What I did and saw: Alhambra and Generalife- The iconic Alhambra is a picturesque, historic site that is visible from most places in the city. It frequently sells out, so I would suggest booking in advance. Also, the ticket time refers to the entrance to the Nasri Palace, not the entrance to the park. The park can be accessed both before and after the Nasri Palace, and I would suggest taking advantage of this because there is plenty of room to explore such as the Charles IV Palace (with exhibits inside), the Alcazaba (with some amazing views of the Sierra Nevada and of the city). Mirador San Nicolas- The Saint Nicholas lookout offers some excellent nighttime views of Alhambra. Also, while I was there some musicians were playing. It is a great place to hang out and talk with friends. Patio de los Perfumes- I am not a cologne or perfume expert, and I don’t even wear cologne most days. However, the Patio de los Perfumes offers a unique experience. They let you make your own personal cologne or perfume for about the cost of a standard cologne or perfume. They give the option of making everything from scratch for a slightly higher price, or selecting from a set of bases and building from there. A trained perfume expert walked me through the process and gave me tips along the way, but she allowed me to pick the scents I wanted to add to my cologne. It was a unique and enjoyable experience. Holy Week Processions- In Andalucia Holy Week (the week leading up to Easter) is a big production. One of the main events of the week are the processions, which are large parades where many church patrons will wear outfits that are unfortunately similar to KKK outfits in a variety of different colors. Also, some patrons will carry floats depicting religious scenes. Outsides of the Granada Cathedral and the Plaza de toros de Granada- I was only able to see the outside of the Granada Cathedral and the Plaza de toros de Granada. However, I would like to get the chance to see the inside of both of them, particularly the Cathedral. Where I ate and drank: El Fermentador- Although it is slightly outside the city center, El Fermentador is on the way into the city from the main bus station. It is a great place to go for excellent craft beer in Granada. Al Sur de Granada- I stopped at Al Sur de Granada on the way to the bus station, and I was very glad I did. They offer a great selection of wine, craft beer, cheese, bread, and produce. It was so good that after having something there I got more to go to take with me on the bus to Seville. Bodegas Castenada- Bodegas Castenada is a great place to try the famous Iberian Bellota (acorn-fed) ham. It is a place where you can get all kinds of pork and other typical spanish tapas. Ysla Piononos- Ysla is a good place to try Pionons, which are a sweet pastry local to the Granada area. It is small and very sweet, and although it doesn’t top my list of favorite desserts it was definitely worth a try. Minuit, Noat Coffee, Dulcimena Coffee & Go, and La Finca Coffee- Each of these coffee shops were recommended to my by the staff at one of my favorite coffee shops in Spain, Mia Coffee in Malaga. Minuit offers espresso based drinks and some great bread. I had a cappuccino and an open faced salmon avocado sandwich while I was there. Noat has some good healthy food options and great coffee. While I was there they were using beans from Right Side Coffee Roasters in Castelldefels. Dulcimena is a tiny place that serves great coffee. I had a Kenyan Chemex while I was there. La Finca is another good place to get coffee that is located right by the Granada Cathedral. Taberna El Aviso and Taberna La Tana- Both Taberna El Aviso and Taberna La Tana are located in the Realejo area of Granada. Many people will hop from place to place in the area grabbing a drink and a free tapa. It is a nice way to explore the city while sampling good wine and free food. La Hermosa Craft Beer Shop- Located right by the hostel I was staying at, La Hermosa Craft Beer Shop offers some good craft beer close to many of the main sites in Granada. Their selection is not extremely large, but they pair their beers with snacks like chocolate that complement the flavors very well. Bar Los Diamantes- There will often be a wait at Bar Los Diamantes, but it is worth a wait. They offer very good free food with any drink, and it is located in close proximity to many of the main sites in the city. Where I stayed: White Nest Hostel- I stayed at White Nest Hostel while in Granada. The staff there were extremely nice and even upgraded my room to one with a better view of Alhambra. I didn’t have breakfast there as it looked pretty basic and cost four euros. It is not an incredibly extravagant place, but it is very well priced, very well located, and I would stay there again. How I got around: I arrived in Granada by bus from Malaga, and I left the city by bus to go to Seville. While in Granada I walked to get around, and despite some hills and processions going on I found it to be very walkable. My favorite thing:
I loved the Bellota ham, making my own cologne was a fun experience, El Fermentador had some great craft beer, and getting free tapas is really nice. However, my favorite thing in Granada was Alhambra. It is beautiful and expansive yet intricate, and definitely worth visiting. My least favorite thing: My least favorite parts of my time in Granada were the bus rides in and out of the city from Malaga and to Seville. The hilly terrain makes for windy roads that don’t always go well with my stomach. For next time: Next time in Granada I would like to sample more of the free tapas and I would like to go inside the Granada Cathedral.
