Why Barcelona is Worth Visiting Against All Odds

 

According to Condé Nast Johansens, Barcelona is loved for its architecture, historic medieval center, lively nightlife, delicious food, and relaxed beach living. The city comes alive at night as restaurant terraces fill the streets and music pumps out of the many bars. Barcelona is also famous for its outstanding football team, sandy beaches, and world-class cuisine. The city has a vibrant cultural heritage and colorful neighborhood festivals that attract visitors from around the world.

Wow, that is quite a lot of compliment! But does Barcelona fail to meet those expectations? I would say that the exact stats are unnecessary and what counts is the general consensus.

Since there is a full range of sectors in which we must excel isn't it somehow 'logical' that we get bad grades in some subjects? Really? Of course not! For example, we may have a lively nightlife or many wonderful hallmarks but someone might steal your watch, your wallet or your cellphone in the blink of an eye, and what's worse, you might have to undergo a third degree interrogation and suffer all the useless police paperwork later on. This point does not meet expectations at all. It is hard to start the post with such negative remarks but it is not enough with tourists opening their eyes and looking after their belongings as they are told incessantly over the subway loudspeakers. It is never enough and local authorities must fix this. There are laws to enforce and measures to adopt to stop that! Some things are acceptable but insecurity is not one of them.

As you know, the general consensus about Barcelona is more than favorable and proof of that is the increase in the amount of visitors and the big money filling in the public treasury, plus the private pockets! So everybody should be happy. But then it happens that there is a local consensus when it comes to finding responsibles for the bad management and the bad grades: "the townhall mayor is to blame" I will not say names but read my lips. The point is that changes are coming after the recent municipal elections and Barcelona citizens want solutions not only for insecurity but for the well-being of every individual be it local or foreign, living in the city or just passing by and admiring whatever good we have to offer which is a lot.

Once said that, let's pull the curtain and restart the story with a positive attitude...

Yes, of course, Barcelona is always more than you expect and the more you visit the more you will love it. And even though Barcelona Photoblog does not need to convince you on such matters we can show some photographs and many good reasons to discover us. Visiting another country always has its pros and cons. Let's check why Condé Nast travel specialists must have said such beautiful words:

Why Barcelona is a Great Travel Destination

Here are just a few of the reasons:

Art and architecture: Barcelona is home to some of the most iconic works of art and architecture in the world, including the Sagrada Familia.

Food: Barcelona is a foodie paradise, with a wide variety of restaurants serving everything from traditional Catalan cuisine to international fare. Be sure to try some of the city's famous tapas, which are small, savory dishes that are perfect for sharing.

Beaches: Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean Sea, and its beaches are some of the most popular in Europe. In the summer, the beaches are packed with people sunbathing, swimming, and playing beach volleyball.

Culture: Barcelona is a vibrant city with a rich culture. There are always plenty of things to see and do, from attending a flamenco show to exploring the city's many museums and art galleries.

Things to Do in Barcelona

If you're planning a trip to Barcelona, here are a few of the things you should definitely add to your itinerary:

• Visit the Sagrada Familia: This unfinished cathedral is one of Antoni Gaudí's most famous works. It's a must-see for any architecture lover.
• Explore the Gothic Quarter: This medieval neighborhood is full of narrow streets, Gothic architecture, and charming shops and cafes.
• Relax on the beach: In the summer, the beaches in Barcelona are a great place to relax and soak up the sun.
• Visit the Picasso Museum: This museum houses a large collection of Picasso's work. It's a great place to learn about the artist's life and work.
• Take a walk along the Ramblas: This famous pedestrian street is lined with shops, cafes, and street performers. It's a great place to people-watch and soak up the atmosphere of Barcelona.
• Attend a flamenco show: Flamenco is a traditional Spanish dance that is performed to the accompaniment of guitar and song. It's a great way to experience Spanish culture.
• Take a day trip to Montserrat: This mountain range is located about an hour outside of Barcelona. It's a popular destination for hiking, biking, and sightseeing.

These are just a few of the many things you can do in Barcelona. With its stunning architecture, delicious food, vibrant nightlife, and rich culture, Barcelona is a city that has something for everyone.

Unruled Mass Tourism or an Oasis in the Gothic Quarter?

Tourists in Sant Felip Neri square at Gothic quarter, Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. With its stunning architecture, vibrant culture, and delicious food, it's no wonder that people from all over the globe flock to this city every year.

However, mass tourism has its downsides. One of the biggest problems is that it can be overwhelming. The streets of Barcelona can be packed with people, making it difficult to move around or even find a place to sit down. This can be especially frustrating for those who are looking for a more peaceful and relaxing experience.

If you're looking for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of mass tourism, the Gothic Quarter is the perfect place for you. This historic district is located in the heart of Barcelona, and it's home to narrow streets, winding alleyways, and charming squares. It's the perfect place to wander aimlessly and get lost in the beauty of the city. Or was it?

