Where: Barcelona, Spain
When: May 13, 2013
With: Suzannah, Rachel, and Aryeh
Staying in Barcelona, you can tell that this is a city that's been occupied for quite a long time. The streets move in a haphazard way with little planning and lots of spontaneity. And the best place to experience this maze of culture and Catalan is in the Ciutat Vella, or "old city".
Our hotel was right in the heart of it all, overlooking a small plaza that was bordered by cafes on one side and the walls of a church on the other. In case you forgot what part of Spain you were in, the many Catalan flags around the area reminded you.
Navigating the narrow streets, surrounded on either side by four-story buildings, you have to abandon yourself to exploring, as getting lost was just part of the adventure.
Occasionally, the streets opened up into large plazas that brought the quiet atmosphere in the alleyways to a dead stop. Bustling and energetic, with people all around, these places were hubs of tourists, entertainers and buildings.
And not all of the old town was "old". Modern architecture and design has most definitely made its way into these side streets, making sure you are constantly searching down each alleyway for the next discovery.
Back into the Ciutat Vella, sitting at the heart of the old neighborhood is the Ramblas, a long street that runs from the Placa Catalunya all the way to the water. It's lined with trees, shops, tourists, music, and street performers.
When: May 13, 2013
With: Suzannah, Rachel, and Aryeh
Staying in Barcelona, you can tell that this is a city that's been occupied for quite a long time. The streets move in a haphazard way with little planning and lots of spontaneity. And the best place to experience this maze of culture and Catalan is in the Ciutat Vella, or "old city".
Our hotel was right in the heart of it all, overlooking a small plaza that was bordered by cafes on one side and the walls of a church on the other. In case you forgot what part of Spain you were in, the many Catalan flags around the area reminded you.
Navigating the narrow streets, surrounded on either side by four-story buildings, you have to abandon yourself to exploring, as getting lost was just part of the adventure.
Occasionally, the streets opened up into large plazas that brought the quiet atmosphere in the alleyways to a dead stop. Bustling and energetic, with people all around, these places were hubs of tourists, entertainers and buildings.
The closest plaza to our hotel (that I'd like to say we found, but more like we stumbled upon in a hungover stupor) was the Placa Nova. On the edge of this square sat the Barcelona Cathedral. On Sunday afternoons, crowds of locals and tourists alike gather to do a dance called the sardana. In typical Barcelona fashion of old clashing with new, this 800-year-old cathedral was sitting right by the Mercat de Santa Caterina, a wavy, rainbow tiled roof housing shops and stores that stood out from a mile away.
Another famous plaza on the edge of this old neighborhood holds Barcelona's own Arc de Triomf. What European city would be complete without one?
One of the largest plazas in Barcelona is the Plaça de Catalunya. This is considered the city's center, and where the main neighborhoods of Barcelona all meet. It is completely overrun with pigeons, but the mosaic-tiled star in the middle of it all provides a great meeting point, as we learned trying to meet up with Rachel and Aryeh when none of us had cell phone service.
The main heart of the old city is defined by the centuries-old Roman walls that still stand in certain parts. It's cool to see the houses and shops that have sprung up around and as part of the wall.
I think one of the things that stood out most to me was the artwork in the old city. Part graffiti, part excellently-decorated storefronts, but all of it was fascinating.
And not all of the old town was "old". Modern architecture and design has most definitely made its way into these side streets, making sure you are constantly searching down each alleyway for the next discovery.
The old town, as you may expect for a city that got its start as a port town, runs itself right down to the edge of water. Even here, the quirky design elements continue on as you stroll along the edge of the harbor.
As the buildings become more modern and industrial (at this point, we are probably outside the "old city"), they continue to have fun from an architectural standpoint.
And at the beach, the unique designs paint the skyline with interesting shapes and structures.
Back into the Ciutat Vella, sitting at the heart of the old neighborhood is the Ramblas, a long street that runs from the Placa Catalunya all the way to the water. It's lined with trees, shops, tourists, music, and street performers.
A favorite stop off the Ramblas is the Mercat de la Boqueria. Selling fruit, fish, and as much jamon as the eye can see, it's a field day for your senses and your appetite.
The final icing on the old city cake was definitely the churros. We couldn't decide what dipping chocolate to choose, so we tried three (it seemed sensible). Tucked away in the alleyways of the old city, this was a perfect way to end our time in Barcelona.
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