Barcelona Travel Guide

Sharks in the city

2009-09-14T01:38:00.001-07:00

The Aquàrium of Barcelona inaugurates a program of special weekend activities from September to December 2009. The visitor can enjoy the 35 aquariums, 450 species and the different exhibitions that lodge, and can experience by itself many of the different sensations that an expert in marine Biology lives when he carries out his work. You can also sleep with sharks! Visit the web www.aquariumbcn.com

Treasures in an old palace

2009-05-26T02:54:00.001-07:00

The Fundació Francisco Godia, in the old Garriga-Nogués house, it's a lovely museum in a modernist house, with spectacular stairs of marble, beautiful windows and paintings. This building has been recovered and rehabilitated to transform it into a modern space, in accordance with a great collection. You can see two hundred and sixty pieces of medieval, baroque art, Modernisme and art of XIX and XX centuries, and a good selection of ceramics. The treasures of the collection are the Virgin of Milk, the Maria Magdalena of Jaume Huguet, the works of Luca Giordano and Zurbarán and the modern creations of Sorolla, Nonell, Mir, Casas, Gimeno, Picasso, Tàpies and Barceló.

Fundació Francisco Godia. Casa Garriga Nogués. C/ Diputació. 08007 Barcelona. Tel. 93 272 31 80. www.fundacionfgodia.org

Barcelona's first elephant

2009-05-25T07:47:00.001-07:00

L'Avi (“the Grandfather”) was the first elephant of the Zoo of Barcelona. Its original name was Baby, but it was known as L’Avi. It was the most emblematic animal of the period. In May of 1914 it died as a consequence of a wound on the left leg.

After its preparation it was exhibited in the Museum of Zoology until 2001, when the skeleton was disassembled.

Now this emblematic elephant is shown to the citizens again completely restored. You can visit L’Avi inside the building of Zoology of the Natural History Museum of Barcelona (Parc de la Ciutadella).

Parc de la Ciutadella, s/n.  08003 Barcelona.  Tel. 93 256 22 00.   E-mail: museuciencies@bcn.cat. Web: http://w10.bcn.es

Catalonia's capital

2009-05-25T06:18:00.001-07:00

Catalonia’s capital is one of the most cool and beautiful cities in Europe and an extremely popular tourist destination. Everyone can find his own Barcelona; the city has lots of narrow streets, dozens of cafes and museums, sunny beaches, lovely parks, medieval churches and high doses of bohemian charm.

Catalans are known for their independent spirit and their sense of humour. Their language is catalan, but everybody understands spanish. Some people speaks english, but if you do not speak spanish (or preferably catalan), you are better off with a phrase book to guide you around.

Spring is the best time to visit the city, with a temperature of round and about 20 degrees Celsius. During the summer, it can get very hot and humid (about 30 degrees).

I’m going to recommend you the best places to visit in Barcelona. Let’s go!