the monks of the Holy Sepulcher. The monks travelled to Barcelona all the way from Jerusalem. It took over three centuries to build this monumental structure! Because of the length of time of the construction, you can find elements from a multitude of architecture periods. From Romanesque to Gothic and even bits from the Renaissance.

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Cloisters

The most impressive part of this church is the 15th-century cloisters, designed in traditional gothic style. In the centre of the cloisters is a beautiful tropical garden with large palm trees and other seasonal plants. Monks would use these cloisters not just for quiet contemplation, but they would also grow many herbs and vegetables here to help cure and feed the sick and poor of the city.

Els 4Gats

Els 4Gats, or ‘The Four Cats” is a gorgeous modernista cafe located just a few blocks away from the church. It opens as early as 9am and is the perfect place to grab a coffee in the most beautiful setting. The cafe was opened in 1897 and was once both hostel, bar and cabaret. This was where Barcelona’s creative community would gather to dance the night away! It’s been mythologized that Pablo Picasso and Ramon Casas i Carbó were both local patrons. These artists would call this place their home away from home. While the cafe can get very busy around lunch and dinner, if you’ve taken my advice and come to do this tour early then you’ll find this place almost all to yourself (Barcelona doesn’t tend to wake up till about 11 am).

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Font de Santa Anna de Barcelona

Continuing along, at the corner of Avinguda Portal de l’Àngel and Carrer Cucurulla you’ll find the Font de Santa Anna de Barcelona. A lot of people pass right by, but make sure you sneak by the cars and tourists to look at this piece of true medieval history. The fountain dates all the way back to 1356 and was originally used as a horse trough. In the 18th and 19th centuries, ceramic tiles were added on each side of the fountain depicting women carrying water jugs from the fountain.

On the front of the fountain is a stone carving of Barcelona’s coat of arms. The coat of arms is the version from the 19th century, with a large bat that flies over the crown. when the bat was removed from the coat of arms in the 1920s this was seen as a loss of an emblematic symbol shared by other capitals of the former Crown of Aragon.

Plaça Nova

Continuing along the Carrer dels Arcs you’ll suddenly come upon the large public square called ‘Plaça Nova‘. Plaça Nova sits in the shadow of the great Barcelona Cathedral and is almost always bustling with people. There is always something happening here! Whether its a festival, wedding, protest or just tour groups, there is a lively atmosphere here that just can’t be avoided. The Placa Nova was once one of the four main entrances to the Roman city. We can still see remnants of the original Roman city walls and two large romanesque towers surrounding the square.

Although there is some argument in the historical community about the date in which the square was established it is thought to be around 1358. In the centre of the square are the letters: “B a r c i n o”, which was the original Iberian village which was first founded here which would become Barcelona. 

Pablo Picasso

Turn around to face the Architects’ Association of Catalonia building where you’ll find one of the largest pieces by Pablo Picasso. This enormous frieze was designed by the iconic artist but painted by his studio. If you’re lucky enough to be here on a Thursday, be sure to check out the Mercat Gòtic Barcelona which pops up in front of the church. Here you can discover some gorgeous antiques and relics from Catalonia! Even if you’re not interested in buying anything it’s a wonderful thing to just explore!

La Casa de l’Ardiaca

Inside the Plaça Nova, hidden behind the original Roman ruins, you’ll find the Casa de l’Ardiaca. The building has been the home of the Municipal Archive since 1921 but its history dates back to almost the 12th century! Before that, it was the headquarters of Barcelona’s Lawyers’ Association. Outside, you’ll see a modernista style mailbox designed by famed architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. On it are three swallows and a tortoise, the symbols of the Spanish legal system. The birds symbolize the idea of freedom, whereas the slow bureaucratic procedures which can be such a big part of legal proceedings are represented by the tortoise.

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Head inside the main courtyard to see the treasures that this, outwardly unassuming building has to offer. Inside you’ll find the “Salon des les pinyes” or ‘pineapple salon’. Here you can admire the gorgeous central fountain and palm tree, growing inside the building. The surrounding cloisters are covered in colourful tiles and oldest looking walls in here date all the way back to the Roman era.

Cathedral of Barcelona

Continue walking across the square until you reach the doors of the great Cathedral of Barcelona. If you aren’t interested in going inside, just gazing upon the exterior is well worth your time. This monument to architectural majesty began construction in 1298 but wasn’t completed until 1420! The church is dedicated to Saint Eulalia of Barcelona. Eulalia was attacked by Roman soldiers in the square for her Christian beliefs and stripped naked in front of a horde of people. She was ashamed but in the middle of the summer, it began to snow, covering her naked form. Unfortunately, this only enraged the roman soldiers more and they threw her in a barrel, stabbed the barrel with knives and rolled her down the street. The street they preformed this torture upon her, now bears her name.

Her sad but powerful story is one which stuck with the people of Barcelona and this church was built in her name. Inside you can still see her chapel which holds her elaborate sarcophagus. This church helped inspire Gaudi’s design of the Sagrada Familia, so seeing this gothic masterpiece is the perfect complement to understanding Gaudi’s vision. For a complete tour of the Cathedral of Barcelona click here!

Monument to the Heroes of 1809

Exit the church, via the side exit in the cloister, where you’ll come out into a small courtyard. In the centre of the courtyard, along the wall, is a large arch with a beautiful sculpture nestled underneath. This stunning modernist sculpture is dedicated to the ‘Five martyrs of Catalan Freedom‘. During the French occupation of 1809, these five men rose up in an attempt to free the city from the Napoleonic troops. Unfortunately, their plot failed but their memories live on in the hearts of the people of Catalonia.

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The moment sculptor Josep Llimona captured was a quiet moment. He uses a realist style of sculpture, to capture the moment just before they were executed. They sit in solemn contemplate, one of them comforting the other. Above their heads are a choir of angels made by sculptor Vicenç Navarro. One of the angels leans down, to crown their heads with a laurel wreath, the symbol of victors. The difference between the more realistic look of the heroes and the art nouveau style of the angels, with curved lines and exaggerated features, easily conveys the difference between the earthly and heavenly plane.

Carrer de Sant Sever

The Carrer de Sant Sever is one of my favourite streets in the Gothic Quarter. The alley is super narrow, and the buildings on either side seem to almost lean in towards one and other, making the street extremely dark and moody. Which let’s face it, just adds to the wonderful “gothic” feeling of the neighbourhood.

Plaça de Sant Felip Neri

Continue down the Carrer de Sant Sever and turn up the small side street Carrer de Sant Felip Neri. This leads you towards the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri. Walking into this small, quiet square, the first thing which grabs your eye is the huge stone walls. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice they are covered in holes.

In 1937, bombs were being dropped by fascist troops into this square which resulted in the death of 42 people, 20 of whom were children. The church located in this square had an adjoining school which was an unfortunate victim of these attacks. The holes on the walls still mark this deadly event, left unrepaired so that the event is never forgotten. When I visited, a child and his father ran playfully around the square. There was something both happy and sad about seeing this little scene play out. Happy to see children’s laughter persist here but sad to imagine all those children who lost their lives.

On the northern wall is the old 17th-century baroque church of Felip Neri. Felip (of Philip) Romolo Neri, was the Second Apostle of Rome, after Saint Peter. A statue of Felip Neri in the center niche about the doorway.

Carrer de Salomó ben Adret

Opposite the church is the oldest building in the square, which is from the Renaissance period. This stone building is notable for its two ancient wrought-iron balconies and a stone relief of a lion in the center. This was once the headquarters of the shoemaker guild and now houses the Barcelona shoe museum.

Head back out down the Carrer de Sant Sever and turn down this tiny, almost hidden alleyway, Carrer de Salomó ben Adret. These little alleyways are one of the best parts of the Gothic quarter. They seem to pop out of nowhere and even when you think they might not lead anywhere they’ll open right up to a huge square.

Bistrot Levante

The Bistrot Levante is located inside one of these tucked away squares and is the perfect place to sit outside and enjoy an afternoon lunch. Their modern approach to Lebanese food might seem like an odd choice for visiting Spain but trust me, this place is wonderful! 

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Pont del Bisbe

Head back out onto the Carrer de Sant Sever turning east onto the Carrer del Bisbe. As soon as you turn the corner, your eyes will be met with the sight of this fantastical gothic bridge which adjoins the two buildings on either side of this narrow street. This is known as the Pont del Bisbe or Bishop’s Bridge. It was created in the 1920s to connect the Parliament buildings to the presidential residence. But it was named after the Bishop of Barcelona who instigated its constitution as a means of escape from the parliament buildings should there be a political coup.

The intricate patterns of stonework beneath the arches make the bridge look like a delicate piece of lace. Passing under the bridge you get the strange feeling of being watched as the eyes of the various gargoyles, which jut out from the bridge, look down on you. The bridge was designed by Joan Rubió i Bellver, the apprentice to Antoni Gaudí! Today this is one of the most popular places to get your picture taken in the Gothic quarter, despite the bridge being a product of the 20th century. When you walk under the bridge make sure to make a wish as is the popular tradition!

Statue of Saint Jordi

After getting your photos and walking under the bridge, take a few steps forward and look up at the wall to your right. Along the top of this facade is a gothic medallion and in the centre a small statue of Saint Jordi. This was made in the 15th century by Catalan sculptor Pere Johan. The legend of Saint Jordi in Catalonia goes a valiant knight went to rescue a princess from a ruthless dragon. When he plunged his sword into this belly, a rose bush grew from the dragon’s spilt blood.