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While most other crime is not really an issue, pickpocketing is a massive issue in Barcelona. I personally have been pickpocketed twice, once when my phone was swiped out of my back pocket while on the metro, and once when my phone was swiped from my front jacket pocket when I was bumped into while walking on the sidewalk. Partially due to the high prevalence of pickpocketing in the city, many people in the Barcelona area will wear “riñoneras.” This literally translates to “kidney bags,” and it is essentially a fanny pack/bum bag that is worn across your body. This helps to significantly reduce the risk of being pickpocketed, because a potential thief would need to unzip or unlatch your bag right in front of your face. To reduce the risk of being pickpocketed a third time, I use my Bobby Anti-Theft Backpack and my Joe Rogan Datsusara Fanny Pack. I have already reviewed the Bobby Anti-Theft Backpack, but here are my thoughts on the Joe Rogan Datsusara Fanny Pack:
Advantages: Good size- The Joe Rogan Datsusara Fanny Pack doesn’t stick out as much as other fanny packs/bum bags. It has enough space to fit what I need without being too bulky. Also, it can be good to take on a plane as a personal item. You may even be able to have it counted as a money bag and not have it count towards any bag, but I have not tried that myself. Quality material- The bag is made from hemp, which is a fairly sustainable material that is also durable and anti-microbial. The zippers on the bag are also high quality YKK zippers. Organization- The bag features a small Velcro pocket, a small zippered pocket, and a larger zippered pocket. The larger pocket also features a divider, and can easily fit items the size of a standard smartphone, passport, or wallet. Versatility- I wear it across my body in Barcelona, but it can also be worn as an actual fanny pack/bum bag if you are in a location where pickpocketing is not such an issue. It can also be easily connected to my Datsusara Battlepack Core Backpack. Disadvantages: Strap- The strap isn’t the most comfortable bag strap, but it is originally designed to be worn around your waist, not across your body. Also, with its size I’m not really going to carry anything that would be heavy enough to even notice the strap anyway. Pickpocketing exists- It sucks that there is a need for a bag to prevent pickpocketing. This isn’t really a disadvantage regarding the bag, but more about the world. However, even if I didn’t need to prevent pickpockets, this bag still functions very well as a way to add a bit of carrying space without taking a full size bag, or as a way to add a little room to my Datsusara Battlepack Core Backpack. Bottom line: I would highly recommend this bag is you are in an area where pickpocketing is an issue. And as mentioned above, this bag can be great to use in areas where pickpocketing is not an issue as a way to have a little extra space and convenience. What I did and saw: Salvador Dali House Museum- While Salvador Dali was born in Figueres, he lived much of his life in a seaside house in Portlligat. He bought a handful of huts owned by fishermen and converted them into his house overlooking the picturesque bay. The beautiful Portlligat Bay is heavily featured in many of Dali’s works. Walked along the waterfront- The seaside towns of Portlligat and Cadaqués are very nice places to walk through. The water is beautiful and clear, and the small streets are winding, pretty, and interesting. Where I ate and drank: Cadaques Cafe Cucina Italiana- I wasn’t expecting to find excellent Italian food in Cadaqués, but I did. The meal I had there was great, the the tiramisu is some of the best tiramisu I have ever had, including my time in Italy. Where I stayed and how I got around: I stayed in Figueres, Dali’s town of birth, and took a bus to Cadaqués. I am not (or at least my stomach isn’t) typically a fan of winding, hour long bus rides, but it is one of the view ways to get to Cadaqués and Portlligat. Once in Cadaqués I walked to get around the city and to Portlligat. My favorite thing:
The town of Cadaqués was pretty, the tiramisu from Cadaqués cafe was delicious, and visiting Dali’s house was very interesting, but my favorite part of Cadaqués and Portlligat were the beautiful ocean views. It is easy to see how the Portlligat Bay could inspire many paintings. My least favorite thing: I am not a fan of winding bus rides and would prefer to take trains or planes, but unfortunately the bus was my only option to get to Cadaqués and Portlligat. For next time: Cadaqués and Portlligat is a relatively small area, but if I get an opportunity to go there again I would be interested in spending more time at the beaches and bays there. When traveling, electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets can make things much more convenient. However, if they are out of power they are useless. Unfortunately some hostels may not have a plug for every bed. Sometimes it can be difficult to find an outlet in an airport or train station. Not every seat on planes and trains have outlets. And sometimes you might stay out all day past the point when your device would run out of power. However, that is where portable chargers come in handy. I have found them to be very useful and have used a handful of different varieties, but the Anker PowerCore 13000 is the best one I have found and is the one I currently use. Here are my thoughts on it:
