Barcelona, I have a huge crush on you! But we need to spend more time together. I feel like my crush was turning into something more, but then it was time to to leave. I’m not normally a fan of large cities, but I’ll make an exception for you.
I tried to use my time wisely, visiting four of your outstanding nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which amazingly seven are by famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí:
Part of Park Guell – A Gaudi design and UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My friend Jade from @Vagabond3 introduced me to Park Güell, my first Gaudí sight in stark contrast to Salvador Dali’s house, which I had visited just days before. I spent over an hour soaking it the peacefulness of the park and the views overlooking Barcelona, before it became swarmed with tourists.
Casa Battlo, just steps from my apartment in Barcelona.
Casa Batlló, another Gaudi design and UNESCO World Heritage Site was just steps from my complimentary apartment in Barcelona kindly provided by Only Apartments. I was so intrigued by the exterior that I paid the hefty €18.50 admission fee for the self-guided audio tour. The interior was full of quirky surprises. I can safely say it’s the most unique house I’ve ever stepped foot in. I went later in the evening (it’s open until 8:00 pm) to avoid the crowds and spent over an hour exploring the house.
La Pedrera – another Gaudi building and a UNESCO World Heritage Site
La Pedrera, yet another Gaudi building and UNESCO World Heritage Site was a two minute walk from my Barcelona apartment. I admired it from the outside but sadly didn’t have time to go inside. Yet another reason I need to go back to Barcelona and I now know a great place to stay for my next visit.
Gaudi’s most famous building – La Sagrada Familia
I certainly wasn’t going to pass up seeing Gaudi’s most famous building, La Sagrada Familia, which despite being started in 1892, still isn’t finished and likely won’t be for completed for another 18 years! I even paid the extra €3 on top of the €13 admission fee to take the elevator to the tower – something I wouldn’t normally do, but then there’s nothing normal about a Gaudi building. I arrived at 9:05, (opening time is 9:00) in off season and there was already a line around the corner, so arrive early or buy your ticket online to avoid a long wait.
The melted brie over sun dried tomatoes tapas were so good I ordered 3!
And eat, boy did I eat. With so many delicious looking tapas on offer, how could I choose? Didn’t I owe it to Barcelona to experience Catalonian food to it’s fullest extent? Well, that was my rationale for ordering not one, but three melted brie over sun dried tomatoes tapas! And yes, that was only a few days after the Calcotada – A Catalonian Gastronomical Event.
Barcelona, our brief time together was incredible and flew by too fast. I missed your other 5 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, most notably the Catalan Romanesque Churches of the Vall de Bui, the Torre Agbar, a 38 story skyscraper/tower that I only caught a glimpse of and sadly even your beaches and harbor. What do you say should we make another date? I promise to stay longer next time to give this crush time to turn into a full blown love affair.
Have you ever felt your time in a place was too short?
Melted brie over sundried tomatoes????? That sounds SOOO GOOD! The pictures are beautiful, looks like an easy place to fall in love with!
Claire recently posted..Calgary Zoo – Carrie the Giraffe
Gaudi is the man in Barcelona! Parc Guell is beautiful and has an interesting history as well. Barcelona has a feel that is very different than most of Spain due to the Catalan culture. I want to go back and see the city again from a different perspective and explore things I didn’t get to see the first time.
Jeremy Branham recently posted..8 reasons why a river cruise is better than an ocean cruise
I can understand why you’d have a crush on this awesome city. A full blown love affair with Barcelona is bound to happen on your next visit. I’m yearning for my first date with Barcelona.
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Sleeping on the Seine
The Casa Battlo looks very intriguiging. Would love to visit! Is this inside as eccentric as the outside?
Sabrina recently posted..Workout on the Road: Running at a Brittany Beach
I have a crush on Barcelona and I’ve never been! I want to travel there so badly – I just need to convince my family that it would be a great spring break destination – maybe next March!
Lisa recently posted..Visiting United Nations Headquarters with Kids
@Claire – It was delicious, now I need to figure out how to replicate it at home.
@Jeremy – Regarding Gaudi – agreed! I love his work. I’ve only been to Catalonia, but will be going to Mallorca in May, so it will be interesting to see the difference.
@Cathy – Make it a long one, I could have easily spent a week in Barcelona, something I wouldn’t normally do in most cities.
@Sabrina – Yes, definitely. In the next few weeks, I will be showing photos inside Casa Batllo.
@Lisa – It would be a great place for families, there’s so much to see and do.
I really need to go back to Barcelona. I was 15 when I was there (almost 17 years ago!) and I hardly remember a thing about it. Looks like a lot of great stuff to see, even if you didn’t get to see everything you wanted to.
Ali recently posted..Milford Sound – Before the Cruise
Oh, I love Barcelona too. And Gaudi. But I can picture myself living there… too big, too noisy… actually Barcelona seems to be too everything, the god and the bad. I find it addictive. I’ve been there quite a few times and I still want to go back. What was your favorite spot?
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@Ali – Yes, you definitely do need to go back. I loved it, even though my time there was too brief.
@Laura – Me too, but not sure how I feel about living there, thing I would have to spend more time here before I could decide. I’m jealous that you’ve been so often. I didn’t have 1 favorite spot, but loved all of the Gaudi buildings. What’s your favorite spot?
Spain looks great… and so sunny!
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