Saint Jordi then plucked a rose from the bush to give to the princess to further win her heart. In Barcelona, every year on April 23rd they celebrate Saint Jordi day, which for them is the holiday of love, similar to the North American Valentine’s day. On that day lovers exchange roses and books to show their love for one an another just like Saint Jordi did for the princess

Cases dels Canonges

Instead of walking to the end of the street, turn back around to walk down the Carrer de la Pietat. This small street takes you behind the great Cathedral of Barcelona and along the Cases dels Canonges, or House of the Canon. This 14th-century group of buildings was transformed into the residence of the President of Catalonia in the 20th century. Because the building was once multiples residences, you’ll see a myriad of architectural designs along the facade, from Renaissance, to Gothic and even a touch of Baroque.

The main facade you’ll see as you turn the corner on the Carrer de la Pietat is the Renaissance facade with its tromp d’oeil patterns which were made with stucco to give the appearance of three-dimensional stones. On the second floor facade, you can see these beautiful stucco paintings of Grecian of women carrying baskets of flowers on their heads. No doubt in a wealthier home these would be carvings set into niches, but here you get the same effect at a fraction of the cost! How frugal the owner must have been.

The Pietat

As you round the corner along this small side street, look at the church doors on the corner. This side entrance is no longer frequented but has still been given beautiful adornment. Above the huge archway is powerful portal depicting the Pietat; mother Mary holding her dying son in her arms after taking him down off the cross. The moving carving was so important that it is what gives the street its name.

As you round the corner you’ll be able to see, in this tiny courtyard, the entrance of the of Cases dels Canonges. Above each of the windows on this side are stone carvings of medieval heraldic symbols from the 15th and 16th centuries. This building is now used as the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Temple of Augustus

Keep straight and walk down the small Career del Paradis. This secretive, almost too narrow alley, leads you straight to the Temple of Augustus. This unassuming building is marked only with a dull piece of signage on the outside but head straight into the inner courtyard to find an impressive discovery! This medieval building, with its mint green walls, holds within it four incredible Corinthian columns. These columns are the last remaining piece of Barcelona’s Roman history. The Roman temple which once stood here was dedicated to Emperor Caesar Augustus, giving the remains the name, Temple of Augustus.

Craft Barcelona

This tucked-away alley is another great place to get something to eat. Craft Barcelona is a wonderfully hip and charming hidden gem. They have some of the best tapas, service and, unique for Barcelona, they specialize in craft beers from all over Spain! (But you can still get a killer sangria and cava here as well)

Plaça de Sant Jaume

Just opposite the tiny street of Carrer del Paradis is the grade square called Plaça de Sant Jaume. This huge, black bricked square is surrounded on all sides by various important historical buildings. They call this square the “political beating heart of the city”. It’s here that the city’s government has been run for centuries. Even during Roman times, Placa de Sant Jaume was the meeting point of two of their largest junctions, meaning it served as the major meeting point in Barcelona. The square was named after the old Church of Sant Jaume, which stood here since the 14th century but was demolished in 1823. Even so, the square keeps its name in her honour.

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Palau de la Generalitat

Today, the square is where you’ll find the Parliament of Catalonia or the Palau de la Generalitat. This is one of the few medieval buildings to remain in the gothic quarter. The Palace was built in 1283 to hold the Catalan Assembly and was the first parliament building in Europe! Here, just as hundreds of years before, is where the seat of government sits. Above the large, archways into the buildings, is a statue of St. Geroge slaying the dragon. Inside, is a chapel also dedicated to the saint. The chapel’s exterior runs alongside the Carrer del Bisbe, where we saw the Saint Jordi sculpture near the Bridge.

It’s a real shame the building isn’t open to tourists as the interior features some incredible gothic architecture and a Renaissance courtyard with beautiful orange trees and other native Catalan plants.

Barcelona City Hall

Opposite the Palau de la Generalitat is the grandiose Casa de la Ciutat, of Barcelona City Hall. It features a rather austere neoclassical facade but inside is replete with gothic architecture exemplifying Catalan national pride. On either side of the archway entrance are the statues of King Jaume I, who founded the original city council, and Joan Fiveller, a significant member of the council who advised the king.

You can walk inside, where you’ll find the Barcelona Tourism office, to get a peek at some of this amazing old architecture. You’ll enter into the great Gothic staircase with sculptures from Gargallo, Llimona, Navarro, Subirachs, Marès, Miró and Clarà dotting the interior. It’s pretty amazing to find artist work of this calibre just out in public spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Plaça de Sant Just

Opposite city hall walk north along the Carrer d’Hèrcules towards the Plaça de Sant Just. This quiet square is home of the Basílica dels Sants Màrtirs Just i Pastor. The alleyway leading you into this square feels so narrow that when it opens up it’s like taking a breath of fresh air. I think it’s amazing when architecture can give you a feeling like that.

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Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor

Standing guard over the square is the great Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor. Look up the portal above the central doorway. Two tiny angels kneel in prayer on either side of the Virgin Mary who sits on her throne between them. The 14th-century church is rumoured to be even older, and perhaps built up from an older church as far back as the 4th century! This would make it the oldest church in Barcelona, but alas historians are still squabbling on the details. It’s a shame the church is usually closed as the interior houses some of the most fantastical chapel carvings and stained glass! So if the doors happen to be open, don’t miss the opportunity! 

Font de San Just

There is a small water fountain in the corner of the square which looks pretty unassuming to take a closer look. At the bottom of the fountain are three carved heads with their mouths open. In between the carvings are water faucets. Although the faucets and the carvings are new, the source of the water is the oldest in the city. Giving credence to the thought that the church here might date back to the founding of the city since important buildings are often situated near water sources.

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Plaça del Rei

Continuing back towards the starting point of the tour, walking along the sidestreets of Carrer de la Dagueria to the Carrer del Verguer, which leads into the Plaça del Rei. This square is surrounded on all sides by some of the most authentically gothic and medieval buildings of Barcelona. Their overwhelming presence is one of the reasons this part of the city gets the name “Gothic Quarter”. 

The wide, regal steps lead up towards the Palau Reial Major, or old Royal Palace. Rei, means King in Spanish, as this was the courtyard of the King. The palace was the main residence of Catalan Kings and Queen from the 13th to 15th centuries but was used as a non-royal residence as far back as the 11th century. Because the building is so old, you can make out old Visigothic and Romanesque features although the dominant style is that of the high gothic. Standing guard above the square is a rectangular tower, complete with a multitude of arched windows. This was King Martin’s Watchtower, built in the 15th century.

Palau del Lloctinent

The building opposite the palace is the Palau del Lloctinent, or Lieutenant’s Palace. This 16th-century construction hides inside it one of the most heavenly gardens. Set against a sea of golden yellow stucco, you’ll find an old renaissance courtyard covered in green ivy flourishing plants. Today, this building houses the Archive of the Crown of Aragon. 

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This is a great place to end the tour. If you want to relax there are dozens of cafes nearby with gorgeous views of the Gothic Quarter to enjoy as you sip your cava. Or if you’re still up for more you can visit the Barcelona History Museum to learn even more about the history of this great city!

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed this tour as much as I enjoyed wandering the beautiful street, learning as much as I could to share with you all! What was your favourite part of the Gothic Quarter or did you find any secrets I didn’t share along the way? Let me know in the comments! I love hearing from readers.

Happy Travels Adventurers

The post The Ultimate Self Guided Tour of Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Hours and Access

The church is located in the Pla de la Seu, right in the centre of the Gothic Quarter. To get there you can take the Metro to ‘Jaume I Station‘ on line 4. It is also easily accessible on foot if you’re already in this area of town.

The Cathedral’s opening hours for visitors are as follows:
Monday to Friday: 8 am-12:30 pm and 5:45 pm-7:30 pm.
Saturdays: 8:30 am-12:30 pm. and from 5:15 pm – 8 pm. 
Sundays and Holidays: 2:00 pm – 5:30 pm

During the rest of the time, the Cathedral is dedicated to religious worship only. Although you are more than welcome to attend, no photography is permitted during this time. You are expected to simply spend this time in respectful prayer. While there are no days when the building is officially closed if you’re visiting during a holiday its best to check their website schedule for updated visiting hours.

Admission

While entry into the Cathedral is free there are certain areas that require admission. The main nave of the cathedral and the cloisters are both accessible without a ticket. Entry into the Choir costs €3, the Terraces and lift cost €3. Alternatively, you can get these two tickets PLUS entries into the chapel and Sala Capitular museum for €7. The later is the best deal. The view from the rooftop terraces is amazing so I’d recommend it. Be warned the terrace closes 30 minutes before the rest of the church. Don’t forget about this especially if you’ve already purchased your ticket. Unless you’re visiting during the absolute peak of tourist season, you can easily buy your tickets upon arrival inside.

Tips

I visited the Cathedral twice on my first visit to Barcelona. Despite not having an issue buying a ticket, I did find that when I visited in the afternoon the cathedral was quite busy. Since it was so crowded so I returned the next day in the early morning just as it opened. This time of day is really magical. The sun rises just behind the Cathedral and the usually packed square in front of the church is full of nothing except the sound of your footsteps.

Be sure you have adequate clothing for entry which requires a modest attire; arms and legs must be covered up and no hats. I always bring a little scarf I use to cover my arms if I’m wearing a strappy top. I also carry a pair of leggings in my backpack. This is a great trick for days when it’s too hot to wear pants but you need your legs to be covered.