Advantages: Charge capacity- The PowerCore 13000 has, as the name suggests, has 13,000 mAh. This term stands for milliamp hours, and is just a measure of battery capacity. I have found that the PowerCore 13000 can fully charge my phone multiple times without needing a recharge itself, and can bring my iPad from below twenty percent to fully charged. Charge speed- The PowerCore 13000 has something called PowerIQ, which basically means that it charges devices quickly. It seems to recharge my devices even faster than if they are plugged into a standard outlet. The PowerCore 13000 fully recharges overnight, ready to go for the next day out. Size- The PowerCore 13000 is not the smallest or lightest portable charger, but it is very efficient with its size. It is 3.8 x 3.1 x 0.9 inches and weighs 8.99 ounces. You would be hard pressed to find another portable battery that packs 13000 mAh into a size that small. Two outputs- With two USB outputs, the PowerCore 13000 can charge two devices at the same time. If your travel partner needs a charge they can plug their device into your PowerCore 13000. Or if they have their own you can take turns using each other’s, so you can have one in use and one recharging. Price- When everything above is taken into consideration, the Anker PowerCore 13000 is relatively very inexpensive. It costs around $37 on Amazon, and will occasionally go on sale also. Disadvantages: Slow double charge- If two devices are being charged at the same time, the charging time for each is slowed down somewhat. Bottom line: I highly recommend the Anker PowerCore 13000. It has worked extremely well for me and has proven to be very reliable. When the advantages and disadvantages above are weighed out, the advantages come out on top by far. I have been very happy with my purchase and continue to use it regularly. I have talked about speakeasies in Barcelona in a previous post, but there some other great places that are hidden in plain sight. They do not require a password to enter, you just need to know where to find them. Here they are: Caelum- Caelum looks like it is just selling candies and sweets, but they offer more than that. Once you go inside, there are stairs that lead to a cool basement area where they serve a variety of cakes, small desserts, craft beer, good drinks, and a nice tea menu. It is easy to walk past but worth stopping in. Å Bar- Kælkerkold is a great craft beer spot just off La Rambla. While many people walk past the spot, they do not know that inside Kælkerkold is a quality cocktail bar called Å Bar. Just go inside, go past the Kælkerkold bar, down a few steps, and you arrive at Å Bar. If you prefer craft beer to cocktails you can grab one from Kælkerkold and bring it back with you. It’s the best of both worlds. Antic Teatre- Located around the corner from the Palau de la Música Catalana, Antic Teatre is another place that is very easy to walk past. However, once you enter and go up the stairs it opens up to a cool garden area where you can grab a drink and a snack. The prices are very economical for bar Iberian bar snacks like olives, and in terms of drinks they offer wine, beer, and cocktails. The wine or vermouth are probably the best value buys, as the craft beer they do have is a bit pricy, while the wine and vermouth are good and relatively cheap. El Bosc de les Fades- Connected to the wax museum just off La Rambla is El Bosc de les Fades. With some of the wax displays it is a bit magical and can be a bit creepy, but it is very unique. They don’t have anything amazing or unique in terms of food and drink, but they do offer good wine and sangria for good prices, especially when considering the unique fantastical forest setting and the proximity to La Rambla. They operate as a cafe during the day and a wine bar at night. Bar Jardí-
Located in the Gothic Quarter not far from La Rambla, Bar Jardí is an oasis in a tourist heavy part of town. Set amongst a bunch of shops, looks for the A-frame sign for Bar Jardí, go through the stores, and follow the neon sign up the steps. Once you go up the steps the garden bar opens up. They serve various espresso drinks, vermouth, cocktails, wines, and a few craft beers. What I did and saw: Dali Museum- Salvador Dali was undeniably a unique person that was born in the city of Figueres. I was previously able to see many of his works at the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, but the entire museum in Figueres was actually designed by the artist himself. Dali is buried in a crypt below the museum. It is one of the more interesting art museums I have ever visited. Explored the city- Thanks in large part to Dali and those inspired by him, there is some interesting art around the small town of Figueres. It is a nice small town to walk around with, like many Catalonian cities, a nice “Rambla” to walk down and many interesting side streets. What I ate and drank: Bocam- Bocam is a very good restaurant that serves excellent local food with a unique flair. They even serve a dessert molded