Museums

The Picasso Museum

The museums of Barcelona offer a fascinating insight into the city’s history and provide hours of entertainment for all ages. Try the Ethnological Museum, which displays social studies and Catalan artifacts, alongside those of other civilizations throughout the ages. The Picasso museum is another firm favorite, and it is free every Sunday after 3 pm. It houses a huge collection of Picasso’s early works, including sculptures, paintings and designs. The museum also tells the story of the artist’s love of Barcelona and how it influenced his work. For somewhere a little different, the Museum of Textiles and Costume is an interesting alternative. It holds both ancient fabrics and textiles and more recent 17th-century Baroque outfits, including beautiful dresses and stunning pieces of jewelry, it’s one for the fashion-conscious.

Barcelona’s smaller museums are worth seeking out, too; look for the Metronom, which displays controversial and experimental contemporary art; the Museu de L’Esport, a museum with an emphasis on Catalan sport, and the eerie Museu de Carrossess Funebres, dedicated to ornate funeral carriages and hearses.

Gardens

Parc de la Ciutadella

A trip to Barcelona invariably promise beautiful sunshine throughout the duration of your stay, and the city’s parks and gardens offer an ideal way to enjoy the weather and escape the rush of the city. Most famous is the Parc Guell, designed by the famous resident artist Antoni Gaudi. The park is a fantasy-like garden with cottage-houses, magnificent water fountains and ceramic sculptures, and amazing mosaic terraces offering beautiful views over the rest of the city. The Parc de la Ciutadella is equally impressive, housing a number of excellent walking paths and spectacular water fountains over the lake, as well as Barcelona’s Arc de Triomf. The park is also home to the city zoo, the Museum of Zoology, and the Catalan parliament building.

An excellent day out on the outskirts of Barcelona can be found on Montjuic, a hill overlooking the city, boasting a huge number of attractions and spectacular views across the region. The whole area is developed as a fairy-tale garden, with baroque palaces, stately homes, the Jardi Botanical garden and the Olympic Stadium.

Beaches

Barcelona breaks are a top choice for those who love the beach, as the city’s coastline provides over 2.5 miles of soft golden sands and shallow waters. A perfect free option for families and groups alike with sunbathing, paddling and sandcastle building all available to do. The closest beach to the city is La Barcelonata, easy to get to and in walking distance from the city centre. The promenade features some of Barcelona’s best restaurants and cafés ensure you’re never far from refreshment, and the American-style bars mean you won’t have to go far for a drink when the sun goes down.

Sunrise at Nova Icaria beach

Head further out to Bogatell beach for a quieter afternoon by the sea – this beach attracts a small but glamorous crowd, and is popular among cyclists and walkers for the long, wide promenade and flat white sands. Alternatively, try Nova Icaria beach, ideally located by the marina, allowing you to explore if you want to escape the midday sun!

Barcelona’s stunning architecture means even a walk around the city can turn into a fascinating afternoon. The city is a perfect blend of old and new, where history, art and fashion collide, ensuring that even on a budget, your Barcelona holiday will be unforgettable.

This post was written by S.Gibson who is part of the travel writers team on the easyJet holidays website, where you can find more information on attractions and hotels in Barcelona.

Images by: nottooamused, Oh-Barcelona.com, laurapadgett & jauladeardilla

Download mTrip’s Barcelona Travel Guide to get around

Take a cooking class

There’s so much incredible food to be had in Barcelona. From fresh seafood paella to traditional tapas dishes to rich desserts, and you don’t have to say goodbye to it once you leave the country’s borders. Take a cooking class at Cook and Taste and you can recreate the flavors of Spain at home. During half-day classes, students learn all about the cuisine of Spain while helping to prepare several traditional dishes like paella, crema Catalana, and gazpacho, all while sipping Spanish wines.

Join the locals for drinks

Skip sipping the overpriced sangria sold at tourist spots and instead join the crowds of locals, students and travelers pushing their way into Can Paixana, a tiny bar that serves glasses of cava (Spanish sparkling wine) for one Euro each. If you come before 5pm, you can score an entire bottle for 3 euros, so long as you “splurge” on a few cheap and tasty sandwiches to go with it.