History

The church is dedicated to Saint Eulalia, the patron saint of Barcelona. Eulalia was a beautiful young woman who once lived in Barcelona. One day, she was attacked by a group of Roman soldiers in the square. She was persecuted for her religious beliefs and stripped naked in front of a horde of people. She was ashamed but in the middle of the summer, it began to snow, covering her naked form.

Unfortunately, this only enraged the Roman soldiers and they threw her in a barrel. They proceeded to stab the barrel with knives and rolled her down the street until she was dead. Today, that same street is also named after her as well. Her sad but powerful story is one which stuck with the people of Barcelona. This church was built in her name, “Baixada de Santa Eulàlia“. Her body was saved by her fellow Christians and is now entombed inside the Cathedral. Very poetic.

First Romanesque Church

The very first romanesque church was built here in 1058. Over the years it fell into ruins. During the Gothic period, the old church was destroyed and w new one built on its foundations. Construction began for the Cathedral of Barcelona in 1298 but wasn’t completed until 1420! That’s over 100 years! The cloisters were the last part of the church to be finished, completed in 1448. In the 19th century, a neo-gothic facade was added. It was designed with the same beautiful gothic elements of the rest of the cathedral so it seamlessly blends in. It’s so rare to find a cathedral this old which hasn’t had multiple renovations and restorations. The fact that most of the church contains art and architecture from the 15th century is such a treat to behold.

The Facade

Looking at this ornate facade, simply dripping in decorations, it’s hard to imagine that it once was nothing more than a plain exterior. Most Catalan churches built at the time featured a flat, nondescription facade. This neo-gothic marvel was built years after the initial construction of the church in the 19th century. It was designed by architect José Oriol Mestres. Mestres wasn’t an immensely popular architect, with only a few other buildings in his repertoire. Perhaps the Cathedral was his greatest accomplishment and once it was completed nothing could compare.

The stained glass windows you can see inside the towers were taken from the Renaissance exterior. The stained glass located on the lower portion of the facade are more modern interpretations. The tracery windows are some of the most ornate examples of neo-gothic design and seem to weave together like ivy or branches or a tree. The rose window, which is typical of other neo-gothic buildings, is here portrayed in a different fashion than most. Instead of a circular rose, with inside petals, the rose window here is designed without the outer portion. The petals of the rose each feature a quarterfoil symbol which spills out above the top of the rose window. This is more of the unique aspects of the neo-gothic design.

Entry Doors

One of my favourite parts of the church is the neo-gothic archivolt above the church’s entry doors. An archivolt is an ornamental band that follows the curve of the underside of an arch. Upon this archivolt are carved, 100 angels flying above your head! In the centre of the two, large wooden entrance doors is a stone sculpture of Jesus, flanked on either side by statues of the 12 apostles. 75 figures in total adorned the exterior of the facade, featuring more saints, kings and famous prophets. While the sculptures of the people are stern and noble, there are also various playful gargoyles and mythical animals which also decorated the stone walls.

Towers

The cathedral is home to three towers, two side towers and a large central cimborio. A cimborio is a classical element of Catalan architecture which is a raised dome or a cupola that acts as a lantern over the crossing of a Gothic cathedral. This cimborio is what allows natural light flood the otherwise darkened interior. A bright interior is one of the most important parts of a Gothic cathedral so the cimborio is a clutch element. The cimborio is crowned by the copper statue of Saint Helena. The family from Girona, who financed most of the cathedral’s construction in the 19th century, were devotees of Saint Helena. The family wanted to be able to see their patron saint at all times, high above the rest of the buildings in Barcelona. 

The two side tower, located over the Doors of Saint Ivoand and the Cloisters, were added in the 19th century. Each tower is adorned with two lateral pinnacles. Every inch of these towers is embellished! Leaves curls around the edges, gargoyles pop out from every corner and angel play musical instruments, a choir over the top of the city.

Doors of Saint Ivo

Before heading right into the church, walk over to the Plaça Sant Iu, on the northern side of the Cathedral. Here, on the steps of the entrance to the Museu Frederic Marès, you can study the ancient Doors of Saint Ivo. This was the primary entrance in the cathedral for over 500 years, located right under the northern bell tower. The doors are named “Saint Ivo” because, in the 15th century, Saint Ivo was the patron saint of Lawyers. Lawyers were one of the main contributors to the cathedral’s construction and as such they demanded their patron saint be honoured.

The doors were built from marble which had been brought all the way from the precious Montjuïc mountains, close to Barcelona. They were built in 1298 and have stood here untouched ever since. On either side of the columns which flank the doors are carvings of knights fighting mythical beasts. These capitals were rescued from the ruins of the ancient Romanesque cathedral. Once they were uncovered the architecture knew they needed to be incorporated in the cathedral somehow. Below these capitals is a large inscription, surrounded in floral carvings. This inscription bears the date of May 1st, 1298, the day work began on the construction of the gothic cathedral.

Interior 

The interior of the cathedral features the gothic design of a unified apse system. The two side aisle and central nave are all connected together but the aisles are distinguished from the nave by having a distinctly lower ceiling. The side naves and ambulator feature monuments and chapels dedicated to over 140 different saints! While we won’t go into all of them here I did try my best to highlight the most important ones.

Entry into the Nave

Upon entering the nave through main front doors, you’ll step directly into the grand nave of the church. You’ll be struck immediately by the warm yellow light which sets the interior all aglow. Most of the blackened parts of the decor are not from age but from hundreds of years of candle soot. Take a seat in one of the pews in front of the choir and look up at the ceiling. Along the vaults of the cathedral are 215 beautifully carved keystones which date back the 14th and 15th century. These once were covered in colours polychrome but after years of deterioration, they are now just plain carved stones.

Right above this area of the nave, we can see the keystone of Saint Martha. Other famous keystones to look out for are Jesus being crucified between the Virgin and Saint John, with the symbols of the sun and the moon. See if you can spot Saint Eulalia with the coat of arms of Blanca of Naples, covered in Fleur-de-lis. Our Lady of Mercy is seen using her cape to shelter a pope. There is a king, a cardinal, a bishop and a canon on one side, and a queen, a nun and three other feminine figure on the other side along with the Annunciation of the Virgin with the Archangel Saint Gabriel. And finally, the eternal father surrounded by angels.

Stained-glass windows

The Cathedral has many Gothic and modern stained-glass windows. The central panels depict the image of the central characters to which the piece is dedicated. The side panels feature richly coloured geometric designs, coats of arms of royal families, trefoil and quatrefoils, and sometimes even architectural features that bring a meta element to the design.

Bishop Ponç de Gualba & Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia,

The stained glass windows throughout the cathedral are from various periods in the building’s history. The earliest ones date from the 14th century and bear the coat of arms of Bishop Ponç de Gualba. These windows depict the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, Saint Sylvester, Saint Peter and Saint Stephen. Later in the 1400s we see stained glass windows dedicated to Saint Andrew with the coats of arms of Bishop Armengol. The most impressive of the windows, located in the bapistery chapel, was made by artisan Gil de Fontanet in 1495 and depict the Saint Michael archangel and Noli me tangere. The most recent stained glass windows, found on the facade are all from the 19th and 20the century.

It’s amazing to see that even some of the windows which are hundreds of years old, still explode with colour! This cathedral wasn’t about steering away from loud, and expressive designs. Instead it wanted to make its visitors feel powerful emotions upon stepping into this haven of light.

Chapel of the Holy Sacrament and of the Holy Christ of Lepanto

Just to the right as you enter, you’ll find a darkened chapel. At the back of the room is a golden arch, which seems radiate with light as it is the only real light source in the room. This is the chapel of the Holy Sacrament and of the Holy Christ of Lepanto. In the centre of the chapel is a beautiful, black wooden sculpture of Jesus Christ on the cross. Look closely and you might notice that Jesus almost looks like he is leaning to one side. This is because of a very famous legend from Barcelona which took place during the battle of Lepanto, in October 1571.

The Christian states of Europe all worked together in this battle to defend their land against the invading Ottoman empire. At the time, it was not only the largest naval battle in history but also the bloodiest. In just a few hours over 50,000 soldiers lost their lives. The legend goes that the crucifix we see here today was mounted upon one of the ships. As a means of protection for the soldiers. During the battle, a large cannonball shot towards the boat which carried the crucified. The soldiers claim they saw the statue, which was right in the line of fire, dodge the oncoming canon ball. This is why we still see him in this position today, in mid dodge. It’s said that the defending Habsburgs army saw this as a good omen and it was part of what propelled them to victory.

Saint Olegarius

Also located in this chapel, although only partially visible, is the tomb of Saint Olegarius. Saint Olegarius, served as bishop of Barcelona in 1116. Saint Olegarius’s body is actually one of the few saints body’s to be incorrupt. Incorruptibility is a belief that by some divine intervention a human body avoids the normal process of decomposition after death as a sign of the body’s holiness. Inside Saint Olegarius’ tomb, his corpse is still dressed in the regal bishop’s robes he wore in life. Every year, on March 6th, the tomb is opened up and visitors can gaze down into the glass casket and see the unchanged body for themselves.

Saint Chapels

There are over 28 chapels flanking the cathedral’s nave. You can find a list of all the saint chapels here if you’re looking to prayer at one in particular. Each one of the chapels is dripped in golden leaf decorations, magnificent paintings which tell stories of the saint’s life, and powerful sculptures which look out at you from the gates which separate from the holy from the mortal realm.

