Everybody associates Barcelona (in the center of Catalonia, Spain) with sun, strand, paella, historical attractions and a relaxed style of living. For all these reasons Barcelona is one of the most attractive holiday resorts in Europe.

If one wants to spend his / her holidays in Barcelona he or she has to make a good planning. Otherwise the dream of some relaxing days will end in a chaos. Here are my tips for a beautiful stay in the Spanish east-coast.

First of all you should have in mind what type of holidays you actually want: Do you want a stay with your wife in a romantic hotel with 4 or more stars? Or do you prefer holidays with your friends with a lot of action like surfing, parties and chicas? A cheap youth hostel could be the right accommodation for your stay. Maybe you are planning to travel with your family? In that case you should think about hiring a nice apartment with accommodations for kids like playgrounds and flumes. Independently of what kind of holidays do you prefer – Barcelona, ​​with loads of possibilities will help you out!

If you looking for culture and sightseeing you should go the Tourist Information and buy tickets for the "Bus Turístic". With these tickets you can make a guided tour to the most attractive spots like the Sagrada Famila, the Parc Güel, Las Ramblas or the Fontana Magica. When ever you want you can jump-off the bus, enjoy the place and jump-on it later, again. You only you have to pay once!

If you are not very interested in sightseeing you probably will not need a "Bus Turístic" – ticket. In this case, a metro ticket, which also is available at the Tourist Information, should be sufficient. Moving by metro in Barcelona is easy. Look for a map and you will catch on intuitively. The only think you must watch out for thievery. Do not keep to much money and other valuables with you, especially not in the metro. If you are wearing a rucksack you have to close it well and to strap it at the front. Doing so, you really can enjoy your holidays in Barcelona.

On http://www.barcelona-on-line.es you will find more information about Barcelona. Besides that information you also can get to know about the places to be like (Attractions, clubs, restaurants, bars and events) and reserve your hotels, apartments or cheap youth hostels.

If you’re not familiar with Barcelona, the first place to head out to is Las Ramblas, the medieval Old Town district, with narrow little streets. It’s a busy tourist area during the day with shops and street musicians, but popular at night for its many restaurants, clubs, and bars. A few popular clubs are Kiosk La Cazalla, Sports Bar Rambles, and the Boadas Cocktail Bar. Las Ramblas also has some good tapas bars. Barelona’s Gothic Quarter, La Riberia-El Born, and La Rambla have some of the best restaurants in the city.

One district where not only tourists, locals, and even backpackers mingle at night is the Gothic Quarter, with its maze of little alleyways, and a multitude of fun night spots. Many of the tourists frequent the Gothic Quarter, and if you’re looking for a fun night out, it’s a great place to wander around in the evening. Sugar, Stoke Bar, and La Divina are some of the more popular spots for drinks and meeting people. Not only will you find local bars, but a number of Irish and British themed pubs where you’ll find a lot of other tourists. One of the most well known is Flaherty’s. Tarantos, Jamboree, and Side Car at Plaza Real have the reputation of being fun party clubs.

If you’re looking for an evening out with a more, refined atmosphere, the lovely El Born district is the place to visit. The many squares are lined with cafes, quaint shops and boutiques, bars and restaurants, in a neighborhood of medieval architecture. It’s one of the most interestings and beautiful neighborhoods of Barcelona, where you can have an enjoyable, quiet evening. The Passeig del Born is a square lined with bars, clubs, and tapas bars. The square opposite the Santa Maria del Mar Church has cafes to dine al fresco while people watching and enjoying cocktails. One of the most famous stops is El Sampanyet, which many locals consider to be the very best champagne bar in Barcelona, which serves cava, the local favorite. The popular champagne bar is located near the Picasso Museum, and the friendly, local owners serve delicious tapas.

The best cocktails are served at La Luna, located next to Santa Maria del Mar. La Luna serves over 40 house cocktails, as well as dinner and tapas. La Fianna is in a traditional, gothic-style structure serving a variety of cocktails and international dishes from eight different countries. Va de vi is a popular wine bar with the locals and tourists, in a gothic setting. The wine and food menus are extensive and you can sample some of the best cheese from the region. If Latin music appeals to you, try Berimbau for delicious fruit juice concoctions and cocktails.

