sagrada

Sagrada Familia

By Dom Bewley

Gaudí is one of the world's most famous architects. Such was his influence at the beginning of the 20th-century, you'll find his work all over his native Barcelona. His greatest achievement is undoubtedly La Sagrada Familia, a huge monument to Gaudí's faith. So, let's take a deep dive into La Sagrada Familia, and discover why it absolutely has to be on your itinerary!

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What is La Sagrada Familia?

To put it simply, La Sagrada Familia is a temple that was designed by world-famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. It was considered his Magnum Opus, but he was unable to finish it before his death more than 100 years ago. To this day, the monument has yet to be finished, and work continues to this day.

Who was Antoni Gaudí?

Antoni Gaudí i Cornet was a Catalan architect born in 1852. His unique style, characterized by the marriage of neo-Gothic art, Oriental art techniques, and a fascination with nature and the human body, led the Catalan Modernism movement. A Barcelona local, his creations are found predominantly in the city.

Rather than working from sketches, Gaudí preferred creating detailed 3D models of his would-be buildings before construction. This often meant more time spent in pre-production than many other architects of his time, but is likely part of the reason his works remain so unique to this day.

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History of La Sagrada Família

The idea for La Sagrada Familia was conceived in 1872, after bookseller and prominent religious organizer Josep Maria Bocabella returned from the Vatican. After seeing the Basilica Della Santa Casa, or Basilica of the Holy House), he wanted to create a similar church in Barcelona.

Josep approached famed Catalan architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who planned to create an authentic Gothic revival church. Work began in 1882, but Villar only oversaw the creation of the apse crypt before resigning from his position in 1883.

That's when our man Gaudí stepped in. After radically redesigning the building, work continued, and he was appointed architect director one year later.

But Gaudí knew his design would take many years to come to fruition. Thankfully, Josep didn't mind this; the work, and the time it would take to finish it, would speak for itself.

However, nearly forty years later, only 20% of the work was complete. And worse yet, Gaudí soon passed away, leaving his understudy Domènec Sugrañes i Gras to carry on in his stead. In fact, both Gaudí and Maria Bocabella are the only two people to be laid to rest in the crypt.

Then, tragedy struck. The Spanish Civil War led to parts of the building being destroyed and the plans being badly burnt. Therefore, once the war was over, it took over 15 years to reconstruct his original plans from early concepts and undamaged sections. In the years since, many architects have taken control of the project.

And now, nearly 150 years after the project was conceived, it's almost complete.

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La Sagrada Familia design and influences

Every inch of the church is symbolic of important elements of Christianity. Originally, eighteen spires were planned, symbolizing Jesus, his twelve disciples, the Virgin Mary, and the four Evangelists (Luke, Mathew, John, and Mark). However, to date, only nine have been completed. A religious man himself, Gaudí insisted that the largest spire, dedicated to Jesus, be shorter than Montjuïc Hill, so as not to surpass divine creation.

The three grand façades are similarly dedicated to important moments in the faith; the Nativity represents the birth of Jesus and life itself, the Passion of his sacrifice, and the Glory of his everlasting reign. Each has its fair share of iconic imagery, ranging from life-affirming to torment.

The interior of the church is a feast for the eyes, with geometric shapes intersecting throughout the pillars and the ceiling. No single surface is flat, as abstract shapes undulate with curves, twists, and jagged edges.

Gaudí's style influenced the Cubism movement, and you can see as much in the church's design.

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Visiting La Sagrada Familia

La Sagrada Familia is easily one of Barcelona's most prominent tourist spots, with thousands of people visiting the breathtaking building every year. And the best way to see it is by taking a guided tour. Your experienced guide will give you insight into every exciting part of its design, from inside to out. They'll unravel every hidden element of symbolism not covered above, and leave you with a newfound appreciation for Gaudí's work.

However, as one of the city's most visited places, you have to book ahead if you want to get a spot. And expect to be among crowds, which has taken on a whole new meaning after recent events!