Picnic in Parc Guell

Like Gaudi’s other Barcelona landmarks, Parc Guell is a whimsical work of Modernisme art and architecture. Unlike the other landmarks, you can visit it for free. The park is quite big, and though it’s a very popular place for tourists, there are lots of quiet spots where you can escape the crowds. So pack a lunch and spend an afternoon exploring, people-watching, and taking in beautiful views of Barcelona.

See the view from Montjuic

For another great view of the city, head to Montjuic. This large hill overlooking the city previously hosted the summer Olympics. Now visitors come to see the National Palace, several museums including the excellent Fundacio Joan Miro, the Olympic stadium, the Montjuïc Cemetery, botanic gardens, and more. Come early and expect to spend at least a few hours in this beautiful city-within-a-city.

By Katie Hammel of BootsnAll

Check out mTrip’s Barcelona Travel Guide

Images by: derekb, teachandlearn, tgrauros, chenines

These reporters had it right by really testing these products in action and following the suggested routes and itineraries. Performed in real conditions, the two reporters walked around Barcelona like two tourists discovering an unknown city. The test was based on several aspects such as: the trip planning, the content of tourist information, the tracking and guidance in the city as well as the price/quality ratio .

TEST RESULTS

mTrip Travel Guides: 11/12
Mobile app competitor: 3 / 12
Paper Guide: 4 / 12
Tourist Board Brochure: 4 / 12

So as it turns out, the mTrip Genius is indeed intelligent and the suggested itineraries are helpful and customized to the traveler. We hope you have the same success with the mTrip apps!

See the video! (in German)

City of Sport

Before delving into the rich cultural history that the city has to offer one ought to begin with the sporting nature of the region. For starters their football team, and its stadium, is among the best in the world, and it boasts of several world reckoned super stars that are a tourist attraction on their own. Aside from the soccer fever that has held the nation in its grip for years the other sport that some of the locals have taken a liking to is bull fighting, that can be viewed at different bull fighting rings within Barcelona.

Architecture

The one thing that remains true to Barcelona is that even the hotels will leave the guest in awe, long before the service provision can begin. This is simply because the structural design of the hotels is truly one of a kind, and is something that many individuals will never tire of no matter how many times they have been to the city. Speaking of architecture, there is the Hospital de Sant Pau. This is one of the most fascinating constructions any guest will be sure to come across as they icon many of the sights within Barcelona, and the beauty is that it lies right next to the Sagrada Familia. The latter building is a sight to behold, because unlike most of the modern buildings in construction around the city this one has its original starting date listed as 1883 with the completion date scheduled for 2026. However, if possible, this monument should have its own day set aside for it, because the facades and numerous sculptures on it will keep your eyes glued to the walls for hours.

The Verve

Once the diverse construction styles have been taken in to the maximum, then the only other thing to do is experience life a la Barcelona, and one of the best places to do this is Las Ramblas. This is where both locals and guests alike will have the opportunity to absorb the lively atmosphere and wonderful food all rolled into one street. This is also the perfect place to enjoy a drink or two of their favorite brew or, in keeping with the merry making that this region is known for, take part in a flamenco dance session.

Shopping

Lastly, the tour of Barcelona can not be over until one has climbed up Montjuic and down Monsterrat, and indulged in some serious shopping, whether at some of the high end stores in the region or at the more pocket friendly stores at the mall.

In short, there are numerous things to do while one is visiting Barcelona, and because the city can be overwhelming the first time around, the guest can always make numerous return trips if nothing else to take part in a street party, after stopping by the Gothic part of the city.

—

Natasha is a travel writer covering world wide travel destinations. Her speciality is budget travel, she can help you find cheap cruises and cheap flights for Barcelona and many other destinations.

 

 

iTunes Festival London 2011 - July 1-31, London

Featuring 31 consecutive nights of brilliant live music, iTunes Festival will showcase both established and emerging artists. Each performance will be recorded and made available for download on iTunes. Tickets for the iTunes Festival are free but you have to apply for tickets! There will be about 60 artists performing, including Paul Simon, ADELE, Foo Fighters and Duran Duran.

