Barcelona Travel Guide

So it if there is a heaven on Earth it can only be in one place and that is Barcelona because that is where the majority of Gaudi?s most beautiful buildings were built and for so many other reasons that cannot be crammed into a small article about heaven on Earth.

Yes it almost goes without saying that Barcelona is crammed full of some of the most breathtaking architecture in the world, just take a look at the Sagrada Familia Cathedral and see what a masterpiece it is and it is one of hundreds if not thousands of beautiful buildings in Barcelona, but there is so much more to Barcelona; the beach, FC Barcelona Museum, Picasso Museum, Las Ramblas and so on.

It is true that you could spend several days just checking out the buildings of Antonio Gaudi and of course visiting the amazingly magnificent monster that is Park G?and we suggest you do, but also take some time to check out one or two other places as well.

Let?s start at Las Ramblas the 1.2 or so kilometre street that takes you from the Harbour right through the City centre, it is a great place to shop, to eat to see and be seen. Life is never dull on Las Ramblas and as well as the more mundane shops you will be able to, if the fancy takes you buy a pet or a Parrot or indeed a Parrot as a pet it is that kind of street.

You have to go to the unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral which is the masterpiece of the brilliant and slightly eccentric architect Antonio Gaudi. Building started 125 year ago and they expect to finish it in 20 or so years time, no it isn?t ?that? big it is just eh! ?Detailed.?

These days you can go up in a lift to the top of one of the towers and not only admire the view of Barcelona but you can get a close look at the unbelievable detail of decoration which is the one of the main reasons that the Sagrada Familia Cathedral has taken so long to build.

If you like Picasso then there is one place that you will probably head for straight away and that is the Picasso Museum, where there are over 3,550 works by Spain?s genius son.

This immense collection is housed in several buildings that include a couple of medieval mansions. It might be as well to note that the Museum is not open on a Monday and costs around $8 to enter.

Now here is what you might think is an odd entry into a City holiday guide especially if you are like me and hate football - The FC Barcelona Museum.

Considered by far the best football museum in the world ? yes I was surprised that there would be such a thin - The FC Barcelona Museum is just what it says on the box, and it is great fun for all, even football hating travel guide writers and worse those poor souls who are football widows.

The FC Barcelona Museum seems to be open all the time and costs twice as much to get into than the Picasso Museum, but then here you get a guided tour.

Here are a few tips from someone who adores Barcelona. The attractions, museums and sights are spread out all over the City so get a T-10 ticket which will allow you to travel on the bus or the metro ten times.

Be wary of the pickpockets on Las Ramblas sadly there are flocks of them these days.

Do book a hotel well in advance of when you want to visit except for around Christmas that is when Barcelona is quiet, unless there is a football match on that is.

Barcelona is an all year round tourist destination popular not only with people from abroad, Spaniards love Barcelona for the same reasons we do and of course the miles of beaches, so do some serious research when it is time to book your hotel.

Not only do you need to compare prices but also departure dates can significantly affect the price of your hotel room, we suggest that you use a hotel price comparison website to get the best value for money and a good one is BookingSpot.

Lastly take time to go just a little way away from the main tourist areas and discover a more traditional bar, caf?r restaurant where the locals go. These places tend to reward the extra distance you will travel because food will be more authentic and the prices less ?touristy.?