If you'd rather skip all that and see the church from a different perspective, why not take a Virtual 360 tour of the building without even setting a foot inside? Thanks to the power of virtual reality technology, you can explore every surface up close, all while standing outdoors, away from the hustle and bustle of the church's innards! What would Gaudí think about that? We're sure he'd be impressed.

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Other Gaudí Highlights

Of course, La Sagrada Familia is just one of Gaudí's many creations in Barcelona!

You could stroll around Park Güell and see his many unique creations, including the salamander mosaic El Drac, and ascend the rib-like staircase to the Porter's Lodge.

Why not visit Casa Batlló? It's a homestead turned tourist attraction that's often considered the epitome of Gaudí's finished works.

Or, take a trip to the ghoulish-looking La Pedrera, with its limestone-chiseled walls mimicking bleached bone.

Alternatively, go back to where it all began at Casa Vicens, Gaudí's first-ever architectural work.

Perhaps this all seems a bit pedestrian? If you want to see Gaudí's creations through a different lens, head to the Gaudí Experience 4D and take a breathtaking digital ride through his life, times, and influences.

If getting to all of these on your vacation seems a struggle, board a hop-on hop-off bus tour and get to them all in a single day!

And that's everything you need to know about La Sagrada Familia!

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Best Viewpoints in Barcelona