 

 

Berlin Festival 2011 – September 9-10, Berlin

Berlin is a city like no other; especially known for its underground music scene, its definitely a city worth visiting just for its musical influence alone. Berlin Festival takes place just days after Berlin Music Week (September 7-11), making this week one of the best times to visit this vibrant city. Berlin Festival 2011 will feature a Boy George DJ Set, The Drums, Suede, Beirut, Mogwai, Battles, Hercules and Love Affair, Deus, Santigold, A-Trak, Yelle, Diplo and many other unique acts.

 

 

Fête de la Musique – June 21, Paris

Allowing for the expression of all types of music, Fête de la Musique is completely different from most music festivals. It is open to both emerging and professional musicians, and all musicians are asked to perform for free as the event itself is free to the public.

 

 

Make Music New York (MMNY) – June 21, New York

Now in its fifth year, Make Music New York is a unique festival filled to the brim with free concerts, taking place in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City. All taking place on the first day of summer, June 21, MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in over 460 cities across the world. The lineup hasn’t been announced yet but it should be any day now. In past years, the lineup has ranged from hip hop to opera, Latin jazz to punk rock, all performed on the streets, sidewalks, stoops, plazas, parks and gardens of New York.

 

 

Pitchfork Music Festival – July 15,16,17, Chicago

This three-day event showcases over 40 of independent music’s best bands and artists. It is one of the few music festivals that keeps ticket prices reasonably low. Among the many artists you will see Animal Collective, DJ Shadow, Toro Y Moi, TV on the Radio. Activities include a Record Fair, presented by the Chicago Independent Radio Project, Coterie handmade goods, FLATSTOCK poster show series and Rock for kids.

 

 

Lollapalooza – August 5-7, Chicago

Whereas the Pitchfork festival focuses on independent music, Lollapalooza is a destination for music lovers all over the world. It just so happens that this year is the 20th Anniversary of the Festival and festival-goers can look forward to a full and exciting lineup. Artists include: Eminem, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, Muse, Deadmau5, Cee Lo Green, Girl Talk, Kid Cudi and so many more. As always, the festival will take place in historic Grant Park, between the iconic Chicago skyline and the shores of Lake Michigan. FYI – if you have kids 10 and under, they get in free to Lolla when accompanied by a ticket holding adult.

 

 

Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival – August 12-14, San Francisco

Taking place in San Francisco’s historic Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands invites guests to celebrate not only the best in music, but also food, wine and art. From singer-songwriters to DJs, jazz acts and cutting edge rock bands, all major music movements are celebrated alongside a host of local musicians, food vendors and visual artists representing SF’s vibrant cultural community. This green-conscious event will feature artists like Arcade Fire, Black Keys, The Shins, MGMT, Girl Talk, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Major Lazer, OK GO. Other attractions will include tastes of the Bay Area, many wine offerings, festival market place, and the eco lands area, powered entirely by solar energy.

 

 

Osheaga – July 29th to 31st, Montreal

There’s no better city to enjoy an outdoor music festival than Montreal. The summer is when Montreal shines the most and the energy of the city is always outstanding, especially during the outdoor festivals. There are no shortage of them in Montreal and Osheaga is one stellar festival not to be missed. Last years addition with Arcade Fire performing during the fireworks was spectacular. Osheaga acts this year include The Tragically Hip, Cypress hill, Eminem, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, Kid Cudie, City & Colour, Broken Social Scene, Lupe Fiasco, Bright Eyes, Ratatat, Bran Van 3000, Crystal Castles, MSYRKRFT, The Joy Formidable, Sam Roberts Band, Jamie xx, Manchester Ochestra, Malajube and a host of other amazing bands. And don’t miss out on Osheaga in the City, which features acts outside the days of the festival. The lineup will be announced in the coming month.

 

 

Glastonbury Festival – June 22 to 26th, Glastonbury

The lineup is endless and Glastonbury’s following is so large that they are already sold out of tickets. If you were planning to attend, we hope you already grabbed your tickets. The festival began the day after Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 and so marked one of the best festivals. In 2011, this festival is still going strong and with so many stages, we couldn’t possibly list all the bands. Some stellar acts include U2, Coldplay, Paul Simon, Queens of the Stone Age, The Naked & Famous, The Streets, Lykke Li, Wu Tang Clan, Beyonce and so many more that my eyes are watering looking at the lineup.