The Port Olimpic district was built up on the beach for the Summer Olympics in 1992, and has become a hub of restaurants, bars, and clubs. Most of the activity is on the marina, built right on the Mediterranean. The marina at Port Olimpic is lined with upscale bars, clubs, and restaurants. Among the most popular nightspots are the Opium Bar, CDLC, and Shoko. The Port Olimpic region has some of the best seafood restaurants to sample local dishes before taking in the clubs, many of which stay open until around 3 a.m.

Although there’s plenty of things to amuse you in Barcelona you don’t have to venture far from the city to find exciting and interesting activities and sights to explore. Catalan is full of surprises and within the hour you’ll be able to climb mountains, flavour the vineyards, run along beaches, and be awestruck at the monasteries and ancient Roman remains.

In the north-east, close to the French border, you’ll find Salvador Dali hanging out – just as much a part of Barcelona as Pablo Picasso and Gaudi. There are a few landmarks open to the public that pay tribute to Dali and his unique sense of art. Figueres is the small town where Dali was born and buried, home to the Teatre-Museu Dali it was previously the town theatre and is the place where most of his creations can be seen – even the kids will love it here as it’s so surreal.

The design of the museum is just as fascinating as the artworks with gigantic eggs balanced on the towers and masses of yellow loaves on the outside walls. It’s quite remote but you can get there by train which takes an hour or so, otherwise take a tour bus or hire a car.

Inside the museum the displays are centred around themes and include pieces from his early years as well as his Impressionist and Cubist periods. You’ll also be able to discover abstract art, pieces from his classic period, oil paintings, graphics, photographs, sculptures, and a huge archival library.

The main items the public come to see of course are the immensely popular surrealist art which he is most famous for, including Portrait with I ‘Humanite’, The girl of Figueras, Port Alguer, Napoleons Nose, Basket of Bread, The Spectre of Sex Appeal, and Soft Self-Portrait with Fried Bacon.

Check out the 3-dimensional Mae West face that takes up a whole room by itself, actually created from furniture it includes a lush red sofa for her lips and is part of a series designed specifically for the Theatre-Museum along with the Rainy Cadillac and the Wind Palace Room.

If you want to know more about the life of this interesting figure then your next stop whilst here on holiday is to follow the Dali trail to Cadaques, a very quiet and remote area that was a favourite with the artist from his youthful days when he spent summers here with the family. Nearby in Port Lligat is the home he built, attracted to this location for the landscape, peacefulness and open spaces. He lived and worked here creating bizarre rooms and fantastic creations for years, the delights of which can now be seen by the public as it has been turned into The Portlligat Museum-House.

The building is similar to a labyrinth which starts at the Bear Lobby and leads off in all directions down narrow corridors, up and down stairs, and along dark passageways. Packed out with a multitude of objects and mementoes of the great artist, each area has been made into a comfortable area with carpets laid, walls whitewashed, dried flowers and velvet upholstery as decor, and antique furniture. Every room has windows of different sizes and shapes but all look out onto the beautiful scene of Portlligat Bay.

The Castell de Púbol Dali bought for his wife Gala to live in, after she died he decided to move back into the house and stayed here until his death. Built in the 12th century the original plan was that he would also be buried here, however things changed when his relationship with Gala broke down. In urgent need of renovation when he bought it he used the cracks and deterioration as a form of art and, not attempting to fix or hide them, he simply incorporated them into the restoration. Inside you’ll discover replica architecture, extravagant textiles and antique furniture which lend the place an air of secrecy that promises romance, mystery and total privacy.

If you’re only in Barcelona for a short time but really want to see some of Dali’s art then there is a permanent exhibition displaying some of his most important works in the Real Círculo Artístico building in the Gothic district. This private collection of sculptures are created from wax and based on a number of themes including eroticism, mythology and Don Quixote. The collection also holds over 600 sketches and drawings completed by the artist along with lithographs and photographs. Book yourself into an apartment in the city centre and use it as a base to get around all your favourite sights.