It’s always good to see life from a different perspective... and here’s how you can do just that with this list of the 10 best viewpoints in Barcelona. At street level it’s sometimes hard to get your bearings in a new city. From above, however, you can see where you’ve been and make sense of one place in relation to another. And you can be sure of some great photo opps too, with amazing Gaudi architecture, free-flowing sunshine and buzzy atmosphere all laid out before you in the Catalan capital. From mountain tops to rooftops, spires, statues and terraces, here’s our top tips for Barcelona sight-seeing that will have you feeling...on top of the world!Get the best view of Barcelona...from...MontjuicTibidaboParc GuellLa Sagrada Familia...and lots more visionary vistas... Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya From the Plaça d’Espana look beyond the Venetian towers to admire the beautiful dome and bell-towers of The Palau Nacional de Montjüic. Originally built for the 1929 World Fair it now houses the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, home to more than 260,000 historic (and contemporary) works. But perhaps not everyone realises that there’s as much to see from it as in it! The two rooftop viewpoints of the Palau Nacional offer 360o panoramic views of Barcelona. Marvel at the famous Magic Fountains, spot the soaring Sagrada Familia and look out for the buildings that were part of the 1992 Olympic Park. The terrace even has a cocktail bar to make the view even more delicious! Montjüic Not high enough for you...? There’s plenty to do and even more to see when you head uphill from the Palau. Take the Funicular de Montjüic to the base station for the cable car - Telefèric de Montjuic, then glide over the tree tops as you look out over the city, the port and the sparkling Mediterranean.The next cable car stop is at Mirador d’Alcalde, a ‘belvedere’, or series of terraces, that provide an even more impressive view and a chance to explore the beautiful public gardens.You may as well go all the way! Montjüic Castle tops the hill; a former fortress and prison, it is now a Military Museum. The best birds-eye view is from the terrace of the Terraz Martinez where you can also enjoy a drink, along with seafood platters and paella said to be among the best in town. Tibidabo Just when you think you’ve reached new heights, we have to break the news that Montjüic is only the second-highest mountain in Barcelona. Just a hill in fact alongside Tibidabo, which, at 512m above sea level, is visible from practically anywhere in the city. The Hop-On Hop-Off bus turistico blue route heads up there, or jump aboard the Tramvia Blau, the charming vintage tram that takes you to the start of the Tibidabo Funicular. This has recently been re-invented as the Cuca de Llum (Glow-worm) with new larger windows for maximum oohing and aahing, educational on-board displays and funky new lights that are most effective after dark. When you land you could take a scenic stroll in the Parc de Colliserola or pause for a panoramic picnic by the church of the Sagrat Cor (Sacred Heart). Tibidabo’s best known attraction however, is probably its amusement park, one of the oldest in the world.The ‘Panoramic Area’ boasts the best views of Barcelona as well as two especially iconic attractions. The famous Avió Plane, the world’s first ever flight simulator, is a replica of the first aircraft to fly from Barcelona to Madrid. Powered by its own propellor since 1928 it gives you all the views, with a side helping of alarm! Meanwhile the Talaia lookout tower, which takes visitors up to a giddying 551m above sea level, was such a hit when it opened in 1921 that people believed it had healing properties and that if children with whooping cough spent a few minutes at the top they’d be cured. Best give it a try! Bunkers of Carmel We all love a hidden gem and, away from the crowds, this is a cute and quirky place to get your cityscape kicks. Whilst it’s becoming increasingly popular, particularly at sunset, it’s still one of the quietest spots to find the most beautiful view of Barcelona.Despite the name, the Bunkers del Carmel, or El Turo de la Rovira (for the hill on which they’re found), were never actually bunkers but, in fact, anti-aircraft fortifications dating back to the Spanish Civil War. Canons were sited on the concrete bases and defenders could survey the entire city. When parts of the city were spruced up for the 1992 Olympics, this historic site got an overhaul, so now you can enjoy the same jaw-dropping vista.Pick the perfect time of day to survey how the Sagrada Familia bestrides the city and gaze beyond Barceloneta beach to the sea. Whether you reach the area by metro, bus or taxi, you’ll still need to be prepared to walk some distance uphill but put on your comfiest trainers, pack a drink or two to share at the top and we promise it’ll be well worth it. Parc Guell How have we got this far into an article about Barcelona and not mentioned Antoni Gaudi? Well hold tight since, as we all know, there are endless captivating examples of his design and architectural