Tibidabo
The name given to the summit of Collserola hill. This is
where you'll find the city's oldest - and only remaining
- amusement park. Built in 1899, it offers more than thirty
different and exciting rides. The most popular is La Atalaya
(the watchtower), with its fantastic views. Some of the
original 19th-century attractions are still here, like the
Museo de Autómatas (Mechanical Museum). Next to it
stands the modernist-style Church of the Sacred Heart, which
you can identify clearly as you come up the hill on the
Tramvia Blau (blue tram) by its enormous statue of Christ
overlooking the city.
Port Olímpic
This entertainment and leisure zone was built in 1988 for
the 1992 Olympic Games, and has become the most successful
and popular part of the Nova Icària project. Most
people come here to enjoy the nightlife on offer in the
bars, restaurants and dance clubs. During the day it's busy
with shoppers as well. You'll find it underneath the impressive
twin skyscrapers - Mapfre Tower and Hotel Arts Barcelona.
You can rent speedboats here for tours of the port.
Museu Picasso
Barcelona's tribute to one of its adopted sons, this fabulous
collection is displayed in three adjoining medieval palaces.
Picasso was born in Malaga but really started his long artistic
career here. You can see all of his most important early
works, including engravings, lithographs and pottery. The
most famous pieces on show are his Harlequin, a potrait
of one of his wives, Jacqueline, and the Las Meninas series.
Regular temporary exhibitions focus on different aspects
of the artist's activities, for example, his research on
landscapes or his foray into theatre design. In addition,
there are some examples of work by artists from the avant-garde
movement.
Golondrinas (Las)
A fun way to see Barcelona's coastline and the city itself
from a different perspective is to jump on to one of these
boats, or Golondrinas (Tern), which will take you from the
harbour out to the breakwater or as far as Port Olmpic.
It takes 35min to the breakwater and 2hrs to Port Olmpic.
Zoo (El)
Part of the Parc de la Ciutadella (City Park) complex, the
zoo houses over 7,000 animals from over 500 different species.
You can see dolphin shows and other aquatic mammals performing
in the marine enclosure at 11.30am, 1.30pm and 4pm. One
of the star attractions is Copito de Nieve (Snowflake),
the only albino gorilla in captivity. There are tropical
birds, reptiles, spiders, lions, tigers and more.
Mercè (La)
An event that locals can truly call their own, it's one
of the capital's most popular street parties, all in honour
of la Verge de la Merc (The Virgin of Mercy), on 24 September.
The Barri Gtic (Gothic Quarter) becomes one big party zone
for an entire week. You'll see and hear all sorts of cultural
events ranging from musical concerts and art exhibitions
to traditional shows like the dance of the gigants (huge
carnival figures), sardanas (Catalonia's national dance),
castellers (human pyramids) and, of course, the correfoc
(when demons in costume run through the streets setting
off fireworks). Other attractions to visit include the Mercat
del Llibre Vell i d'ocasi (second-hand book fair) on Passeig
de Grcia and the Exhibition of Barcelona's Cuisine on Avinguda
Gaud.
Castell de Montjuïc
This 18th-century castle stands on top of Montjuc hill.
The original structure was built in 1640 during the War
of the Segadors to resist Felipe IV's forces, but it was
expanded and improved between 1751 and 1779 to form the
present building, which has become a symbol of centralist
repression and of the abolition of Catalan liberties. Once
a military prison, it's now home to the Museu Militar (Military
Museum). You'll find it at the end of the cable-car line
where it protects the harbour with its show of arms.
Festa de Santa Tecla
Tarragona's main festival has both historical and cultural
significance. The programme of events includes parades of
people on stilts and cabezudos (figures with enormous heads),
along with a retinue of medieval beasts, like eagles, dragons
and devils followed by bandits shooting noisy old rifles
then troupes of well-dressed ladies, old crones, Turks and
knights, all dressed in period costume. The parade runs
the gamut of this town's colourful history of invasion and
settlement by peoples from all over the Mediterranean. There
are displays of traditional dancing and the finale event
has athletes build human pyramids and castles with their
own bodies.
L'Aquàrium
Built by the Terrades Muntaola brothers, this unique transparent
building houses the city's aquarium and has become a major
tourist attraction on the waterfront. The tanks hold the
widest possible variety of marine life from all the world's
seas, but the big draw are the sharks, of course. There's
a children's play room and a souvenir shop.
Fires de Sant Narcís
This free festival, held in honor of Saint Narcissus, Girona's
patron saint, includes numerous cultural events including
concerts, dances and street parties. At the same time there's
an agricultural fair in the fairground where you can see
and buy homemade foodstuffs like honey and chocolate. Be
sure to visit the old town as well, as it's one of the most
beautiful attractions in Catalonia. You can get here by
train from Sants Estaci or Plaa Catalunya or by bus from
Estaci del Norte. It's 85km from Barcelona to Girona.
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