Of course, in order to do this, you are going to need to make sure that you are doing a little research ahead of time, before you leave for your trip, in order to put together a game plan for where you are going.

BeCool

You might think that all of the great clubs will always be found in the stretch where they all seem to thrive together, such as on a main strip. The thing is though, the club BeCool is tucked away from the large night scene and because of this, is generally only known by the locals. However, this doesn’t mean that as a visitor you shouldn’t check it out. With a revolving dance floor along with the impressive line up of DJs is sure to make your night out a night to remember.

La Macarena

The La Macarena is an underground club with all of the best sounds of the night. Even though La Macarena is a smaller club compared to others, the atmosphere is what keeps bringing people back. There is a ton of techno and bass pumping all through the club to keep everyone in the crowd very happy.

Moog

Then there is the club called Moog. Some might say that “small” wouldn’t be the right word to describe it but many of the locals, and even those visiting from all around the world, know why this tiny little club has such a big reputation. With swathes of wood and also spots of iron, there is a gracefulness about this club that simply captivates the crowd. The sunken dance floor and an upstairs mirrored room aims to please.

Row 14

The party starts at Row 14 bright and early at 6:30am and it starts the party off right by blasting the sound system to its maximum ability. There is a separate bar, huge amounts of indoor space, a retractable roof and two terraces. Stop by Row 14 on a Sunday morning and you will be greeted with a large array of techno options such as Marco Carola and Richie Hawton.

City Hall

The club, City Hall, is situated right in the former town theatre, all while maintaining and preserving the beauty of the original structure. The DJ overlooks the dance floor from what used to be that of the stalls. There are disco balls and even a chandelier. Some might say that musically speaking, City Hall has lost some of its luster, but many more would disagree.

As you can see, there are plenty of great options out there when it comes to your choice of clubs in Barcelona. Make sure that you are setting aside a little bit of time to check a few of them out.

The vibrant city of Barcelona has got something for everyone thanks to its fabulous parks, architecture, shops and beaches. Add to that, countless art galleries and museums and you truly have a city brimming with an exciting mixture of fun and culture!

It is a great destination, summer or winter, and in these credit crunch times, there is accommodation available to suit every pocket.

If you are a fan of art, this is the place to be as, over the centuries, this Catalan city has been home to many famous artists and architects.

The most famous of these is without a doubt Antoni Gaudi, and many of the buildings in Barcelona are monuments to his very distinctive style. Not to everyone’s taste, but an absolute must-see for every visitor.

The most famous landmark in the city, the Sagrada Familia Church, is his masterpiece and is a fabulous fairytale building. It was started in 1852, and unbelievably, is still being worked on today.

Pablo Picasso lived in Barcelona for many years, and there is a permanent exhibition of his paintings in the Picasso Museum. There are dozens of other museums and art galleries, but don’t worry if culture is not your thing.

Head for Las Ramblas, a wide tree lined boulevard that stretches over a kilometre all the way to the waterfront. It is home to all sorts of shops, cafes and bars, and boasts one of the biggest and best indoor food markets in Europe. It really has to be seen to be believed. There are hundreds of stalls selling every kind of food imaginable, and of course, this being Spain, samples for tasting are freely and willingly offered!

Five things you MUST do in Barcelona.

1- Stroll slowly along Las Rambles, Barcelona’s wonderful shopping boulevard, and enjoy the shops, and street stalls. Stop for a coffee or a drink at one of the many cafes and bars, and just people-watch!

2- Visit the famous church of La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s famous masterpiece. This is the city’s most iconic building, and will feature on any tour of Barcelona. And no, from the outside, it really does NOT look real! Truly a fascinating building.

3- Don’t forget Picasso! Even if you are not a fan of his style of art, you really must not leave Barcelona without viewing his paintings at the Picasso Museum. The entrance fees to all the museums and galleries in the city are very reasonable, but do check the opening times, as they can vary quite a lot.