genius around the city.Parc Guell is quite literally one of Barcelona’s high-spots. Spread over a once bare hill (it was formerly called Muntanya Pelada (the Bare Mountain) Gaudi transformed it into a lush, flowing park, featuring some of his best work, including the Dragon stairs and the Austrian Gardens. Bag the mandatory selfie with El Drac, the famous Gaudi lizard, then, from the terrace of the ‘Monumental zone’, you can drink in the whole of Barcelona spread below, framed by colourful benches and modernist mosaics, with the Mediterranean sea beyond. Sagrada Familia towers Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece is Barcelona’s most famous icon. Thousands of visitors each day marvel at the endlessly imaginative detail of its facades or stare open-mouthed at the awe-inspiring architecture and dazzling stained glass of the interior. Soak up its secrets on a Sagrada Familia guided tour, then, if you’re here for the views, grab a ticket that takes you to the top of the basilica’s lofty towers.Gaudi’s original vision was for 18 towers, to represent the 12 apostles, the four evangelists, the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Only eight have been finished so far. Should they finally be completed as intended (with that dedicated to Jesus Christ envisaged at 560ft) they will make Sagrada Familia the tallest church building in the world.The richly decorated Nativity tower was the only tower to be built under the supervision of Antoni Gaudi himself so don't miss the chance to see his original work up close and to feel the breeze as you stand on the bridge that connects the towers of the Nativity facade. Facing the east, you can enjoy a stunning view of the city and the mountain ranges beyond.The Passion Tower, representing the passion, death and resurrection of Christ, is much more minimal but the view to the west and the Mediterranean is just as incredible. Gaudi houses Barcelona Not as high up but equally awe-inspiring are the houses Gaudi created on the Passeig de Gràcia. From the rooftop terrace of Casa Battló, where ceramic tiles resemble a dragon’s back, you can look across the old quarter and over to the undulating facade of La Pedrera (sometimes known as Casa Milá). If you visit in summer you might even find special rooftop ‘magic nights’ where the city views are complemented by free drinks and live music!Across the road, on the terrace atop La Pedrera’s huge stone wave, you’ll find twisted, sentinel chimneys, many with warrior helmets, plus spectacular 360o views over the Gracia district and city beyond. Las Arenas de Barcelona Another popular city centre viewing platform - with the rare added bonus of dining and drinking - is the roof terrace of this distinctive building on Plaça d’Espanya, once one of three bullfighting rings in the city, with capacity for around 15,000 spectators. It was later transformed into a shopping and entertainment centre by legendary British architect Richard Rogers. His ambitious design maintained the original facade but added a dome and circular roof terrace. Don’t bother with the separate glass elevator; the lifts inside the shopping centre are free and whisk you up to the rooftop viewing platform and an exciting choice of bars and restaurants. Christopher Columbus statue At the bottom of La Rambla, this 60m high Corinthian column, topped by a bronze statue, marks the spot where the famous explorer first set foot back into Catalonia after his trip to the New World. His arm is pointing south-east towards the sea; not, as many believe towards America, which is in the opposite direction! Hop aboard the lift concealed in the column and join Chris on his lofty pedestal. On windy days you can feel the column flex in the wind. A glassed-in viewpoint just by his feet offers views of the port, La Rambla, the Gothic Quarter, Montjüic and the sparkling Mediterranean so, like him, you can decide just where to explore next! Barcelona’s best rooftop bars If you love living the high life, why not end your day at one of Barcelona’s many rooftop bars?The stylish Sky Bar at Grand Hotel Central is open to non-residents after 8PM for food and cocktails and boasts an infinity pool that appears to cascade towards a view of the whole city. For a magical 360° panorama, treat yourself to Terrat at the Mandarin Oriental, which serves amazing Peruvian food, or take the lift to the 360° terrace at the Barcelo Raval Hotel for classic cocktails, tapas and live DJs on summer weekends.Down at Barceloneta beach you can’t miss the W Barcelona Hotel (more locally known as the Hotel Vela (or Sail Hotel), the conical shaped building that turns blue and red at night. Ride the lift to the Eclipse Bar on the 26th floor to dance the night away, look out over Barceloneta beach and watch the city’s twinkling lights come to life. We hope we’ve inspired you to new heights. For all the high spots and the low down on how to sightsee and save, remember to choose an All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass - only from Go City.
Jo Cooke
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Shopping in Barcelona