Of course, the Gothic Quarter is not immune to mass tourism. However, it's much less crowded than other parts of Barcelona, and it's easy to find quiet spots to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. If you're looking for a more authentic Barcelona experience, the Gothic Quarter is the place to be. Unless you come across scenes like the one above which can happen every now and then when cruise ships unleash heavy loads of adventurous ‘predators’ on a hunting spree around the already strained city.

Nonetheless, let us look on the bright side of life! Here are some tips for enjoying the Gothic Quarter without the crowds:

• Visit during the off-season. The Gothic Quarter is most crowded during the summer months, so if you can, try to visit during the spring or fall.
• Get up early. The Gothic Quarter is much quieter in the morning before the crowds arrive.
• Explore the side streets. The main streets of the Gothic Quarter are always crowded, but if you venture off the beaten path, you'll find much quieter areas.
• Visit during the week. The Gothic Quarter is busier on weekends, so if you can, try to visit during the week.
• Take a break from the crowds. If you're feeling overwhelmed by the crowds, take a break from the Gothic Quarter and explore other parts of Barcelona.

The Gothic Quarter is a beautiful and historic district that's well worth a visit. By following these tips, you can enjoy the Gothic Quarter without the crowds and experience the best of Barcelona.

However, no one said that escaping the stark reality by sticking one’s head in Barri Gotic like an ostrich in the sand is the final solution to our problems with tourism. Pretending not to see that Barcelona is losing its balance by suggesting visitors to spot an empty oasis is to do a favor to the apathy and incompetence of our local authorities.

If we want to enjoy the beauty of Barcelona streets doing justice to the peaceful atmosphere that its inhabitants had in mind when they built it then we should see that there are strict rules and laws to punish the bad actors so we can be good hosts to our visitors as we always have been.

The entrance to Sant Felip Neri square, Gothic quarter, Barcelona

Mosaic Souvenirs in Barcelona Shops

The art of covering different surfaces with tile shards to compose a mosaic is called trencadis and it was widely used by Gaudi and his followers. So far so good. What is it with souvenir shops and 'artists' in Barcelona that tend to evoke such technique by using elements so irrelevant to Catalan culture as flamenco dancers or bulls. This is as ambiguous as pretending that Catalans go around wearing Mexican hats.

Spanish Menu for Rambla Catalunya Tourists

Walking down Rambla Catalunya street there are several terraces that are perfect to have some beers while you contemplate the wonderful architecture of art nouveau buildings and why not of some sculptural bodies especially in this time of year. But let's leave the female topic aside cause I digress. Well, you sit there and ask the waiter for a drink and perhaps a Spanish tapa. Man, I don't know if your budget can afford that but we absolutely try to avoid such places. I reckon they are comfortable and with a view but I can assure you that there are a handful of excellent places some blocks away for half the money and much better food. But go ahead, when you are a tourist you have to play the part; they tell you, and in spite of that, you go and squander your money. What the heck!, you say, these are my holidays. I understand I've done the same in Paris or in London. My advice, you try it but just once. Then mix up with locals they know better. Check that board again: tapas (which ones? there are hundreds!) and then Spanish omelette as the bait (isn't that a tapa). Tinto de Verano (literally, summer red wine), a mixture of cheap wine with Casera, a brand similar to Sprite. The drink is lighter than Sangria and more refreshing. Here is a Tinto de Verano recipe. Gambas are shrimps, hmm that's good but certainly you have them cheaper and tastier some other place. And beer, well, that you know. You have several words to ask for a beer according to the kind of glass or cup. You can order a caña (the smallest), a copa (a cup), a tubo (high and cylindrical glass) or a jarra (a jar). Then you have the bottle measure: the small bottle called quinto and the normal size "medianas" (tercios in other regions of Spain). I hope this odd mixture of Spanish food, tourism and bad reviews is at least helpful.

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Spanish Souvenir: The Bull-Parade

This is an all-in-one souvenir, a bull, for bullfighting tradition followers abroad, designed and dressed the cowparade way. The curious thing is that instead of a bull hide this one has trencadis or mosaic in a clear allusion to Gaudi and other art nouveau artists. And the sort of blanket in the way of saddle must be the Spanish flag although it has the same colors as the Catalan flag. So ambiguity eliminates all barriers in order to sell and keep everybody happy. The history of mankind.

Massive Tourism in Barcelona?

Right under El peix d'or (Gold Fish) metallic sculpture, by Frank O.Ghery next to Hotel Arts, there is this small artificial pond or fountain where it has become customary for people to wade so as to alleviate the effect of the hot temperatures. In fact you generally see tourists doing this as they apparently are more affected by the humid weather in Barcelona. Not that I am against people relaxing by the fountain, not at least if you can admire living sculptures like these every now and then, but the heat, the sweat, the shabby appearance of a whole day by the beach (close by) and the massification of this area create a sudden feeling of being part of a surrealist dream, you know, with mirage effect included, thirst, dampness, a somewhat sick atmosphere that doesn't disappear till the next fall. I am exaggerating of course but those of you who have been here in the summer have gone through similar trances more than often. As you see there are pros and cons.