4- Visit Sitges, the historical seaside district, which is just a short train ride from the city centre. As well as its historic sites, Sitges is well known for its night-life and beaches.

5- Eat Paella! There are so many different versions of this national dish, with each region claiming theirs is the authentic one! You will find dozens of restaurants in Barcelona each with their own recipe…….take your pick and enjoy with a glass or two of cava!

Whatever you decide to do in Barcelona, you will find yourself wanting to return again and again to this most colourful of Spanish cities.

The Catalonia capital of Barcelona has become a very popular destination in Europe, especially since the rejuvenation of the city for the 1992 Olympics. It offers the visitor a wide selection of culture, both contemporary and old, as well as great sightseeing, a lively night-life and some excellent places to dine. Finding accommodation in the city has also become much easier and the city now offers a full spectrum of accommodation types, from small bed and breakfasts to large, luxury five star hotels.

Four star equivalent Eric Vokel Gaudi Suites lies in the heart of Barcelona, just a few steps from one of the city’s best loved and inspiring sights, the Sagrada Familia. Also just within walking distance is Park Guell, the beautiful green space designed by Antoni Gaudi. Furthermore, getting around the city to visit the other tourist attractions is also easy, thanks to the nearby metro station of Sant Pau, which is less than 50 metres away. For the size of the city, the Barcelona metro system is well developed, very efficient and thankfully cheap.

Accommodation at the Eric Vokel Gaudi Suites comes in the form of seventeen modern and stylish dwellings, all of which are located in the same building, make them an ideal choice not only for couples and families, but also for large groups. The building that houses these Barcelona apartments has been completely renovated and conceived by the Danish architecture Eric Vokel. It features solar panels for water heating, 24-hour concierge, bicycles, car park, cots/cribs, optional daily cleaning service and a lift/elevator.

The Eric Vokel Gaudi Suites are located in the Eixample dret area, one of the most historic and most characteristic areas of the city: a hustling and bustling place during the day which then transcends to a pleasant calm with nightfall, making it the ideal place to recover after a busy day of sightseeing or business meetings. Each apartment has been fully equipped with all the facilities and amenities needed for a relaxing and independent stay, such as fully fitted kitchenette, private bathroom, Wi-Fi connection and air conditioning.

If you would like further information on this accommodation in Barcelona, such as rates, availability, location map, general FAQs, as well as photos of the apartments, or you would like to book one of the apartments, then please click on the following link to the HotelsChart’s page for Eric Vokel Gaudi Suites:

In Barcelona the services offered by the hotels do not vary as per the standard of the hotel. Though, you won’t get five star services in a one star hotel, but the service in one star hotel is also up to the mark. There are many middle budget hotels which will suit your budget as well as your comfort level. The middle ranger Barcelona Hotel gives excellent services and comfort.

One of the few hotels in Barcelona to suit the middle budget traveler is the hotel “Hostal Olivia”. This Barcelona hotel has wonderful wrought iron stairway and captivating reliefs. Another such hotel is the “Hostal Gat Xino” having sparkling interiors and smooth and glossy furniture.

Hotel Jazz has the advantage of technical excellence and loveliness. It is a high tech hotel having big soundproof rooms having facilities TV sets and towel heater. It has a lovely terrace pool that is just spectacular in its beauty. The hotel Palacios is a classic Barcelona Spain hotel having classical and antique artwork decor.

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When you search for middle range Barcelona Spain hotel you will find that “Hostal Goya” has class and elegant interiors together with matchless hospitality. In the same range Hostal Opera provides for all the modern services. Another notable Barcelona Spain hotel in the middle budget range is the Barcelona Center. It is a friendly hotel giving a warm welcome to all it guests. It has the advantage of offering many rooms with an exclusive balcony for you to enjoy the scenery. Peace and comfort are the keywords of the Hostal Orleans that is located in picturesque location.

You won’t find only middle range hotels in Barcelona there are a number of classy hotels as well. Though they are a bit expensive, but they are a class above the rest of the hotels. One of such hotel is the Hotel Arts. It is a luxurious hotel having a restaurant with sumptuous cuisine. You can have some spectacular sight of the city and sea and is also offers an imperial spa treatment.