  Sights, sunshine... whilst there’s no shortage of reasons to visit the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, shopping in Barcelona is pretty high on the list. As well as being home to some of the best markets in Europe, the city boasts one of the biggest open-air shopping routes. The Barcelona Shopping Line covers five whole kilometers of retail paradise, winding from Port Vell to uptown Diagonal, along La Rambla, through the historic centre and into the Eixample district. So whether you’re a determined shopaholic, a savvy souvenir hunter or simply browsing in between gazing at Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces, you might want to save some room in your suitcase. From bijou boutiques to big name brands, discount designer-wear to the locals’ favourite deli, let us help you pack your bags...with bargains! Best markets in Barcelona Barcelona’s markets are famous the world over with food, fruit and vegetables, art, books and bric-a-brac piled high for your delight. Why not join the Ancient Markets Walking Tour to drop in on a few of them, whilst exploring the ancient streets of the Barrio Gótico (Gothic Quarter)?   Mercat de la Boqueria Barcelona’s famous market, La Boqueria, is a must-do destination for visitors. Enter through its distinctive Art Deco arch from La Rambla and your senses go into overdrive. Crowds of locals and tourists jostle amid rainbow fruit and vegetable displays, brightly coloured smoothies, open-mouthed fish, zingy spices and mountains of meat, cheese, chocolate and much more. Once you’ve selected your savoury souvenirs - or picked up perfect picnic ingredients - perhaps you’ll pause at one of the food trucks for a churro dipped in hot chocolate or a chilled glass of Cava?   Mercat de Sant Antoni Over in the Eixample District, outside stalls sell clothes and homewares whilst, housed in an impressive steel structure that spans an entire block, you’ll find more tempting displays of fresh fruit, veg, meat and seafood. On Sundays the market transforms into a magnet for memorabilia collectors - second-hand books, stamps, coins, comics and magazines are all on offer, alongside vintage clothing, handmade homewares and hand-crafted jewellery.   Mercat dels Encants Meanwhile, at Barcelona’s famous flea market, remember that one person’s trash is another’s treasure! Amid the random rubbish keep your eyes peeled for gems amongst the second hand clothes, books and especially furniture. This chaotic temple of sustainability is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Get there early for the best bargains at the 8am auctions, then pop back at midday when unsold items are reduced! Mercadillo de la Plaça de Sant Josep If you’re in the market (see what we did there) for some art to remind you of the beauty of Barcelona, this small but perfectly formed market is made up of Catalan artists, their easels nestled in the shadow of the church. From watercolours to oils, their work covers every style and medium - and sometimes they are joined by musicians or fortune-tellers to add to the boho vibe. Go see.   Best shopping streets in Barcelona Of course, if sifting through stalls is not your scene there are many, many stupendous stores! But where to start? Here’s a retail rundown of some of Barcelona’s best shopping areas for high street names, designer boutiques and more besides. Plaza de Catalunya is not only the city’s main square and meeting point but a buzzy retail hub. Just off the square, Calle Pelai is packed with fashion stores, whilst a giant neon thermometer hanging over Portal del Angel shows you it’s a shopping hot-spot for European fashion chains including Zara, Pull & Bear, Benetton, H&M and Berska. Look out for quirky independent stores too - and delicious snacks including turrón (a kind of nougat) and artisan ice-cream.   Paseo de Gràcia (Passeig de Gràcia in Catalan) is one of Barcelona’s most elegant promenades, home to both designer stores and high street names, as well as distinctive Art Nouveau buildings including Antoni Gaudi’s visionary Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Running parallel, the equally lively Rambla de Catalunya is also packed with high end stores - not only clothes but beauty products, electronics and unique furniture. Both streets run into Avenida Diagonal, the place to be for international luxury brands including Calvin Klein, Armani, Versace and Gucci.   