Chapel of Baptism & Font

Against the wall where the entry doors are located is the Chapel of Baptism. Here you’ll discover the huge marble baptismal font which has been used inside this cathedral since 1433. Behind the font is a small relief carved into the marble altarpiece of Jesus Baptising one of his disciples.

Saint Severus Chapel   

To the left of the pews in the back of the nave, you’ll find the chapel of Saint Severus. If you’re a Harry Potter fan like me, your ears will perk up upon hearing this name, as I had never heard it before those books, but it turns out, it’s a fairly old name. Saint Severus was once the bishop of Barcelona but was murdered for his beliefs in 304. Romans soldiers captured him and tortured him into renouncing his Christianity. When he refused for the final time, he was sentenced to death.

The soldiers hammered nails into his head and yet he would not die. When fellow Christians heard of his persecution they came to his aid but unfortunately, were too late. As they took him down, he died in their arms. In1405, his relics, which were previously housed in Sant Cugat, were moved to Barcelona. It was rumoured that these relics helped cure King Martin I of gangrene in his leg! You can see a depiction this event in the top right corner.

Choirstalls

In front of the first set of pews in the nave is the choirstalls. Guarding the entrance to the stall is a great stone wall with stunning carved reliefs. The depictions on the relief tell the story of Saint Eulalia and her eventual death. In between these extremely gruesome and powerful carvings are niches with statues of Catalan saints.

Order of the Golden Fleece

The interior of the choir stall is dedicated to the knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece. The order was founded to defend the Roman Catholic religion and to uphold the usages of chivalry. The order settled disputes, crimes and the actions of the knights of the order. If a knight was thought to have committed an offence or rebelled, they were brought to trial among their peers and not to the public justice.

The choirstall’s design is thought to be the finest example of Gothic Catalan architecture. To study the ornate canopies and pinnacles, walk around the exterior of the choir before heading inside. The walls surrounding the choir are decorated in Doric columns and crowned with an ornate balustrade.

Knights of the Order of the Golden Fleece

During the first few years of the Order of the Golden Fleece there were only 20 knights but as the years went on it expanded to over 60 members. Today you can find the coats-of-arms of the knights painted onto the various seat backs inside the choirstall. Most of these were painted in the 16th century although the older looking ones were made as far back as the 14th and 15th centuries. Even each of the chairs themselves has these gorgeous little carvings of animals and minature statues on the seats. No aspect of the choirstalls was left unembellished. Inside the choir, you’ll find a wonderfully carved wooden pulpit made by Pedro Çanglada in 1403.

Chapel of Raymond of Pennafort 

On the South wall, opposite the choir stalls, you’ll find the Chapel of Raymond of Pennafort. Raymond, a strange name for a saint, is the patron saint of Catalan lawyers. One of the best parts of visiting this cathedral is learning all about the Catalan saints you won’t hear about anywhere else in the world! Raymond studied law at the University of Bologna and was one of the chief advisors to the Pope and King James I of Catalonia and Aragon. One of his miracles was said to be sailing from Sóller to Barcelona on nothing but a simple blanket!

Saint Pacian Chapel

Continuing along the south wall, you’ll come to the Chapel of Saint Pacian. Saint Pacian was bishop of Barcelona during the second half of the 4th century. He is highly regarded as one of the founding father’s of the church in Barcelona. The altarpiece inside the chapel is a baroque masterpiece made by sculptor Joan Roig from 1688. It depicts various scenes from the life of Saint Pacian and Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

The Organ

The fantastically carved organ, which hangs above the doors of Saint Ivo is truly the definition of “heavenly”. Built in 1539, the organ is designed in high baroque style. Cherubs top the pipes and Saints faces reveal themselves from the flat wooden facade.

Crypt of Saint Eulalia

Below the high alter, a set of stairs descends into the ground where you’re met with a pair of iron gates. Behind these gates, you can see a large stone tomb topped with a beautiful statue of a young woman. This is the crypt of Saint Eulalia. Her sarcophagus is adorned in gothic, polychromed alabaster and inside rest her remains. The carvings around the tomb depict the story of her martyrdom after leaving her home of Sarria at the age of 13. The scenes of her martyrdom are quite affecting and powerful, and not for the faint of heart. They show her being whipped by soldiers, and how they used a hook to tear the flesh off her body when she was nailed to the cross. Pretty gruesome, lucky you can’t see it up close really.

The carvings also show how her remains were moved to the cathedral from the Basilica of Santa María. Above the tomb, in the centre of the room, we have a statue of the Virgin Mary. On either side of her are four angels holding candles sticks. This tomb is a new incarnation from the 13th century but right behind it you can still see a piece of brokem marble from the original one. This tomb was made in 878!

High Altar

Above the tomb of Eulalia, we have the High Altar. The Altar is made of pure white marble and measures over three feet long. Above the altar hangs a grand crucifix, held up by six triumphant angels.

Ambulatory

At the east end of the cathedral, we find the ambulatory with its nine radiating chapels. These chapels are located behind high altar, raised above the crypt of Saint Eulalia below. The nine chapels located in the ambulatory are crowned with tall, glowing stained glass windows. This allows for the most heavenly, colourful light to pour over the high altar.

Rooftop

To access the roof, head towards the tower on the northern side of the cathedral. From here you take a lift to the top (you need a paid ticket) where you have a 360-degree view of the city.

The rooftop gets you up close to the various gargoyles and mythical stone creatures who call the roof their home. If you’re here anytime during the lunch hour you might have the chance to hear the bells ring. While you can hear these bells all over the city there is something so overwhelmingly awesome about hearing them so close.

Cloisters

To access the cloisters, you pass under a large white marble door. This is said to be a recovered piece from the original Romanesque cathedral built on the site in 1046. The archivolts here are decorated with geometric patterns but framed in gothic pediments.

The reliefs sculpted into the pillars of the Cloister’s arches show scenes from the Old Testament and from a legend about the Holy Cross. The keystones set into the vault depict scenes from the New Testament.

Each out of outdoor chapels here was initially dedicated to the patron saint of an institution or guild. They were built here under the protection of a specific family. Look on the floors and you can see markings of these guilds. the one below depicts a pair of scissors to represents the cloth merchants guild.

Ou com Balla

In the center of the Cloister is a garden with palm trees, magnolias, an orange tree and a fountain dating from the mid-15th century. The traditional “ou com balla” (the dancing egg) takes place right here each year for the celebration of Corpus Christi. The dancing egg was a trick the church’s acolytes would play where they would empty an egg of its insiders, then fill it with wax and seal the small hole. They could then place the egg atop the fountain’s jet and the egg would start turning without falling, and thus “dances.” 

Outside along the walls of the cloister are also several tombs embedded into the walls of the cathedral. These are of important people in the history of Barcelona such as the bronze tomb of Antoni Tallander, the royal jester, as identified by the bels that hang from his belt. There is also the tomb of the Sanllehy family  which is marked by the scenes of the burial of Christ.

Geese

In the stone confines of the cloister you might be surprised to find 13 white geese wandering around like they own the place. There are always only 13 geese, one for each of the year’s Saint Eulalia lived. They provide a sunny addition to the otherwise silent cathedral.

Capella de Santa Llúcia

At the Southwest corner of the Closters we find the quiant Romanesque chapel, built in 1257, dedicated to Santa Llúcia. Santa Llúcia is the patron saint of the blind and on December 13th, her saint’s day, you’ll see large numbers of blind people who come to pray at her chapel. Inside the chapel, you can see two ornate sepulchres containing the remains of Bishop Arnau of Gurb (from the 13th century) and Canon Francesc of Santa Coloma (from the 14th century).

This brings us to the end of the tour. Hopefully, you enjoyed exploring it as much as me and learned a little something about Catalan history along the way! Let me know what your favourite part of the Cathedral was or anything else you learned about this amazing place along the way!

The post The Ultimate Self Guided Tour of the Barcelona Cathedral first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

History of Street Art in Barcelona

Graffiti in Barcelona will always be part of the city. The city became a center of fashion, design, art and creativity after the Olympics in 1992. The new art expression became popular in Barcelona. As a consequence, many Graffiti artists visited the city just to paint a part of the city.

Jordi and Miguel changed the urban art industry in 1994 when they created Montana Colors, the first store to sell spray cans. Barcelona and New York were the most popular cities for urban art until restrictions came along. New York carried out a project in 1990 that erased all Graffiti from the city and Barcelona, was next.

Restrictions for Urban Art in Barcelona 

When Barcelona became a touristic destination, people related Graffiti with vandalism and therefore, the “clean up” project was implemented. Barcelona’s Government banned Graffiti in 2006 and fines were charged up to 3,000€. Some artists started painting in private indoor spaces or decided to open art galleries. Others just left town due to these regulations. As a result, the old good days were over for Graffiti lovers in Barcelona. But that didn’t stop some of them from doing what they loved.

Graffiti in Barcelona Today

Even with the current Graffiti restrictions in Barcelona, you can still find amazing street art around the city. Artists continue to stand up and fight to express themselves through art as it’s only allowed in some authorized public spaces. You’ll certainly find Graffiti masterpieces in the following neighborhoods: el Raval, Gràcia, Poble Nou and Gothic Quarter.

