As we stepped out of the airport, a fresh burst of cool, salty air greeted us, serving as a stark reminder of the many beaches that the city is home to. As we zoomed past ancient colonial buildings, interspersed with modern designer boutiques, we caught wind of the relaxed, laidback life in this city-- people strolling on the streets in little more than shorts and a t-shirt, tourists trying to handle their numerous shopping bags and the sun peeking out, making its presence felt.
Barca tour
If history, culture and sightseeing interest you, Barcelona offers plenty of it. Situated amidst the Spanish province of Catalunya, the local language here is Catalan, a dialect of Spanish. The best thing to do, if you want to see the city, is to take one of the open bus tours transporting you around the city.
The famous Spanish architect, Antoni Gaudí, had made the city his home, and his architectural masterpieces include the Park Güell, College of the Teresianas and the famous La Sagrada Família, a giant temple. There is also the Barcelona Olympic Museum and Stadium that was home to the 1992 Olympic Games and the FC Barcelona football museum that may interest you if you're a sports aficionado.
And the city is home to a number of parks including the Montjuïc, the Ciutadella and, of course, the Park Güell that are well worth a visit.
Retail therapy
The Plaça Catalunya that makes up the city's historical centre and the Diagonal Avenue, which is in the hub of the city is any girl's shopping district. If you're a Zara fan, you've come to the right place. Every other little avenue or lane has a Zara and a Bershka; sometimes even both!
Beaches and nightlife
The two things that make Barcelona what it is are its beaches and the nightclubs. The city has seven beaches, totalling 4.5 km of coastline. Sant Sebastià and Barceloneta beaches are the largest, oldest and the most frequented, but it is the beaches outside the city that are truly idyllic. One of them is the Sitges beach, located on the coast of a little village of the same name.
About an hour's train-ride away from Barcelona, Sitges is delightful with its bustling market and an even more popular beach. The sands are golden, the water crystal-clear, and a lazy afternoon here calls for a great swimsuit, martini and your favourite book!
Head back to Barcelona in the evening to enjoy an evening of unadulterated fun. Sample the tapas and paella- typical Spanish delicacies. And don't miss a performance of the Flamenco- a dance characteristic of Spain.
If you're looking to throw a hen party, a get-together with friends or simply a place to groove the night away, the city has ample choices. The Spanish eat, drink and go out very late in the night. So don't be surprised if you see the clubs empty until even 1 or 2 am.
The number one hotspot for young party-goers is the Razzmatazz club. Situated close to the Marina station, this is in fact five clubs in-one. All five rooms play wildly differing music giving you an almost surreal experience.
Other popular clubs are the Pacha and Bikini. Most nightclubs have fixed entrance rates, inclusive or exclusive of drinks. And yes, the Spanish love their drinks! Wine, beer and cava (a champagne-like drink) are some of the most-ordered along with a variety of colourful, exotic cocktails. Eat, drink and make merry- that seems to be the motto of this vibrant city.
Viva, Barcelona!
Watch out
- Barcelona is known to have many bag-snatchers. Be careful while travelling on the metro or in crowded places.
- Keep a copy of your passport in your hotel locker, so even if your bag is stolen, you are not stranded in an alien country.
- Taxi drivers can overcharge you, so fix a price with them first, especially if you're travelling at night. You don't want to spend all your shopping money on transport!