To the south of La Rambla, the Raval district is popular with those seeking alternative shops. Vintage lovers should head to Calle Riera Baixia and look out for ethnic, Goth and handmade clothes on Calle Tallers. Nearby Sant Antoni sees less tourists but boasts some of the best book shops in Barcelona. For the best boho vibe however, head to the oldest parts of the city. The narrow winding streets of El Born and the Barrio Gòtic are packed with not only upmarket stores but independent shops selling antiques, books, handmade clothes, hats, cutlery and gifts galore.   Best for designer bargains Barcelona is full of big name brands but to bag some at a fraction of the usual price you’ll need to hop on the bus to La Roca Village, part of the same outlet group as London’s famous Bicester Village. This fantastic designer mall, just 30 minutes from the centre, is designed to look like a Spanish town centre, with Gaudi-style mosaics and colourful plants but savvy shoppers come for the discounts not the decor, enjoying savings of up 60% off usual retail prices. Grab your credit card and run amok in almost one thousand boutique stores featuring Spanish fashion and luxury brands like Desigual, Loewe and Balenciaga - and international names including Prada, Burberry, Gucci and Jimmy Choo.   Best shops for souvenirs FC Botiga Since FC Barcelona is one of the world’s biggest football teams, fans won’t want to miss their chance to pick up memorabilia featuring the famous red and blue colours. Take the tour at Camp Nou, Europe’s largest football stadium, then visit the FC Botiga Megastore to pick up and personalize some team kit. You’ll find three whole floors crammed with Barcelona football shirts, scarves, hats, balls, boots and signed team photos. There are several more official FC Barcelona stores around the city, including in Barri Gòtic and Eixample. See what you can score. La Capell Part of the Collegi de Arquitectes in the Gothic Quarter and originally opened as a bookstore dedicated to architecture and art, this is now a fabulous three-storey gift store of uniquely designed souvenirs from Barcelona. The mural outside was designed by Picasso and the gadgets, toys, jewellery, stationery, furniture, homeware and gourmet gifts inside are equally original.   Best for chocolate lovers From handcrafted bon bons to hot chocolate to churros and even a chocolate museum, Barcelona is heaven for chocolate lovers. Pasteleria Escriba is one of the most famous chocolate shops in Barcelona. Its flagship store in the Antigua Casa Figueras has been open on La Rambla since 1906 and its edible murals, chocolate sculptures and spectacular displays are as intricate and popular as the building’s unique facade. Xocoa For a more contemporary take on chocolate follow your nose to over 15 Xocoa boutiques around the city. At Petritxol Xocoa, the original store in the old city, you’ll find a cafe, bakery and endless irresistible creations presented in super chic packaging. Look out for chocolate beauty products, exotically flavoured chocolate bars including orange, rosemary, Jamaican pepper and green tea and, even better, chocolate beer!   Best department store If you still don’t know where to find what you’re looking for, make tracks for El Cortes Inglés; after all it’s hard to miss the huge brutalist concrete building looming over the Plaça de Catalunya. It’s much prettier inside though, with 9 endless floors of...well everything you can think of... from fashion to furniture, kitchenware to a cosmetics floor to die for. You’ll either find just what you need or, should you be overwhelmed by the sheer scale of availability, maybe just take the lift to the top floor, enjoy the view of the square and plan where you’ll go next - with Go City.
Jo Cooke
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Things to do in Barcelona for Adults