Graffiti Tours

Graffiti Tours in Barcelona are now more popular within locals and tourists. The main objective is to promote urban art and provide their knowledge on this trendy topic. The good thing about Graffiti paintings is that you’ll always have something new to look at as it’s constantly changing!

Who is Barcelona Explorers?

Barcelona Explorers is the ultimate guide to the city with a local touch that everyone should know about! This up-to-date Barcelona Blog has travel tips, curiosities, attractions, off-the-beaten-paths, events, traditions and many more for you to explore.

Are you ready to explore?

The post The Best Outdoor Art Galleries in Spain, Discover the Incredible Street Art and Graffiti of Barcelona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

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.

Table Of Contents

1. Catalan 'Modernism'
2. Access
3. Concert Tickets or Guided Tour
4. The Facade
5. Palau Square
6. Lluís Millet Grand Staircase
7. Lluís Millet Hall
8. Lluís Millet Balcony
9. Concert Hall
10. Stained-Glass Ceiling
11. The Stage Muses
12. The Doric Column Scenes
13. The Pegasus’
14. Route of the Flowers
15. The Grand Organ

Catalan ‘Modernism‘

Catalan’ modernism‘ was a movement in art and literature that began at the turn of the 20th century. It was a movement that focused on Catalonia separating itself from the rest of Spain. This separation began with art and literature. Although Catalonia is part of the Spanish nation, they have customs and languages that are entirely unique to Spain. Modernism rejected bourgeois values and adopted a bohemian attitude. Many people named the Café Castell dels tres Dragons by Lluís Domènech i Montaner as the first piece design in the modernism style. In other parts of Europe, Art Nouveau and the Arts and Crafts movement were also on the rise, which shares similar characteristics with modernism.

They all have historically-derived elements, and all passionately use organic themes, lavish decorations, and a strong sense of asymmetry and unbalance. Their shapes are freer, less restrained and the idea of exploration and imagination are of the utmost importance. This was like Catalan’s Renaissance, which they coined the ‘Renaixença‘ or ‘rebirth.’

Access

To make your way to Palau, take the Metro on the Yellow Line (L4) to Urquinaona station. It’s located near the Gothic Quarter, so it is easily combined with the Gothic Quarter Walking Tour. Unlike many of Gaudi’s designs, Palau is tucked away and not on display. You need to discover it yourself by making your way down these narrow alleyways, away from the main streets.

Concert Tickets or Guided Tour

There are two ways to visit the Palau de la Musica. One of the best ways to see the concert hall as it was meant to be enjoyed is to attend a show or production. Every year the building hosts half a million audience members who’ll come to see over 300 different performances. Seeing a concert here is a unique and powerful experience. But understandably, the cost might be prohibitive for some travellers, or you just might not be interested in any of the types of performances. The other way to see the concert hall is by booking a guided tour. 

Guided Tours

This guided tour will give you the chance to learn all about the architecture, the artists and the history of the building. The guided tour also gives you access to some parts of the buildings which aren’t accessible during the regular performances. It is advisable to buy tickets for these guided tours in advance since often, during peak tourist months, they are difficult to come by. You want to ensure you can book a tour in your preferred language.

A regular guided tour ticket costs €20. A ticket that includes a piano recital costs €25 (if you have the option, this is the one I’d recommend). If you want to save some money, you can purchase a ‘Self Guided Tour Ticket‘ for €15, a new option as of 2019. If you choose this option, you can use this blog as your little helper to understand all the different aspects of this incredible work of art. The guided or self-guided tour option lasts just under an hour.

The Facade

The Palau de la Música is located along a narrow street in the Gothic Quarter. The location of the building is almost claustrophobic, so tightly packed in between the others on the street. But the ingenious designs which Montaner came up with seem to battle this claustrophobic feeling with colour and fun. The exposed red brick exterior is opened up with dozens of arches and columns. Set along the facade, an element inspired by Arabic architecture. The columns are decored in intricate mosaics, which draw your eye up to the roofline. Stained glass windows are used to bring in the natural light from all corners of the building. Ensuring that all throughout the day, there always natural light flowing inside. All of this gives the building a breathy and light quality.

Lluís Bru

On the south side of the building, at the top of the facade, is an opulent mosaic made by artist Lluís Bru. It represents the members of the Orfeó Català dressed in a symbolic scene. The piece is hard to see from the street, and for some reason, that makes it all the more special. It feels like something which was meant more for the creator than for the viewer. And discovering it is like finding a secret just aching to be found out.

La cançó popular Catalana

On the southeast corner of the Palau de la Música, you’ll find an awe-inspiring sculpture that seems to soar off the side of the building. This creation was made by sculptor Miquel Blay, named ‘La cançó popular Catalana’ (the favourite Catalan song). The sculpture takes on a similar shape as the carved figureheads on the bow of a ship. A beautiful woman is the central figure of the sculpture which the other characters surround. The woman, who represents songs, is accompanied by men and women representing Catalan music and art. Atop all the figures is Saint George, the Patron Saint of Catalonia, to protect them all. Symbols of Saint George can be found throughout the building, like hidden Easter eggs around every corner.

Musician Busts

Above various columns on the side of the building are busts of prominent figures from the history of music. You can see the heads of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven and Richard Wagner all peaking out across the facade.

Taking your eyes from up high, back down to street level, try to see if you can spot the old ticket box. It stands along with one of the pillars near the entrance. The old ticket box is surrounded by lovely floral mosaics blooming all around.

Palau Square

The new entrance to the Palau de la Música is through Palau Square. This square is an outdoor space that faces the new glass-walled exterior. The glass wall, which makes the entirety of the interior visible to the public on the other side, was made by architect Òscar Tusquets. The original architect’s vision for this building was glass and light. And it seems fitting that Tusquets’s renovations continued this theme. These days, the square offers locals a place to relax on the staggered steps and where Palau’s cafe and bar spill out on sunny days. In the summer, some grandstands are brought out to accommodate musical performances and festivals. This makes the Palau feel like more than just a place to see the ticketed event. But as a place for the community to meet.

Cafe Foyer

Upon entering the building, you’ll step right into the Cafe Foyer. If you’re on a super-tight budget and can’t afford to attend a performance or guided tour, you can visit the foyer for free. Inside the Cafe Foyer, you’ll be able to see a surprising amount of imaginative architecture. And stunning ornamentation, which continues throughout the rest of the space. The foyer feels so warm and inviting. The wide arches are complete with beautiful red bricks and emerald-green tiles. They curve towards the rose-decorated ceiling.

At the cafe, you can enjoy Basque-style tapas and Catalan drinks at reasonable prices. Take a seat inside and soak in the ambience if you don’t have a chance to tour the rest of the interior. The bar itself is a work of art. Brilliant stain glass panels in the shape of blooming flowers are suspended between the large brick column with their own budding roses.

Interior Stained Glass

Take a walk around the foyer. Darling geometric pieces of stained glasses surround ornate columns and powerfully carved archways. Each one with a strong focus on the natural environment. Modernism was all about bringing the outside into the interior, making you feel as though you are always surrounded by mother nature.

Lluís Millet Grand Staircase

To being your guide, you’ll be ushed into the Lluís Millet Grand Staircase. If you’re here during a concert, don’t rush up to your seats and instead take a moment to study this entryway. As you walk up the stairs, look up the dazzling ceramic glazed ceiling. The tiles are so shiny they appear to shine like the stars.

The staircase is made of exquisitely carved marble, which also shimmers in the light of day. Huge street lamps are affixed on either side of the stairs. On the ceiling above the stairs, you can study the pale blue painted roof, which is adorned with golden ceramic roses, shaped into the pattern of a giant star.

Lluís Millet Hall

At the top of the stairs, you’ll enter the Lluís Millet Hall. You might be wondering, who is this Lluís Millet that all these rooms are being named after. Lluís Millet was a famous Catalan composer who helped found the Orfeó Català. This hallway is also called the intermission hall since guests will retire during breaks in the performances. The most impressive part of this room is the huge spread of stained glass windows that face ours onto the balcony.

The flowers that bloom at the bottom of the panels open up into clear glass panes to see the incredible musicians’ columns along with the balcony and allow for more light to pour into this room. Throughout the room, there are also various bronze busts of important contributors to Palau. While you might not recognize their names, it’s so lovely to see their faces still looking out at the incredible work of art they helped contribute to.

Lluís Millet Balcony

Standing out on the Lluís Millet Balcony is one of the best parts of the tour. The balcony feels like stepping out into a rainbow garden. The colonnades here are each covered entirely with multicoloured glazed tiles in a variety of floral designs. At the top of the columns are some incredible blooming flowers exploding out of the carved granite. Getting up close and personal to the mosaics, you can really appreciate the artistry the craftsmen put into the colouring of these tiles. They are so vibrant despite their location outdoors for over a hundred years.

Concert Hall

The concert hall is the piece-de-resistance of the entire Palau de la Música Catalana. As soon as you walk in, your eye will be drawn in a thousand different directions. While the dazzling stained glass skylight might be the brightest thing in the entire room, try to take in the whole room as one piece at first. You’ll notice that the entire place looks like it was hewn out of a rocky mountain and not built in the centre of a city from afar. The organic impression of the room helps continue to impress the viewer. With the theme of naturalism which is so important to Catalan Modernism.

While the hall might feel entirely natural and almost like it was created at random, many aspects of the theatre were actually thoughtfully designed to ensure the music sounded as pure and full as possible inside the concert hall. The concert hall features about 2,200 seats, spread out over 3 floors. But despite the large size, the room still manages to feel warm and cozy due to all the natural light which flows in from all sides.

