Plaza del Rei, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, SpainPlaza Rei in Gothic Quarter

Barcelona was the very first city I visited in Europe. That was back in the mid-1990’s when the city was still basking from its Olympic glory. I was excited to return with Keith and combed the city to explore the old and the new. I found the city still oozed with Catalonian charm that I fondly remembered. I  also found it to be more polished, more dynamic and more seductive. 

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People walking in Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain

Barri Gotic or Gothic Quarter is  the oldest part of Barcelona. It charmed me with its picturesque labyrinth streets, old world feel, gothic architectures and museums.  Now it also seduces with its cool boutiques, trendy cafes and restaurant, and fine street artists.

 

outdoor cafe at Plaza Rei, Barcelona, Spain

An outdoor café at Plaza Rei in the Gothic Quarter.

 

Street Artists, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain

Excellent street performance is a typical feature in the charming narrow streets of Gothic Quarter.

 

Street Performers, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain

Gothic Quarter: Fine street performers

 

People watching Street Artitsi, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain

Gothic Quarter: People enjoying a street performance.

 

Street Mime, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain  Gothic Quarter: A street mime.

 

Street Opera, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain Gothic Quarter: A street opera singer.

 

Sant Jaume Square, Gothic Quarter, Barcelona, Spain.

Gothic Quarter: Sant Jaume Square, the administrative center of Barcelona.

 

Little girl and balloons in Plaza Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain

A girl and balloons in Plaza Catalunya.

 

Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

Las Ramblas, the most famous street in Barcelona, is lined with flower shops, cafes, trinket store, boutiques and street artists. It is frequented by tourists and pickpocketers – beware!

 

Flower stall in Las Ramblas, Barcelona, Spain

One of the flower shops in Las Ramblas.

 

Meat for sale in La Boquería, Barcelona, Spain

La Boqueria, Barcelona’s colorful and lively produce market, is another one of our favorite spot in the city.

 

Mangoes for sale, La Boquería, Barcelona, SpainLa Boqueria: The most beautiful mangoes we have seen. The most expensive  one too – that’s almost US$10 a piece!

 

Seafood vendor in La Boquería, Barcelona, Spain

La Boqueria: The feisty seafood vendor.

 

Garlic and Peppers for sale in La Boquería, Barcelona, Spain

La Boqueria: Garlic and peppers for sale.

 

Refreshing Fruit Shakes for Sale at La Boquería, Barcelona, Spain

La Boqueria: Refreshing fruit shake for sale.

Tapas & paella dinner, Barcelona, Spain

Tapas, paella and sangria – the perfect meal for our first night in Barcelona.

 

Parc Joan Miro, San Sebastian, Spain

Shades and shadows at Parc Joan Miro, built in homage to Barcelona’s world famous surrealist.

 

Donna i Ocell (Woman and Bird) sculpture, Parc Joan Miro, San Sebastian, SpainThe highlight of Parc Joan Miro is Dona i Ocell (Woman and Bird), one of Miro’s last sculptures.

 

Plaza Espana, Barcelona, SpainThe lovely Plaza Espana, Barcelona’s largest plaza and the intersection of many of the city’s main road.

 

View of Plaza Espana from Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain

View of Plaza Espana from the Palau Nacional (Museum of Catalan Art), situated on the foot of Montjuic Hill.

 

The Olympic Ring, Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain

The Olympic Tower built as communication tower for the coverage of the 1992 Olympics.

 

Port Vell, Barcelona, SpainThe old port authority building in Port Vell, Barcelona’s old harbor which was the focus of the urban revitalization program in preparation for the 1992 Olympics.

 

Maremagnum, Barcelona, Spain

Part of the revitalized Port Vell is Maremagnum, a huge modern shopping and entertaining complex that also houses Europe’s largest aquarium.

 

Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain

La Barceloneta is the city’s old fishing port. Docked in its marina are the yachts of Barcelona’s rich and famous.

 

Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain

La Barcelonata is known for its sandy beaches as well as its upscale seafood restaurants and bars that lined its boardwalk.

 

Knock-off bags for sale in Barceloneta, Barcelona, Spain

Vendors of knock-off products lined up the waterfront of La Barceloneta at night.

 

Baguettes, Barcelona, SpainThe beautiful and delicious baguettes at our favorite breakfast place in the neighborhood of L’eixample.

 

Tapas Bar, Barcelona, Spain

One of the many tapas bar in the city.

 

Entrance to metro station, Barcelan, Spain

A contemporary and colorful entrance to the metro.

 

Metro station, Barcelona, Spain

A digital billboard in the middle of the metro track.

 

Gaudi's Parc Guell, Barcelona, Spain

Relaxing at Parc Guell, a colorful park designed by Barcelona famous architect  Antoni Gaudi.  A vist to Barcelona is not complete without seeing his famous works. For more about Gaudi and his landmark architectures,  please see Barcelona Part 2:  Understanding Gaudi.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

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16 responses to “Barcelona Revisited

  1. Danica Moran

    Beautiful photos of one of my favorite cities. Love the shot of the street artists and of La Boqueria (its my favorite spot, too!) Looking forward to your post about Gaudi’s work.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Dani, glad you enjoyed our photos of one of your favorite cities.:)

  2. Carrie Sieber

    What a beautiful capture of the city streets, people and the market place. Very enjoyable post.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Carrie, thanks. It’s truly a very photogenic city. Glad you enjoyed it.

  3. jan sullivan

    I love the shot of the street artist, especially the street mime and the opera singers. Looks like an amazing trip as always. I’d love to see your shot of Gaudi’s architectures.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hey Jan, the street mime and the opera in singer were really incredible in person, much more than the photos. It truly was an amazing trip.

  4. craig simone

    Nice images of Barcelona, one of the places I’m wanting to go to. Thanks guy, I enjoyed traveling from my armchair for now.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hey Craig, we’re glad you had a great time armchair traveling. Hope you get to go to Barcelona for real pretty soon. You’ll love it!

  5. Nikki Santos

    I enjoyed your blog about Barcelona. I’ve been there but you captured a lot of things I didn’t pay much attention to that a lot of scenes seem new to me. Thanks for sharing your beautiful images.

    • Traveling Solemates

      HI Nikki, it’s our pleasure. Thanks for dropping by:)

  6. Wow, your photos are really nice! I have plans of going to Spain next month (if my visa application is granted – wish me luck!) for a conference. I am really looking forward to visiting Barcelona. The pictures about the street performers made me more eager to visit Spain.

    Btw, thanks for visiting my blog! More power <3
    Micamyx|Senyorita recently posted..Island Hopping in El Nido: Tour BMy Profile

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Mica, good luck!!! We hope you get the visa! We keep our fingers crossed for you. You’ll definitely love Barcelona. Keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions about Barcelona travel. Good luck!!!! Sending all our positive thoughts your way!

  7. Traveling Solemates

    Oh Aleah, you could have spent all of those 70 days in Spain alone and it wouldn’t be enough. You’re right, Europe is just way too big and way too beautiful. You made the right decision though because Spain really warrants a trip of its own. You’ll love it there I know for sure.

  8. Samu Viljanen

    Barcelona is a good place to start visiting Europe – or the whole world. It’s there where I started my travelling career! I was six years old when I was abroad for the first time and that was in Barcelona.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Samu, we’re jealous about how early you started your travel career:) Traveling in Barcelona must have left a great impression in your young mind for you to pursue traveling in all countries in the world.

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