Family holidays can be fun. It’s great to share new places and experiences with young children and teenagers too. But sometimes...whether you’re planning a friends’ weekend away, a romantic city break, a solo sojourn, or a group holiday... sometimes we all just need a little... grown-up time. Foodies, fun-seekers, hipsters or history buffs need look no further for the best things to do in Barcelona, as we bring you adult activities where you can kick back, knowing, on this trip at least, there’s no kids allowed! Best beer in Barcelona? Let’s raise a glass to the best adult activities in Barcelona and begin our adventures at the Estrella Damm brewery tour. Learn about the origins of Spain’s oldest brewery where beer is still brewed to the original 1876 recipe. Visit the Kettle Room, the Power Generating Room and the Historical Archive and, best of all, sample four refreshing Mediterranean beers. Cheers! (or Salud! - as they say in Spain.) Get a taste for tapas Keep on tickling your tastebuds with some delicious traditional treats as you hunt for the best tapas in Barcelona. One of the most popular is a Bomba, a fried potato croquette with meat filling, served with salsa brava (spicy tomato sauce) or alioli (garlic sauce). And you can’t go wrong with patatas bravas or salty Padron peppers.It’s more usual in Barcelona however to snack on pintxos (or pinchos), originating in the Basque country but equally popular in Catalonia. What’s the difference between pintxos and tapas? Whilst tapas is usually a small portion of a main dish, served on a plate to be shared and eaten with cutlery, pinchos tend to be a small snack speared onto a piece of bread with a cocktail stick. The word pincho comes from the verb ‘pinchar’, which means ‘to pierce’. These tiny delicious snacks are intended to be enjoyed with a beer or wine whilst you socialise and chat with friends. Spanish waiters keep track of what you owe from the number of cocktail sticks left on your plate. Why not take a tour of the Gothic Quarter with pintxos tasting to enjoy sight-seeing and snacks too? Explore the narrow streets and peaceful squares of this ancient district that, by night, transforms into one of Barcelona’s funkiest hang-outs. See Roman ruins, learn about important figures in the city’s history (including the intriguingly named Wilfredo the Hairy) and, at the end, a local guide will lead you to a cosy bar for your pintxos and a well-earned drink. Discover Barcelona architecture Time to sober up and get serious? Though, in fact, whilst looking at buildings sounds a seriously grown-up pursuit, it’s really pretty fun in Barcelona! From grand Gothic to colourful avant-garde, few other cities blend the old and the new quite so successfully. A Barcelona architecture tour can take you from the largest Art Nouveau building in the world (former hospital Sant Pau Recinte Modernista) to the best Gaudi buildings, including the awe-inspiring Sagrada familia. Drink in the detail of its famous facades, then wend your way to Paseo de Gracia (Passeig de Gràcia in Catalan) to admire the modernist madness of Casa Battló and Casa Mila (otherwise known as La Pedrera). Best shopping in Barcelona As well as Gaudi architecture, this famous Barcelona shopping street is also home to designer stores and high street names. Happily it’s only one of many places across the city where you can shop, shop, shop, unencumbered by kids. Hit Avenida Diagonal for international luxury brands or Portal del Angel for European fashion chains. And whether you’re looking for for bijou boutiques or big name brands, bookshops or boho independents, you can lose yourself for hours in the winding streets of El Born and the Barrio Gòtic.For designer bargains, hopping aboard the bus to La Roca Village, just outside the city, can see you enjoying savings of up to 60% off usual prices on luxury brands like Desigual, Loewe and Balenciaga and international names including Prada, Burberry, Gucci and Jimmy Choo. Ker-ching! Bike to the beach With no children to slow you down or worry about, grab a helmet and jump on your bike to get a whole new view of the city, as fast or slow as you fancy. Barcelona boasts over 150km of cycle paths and if you join an experienced guide for a Barcelona bike tour you’ll get to see all the best bits. Whizz through the old town and the Raval neighborhood, pedal your way to another picture of the Sagrada Familia, wheel through the Olympic Village and cruise down to the vibrant harbour at Port Vell. Then park your bike and take a break on Barceloneta beach, looking over the sparkling Mediterranean. Swish around on a Segway An even more exciting way to travel on two wheels is to sign up for a Barcelona Segway Tour in the picturesque Parc de la Ciutadella. After a briefing on how to operate your new chariot, any initial apprehension is soon overcome and you’ll soon be swooping left and right through more than 40 acres of green space, past the pretty Cascada fountain, the boating lake, Barcelona’s own Arc de Triomf and the 2,000 animal inhabitants of Barcelona zoo. All aboard for a boat party Whilst we’re down near the waterfront why not see what’s all at sea? There are lots of ways for over-18s to make the most of the marvellous Med, from catamaran rental and daytime barbecue boat trips, to a relaxing sunset sail-boat cruise.Or ramp up the fun at a famous Barcelona boat party. Party boats sail from Port Olimpic every Thursday and Saturday in the summer months, with an onboard bar, DJ and dancefloor. Dance or drink aboard the double-deck boats, where beer, sangria or soft drinks are included in your ticket price. Boat party tickets often also include discounts on entrance and VIP packages at some of the best clubs in Barcelona, including Pacha, Opium and Catwalk. Best clubs in Barcelona Grown-ups don’t need to worry about bedtime and those beachside clubs that stay open until 6am are among the very best Barcelona nightlife. After you’ve played all day here’s our run-down of where to party all night. Pacha needs no introduction, bringing the Ibiza experience to Barna (as the inhabitants call the city). Its sleek white interior and stunning beach view, but particularly its famous name, attract the very best international DJs. Meanwhile, EDM empire Opium has a huge beach terrace and capacity for 3,000 and is still always packed with beautiful people from around the world.On the far side of town Otto Zutz has the same classy upmarket feel as the beach clubs but without the tourists and is where the stylish locals go for hip hop, R&B, commercial and house hits.In edgy El Raval, depending on your tastes, check out techno temple Moog, or Sala Apolo which has a different vibe every night of the week, through indie, urban, pop and electronic.Sala Razzmatazz, in the industrial area of Poblenou, is Barcelona’s biggest and best known nightclub. Five rooms, featuring every type of music, play host to international DJs and acts who frequently go on to become world famous. Day or night, an Explorer Pass or All Inclusive Pass allows you to make the most of every moment. See more and do more, for less - with Go City.
Jo Cooke

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