Barcelona, Catalonia, & Beyond

A travelers guide to the history and culture of the Catalonia region of Spain, in which we will also cross the Pyrenees Mountains into southern France   . . . 

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I had long been wanting to visit Europe and experience the culture, food, and history that it is so known for. Finally decided that Barcelona would make for a good base of operations, due to its variation of natural environments. Here I would explore everything from the Mediterranean Coastline to The Pyrenees Mountains. 

A Guide to the Catalonia Region of Spain

For my first time in this amazing city, I chose to stay at TOC Hostel due to its central location and proximity to a metro station. TOC is a very nice option for lodging, in which you will find a bar and a swimming pool. Just a short walk will take you through the Gothic Quarter where you will find many interesting attractions

The first thing I did after checking into my hostel was hit these amazing streets. Tucked away within this part of town you will find places such as the Plaza del Rey and the Picasso Museum. The lines can be quite long to get inside, but I highly recommend the wait.

Plaça del Rei

Museo de Picasso courtyard

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Walking the Town &
​Taking Siesta

La Rambla is a pedestrian street that runs from Placa de Catalunya to the Columbus statue at the city port. This popular walkway is home to many shops, restaurants, and photo opportunities. Barcelona is a very walkable city, but the metro will provide access to further away areas and get you to your desired destination much quicker. You may even want to take one of the bus tours to see other remote locations, or pack in as many sights as you can in one day. 

La Rambla

Barcelona has so much to offer it is wise to take on this city one neighborhood at a time. Scattered throughout town you will find everything from impressive cathedrals, including the largest in the world, to an old bullfighting arena that has since been converted into a shopping mall. 

Arenas de Barcelona

Not far from the intersection of Plaça d'Espanya where you saw that enormous arena, you will also be treated to views of the nearby Torres Venecianes (Venetian Towers), Font Màgica (magic fountain), and finally Palau Nacional de Montjuïc (National Palace). This amazing building is a great example of Spanish Renaissance architecture that you will not want to miss. ​

If you are an anthropology enthusiast like me, then you will definitely want to visit the Catalan Museum of Archaeology. Here you will be treated to displays ranging from australopithecine skulls and stone tools to medieval weaponry and sculpture, as well as more modern works of human innovation. ​

This museum seems to be somewhat hidden along Passeig de Santa Madrona just to the east of that magnificent Palace, but with its enormous collection of artifacts it is definitely worth seeking out. 

La Sagrada Família

Many of the notable structures that you will see scattered throughout Barcelona were designed by Antoni Gaudi. Without a doubt La Sagrada Familia is the most famous example of his exquisite architecture. Though ground was broke on this church in 1882, construction is still underway to this day. Another of these famous works is Casa Batlló. This already standing structure was redesigned in 1904 and offers tours on a daily basis. Nearby you will also have the chance to view Casa Milà. Completed in 1912, this was to be Gaudi's final residential project. He was killed in a street accident in 1926. 

Casa Batlló

Casa Milà

Barcelona is also packed with places to eat and drink. Be sure to try the many tapas bars, where you will have a variety of snacks to try for around 1 to 2 euros a piece. My favorite local eatery was Txapela, but you cant go wrong with trying some patatas bravas wherever you go. House beer and wine can also be very affordable in many of these establishments. And in the morning, the cafe bakeries make for an excellent quick breakfast before a long day of adventuring. 

Be aware that siesta is a daily occurrence in the early afternoon and many businesses may be closed. It seems that Spaniards tend eat their last meal of the day late at night. After that, it's time to party. Night clubs in Barcelona don't close until around 5 am, and this just may be why siesta is so important. 

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Day Trip to Montserrat

On my second day, I took the metro to the Placa d’ Espana station. From here I switched to a train bound for Montserrat (serrated mountain). Once you arrive at the base of the mountain, there are two ways to get to the top. One is by taking another train upward. The other (which I chose) is a more direct route by cable car. These options can be conveniently bought in a combo deal with your train ticket. Once you have reached the top you will find a monastery, multiple hiking trails, and a restaurant with a gift shop.

