You have my heart! There's just so much in the world to see but if i ever have a chance to see any place once again i would choose Barcelona any-day!
Delightful seaside city with its abundant culture,celebrated architecture and to top them all the world class nightlife makes Barcelona such a dazzling city.
Park Guell is another ride into Gaudi's Ingenious and Whimsical mind. Take a guided tour of this park as the restricted area is accessible only then and is not to be missed out on. The park is like entering into a fairy-tale with buildings like ginger bread house and getting to experience something wonderful out of Gaudi's imagination. The park is a perfect example of Gaudi's style of experimenting with the relationship between nature and architecture.
You can book titckets from the parks official website here:
Being an architect getting to visit this masterpiece was nothing more than a fantasy coming true. Dreamlike work of Gaudi, Sagrada Familia is a must must must visit in Barcelona. The aura that this structure creates is beyond any words. The ceilings will keep you looking open mouthed at them. I am more in love with this masterpiece and the artist now after being here. The 3 days that i was in Barcelona i went there everyday..i was so addicted to it.
Tips: It is necessary that you book well tickets in advance and take a guided tour with tower ticket(this is separate). I would recommend to visit Nativity tower. And also try booking tickets as near to the sunset as possible so you can see the magic of the sun-rays through the colored glass.
You can book tickets from their official website:
The Plaça de Catalunya, a large plaza surrounded by monumental buildings, is Barcelona's busiest square. There are four main streets: 2 in the direction of the mountain- Rambla and the other Passeig de Gracia with the most expensive shops.
And 2 in the direction of Sea- Las Ramblas,where you can find La Boqueria the market for food and drinks and Tapas. and the other one Portal de I'angel which has normal shops, then if you follow it you can arrive to an important cathedral.
Take a walk through Las Ramblas, a street lined with trees on both sides; in the center of the city to breath in the energy of this vibrant city. Las Ramblas looks like it came right out of a scene from Eurotrip. There are artists drawing caricatures, paintings,souvenir shops,the amazing architecture to see around and what not.
Just as you are walking in Las Ramblas go further more to enter into El Raval, a very colurful and vibrant street in the central part but more like the poor part of Barcelona. (just be careful as there are cases of mugging in broad daylight also). Gothic Quarter, the heart of the city is just 5 mins walk from Las Ramblas.
Casa Batllo, another of Gaudi's most post card friendly creations. We didn't find the need to pay to look inside the building, the exterior itself was so beautiful that we sat there and spent some time taking in every detail of it.
Just 5 mins walk from here and you're in front of another of the master's design Casa Mila.
Considered as one of Europe's Football cathedrals, even if you are not so fascinated by football just like me you have to visit Camp Nou to appreciate the humongous scale of the arena.
There many beautiful beaches in and around Barcelona. But away from the crowds of the busy Barceloneta beach, this beach is a popular hang-out for outdoor sports players and sun worshipers.
There's no view of Barcelona that quite compares to overlooking the city from the highest peak of Mount Tibidabo.
Stay:
we stayed at this beautiful Airbnb:
Food:
Mirabe restaurant
Mirablau Bar
are both super beautiful with incredible views of Barcelona.(Little bit expensive but worthy).
Tip: For vegetarians you can find Wok Street or any other Woks in almost every corner. They have some delicious noodles.
Capital of the traditional Andalucian region of Spain, the most sassiest city Seville, known for its Moorish Architecture, Flamencos, the scorching heat and more.
Located in the heart of Seville, this elaborately decorated castle is a delicious trip into the Moorish dynasty. The beautiful courtyards with intricately ornate plaster on the walls and the arches..the high ceilings with its dominating domes are nothing short of breathtaking. Give your eyes and feet some rest in the heavenly gardens with its pools and fountains...get lost in the maze hedges...just have some chill time before you go back again into the hot weather of Seville. It was featured as a location in the much famous Game of Thrones a T.V. series.
You can book tickets directly at the palace if you're okay standing in the line for a while...or book them online with 1 euro extra fees.
The Plaza de España is easily the most beautiful and extravagant plaza in Seville with its fountains,mini canals and Venetian style bridges. You can find artists performing authentic Flamenco dance for some tips. You can easily get lost in the beauty of this place with so much to see around spending 3-4 hours without even noticing. Plus its free to visit here!!
In the evening when the sun gets some rest you can you can spend some time in this charming neighborhood, visiting tapas bars or just roaming around.
For more authentic experience in Seville its worth crossing the river and entering Triana the vibrant old quarter. Eat at any of the cafes or restaurants here.
Transport: Omio.com best website for all your internal travel bookings in Europe. Barcelona to Seville_travel mode_train_duration_2.5 hrs.
Now that you have basked on the beaches of Barcelona and marveled at the architecture, relived the past in Seville, come and learn how to really live from the mega city of Madrid.
Madrid's well known street,the street that never sleeps. A great place for shopping, Primark's second largest shop in the world is here! (Guess how many bags full i had ;p)there are lots of other brands too. And if you're not interested in shopping just walk on this street which is full of life. We stayed at Gran via and that was the best decision, we just loved the energy here.
Not so happening square compared to the other ones in Madrid. We actually went there searching for Madrid’s most famous chocolate shop, San Gines to have one of the city’s most popular breakfast combinations: chocolate and churros. And they were yum!!
Plaza del Callao is just like Madrid’s own version of New York’s Times Square. This one was our favorite square. There are many local restaurants and cafes around here, at night you will always find some or the other street show going on which just lights up the vibe of this square. You have to have Zenzoo bubble tea which is just 5 min walk from this square.
It is the most popular open air flea market in Madrid. Held every Sunday and public holiday during the year is from 9 am to 3 pm. You can find almost anything here. There are many varieties of wall frames, best option for taking back some gifts for your family. There are 2 euro , 5 euro shops that sell clothes, you can find some good ones if you're lucky and if you have patience to go through those heaps of clothes!
It is one of the largest parks of Madrid. You can cycle around the park or just lay on the lawns with all the birds surrounding you, do boating here. The Palacio de Cristal is especially worth seeking out.Put simply, this is one of our favorite places in Madrid.
It is the official residence for the Royal family, but these days they only use it for state ceremonies. We personally did not enjoy the place and thought it was a waste of time and money.
Stay:
Iberostar Las Letras Gran Via, we stayed here and it is the best one in this area with a pool(plus on gran via with such affordable price). we loved it.
Apartamentos Leganitos, we stayed here too and this ones also very good in such low price range compared to the areas they are in. Gran via is like the heart of Madrid.
Eat:
Mercado de San Miguel, Madrid's oldest and beautiful covered market. This was one of our favorite experience here.
Entertainment & Night Life:
Teatro Flamenco Madrid, Qualtiy Flamenco dance song and guitar and the prices are also down as compared.
Sala el Sol, its a salsa club, they also give salsa lessons before.
Tips: 1. Do not take day passes for transport within the cities of Seville and Madrid as many places are at a walking distance if you're living at gran via. we got 3 day pass and it was a waste. As there are no metros or buses to many of the places.
2. Omio.com best website for all your internal travel bookings in Europe.
3. For internal travels in the city you can purchase day passes at any kiosk at the railway station.
4. Google maps is very handy here you just have to put your destination on google maps and it will tell you which train on bus or tram you have to take to reach there.