By The first point of the route is Palau de la Música, a masterpiece of Catalan modernism by Domènech i Montaner (1908), at the height of any building by Gaudí. In fact, in Passeig de Gràcia, the Casa Batllo of Gaudi seems to compete with the House Lleó Morera by Domènech i Montaner. That is why it is called that section of the street the apple of discord.
Pay close attention to the details of the columns of the Palau de la Música, where the old lockers were. And if you have the opportunity to attend a concert, do not hesitate to do so. Not only for music that you listen, but because the inverted glass dome auditorium which is a worth-seeing sight.
If you continue down the Carrer de Sant Pere Mes Alt, you come to the Plaza Sant Pere, one of the oldest medieval churches in Barcelona known as Sant Pere Puelles. Now you can go through the maze to reach the Arc del Triomf, a modernist red brick arch commissioned by Joseph Vilaseca of the Exposition of 1888.
Down the Passeig de Lluís Companys, you arrive at the Parc de la Ciutadella. After the War of Succession, Felipe V ordered the destruction of about 2,000 homes in order to build a fortress and barracks for soldiers which were later torn down in 1868.
Right at the entrance to the Parc de la Ciutadella, you will appreciate the Castell Three Dragons, built by Domènech i Montaner with the aim of serving coffee-restaurant in the Exhibition of 1888 which later became a workshop where modernist architects gathered to exchange ideas.
Next to the castle is the Geological Museum and the Umbráculo. In the latter, it has been tried to play a similar jungle to protect the collection of tropical plants.
Take a walk through the park to the lake and the source of the Paraigua Senyoreta. Behind it you will see the centerpiece of the Exposition of 1888, the source of the Aurora, the first work that Gaudí did when he was still a student.
If you walk a few meters to the right, you will meet the old arsenal of Ciutadella, building now share the Catalan Parliament and the Museum of Modern Art. The latter houses an important collection of paintings by Catalan artists of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A golden age of painting which coincided with Pablo Picasso.
To the right of the old arsenal of Ciutadella is the city zoo. One of the biggest attractions of the zoo was Snowflake, the only albino gorilla in captivity.
You can easily find the best area to stay in Barcelona while it is full of mesmerizing attractions.
Barcelona Airport (BCN)
Barcelona Airport (BCN), also known as El Prat Airport, is located along the coast, just 12 kilometers southwest of the city. With more than 34 million passengers in 2011, Barcelona Airport is the second busiest airport after Barajas Airport in Madrid. El Prat has two terminals, T1 modern, inaugurated in 2009, and T2, which includes the old terminals A, B and C. Let’s see how you can get from the airport to Barcelona.
Airbus
Airbus makes the journey that connects the airport to the city center in a time of about 35 minutes. There are two different lines connecting the two terminals of the airport to the Plaza Catalunya making stops in some other parts of the city including University Square, Sepúlveda-Urgell, Gran Vía-Urgell and Plaza de Spain.
The line runs through Terminal 1 and has a frequency of 5 to 10 minutes, while Terminal 2 has a frequency of 10 to 20 minutes. Buses begin to circulate between 5:30 and 6:00 am and end between 00:30 and 1:00.
A single ticket is priced at €5.90 and return ticket costs €10.20; the return ticket is valid for 15 days. Children under 4 years of age do not need a ticket. Tickets can be purchased at the stop from automatic machines or on the bus sale counter.
Urban Bus
Although they are the slowest option, buses are the cheapest way to reach the center of Barcelona. The line performs the service during the day is 46, being the N17 which deals with the journey at night.
During the journey from Plaza de Catalunya to the airport, the bus makes many stops, so it can take about an hour. Commuting time is between 30 and 50 minutes with the frequency of about 20 minutes. The fare is €2.
Train
The train makes the journey that links the airport with the city center every 30 minutes from 5:40 until 23:25 hours. The ride to the Paseo de Gracia takes about 25 minutes and it also makes other stops. Trains departs from T2, so if you come to T1, you will have to take the free shuttle bus between the terminals.
Cab
Although it is not the most affordable option, a cab is the most convenient way to get downtown, especially for groups or people traveling with many suitcases. The journey takes between 20 and 30 minutes and the price is usually between €25 and €30. It is necessary to note that €1 is charged for each large suitcase. The cab driver can also be helpful in finding the best area to stay in Barcelona.