into an egg in honor of the nearby Dali Museum. Dalicatessen- I stopped for a cappuccino at Dalicatessen, in view of the Dali Museum. I’m not typically a fan of espresso drinks, and it wasn’t the best cappuccino I’ve ever had. That being said, it wasn’t horrible and it was very conveniently located. Casa Ribas- Casa Ribas is a nice play to go if you want to buy some wine. They have a very nice selection of local products. Where I stayed: Hotel Emporda- Located a 15 minute walk from downtown, Hotel Emporda was a very nice place to stay in Figueres. It was very clean and comfortable, and the surrounding views were beautiful. How I got around: I reached Figueres by train from Barcelona through Girona. Once in Figueres I walked to get around the small town, and took a bus to visit Cadaques and Portlligat. My favorite thing:
The main reason most people visit Figueres, and the reason I went, was to visit the unique Dali art and museum in his birthplace. My least favorite thing: As it is a small town, Figueres doesn’t have all of the options and amenities that a bigger city will offer. Don’t expect to find craft coffee or an excellent breakfast, but do expect to see some interesting pieces of art. For next time: If I am in Figueres again I would like to try out more of the local restaurants. I would also be interested in seeing more of the Emporda area. Traveling by train can be a great way to get around the Iberian peninsula. The main train company in Spain is Renfe. They will usually open tickets up for sale about three months in advance, and their website is fairly easy to use. In addition to the Renfe website, Renfe trains will also show up on Loco2 and Google flights. If you find tickets through Loco2 you can book the tickets directly through them, but if you find them on Google flights you will need to be redirected to the Renfe website before you can purchase them. However, using Google flights allows you to compare the train times and prices to flight times and prices. I have traveled by train a handful of times, and here are my thoughts on train travel in Spain: Advantages: Comfort- Trains give you freedom to move that busses, cars, and planes cannot provide. I don’t have to have my seatbelt on at all times, and I can get up and move around on trains. I can sometimes get carsick in cars and busses, but trains are smoother so I don’t run into that issue. Also, I can get move around, dont need seatbelt. The seats on long distance Spanish trains also tend to be more comfortable than most seats on planes. No liquid limits and less waiting- When going through airport security you cannot bring liquid in containers larger than 3.4oz (100ml). However, on trains you can bring a massive bottle of water (or wine) with you. Also, you don’t have to worry about arriving hours in advance to go through security, because you can usually get through train security in just a couple minutes, making for a less stressful travel experience. Better for the environment- Trains do significantly less damage to the environment than other methods of travel such as cars and planes. Riding on trains is one way to minimize your carbon footprint. Disadvantages: Seat not always assigned- On some train routes seats are not assigned, and there may be a lack of open seats available. Also, the seats on trains where the seats aren’t assigned will usually be less comfortable than the seats on the trains with assigned seats. Can be more expensive and take longer- Many times train tickets in Spain can be significantly more expensive than a flight or a bus. Also, depending on which cities you want to travel between there may not be a direct train route between them, making other methods of transportation much faster (in addition to a plane already traveling at a higher speed). No Priority Pass lounges- If you have airport lounge access, you can sit in a relaxing area and get a free bite to eat and a free drink in many airports around the world. While there are some train lounges in Spain, they are not affiliated with a program like Priority Pass. Lounge access at train stations in Spain is typically only available if you have purchased a full price first class ticket. Bottom line: Trains are my preferred method of travel when price and time are relatively equal to or better than other methods of transportation. However, when a flight will get me there much cheaper and quicker, it makes more sense to fly. In the United State alcohol was made illegal from 1920-1933. During this time, know as prohibition, there were a number of speakeasies that served alcohol illegally. They were known as speakeasies because patrons needed to keep their existence on the down low, and they usually had a secret entrance and/or password required to enter. I was able to visit an original speakeasy that is still open in New York City. Although alcohol is currently legal in most parts of the world, some bars have brought back the concept of secret bars and opened them up to many parts of the world. I have visited hidden bars in places around the world, from Chicago to Montreal to Berlin. Barcelona also has some of these clandestine bars, and here are a few I have been able to visit:
Paradiso- Rooftop Smokehouse is one of the best places to get a deli-style sandwich in Barcelona, but they have a not so well kept secret inside their location in the El Born neighborhood. If you enter through what appears to be the door to the refrigerator, it opens up into one of the best bars in Barcelona. Unfortunately the secret has gotten out a bit and there will usually be a line and a wait to get in (which takes away from the fun of the speakeasy a bit), but once inside the taste of the drinks and their presentation are both world class. Their glasses are custom made to fit the unique style of their different drinks. They even have an extra secret room inside the speakeasy that you can access by renting it out for a few hundred euros, or if you happen to be lucky enough to be there when it is unoccupied they might let you in for a bit. Bobby’s Free- It may look like a barber shop, but I was told that they only cut hair there in “emergency” situations to maintain their cover. A password is required to enter, which can be found on their social media pages and changes monthly. After successfully delivering the password, a hidden door will open and lead into an excellent bar with tasty drinks with great presentation. Tuxedo Social Club- Tuxedo Social Club list their GPS coordinates on their webpage, but not their address. A membership card is required to enter, but you can sign up for a free membership on their website. Once you’ve registered, you can find the bookshelves on a small street near the Santa Caterina market and enter through them. There are a few rules to maintain the vibe of the speakeasy, so phone calls, photos, loitering at the entrance, an impoliteness are not permitted. What I did and saw: Spinola Bay and waterfront- The island of Malta has some beautiful coastline to walk along. I walked along the water from St. Julian’s to Sliema, and the views were beautiful. There are also some nice places to sit and take in the views with a cup of coffee as well. I also stopped along the way to check out Saint Julian’s Tower, which was built in 1658 and has now been converted into a restaurant. Victorian bathing pools- Along the Sliema coast there are some small pools that have been cut into the rock coastline. It would be a nice place to go for a dip, but it was unfortunately too cold when I was there. Still, it is a great place to sit and relax even if you don’t go for a swim. Where I ate and drank: Champs Pastizzeria- Pastizzi are light and flaky Maltese pastries that are typically filled with either mashed peas or ricotta cheese. Champs is a nice place to try them, and they are open all day and night. Lot Sixty One Coffee Roasters- In addition to their spot in Valletta, Lot Sixty One also has a location in St. Julian’s. There are a handful of interesting restaurants in the same building, and there is also a nice outdoor seating area where you can enjoy the beautiful Maltese weather. They served me the best coffee I had while in the area. Manouche Craft Bakery & Bistro- At Manouche there are a handful of healthy food options and a large amount of tasty (but not so healthy) options. It is located close to Lot Sixty One in case you want a great coffee before or after your meal. Pure Living- Pure Living is an excellent cafe. It is set in a basement with a layout than can be conducive to working or to relaxing. In addition to a number of delicious, healthy food and drink, they also sell a number of other products like Dr. Bronner’s soap and bamboo combs. Coffee Circus Tigne- Coffee Circus Tigne is a small, cozy little place that serves espresso drinks as well as filter drinks. While I was there I was able to get an Aeropress to go and take it to go enjoy more of the Maltese coastline. Cafe Jubilee- Like their location in Valletta, Cafe Jubilee is a nice place to grab a bite to eat or a drink. They serve good food at good prices. While I was there I was able to try the Fenek Imtektek Bil-Hwawar U L-Laring, which was rabbit that is slow-cooked in spices and orange zest. I also was able to try a bit of their Nanna’s (Grandma’s) Ravioli. Where I stayed: Luma Residence- Overall, Luma Residence was a nice place to stay. They do not have a 24 hour check in desk, but they can leave your key in a lock box if you are set to arrive at a late hour. The rooms were clean and comfortable, but there would be some noise late at night from the surrounding bars. It was a good jumping off point for day trips to places like Mdina and Valletta. How I got around: Due to its small size, Malta does not really have a train system. However, also due to its small size, many places in Malta are relatively easy to reach by bus or ferry. They offer a “tallinja” card that gives 12 rides for 15 euros, but if you travel at certain hours or on certain routes it will count as two rides. I was able to use the bus system to get to and from the airport, Mdina, and Valletta. My favorite thing:
Lot Sixty One Coffee Roasters is an excellent spot to get coffee and Pure Living is an excellent cafe with some great options. My favorite thing in Sliema, Gzira, and St. Julian’s was the walk along the beautiful Maltese coastline. My least favorite thing: St. Julian’s is a big party destination for many European tourists, and which turns some areas of town into dirtier places that stay loud into the morning. That being said, it really wasn’t that bad while I was there. For next time: Next time in Malta I would like to go to the Plaza shopping center and see the craft beer selection they have for sale there. I would also like to visit some beaches and see much more of the island including St. Paul’s Bay and Gozo, among others. If you are looking to spend money in Barcelona, there are some excellent places to do so. However, if you are on a tight budget it is still possible to enjoy this beautiful city without spending too much. Here are a few of my tips for enjoying Barcelona on a budget: Explore the parks- Barcelona has some nice parks throughout the city, the biggest of which is the Parc de la Ciutadella. They are great places to go for a jog, have a picnic, or just hang out. When buying food for a picnic, grocery stores like Aldi, Lidl, and Mercadona can be great places to get lower-priced food. Also, Barcelona has some excellent local market that can allow you to taste some Catalonian delicacies for a fraction of what they would cost at a restaurant or bar. Drink wine- Unlike restaurants in the United States, restaurants in Barcelona (and much of Europe) do not serve free water. However, they do serve inexpensive, quality wine that can sometimes be even cheaper than the water. While there are some places to get quality craft beer in Barcelona, wine will give you the most value for your euros by far. To get you fill of water you can bring a refillable water bottle with you and fill it up at the many fountains around city. The tap water doesn’t have a great taste, but it's free from fountains and there are plenty of other tasty things in the city. Eat the menu del dia, pintxos, and tapas- Monday through Friday many restaurants in Barcelona will offer a “Menu del dia.” It is a fixed price menu that will usually be between 9-15 euros and will usually include an appetizer, and main dish, a glass of wine, and a dessert or an espresso. Pintxos are small pieces of food on top of a piece of bread that are held together by a long toothpick. They will be displayed buffet style, and you pay per stick which range in price from one to a few euros. In Barcelona, tapas are small dishes that are meant to be shared, but unlike much of Andalusia they unfortunately do not usually come with a free drink. For tapas it is best to go as a group and order a handful of different tapas so you all try a variety of Catalonian cuisine. Also, when choosing a restaurant it is typically best to avoid restaurants located on main streets like La Rambla. Take a free walking tour- As I have recommended before, free walking tours can be a great way to begin to explore a new city. The tours usually last two hours or so, and at the end of the tour you pay whatever you think the tour was worth. My favorite free walking tour company is Sandemans, but there are a number of different good ones in many cities throughout the world. And if you want more freedom with your tour times and locations, GPSmyCity is a great app to use. You can customize your own walking tour and go on the tour at any time you please. They have both a free and a premium version. Use hostels or points- Barcelona has a ton of different hostel options throughout the city. I will usually use HostelWorld or Booking.com when looking for and booking hostels. In the low season (winter) the accommodation prices will typically be much cheaper than the high (summer) season. Also, using hotel program or credit card points (like Chase Ultimate Rewards points) can be a great way to stay on budget with accommodation. Walk and use public transport- Unlike much of the United States, the public transportation is pretty good in Barcelona. For most Barcelona visitors a T10 will give you the best value. It offers ten rides at slightly more than a euro a ride, and can be used by multiple people (as long as they each scan the card). Barcelona is a very walkable city (although be aware of pickpockets), and walking around can allow you to see the beauty of the city. If you don’t want to pay the entry fees to Barcelona’s famous landmarks (although the Sagrada Familia is definitely worth it), you can at least walk by and marvel at them from the outside. There are also some mini hikes you can do, such as Tibidabo, Montjuic, Bunkers, and Parc Guell, that offer some excellent views of Barcelona. Take advantage of free museum days/times- Many of the museums in Barcelona are free on certain days. Some you can just show up to, but with others you may need to reserve a time during the free period. The museums will list their free times on their websites, which could be weekly or monthly. Also, in front of the MNAC museum is the Magic Fountain, which is impressive in its own right during the day, and even more so when it is lit up at night. Visit the beaches- There are a number of beaches in the Barcelona area. In the city the beaches are lower quality, but they are more convenient and offer multiple free workout areas with basic equipment like pull-up bars. If you want to relax on a beach that is a bit nicer, Castelldefels, Sitges, and Vilanova i la Geltru are great options and just a short train ride away. |
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