Hilton Barcelona and Ritz Gran Via De Les Corts is essence of luxuriousness also offering comfort of distance between the hotels and Barcelona Spain Hotels. Hotel Omm is a jazzy hotel in Barcelona. There are comfortable balconies, muted lighting, charming lounges and cozy pools. This Barcelona Spain Hotel has simplicity with futuristic design.

You will be impressed by the Casa Camper Barcelona hotel. It has a hammock experience with picturesque views, heavenly comforts and delicious meals. There are many other hotels in Barcelona like the Hotel Condes de Barcelona, Grand Marina Hotel, Hotel Majestic, Hotel Le Meriden, The Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I, and the Hotel Palace.

There are many self-catering Barcelona apartments and the vacation rentals in Barcelona which offer comfortable stay. With such a wide choice available whatever type of Barcelona Spain hotel you are bound to have comfortable stay.

Barcelona is considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. This is perhaps not surprising considering it is also the birthplace of famous Catalan architect, Antonio Gaudi. The Modernist style work of Gaudi can be experienced all over the city in its buildings and parks. Indeed, even the most cultured of individuals would perhaps agree that this is the perfect way to experience this popular Spanish metropolis.

The most visited piece of Gaudi's sights in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia, or the Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family, as it is also known. The Sagrada Familia is a massive church built in a neo-gothic style, where Gaudi devoted over 15 years of his life to building this temple of faith. Interestingly, it is still under construction despite work beginning in 1882; however, it is scheduled for completion in 2026. This is perhaps the best place to start your Gaudi tour, as you can sample the eccentricities of Gaudi's style and vision in its full splendor.

If you are walking onto Passeig de Gracia, one of Barcelona's main streets, then this should give you a further taste of Gaudi's influence on the city. This wide boulevard is beautifully lined with trees and typical Spanish buildings, with but two exceptions; Battlo House and Mila House. These two buildings are only a few blocks apart on this grand avenue and easily stand out due to their engrossing features.

Batllo House was originally constructed as a terraced house similar to those surrounding it; however, Gaudi transformed it into the warped and eccentric facade that you see today, further displaying his creative architectural skills. Mila House was built on the request of the Mila family who sought a more extravagant example of Batllo House to live in. In response, Gaudi built two blocks of flats for his client, united by the same rippling facade. Much to the delight of tourists and genuinely interested fans of his work, you can visit both of these fine examples of Gaudi's architectural prowess throughout the year.

Park Guell is another must-see spectacle – a famous garden complex designed by Gaudi. For those interested, trams and buses are widely available close by where you can be conveniently transported to this large park to fully explore its wonders. Park Guell largely consists of a ramshackle collection of paths, sculptures, aqueducts and reservoirs; moreover the warped, check-board style entrance staircase is a must see, as is the view from the top of the park over Barcelona.

There are a multitude of other Gaudi sights to take in as you walk around this wonderful city and from doing so you will soon realize why holidays in Barcelona are so popular for tourists and architectural fans alike.

In this article, I talk about 5 great reasons why you should visit Barcelona and more importantly about what to do in Barcelona and Barcelona Tours.

The city was relatively neglected as a tourist spot until the 1992 Olympics and the subsequent investment that the city received. This completely changed the infrastructure of Barcelona. It has now become one of the most visited European holiday destinations, especially for short visits and for people who are on vacation.

Remember that Barcelona is a great city, which just buzzes with energy and has a bit of everything for everyone. You can find just about anything you are looking for. Whether that be sun, sandy beaches, shopping of any kind, hotels, restaurants, music concerts, fiestas or if you want to have a great night out at the clubs. The bottom line is that this city never closes and caters for everyone.

So, why should consider visiting this wonderful city and what are the kind of things to do in Barcelona. Below I have given a list of 5 reasons why. However, there are many more, but these are some of the best to consider.

