For this extended weekend as a family, we wanted to discover a city that we didn't know while not going too far.
For several reasons, including restrictions following the covid pandemic but also the climate, we decided to go Spain, and in particular Barcelona. We also wanted to go back to PortAventura, where we had already been in the past and we loved it.
As Travel enthusiast, it was my mission to take care of The organization of the trip from A to Z, and to ensure that we can see as many things as possible in a short time without the pace being too fast.
Day of departure: November 1, 2021
So we're driving, because we're lucky to live just a few hours from the Spanish border. We did not take the motorway in France because the road is pretty good up to the border, and this also allows us to enjoy the landscape during our crossing the Pyrenees.
For a departure at about 7am, we arrived at our hotel in the center of Barcelona around 1pm, all without having made a lot of breaks so it's pretty correct.
Accommodation of the stay
Even if it is not in Barcelona's most beautiful neighborhood or street, the hotel is ideally located, only 20 minutes walk from the place of Catalonia.
It is also very well served by local buses and metro.
Once the check-in was completed, we went quietly on foot to visit the city. We started with the Arc de Triomphe, located only at 10 minutes walk from our hotel.
Walk and animal encounters
We continued towards the Ciutadella Park, located right next door, in which we let ourselves stroll by admiring the fountains and their water jets rocked by the noises of zoo animals (especially elephants) located also in the park.
On leaving the park, we walked along the port to the monument to the Columbus, i.e. statue of Christopher Columbus, then we continued our way through the famous Rambla.
The atmosphere was rather pleasant with plenty of small kiosks and merchants all along. We walked to the place of Catalonia where we took the opportunity to do some shopping. After our shopping, we went to the restaurant Candela, at the top of Plaza Catalunya.
It was really very good, but to be honest it was quite expensive and small portions.
To give you an example, an alcohol-free cocktail cost us more a glass of whiskey and an alcoholic cocktail. However, the decoration was very nice, in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Cultural tour
We started our day by taking the bus to the Guell Park, situated slightly in the height of the city. We stayed there a little over an hour, and it seems to me that this was one of our favorite places on our journey.
It's really a Perfect mix between one architecture at a time coloured, offset and organic.
Culture point: Park Güell
Park Güell is a famous public park located in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, one of the most prominent representatives of Catalan modernism. Built between 1900 and 1914, the park was originally planned to be a residential development but was transformed into a public garden. Gaudí used organic and natural forms to create fantastic and colourful structures, incorporating ceramic mosaics, inclined columns and terraces.
The park is a unique mix of nature and architectureoffering spectacular views of the city of Barcelona. In 1984, Park Güell was registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its cultural and architectural importance.
Following our visit, we took a bus back to Barcelona city centre. We continued our visit to Barcelona by visiting the famous Casa vicens, Casa Milà and Casa Battló. We had not planned to visit their interior for lack of time, but if it were to be done again, I would take the time to explore the Casa Battló which was also realized by Antoni Gaudí.
Culture point : La Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is an emblematic basilica located in Barcelona, Spain, designed by architect Antoni Gaudí, major figure of the Catalan Modernism. Construction began in 1882 under the direction of another architect, but Gaudí took over the project in 1883, instilling its unique style. When he died in 1926, only a small part of the basilica was completed.
The Sagrada Familia is famous for its facades richly decoratedIts columns inspired by natural forms and its inventive use of light. The project combines traditional Gothic elements with Gaudí's modernist approach, creating an innovative and spiritual structure.
Work continues today, with the aim of completing the basilica in the coming years. In 2005, parts of the building were listed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, demonstrating its cultural and architectural importance.
We then picked up a bus to get closer to the Sagrada Familia. The site is ultra frequented, so I quickly abandoned the idea of visiting inside the basilica... Instead, we had a picnic in the small park just across the street. (Plaça de Gaudí) which offers us a super view of the monument with a water point.
Between heat, shopping and walking!
After our lunch break, we went to the place of Spain and stopped in Arenas de Barcelona to make some shopping and shelter us a little from the heat. Finally, we continued on foot to the park Montjuic, with its fountains, its columns and the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC).
We stayed there for the rest of the afternoon to enjoy the panoramic view of the rest of the city, before going down, always by bus, in place of Catalonia.