Vaults

This is the only auditorium in Europe to be illuminated entirely in natural light during the daytime! Artificial light, while necessary during the evening, does affect how the room feels. On either side, the walls of the concert hall consist entirely of stained glass panels set beneath fantastic arches. The vaults between the arches and pillars are covered in stunning tile work. In the centre of each vault are many laurel wreaths with the names of famous musicians set inside, essentially crowning them with this distinguished honour.

While natural lighting might have been Domènech I Montaner’s preferred means of illuminating space when creating artificial light, he took the job very seriously. The chandeliers are made of many different shaped bulbs in a variety of different colours. They look like stars or constellations spread out across the starry night.

Along with the right upper balcony, you can make out the flag of Saint George embedded on into the stained glass. Another one of those little details is worth noting.

Stained-Glass Ceiling

The centrepiece of this room is an incredible stained glass ceiling. It is completely breathtaking. Unlike some skylights, this one is an inverted dome, so it feels as though the ceiling is curling in towards the audience below. It was designed by Antoni Rigalt, whose mastery of stained glass is unmatched. The centre of the dome is a luminous geometric sun in a variety of warm hues. Surrounding the sun is a chorus of angels set against a tightly patterned sky.

Depending on the time or weather during your visit, the light which pours in through the skylight is changeable. Sometimes it appears more green, and sometimes it seems bluer. Much like the real sky, which is never merely one distinct colour, this shifting quality of these windows is almost magical.

The Stage Muses

18 depictions of women clad in gorgeous textiles are spread out across the stage wall. While their bodies are designed within the mosaic, their faces jut out from the wall into three-dimensional sculptures. Each of the women carries in their hand an instrument of folk music. These are traditional instruments such as harps and castanets. The women are also representatives of the nine Greek muses of the arts. The lower portion of the bodies made of mosaics was created by Lluís Bru, while the upper sculptural part was made by Eusebi Arnau. In the centre of the stage is a large mosaic featuring the coat of arms of Catalonia.

The Doric Column Scenes

Flanking either side of the stage and creeping up the three-storey-tall Doric columns are another set of astonishing sculptures. On the left side, we see a group of women clustered together; these women are in the middle of singing the famous Catalan song Les Flores de Maig (The Flowers of May). Above the women is a bust of Catalan composer Josep Anselm Clavé. Clavé was instrumental (pardon the pun) in reviving Catalan folk songs. Clavé is nestled under the shade of a large stone tree whose leaves seem eternally just about to fall to the ground. Looking up from this angle also gives you a view of the remarkable ceramic roses that are littered across the ceiling and floral mosaics, which are also found on the underside of the balconies. These little details are some of the things which make this building so incredible.

On the right side of the columns, we see the illustrious composer and musician’s stern face and unruly hair, Beethoven. Atop Beethoven himself are a fury of horses running along with the ceiling in a mighty stampede. They are charging so fast, in fact, that they have created this voluminous gust of wind around them. Riding atop these horses are a set of attractive Valkeries. The Valkyries are from Wagner’s opera ‘Die Walküre,’ one of the most influential and powerful operatic songs in music history.

The Pegasus’

In addition to the horses ridden by the Valkeries are the flying Pegasus’ who leap downwards towards the audience. These can be found on the upper balconies, and if you have seats up here, you can actually get quite close to these sculptures and study every detail of their surging forms.

Route of the Flowers

You may have noticed the repetition of roses throughout the tour, either in the textiles, stone, ceramics, or embedded in stained glass windows. The Palau de la Música Catalana has more than 2,000 roses spread across the building. The rose is the symbol of Saint George, who is the patron saint of Catalonia. As such, the symbol of the rose is of great importance to the nation and in this building which served as a symbol of national pride.

The Grand Organ

If you’re here on tour, you’ll be treated to a performance by a local musician who’ll come in to play the magnificent organ. This is your chance to hear just how intense the sound from this amazing instrument really is. The organ was built custom for space in 1906 by the prestigious German firm Walcker in Ludwigsburg. In 1973 parts of the organ were replaced as the instrument was electrified. But the organ shop ensured the sound remained as full as the previous version.

Getting to hear some Catalan songs being played through this magnificent instrument was definitely a moment I’ll never forget, and some of the songs brought a tear to my eye. It somehow made the entire place come alive, and for a moment, I thought I could see those Valkeries singing along as they flew across the ceiling.

This building is truly one of the most spectacular visions of Catalan Modernism, and if you have the chance to visit it in person, don’t hesitate to make the journey to find this breathtaking vision of mother nature come to life through tiles stone and glass.

Happy Travel Adventurers

The post The Ultimate Guide to Palau de la Música Catalana, the Most Beautiful Concert Hall in the World first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Table Of Contents

1. BREAKFAST
   • Xuixo
2. Coffee
3. Hot Chocolate and Melindros
4. Spanish Omelet
5. LUNCH
   • Paella
   • Bombas
   • Calçots
6. TAPAS
   • Caracols a la llauna
   • Navajas
   • Patatas Bravas
   • Pimientos de Padrón
   • Jamón Ibérico
   • Manchego Cheese
   • Escalivada
   • Pan con Tomate
   • Chipirones
7. PINCHOS
8. Dessert
   • Churros
   • Crema Catalana
9. Drinks
   • Cava
   • *A Word About Sangria
   • Happy Travels Adventurers!

BREAKFAST

Xuixo

Many travellers visiting Barcelona, especially those from North America, will head out early in the morning expecting some gourmet breakfast options and might be surprised that many restaurants don’t open any earlier than 10am. Going out for breakfast just isn’t popular in Catalonia. Breakfast time is most often held in the home, so if you get a chance to visit a bakery and bring something back to your accommodation, this is the best way to spend a morning in Barcelona.

Xuixo’s is one of the best options to sample, as the sweet pastry comes from the city of Girona, just a few hours away from Barcelona. These are very similar to doughnuts; they are deep-fried pastries coated with sugar and thick custard. You can find these in almost any bakery around the city, so feel free to try out that shop down the street to give back to your community.

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Coffee

Coffee culture in Barcelona has seen a big boom in the last few years. However, coffee shops follow the same trend as those breakfast joints and still don’t open too early in the morning. Instead, most locals get their morning coffee from small bakeries or corner stores. Usually, they drink an uncomplicated espresso shot while standing, chatting about the morning news to the owners and other morning patrons. If you’re looking for something other than espresso, order a “cortado.” This is a trendy option in Catalonia and is made with a shot of espresso with a splash of steamed milk. Cortado means “cut” because adding milk to the espresso essentially “cuts” the bitterness of the coffee.

Hot Chocolate and Melindros

On the weekends, you’ll see families out for a special treat; a cup of hot chocolate served alongside ‘melindros‘ (Catalan sponge fingers). The hot chocolate is nothing like the powdered version you get in North America; this hot chocolate is thick, almost like a cream. After sipping a bit of the hot cocoa, you dip the cookies into the drink, coating the cookies in the thick chocolate. Best served with a giant helping of whipped cream on top!

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Spanish Omelet

Around 11 am, you’ll hear the clatter of cafes opening their doors, and people start to head inside for a hearty breakfast since lunchtime won’t arrive till 2 or 3 pm. The best thing to try in Barcelona is a Spanish Omelet, a ‘tortilla.’ But don’t come in expecting that same watery, eggy mess you might get a diner back home; a true Spanish Omelet is made with huge chunks of potatoes and onions. These two ingredients are simmered in fatty olive oil and, once fully cooked, covered in eggs to bind the entire dish together. It’s served in triangular slices, and despite the recipe’s simplicity, the dish is extraordinary. The caramelized onions add that incredible umami flavour that is unbeatable.

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LUNCH

Lunch is considered the main meal of the day in Barcelona. Unlike elsewhere, lunch is held anytime after 1 pm, but people usually start eating around 2:30 pm. Lunch tends to be a three-course affair with a starter, entree and dessert. You can see why they need a siesta after such a big meal!

Paella

One of the most popular menu items to choose from in Barcelona is paella. Paella is much too heavy for dinner, and locals like to go out with their co-workers to share this traditional family-sized meal. Paella is a bit contentious in Barcelona since it’s originally a Spanish invention. But the Catalans have, of course, added their own local spin on it. To spot an authentically Catalan paella, be sure you’re not eating it in Las Ramblas or any place that has pictures in English outside on the street. This is a clear sign of a cheap tourist trap where you’ll never receive the kind of paella locals would ever eat.

Catalan paella is generally made with many of the same ingredients as Spanish Paella. But in Barcelona, the difference is in the method of cooking. In Catalan paellas, the rice is added first, and the other ingredients are added to cook atop the rice. The rice isn’t stirred at all once the other elements are added to the seafood flavours of the rice as it boils. Paella takes a long time to cook, so don’t expect it to be ready in under an hour. If you see a place offering it up fast, don’t expect good quality.

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Bombas

If you’re still adjusting to the Catalan way of eating and need a quick yet authentic snack, you must try a bomba! Bombas are not only a delicious snack, but they are also reflective of a big part of Barcelona’s history. During the Spanish Civil War, revolutionaries roamed the street throwing homemade grenades against the fascists. A chef in the town created this recipe in honour of those fighters and named it “la bomba” (the bomb). A bomba is similar to a croquette made from ground meats and potatoes, rolled into a ball, covered in breadcrumbs, and fried. Bombas are usually served alongside some sauce which often varies from place to place.

