A Weekend Break to Barcelona

I first went to Barcelona nearly two decades ago, in those days it was a springboard to a week in Ibiza, you know the idea, have a day or so of culture before a blow out on the party isle - that way you didn't have to feel guilty!

Of course that's all changed, when I go to Barcelona these days, it's not as a springboard but rather because Barcelona is a very cool place to visit.

I've just jotted down on this page my idea of the essential Barcelona, can't imagine that everybody would agree with my choices, but if nothing else it should act as a good starting point.

Let's get a sense of history to begin with, the Christopher Columbus Monument, which is a bronze statue of Columbus standing on the top of a 40m cast iron column, obviously he is very famous and a tremendously important historical figure ... appropriately enough you find him down by the harbour, there is a maritime museum there too - but I'd give that a miss if this is your first trip and time is short.

The harbour area, like that of so many big European cities has transformed itself in the last few years and is considerably more visitor friendly than it was in the past, so after the Columbus monument head down to the sea and take a look, check out the yatchs and so on, quite a pleasant hour or so ... there are Barcelona beaches, however I'd assume that you haven't come for them as they are full of rocks.

The most famous street is Las Ramblas, which is well served with cafes and restaurants, making it a great place to sit back, chill and watch the world go by, there are loads of market type stalls selling flowers and somewhat intriguingly several pet stalls with wild birds in cages! In the evening the street is crawling with buskers, gypsy tarot readers and various other flotsom.

While in the Ramblas area I'd go to the museum of Erotica (96 Ramblas) - you have to search around for the entrance but trust me it is there - you'll find the place somewhat small, interesting and inoffensive (eg. safe to take the gf/bf without freaking them out!!)

Nearby is the Boqueria Market, just ask any of the locals for directions and you will find the most tremendous fresh food market, probably best to shut your eyes while walking past some stalls if you're a veggie ... don't miss this place, it has style, atmosphere and coffee stops!!

Ok, back to the essential museums and monuments ... If you don't know who Gaudi is now, then you soon will, he is quite an unusual architect ... and that's a typical British understatement! His piece de resistance, is the cathedral - Sagrada Familia - you'll need to take the bus out there but I guarantee you'll like it, it is still work in progress (and he died in 1926!!!)

Additionally there is a small Picasso museum, which is good because the queue isn't too long and it's pretty small, so well suited to people like me who enjoy their culture in bite sized pieces!!

While on the 20^th century artists theme, there is a fabulous museum to Miro as well which could be worth a squeeze into your schedule.

Make sure you do one of those open topped bus tours, ok, it is naff but I'm not ashamed to admit I always take one the first time I visit somewhere new ... they really do give you a decent overview of a city.

I'd say these few things will keep you busy for pretty much the whole weekend, I hope you enjoy Barcelona, I've certainly had fun there over the years!!