​​Thoroughly exploring this majestic place will be an all day event, so get there early. You may want to bring sunscreen and a hat for protection from the elements, and comfortable shoes are a must if you plan on hitting the trails. While comfort is necessary, be aware of local dress codes if you plan on entering the monastery. Most importantly, be prepared to wear yourself out. There is more to see and do than one would think. 

follow this link for
More of my Montserrat Adventure 

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Back to the Days of Old

On my third day I wanted to take a trip down to Tarragona. There are many ways to get there. You could take a train or bus, but I chose an official tour to make sure I had access to all of the surrounding sites. There are an assortment of tour companies to chose from, many of them located around Placa de Catalunya. (Hint: I normally book these kinds of excursions in advance on Expedia) 

In the ancient city of Tarragona you can explore many ruins left behind from the Roman Empire. Examples of this historical architecture include an amphitheater, cathedrals, and ancient fortress walls. 

To see more of this amazing journey,
visit my post that further explores
The History of Tarragona

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A Quick Visit to Sitges

After seeing the highlights of Tarragona, our guide drove us up the coast to the town of Sitges for a late lunch. This charming oceanside town is home to the Church of San Bartolome and Santa Tecla. Constructed in the late 1600's, this baroque style temple houses tombs that date back to the early 1300's. 

Nearby you will also find the very photogenic bronze mermaid statue La Sirena, sculpted by local artist Pere Jou. Be sure to stop by and greet this magical creature of the sea. 

While sitting on the deck of an oceanfront eatery, I sampled my first taste of grilled cuttlefish. Here we would also have a couple hours of free time to explore the town and enjoy the beach. For those of you who have never been to a European beach, you may be in for a bit of culture shock, as clothing seems to be optional. 

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Stepping into the Surreal 

I was very impressed with the tour of Tarragona, so the next day I booked the full-day "Salvador Dali Experience" with the same company. On this excursion visitors are first taken to The Salvador Dali Museum in Figueres. The building is a work of art in itself. If you explore it thoroughly, you may even find yourself in the basement where the artist is entombed. 

Next we were stopping at Dali's hometown of Cadaques to grab a bite to eat. It was this beautiful coastal village that served as inspiration for many of his paintings. After a delicious lunch we were soon crossing the hill to the tiny town of Port Lligat. This is the site of Dali's house, and here we had the opportunity to explore the private inner realm where he created some of his greatest masterpieces. 

If you would get a closer look into the surreal realm of Salvador Dali, you can do so here.
https://theworldbysiege.com/epic-tales/the-surreal-realm-of-salvador-dali 

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Crossing Borders and Switching Languages

I normally don't spend my entire trip roaming around with groups of tourists. I am usually more of a solo traveler that would rather venture off alone, but the wonderful people at Explore Catalunya had impressed me so much. There was one more tour that I was interested in. This one was called "Three Countries in One Day". 

​In this tour we would be departing from Barcelona early in the morning with our breakfast stop at the medieval village of Baga, Spain. Next we would be having lunch at the geothermal hot springs town of Ax-les-Thermes, France. A scenic ride over the Pyrenees mountains would finally bring us to the tiny country of Andorra. It was here in the town of Andorra la Vella that I photographed this melting clock sculpture that is a tribute to (guess which artist?).

​If you would like to learn more about this adventure you can read the entire story at
 https://theworldbysiege.com/epic-tales/three-countries-in-one-day

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Back to Barcelona

On my last day, I decided to take it easy and enjoy the morning at the beach. The area around the marina is full of wonderful places to eat. It was here that I had a tasty eggplant and anchovy dish for a lite lunch. Afterward I was worn completely out. My plan was to also visit Gaudi's outdoor masterpiece Parc Guell that day but it didn't happen. I had packed way too much adventure into the past few days. 

Barcelona is a great town for art lovers and foodies, just don't focus all of your stay in one place. Do as I did and explore the rest of the Catalonia region. Each place is amazing, but plan your list of destinations accordingly. You would need an entire week to explore Barcelona thoroughly. If I had more time, I would have also ventured further south to Valencia. There are many other great towns and attractions that I did not have time for, but that's ok. I now have an excuse to return.