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Calçots

If you can visit Barcelona in the winter, don’t miss out on this excellent side dish. Calçots are a Spanish vegetable cross between a leek and a green onion. They are only available during the winter months. They are cooked over an open flame to give them that iconic charred flavour. Served alongside a thick sauce called romesco made from roasted tomatoes, nuts and garlic, the taste is something unlike anything I’ve had before but oddly addictive.

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TAPAS

Tapas was first invented in the country’s north by the King of Spain. The King suffered from a severe illness restricting him from eating large meals. To help him cope with the disease, his chefs prepared multiple small meals throughout the day for him to enjoy. The King would use these small dishes to cover his glasses of wine as he ate them to keep the flies out of the wine, and that’s where the name came from. The word “tapas” is derived from the Spanish verb ‘tapar’ which means “to cover.” Tapas dishes are served inside small bowls, and these tiny portions allow you to try all different flavour combinations.

Caracols a la llauna

Catalans seem to have a festival for everything; they like to party. And every party revolves around food. In late May, the festival of L’Aplec del Caragol (snail meat) is celebrated in a small town in Spain where over twelve tonnes of snails are consumed! But you can sample these famed dishes pretty much any time of the year as a form of tapas.

The best way to eat them is ‘Caracoles a la llauna’, which are snails cooked in a roasted metal tray over a charcoal grill, seasoned with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. They are then served with aioli or romesco sauce to dip the meat of the snails into. I find cooking them this way, compared to preparing them covered in sauce, to begin with, allows the flavour of the snails to come through more. Which I suppose is good or bad depending on how brave you want to be!

Navajas

‘Navajas,’ or razor clams, are deep-sea creatures caught off the shores of Spain. Their long, oblong shape makes for a unique eating experience. Before I came to Barcelona, I had never even heard of them! They are generally cooked in a butter and garlic sauce and served with a sprinkling of parsley. The meat tastes very similar to a regular clam, if not a bit chewier, so it might not be totally new in terms of taste. But the visual experience is worth the effort of seeking them out.

Patatas Bravas

If you find yourself a bit hungry between lunch and the very late dinner, which Barcelona is famous for, stop in to sample one of their best snacks, the Patatas Bravas. Patatas Bravas is a favourite tapas dish made from thick-cut potatoes, fried and served with a salsa made from tomatoes and cayenne and topped with Catalan aioli. These are best eaten outside with a cold glass of beer.

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Pimientos de Padrón

Found in the Spanish municipality of Padrón, these tiny green peppers are some of the most addictive tapas items on the bar. Cooked in nothing but olive oil and a dash of salt, these peppers are mouth-wateringly delicious. These taste like miniature versions of green pepper, but about one in ten is super hot! Eating them with friends becomes somewhat of a game of chance. I don’t find even the hottest ones bad, but I love spicy food. Just be sure you can have a glass of cava on hand if you land one of the hot ones.

Jamón Ibérico

Jamón Ibérico, or Iberian ham, is one of those dishes people come to Barcelona to sample. Even today, the memory of eating this ham for the first time makes my mouth water. Spain’s Iberian pigs are carefully bred to ensure their lineage never dips below 75% Ibérico. They are of the highest quality, and the farms which raise them are held to almost impossibly high standards to ensure the taste is of the most excellent, consistent quality.

One of the things which makes this ham taste so unique is that the pigs are fed a diet of olives, chestnuts and acorns to change the flavour of the meat. The fresh meat is heavily salted and left to dry for 2 weeks before it is rinsed and then left to dry for another four months, but it can be cured for as long as 48 months! I think the ham is best enjoyed all on its own since you get the deepest tasting of the flavours this way.

Manchego Cheese

In the Mancha region of Spain, you’ll find one of the best things to come out of the country: Manchego Cheese. I only recently discovered my love of Manchego. It’s a hard, aged cheese made from sheep’s milk with a salty and nutty taste. It’s just creamy enough to combat the salty taste, and I could honestly eat this by the wheel. You’ll find manchego cheese served atop many different recipes and sliced on its own for tapas.

Escalivada

A beautiful winter tapas is Escalivada, a dish of roasted eggplant, tomatoes and bell peppers covered in olive oil. The vegetables are baked until soft and then topped with salty anchovies and sardines. It’s then mixed together like a salad and served atop crusty bread.

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Pan con Tomate

One of the most popular tapas dishes in Barcelona is Pan con Tomate. ‘Pan’ is bread, so this dish simply translates into ‘Tomatoes on Bread.’ While the recipe might sound overly simplistic, it is the perfect way to start a meal. Unlike Italian bruschetta, pan con tomate is made by rubbing roasted tomatoes on top of thick, crusty bread and then drizzled with oil and salt. The roasting of the tomatoes before they go on the bread means they develop deeper flavours, making this item scrumptious.

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Chipirones

If you got a little squeamish around the snails, then you might wanna skip this one. One of the most popular seafood dishes from Barcelona is chipirones. Chipirones are baby squid best cooked by battering and deep frying them. They are about the size of a slice of lemon and served alongside just that. They are caught just off the coast and, as such, are one of the freshest seafood options for you to eat while in the city.

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PINCHOS

Pinchos is the Catalan version of Tapas originating in the Basque region of Spain. They are made of various ingredients and are always served on top of pieces of bread. Enough for one bit or sometimes, if they really piled on the ingredients, perhaps two. There are hundreds of different varieties of pinchos all over Barcelona, but below are some of my favourite combinations:

• Spicy chorizo with quail egg
• Giant prawns in butter and garlic
• Mushroom carpaccio
• Smoked salmon and ricotta
• Sardines and tomatoes

Dessert

Churros

One of the most famous dishes you no doubt have already heard of from Barcelona is Churros. Churros are long, thin fried pastries with a doughnut-like taste and texture. These are sometimes considered to be Mexican desserts. But the dish originated in Portugal (although the Portuguese explorers may have brought the dish back from China).

The Portuguese brought Churros to Spain, where they combined the recipe with their national treasure, chocolate. The place to get the best churros is in the Carrer Petrixol district, where Barcelona’s chocolatier’s guild was first located. Here you’ll find the tastiest chocolate sauce to dip your pastries inside. The churro dough is pretty interchangeable, but the chocolate sauce can make or break the dessert.

Crema Catalana

Crema Catalana is much like the more famous French dessert, crème brûlée. But in reality, Crema Catalana’s recipe pre-dates the French method but hundreds of years. Crema Catalana is made from milk and eggs mixed with cornstarch to thicken the mixture. Unlike crème brûlée, it is flavoured with lemon and cinnamon and topped with a thick layered of burnt sugar to give it that toffee-like topping.

Drinks

Cava

Before ordering a glass of Sangria in Barcelona, consider ordering the local drink of choice; cava. Cava is a sparkling white wine. France has Champagne, Italy has Prosecco, and in Spain you have cava. Cava is wonderfully refreshing and light and the perfect drink to enjoy on a late summer night. Sangria has a lot of sugar. Those prone to headaches from wine alone might find that cava is much more straightforward and doesn’t leave the hangover so often produced by red wine and too much sugar.

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*A Word About Sangria

Some writers would never dare utter the word sangria when writing about food and drink in Barcelona. It is commonly thought to be an overly “Spanish” beverage. The Catalans are passionate about being made separate from the rest of Spain. Take issue with sangria being served in Barcelona over their regional beverage, cava. Many restaurants will have sangria on the menu solely for tourists, and it’s made from cheap, unused red wine and subpar fruit. Instead of sugar, they’ll just add Sprite.

That being said, if you’re visiting Spain just once and you’ve really got your heart set on sampling sangria, some places in Barcelona serve fantastic jug of the stuff. Sangria is delicious, and as much as the Catalans might take issue with its popularity and the assumption it’s a Catalan specialty, they can’t escape the fact that it is indeed delicious. There are dozen wine bars across Barcelona serving up genuinely great sangria, so seek them out to get your fix. But just try the cava before you do. It’s truly wonderful.

Did I miss any of your favourite items from Barcelona on this list?! Tell me in the comments what your favourite thing to eat while visiting Barcelona is or what you’re most looking forward to trying!

Happy Travels Adventurers!

The post The BEST Foods you Must-Try in Barcelona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

Although some of these markets can be a bit touristy, their appeal to foreigners and locals alike is for a reason. They are incredible places to visit with some of the best food in the entire city. Along the famous tourist drag, Las Ramblas, you’ll find one of Europe’s largest and most fantastic food market: La Boqueria. La Boqueria Market is the perfect place to get the best sense of what Catalan cuisine and culture is made up of.

Table Of Contents

1. Hours and Access
2. History
3. Tips
4. El Pinotxo
5. Fruit
6. Olives
7. Seafood
8. Cheese
9. Meat
10. Nuts and Spices
11. Clams

Hours and Access

The easiest way to access the market is to take the Green Metro line to Liceu Station, and from there it’s a short one minute walk over to the market. The market is open from 8 am till 8:30 pm Monday to Saturday (closed on Sundays). While you can visit anytime during those hours, I highly recommend coming early in the morning or later in the evening. Hundreds of tourists pass through the gates every day, and your experience will be all the richer if you manage to arrive when it’s much less busy. Arriving the morning also means you can see the vendors coming and going, loading up their stalls with the catch or pick of the day.