We walked around, stopping at the market of the Boqueria that we had spotted the day before when we were in the Ramblas. It's a kind of large food market covered with various stands inside: charcuterie, fruits, chocolates, spices, ...
The atmosphere is pretty nice, although most stands look alike. We also went to the Rambla del Raval to make a cuckoo at The enormous sculpture of Botero's cat.
Stress and food
And after a mishap with pickpockets that ended well, we ate at the Macchina Pasta Bar, a small Italian restaurant serving self-service.
Service was fast, the correct prices and choice fairly wide. You can compose your own pasta dish by choosing their shape, sauce and possibly supplements.
At the end of our meal and after this long day of walking, we returned to our hotel. Guess how? Yes, by bus (do well to make the daily ticket profitable)!
Port Aventura
The most exciting part of our extended weekend in Barcelona starts today!
So we went towards Salou to the amusement park Port Aventura. The journey takes about 1h30 and since we are in low season, the park closes at 6pm.
Although at this time he is less frequented, I still advise you to get there as soon as possible in order to enjoy the maximum of the park, especially if you only stay there one day.
However, the I think it's a great time for me., because the entire park is decorated with pumpkins, spider webs and other accessories. Park employees are disguised and there are plenty of shows (free and fee-paying). In addition to this, it is not too hot, which makes waiting in the queues more pleasant.
The only negative point of this period in contrast to the full season: some attractions especially in the Polynesia part are closed and there are no more too many thematic shows.
Tips for enjoying the park
Enjoy the time the Spanish eat for make the most requested attractions Such as the Shambala, Dragon Khan, Huracan Condor or Furious Baco. You will sometimes find yourself in front of rides no tail, what foot !
We had already come at the same time a few years ago, so we had some new attractions that we already knew but we also discovered new ones. In all in the day, we were able to do a total of 8 rides Without wirecut tickets or a lot of queues.
We stayed until the park closed with a small pass to the shop to bring back some memories.
8 rides in total
During the day, here are the rides we made:
• The mine train
• Emplumada Serpiente
• Dragon Khan
• Grand Canyon Rapids
• Huracan Condor
• Tomahawk
• Shambala
• Furious Baco
Besides, do not hesitate to tell me in comments which are your favorite attractions !
A king's meal to finish the day!
Then we stayed a little in Salou to walk around. Before returning to Barcelona for our last night, we asked a saleswoman in a store to give us some recommendations to eat in the evening, and we were pleasantly surprised by the one we chose.
We ate Al Tapeo de Pepe, a small restaurant that does not pay for a mine outside but in which we ate as kings Hey! The restaurant serves mainly Tapas dishes that we took to share. We made it out for one. EUR 50 to 4 with drinks, and everything was really excellent !
I'll tell you what. therefore strongly recommends this address if you are visiting Salou.
On the way back
For our last half day in Barcelona, we spent the morning at Passeig de GraciaThe equivalent of our Champs Elysees. We were already there because it is on this avenue that the Casa Milà and Casa BattlóBut we didn't take the time to really walk.
We walked one last time to the square of Catalonia, which you will have understood, was our point of fall of the stay. We went to Reial Square before returning to the Boqueria market to buy food on our return journey.
We have also been tempted by some empanadas that we set aside and ate once we returned to France.
Spoiler: they were excellent!
Practical information
Do you want to do the same type of stay?
I deliver you my tips and tricks for leave serenely !
The price of a bus and metro ticket is 2.55€.
You don't have to get a physical ticket to get on the bus.
Just download TMB application to buy your ticket (bus and metro) and know the times of passage.
In our case, we opted for a daily transport card for it cost us less.
We can't find them anymore on the site, but if you know you're going to take the transportation several times in the day, I recommend you take T-casual card which allows 10 routes for only 12.5€.
The entrance ticket to Park Güell is from 10€.
Depending on ticket sales sites, you have the possibility to take a ticket combined with Casa Batlló, and both visits must not be made on the same day.
The entrance ticket to Casa Batlló is from 29€.
Prices vary according to the date of your visit.
The entrance ticket to the Sagrada Familia is from 26€.
The entry ticket to Port Aventura is from 40€ for the main park.