1. The Camp Nou football stadium of FC Barcelona is famous around the globe. The Barcelona team is one of the best in the world. They have one all the major football championships around Europe. Do the Camp Nou Tour or book tickets to see FC Barcelona at home and see their world-class players in action.

2. Gaudi. The Gaudi buildings are famous as is his story. Visit the famous structures that were designed by Gaudi. The most visited and prominent being Sagrada Familia. This has taken over 100 years to build and is still being built.

3. Las Ramblas. See the many funny, diverse human statues along this famous promenade which stretches all the way to the port. You won’t regret it.

4. Flamenco. Go to a Flamenco dancing show or if you feel brave then have a go!

5. Restaurants and the famous Tapas Bars. Try the many incredible restaurants and Tapas bars of Barcelona. They cater for all tastes. You will always find one that will have something you like. Fish is the main food you will encounter and the varieties are

Finally, do yourself a favor and visit this exciting city in Catalunya. Take one of the Barcelona Tours on the city tour bus, enjoy the activities that are available, but most of all don’t miss out.

Tell friends you are taking a city break to Barcelona and the word ‘pickpocket’ always seems to crop up. The city has a reputation for petty crime which blights its otherwise excellent name as one of the most civilised cities in Europe. But is the reputation deserved, and is Barcelona any worse than other major city break destinations?

The Ramblas, the Metro and other tourist hotspots do seem to attract criminals with a variety of scams. Be on your guard at all times, particularly if someone bumps in to you, or offers to clean something off your clothes. If a band of somewhat dishevelled women gather round you pretending to sell you a map, get your hands straight to your pockets. These women are skilled at their chosen profession and will be in your pockets, even if zipped, in seconds.

Other Spanish cities have a similar problem. Madrid has the ‘mapselling’ gangs of women – I was once surrounded by a gang leaving the Retriro Park waving scruffy maps in my face and actually caught a scrawny hand inside a pocket as I realised immediately what was happening. Be careful about retaliating, however, as the gang may well have ‘protectors’ nearby.

Seville has a poor reputation too. Pick-pockets and bag-snatchers, sometimes using scooters, operate in the Andalusian city. They often target tourists’ cars caught in the heavy traffic, particularly if car windows are open because of the searing heat. After snatching something through the window at traffic lights, they will be away at speed with pursuit through the narrow streets near impossible.

Before asking why little seems to be done to stamp out the problems by the Spanish authorities, UK visitors should remember the situation in London. As well as the numerous pickpockets on Oxford Street and elsewhere, gangs of Albanian children work the city’s bars, stealing handbags and laptops by the thousand, on a daily basis.

Some offenders in London have been caught hundreds of times, but are released without charge and seemingly go straight back to work. It’s been a problem for years yet little is done by the authorities. Having said that, the more responsible bar operators have increased their own security and warn customers of the risk if anything is left unguarded.

Other cities like Paris, Rome and Naples have major problems too. Many visitors have lost their money within minutes of arriving at a Paris railway station. The thieves know a stranger to the city will be focused on finding their way to the taxi rank, or the Metro, and know when their victims are at their most vulnerable. Rome and Naples have had scooter-driving thieves for years, often snatching necklaces as well as handbags, causing physical as well as financial damage.

While often describes as ‘petty crimes’, and seemingly getting more rather than less common, the answer is to think through your security before you leave. Do use money belts or clothing with hidden ‘security’ pockets. Do spread your credit cards around your person and make sure your passport is as secure as possible. If your hotel has a safe, use it. Carry as little around as possible and don’t wear much jewellery.

In particular, be vigilent and avoid helping the thieves by carrying money in back pockets, leaving handbags open or giving other invitations to the dishonest. If you do get robbed, do report it to the police and get a crime reference number so you can at least claim on your travel insurance.

A few simple precautions will increase your chances of a trouble-free city break. Remember, it’s only a small proportion of visitors who do get robbed. Don’t let the threat ruin your holiday but do avoid the obvious risks. Barcelona, indeed all the cities mentioned, are fabulous places to visit. With a little common-sense, you’ll have a trouble-free holiday.