History

Opened in 1217 as an open-air market, the first Boqueria was located right outside the old city walls. Since it was outside the official city of Barcelona, farmers saved on the taxes city dwellers had to pay on their goods. It was also more easily accessible for merchants travelling in and out of the countryside as they didn’t have to venture as far into the city. As the market grew, it was relocated in 1827 to Las Ramblas. La Boqueria is derived from the Catalan word “boc” meaning “goat” since goats were often popular meat sold at the market.

The marker is divided into sections based on what the vendors are selling which makes it easy to explore. With over 200 vendors, you’ll be thankful for this organization, especially if you’re looking for something in particular.

Tips

Before entering the market, remember to keep in mind that this is a pickpocket hotspot. Barcelona itself is very famous for being a city with a high percentage of theft and in the market where it can be wall to wall people, it’s easy to brush up against someone and carefully steal their wallet without anyone noticing. Keep your money out of public view when paying and always be sure to keep your purse or knapsack closed (or even better – locked). I never had an encounter with someone I thought was a pickpocket but I was also very aware of my surroundings at all times, and I think that helps you avoid being a target to start with.

Make sure you visit an ATM before arriving. Although some vendors take credit cards, it’s not worth the fuss and time it takes to process and most widely prefer cash. Speaking a bit of Spanish, or even better Catalan, will go far with winning you some favour with the vendors. They all speak a lot of English as they deal with tourists on a daily basis but since you’re visiting their country it’s always nice to end the conversation with “Moltes gràcies”.

The towering grand iron entrance, topped with the iconic stained glass in Gaudi style leads you into a world of heady scents and brilliant colours! Vendors walk by carrying sopping wet fish, barrels of brightly coloured exotic fruits, bushels of raw nuts and freshly baked pastries.

El Pinotxo

If you arrive early enough or just happen to see a free table, don’t miss El Pinotxo. This tapas bar at the front of the market is so popular with tourists and locals alike that there rarely is a table in sight. But if you don’t mind waiting or managed to snag a free stool at the bar, you’ll be in luck since this place as some of the most fantastic tapas in Barcelona. One of their famous breakfast options is a plate of garbanzo beans with fresh blood sausage. Don’t let the name “blood sausage” put you off; it is absolutely delicious.

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If El Pinotxo is full try a seat at El Quim, another fantastic cafe selling outstanding breakfast plates. A traditional Catalan dish to try is fried baby squid atop a freshly cooked egg. The combination of fresh seafood and the creamy, rich egg is a wonderful explosion of flavour.

When you first enter the market, it’s good to do a quick lap before settling in on what you want to buy. There are so many stalls, often with many selling similar items so doing an initial lap will help you gauge the prices and find the best deal.

The stalls at the very front of the market, closest to Las Ramblas, are decidedly marked up since they are the most visible to tourists who don’t want to explore the entire market and would rather just poke their head inside. The rest of the market might not be as cheap as smaller less popular locations, but it’s by no means exclusively for the rich and offers great deals if you know where to look. 

Fruit

A freshly squeezed fruit juice is the perfect travel companion for you as your wander around stall to stall. These juices are legendary, both in person and all over Instagram. These come in a variety of flavours, and their vibrant colours and taste help wake you up in the morning.  My favourite is the papaya mixed with whatever you fancy. The colour it makes is to die for.

One of the best tips for visiting the market is to plan a picnic after your visit. Find a spot in the city you wanted to experience for a more extended period and camp out on a bench with your treasure trove of goodies.

Olives

Olives are plentiful throughout the market. Sitting lazily in baths of rich olive oil. There are all sorts of different varieties, and you can mix and match in a small take away container to enjoy later. Olive trees have sustained the people of Catalonia for millennia and there are over 54 different kinds of olive trees across Catalonia. Olive oil is also something that Catalonia excels in and is the perfect gift to bring home.

Seafood

Seafood, caught seemingly moments before, sits atop piles and piles of melting ice. You can easily find your way to the seafood section – just follow your nose. Due to its close proximity the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is a city which was shaped by seafood. Galician mussels, red Palamos prawns, oysters and juicy squid are just some of the incredible goodies you can find in the seafood section.

One of the most popular things in the seafood department is salted cod. Salted cod is used to make Esqueixada, a traditional Catalan salad of shredded salt cod, tomatoes, onions, olive oil and vinegar, salt, and sometimes a garnish of olives or hard-boiled eggs.

Cheese

If you’re looking to create a cheese tray of local specialties, keep an eye out for Manchego (a sheep’s milk cheese with a firm texture and rich, sharp, buttery taste), Mató (a sweet, unsalted, unfermented cheese perfect when combined with apples and honey) and Serrat
(an intense round cheese made from sheep’s milk with an exterior that is traditionally decorated with different designs and shapes).

Meat

Catalan’s most popular food item has to be its famous Jamón Ibérico or Iberian ham. This cured meat is made from black Iberian pigs, and the flavour is distinctly Spanish with a subtle nutty flavour. Hundreds of legs of ham hang from the stalls and ceilings. There are also other types of ham from Serrano to Lomo, as well as bright red salami and chorizo. If you want some meat to-go, vendors will cut you fresh slices of ham and put it into these darling paper ice-cream cone for you to eat as you walk.

Nuts and Spices

If you’re looking for something to keep your energy up all day as you walk your way around Modernista Barcelona, be sure to stop by the Fruita Seca Morilla stall. This stall sells hundreds of different nuts and dried fruits. There are over 12 different kinds of almonds alone! 

Spain is one of the major saffron producers in the world and this is the essential ingredient to making one of Spain’s most popular dishes; paella. Tiny vials of saffron, worth their weight in gold, are for sale throughout the market and while they might seem costly, it’s a fraction of what you’ll pay back home.

Clams

Before leaving the market, I stopped off at Kiosko Universal. They have an incredible selection of fresh fish, and I just had to try the famous razor clams which are a local delicacy in Barcelona. They were juicy, sweet and tasted of the ocean – perfect for a midday snack.

In addition to my clams, I ordered a plate of fried Padron peppers. You can get these all over Barcelona but nowhere are they fresher than right from the market.

No matter what you come to the Market to buy, you are bound to have an incredible experience just walking up and down the aisles. There are so many things for sale here, and it’s the perfect place to come for souvenirs for loved ones back home. Because nothing touches the heart like something for your stomach

The post Discover the Ultimate Guide to Savoring the Flavors of La Boqueria Market: A Foodie’s Paradise first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.

The neighbourhood was located only 15 minutes by foot from the Gothic Quarter and 10 minutes from the Metro. The perfect place to be. Far enough away from the sights to remain a quiet and relaxed area but close enough to not warrant a massive trek anywhere we went.

The building we stayed in was built in 1920, and the beautiful art nouveau architectural influences were seen throughout. The only downside to the apartment was it was a six-floor walk-up. It was a pretty intense staircase, but once we reached the top, the view you were granted was more than worth the effort.

From the minute we stepped in the door, I felt like I was home. Bathed in the warmth of bright coloured and rich textures everywhere I looked.

The ground floor was complete with a luxurious bathroom (with a tub – my one MUST-HAVE for any home away from home), a bookshelf complete with any amenities and piece of entertainment you could want, one of the two bedrooms and a kitchen with all the mod-cons.

Our host was so kind enough to leave us milk, yoghurt, bread, fruit and every morning beverage anyone could even want. It made for an easy breafkast on the terrace the first morning we were there.

My mum and dad shared the bedroom on the first floor. It was tucked into a little nook beside the kitchen and a small balcony that stuck out on the back of the building with a beautiful view of both the city to the one side and the hillside to the other. The bed was covered in a bright green bedsheet and seemed to glow against the white walls and wardrobes. When lying down on the bed, you could stare up at the old brick ceiling from the original building. The bricks with their old wood beams seemed almost medieval but built to last and added to the character of the building.

The living room was the perfect place to kick your feet up at the end of a long day, and I was so impressed by all the little things our host had stocked up on that shelf. Blankets, towels for the beach, a cooler for a picnic, movies to watch on the tv and even books on Barcelona in case you came on even more of a whim than we did. But the real piece-de-resistance was to be found up the tiny, winding staircase behind the bookshelf.

Up here was the second floor of the apartment. It seemed to me like something the owner had made; it didn’t feel as old as the rest of the house, but I never thought to ask. Once you came up the staircase, you came into the second bedroom, where I would hold up for the week we would be staying in Barcelona. The large bedroom had a princess like a canopy you could open up if you felt like sleeping with the terrace doors wide open. The terrace was to the right of the bedroom and in the morning, if you left the curtain open, you had breathtaking views of the city to wake up to as the sun rose.

This was my favourite place to be. We ate breakfast on the terrace every morning, and I would sit out here every evening. The lights of the city dancing in the distance and very fairy lights strung up on the grapevines lighting up the terrace enough to read a few more chapters of your travel book before heading to bed. The internet was the one downside of this place, actually all over Barcelona to be fair. It was fairly weak anywhere in the house and non-existent on the roof.

This meant that when we were up here, you could turn off. No Facebook or Instagram to distract you. I sat up here and wrote in my notebook or just stared out into the distance, daydreaming in my head.

The upstairs bedroom also had a small table to eat at if you didn’t feel like dining on the terrace, but really…I can only imagine doing that if it were pouring rain outside.

It truly was the most incredible place to stay for the mini-break we had set out on. There aren’t many places I would return to simply for the accommodation, but this is one of them.

The post Feeling at Home in Barcelona first appeared on The Creative Adventurer.