 

 

Sonar – June 16-18, Barcelona

Taking place in Barcelona, Sonar will be showcasing famous artists and DJ’s like M.I.A., Underworld, Janelle Monae, Steve Aoki and many more. To add to the already full lineup, there will be some interesting showcases by Ninja Tune, BBC Radio and others.

 

And one extra…Piknic Electronik – WEEKLY, Montreal and soon Barcelona!

This unique weekly event helps you get the most out Montreal’s summer weather, while enjoying an incomparable view of the city and quality electronic music. They highlight the many talents of both the local and international electronic scenes, featuring classic acts as well as audacious newcomers. The Barcelona version appears to be next on their list of cities!

What music festivals will you be attending this summer? Add yours to the comments.

Download a city guide to get you around during festival season!

Image sources: Anirudh Koul, stevenboegborn, tom-jenkins, tkaravou, toombsday, jaywei80, Jason Bryant for Glastonbury Festival, SPACEBAR.ca [Simon], scannerfm_flickr, zenra, bumpershine, tammylo

The city is rich in history and culture – and you can use mTrip’s Barcelona iPhone Travel Guide to help you find the city’s best attractions, entertainment, shopping, and accommodation.

If you want to take a day trip from Barcelona to another part of Catalonia, you are in luck – you can travel to many other parts of Catalonia and still be able to make it back to Barcelona within the day. Many places are accessible by train, but if the location you want to visit is not on a train route or you would prefer to travel in a more private setting, you can rent a car.

Here are some great day trips from Barcelona that you may want to check out.

Tarragona

Tarragona is a city located around 62 miles south of Barcelona. In the Roman times, Tarragona was called Tarraco and was the capital of a Roman Province. Today, you can still find evidence of Tarragona’s distant past through the city’s numerous Roman ruins. These ruins, which have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, include a variety of ancient buildings such as archs, sepulchers, palaces, amphitheaters and walls. There is also an archaeological museum.

PortAventura

PortAventura is the largest resort in the south of Europe. Located near Salou just a few miles north of Tarragona, the resort includes both a theme park and water park. The PortAventura theme park contains five theme zones based on different geographical locations such as China, Polynesia and the Mediterranean. There are plenty of shows, rides, restaurants and shops to enjoy in these theme parks.

Figueres

The city of Figueres is located around 85 miles north of Barcelona. The famous artist Salvadore Dali was born here, and in his honor the Dali Theatre-Museum was instituted in 1974. It is one of the most visited museums in Catalonia. Also be sure to check out the Dali-Gala Castle Museum-Home, a medieval castle that Dali gave to his wife.

Montserrat

Montserrat is a 4,000 foot high mountain. It is around 30 miles northwest of Barcelona and a very popular attraction, especially for Catholics due to the 16th century monastery located at the top of the mountain and for Catalans who come to see the statue of La Moreneta, the Virgin of Montserrat, the official patron of Catalonia.

Ryan Embly is a writer for the website CarRentalExpress.com, a provider of cheap car rentals in North America and Europe.

All proceeds of Twestival went toward Concern Worldwide, a charity that seeks to provide children with access to school education.

Any city worldwide had the opportunity to host a Twestival and to choose a specific educational area to raise funds for, with all proceeds going toward Concern Worldwide’s educational programs. The areas of focus were:

• Building schools
• Training teachers
• Furnishing classrooms
• School meals
• Water for schools
• Reaching the vulnerable
• Health education
• Education for girls

Check out how successful some of the hosting Twestival cities were:

• New York
• Chicago
• San Francisco
• Paris
• London
• Barcelona

…and if you would still like to make a donation it’s not too late!

For more information visit Twestival

@twestival for more fundraising updates!

Download an mTrip Guide: Paris Travel Guide, London Travel Guide, Amsterdam Travel Guide, Berlin Travel Guide, Rome Travel Guide, Barcelona Travel Guide, New York Travel Guide, Chicago Travel Guide and San Francisco Travel Guide

Image source: cambodia4kidsorg at http://www.flickr.com/photos/cambodia4kidsorg/

Guest blogging by Tripbase

Tripbase eliminates the time-consuming and frustrating online search process by providing travelers with personalized travel recommendations for their next trip.

www.tripbase.com

Download mTrip’s Barcelona Travel Guide

Image source: Bernard Gagnon at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sagrada_Familia_01.jpg