Moon Travel Guides - Moon Barcelona Walks

Step off the plane and head right for the newest, hippest caf in town. Find out where to get the best fish in the city or where they have locally brewed beer on tap. In Moon Barcelona Walks, our authors give you inside information on numerous hidden gems. Skip the busy shopping streets and stroll through the city at your own pace, taking in a local attraction on your way to the latest and greatest concept stores. Savor every second and make your trip a truly great experience.

Youre about to discover Barcelona! Of course youll want to admire Gauds masterpieces and see the art at the Picasso Museum or the MACBA. But also make time to eat authentic tapas, shop where the locals do, wander through the ancient streets of the medieval old town, and walk along the beach. And dont skip the colorful market halls where the locals pick up their groceries! After the sun has set, enjoy Barcelona nightlife until the early hours of the morning.

In this book, local authors share with you the genuine highlights of their ciry. Discover the city by foot and at your own pace, so you can relax and experience the local lifestyle without having to do a lot of preparation beforehand. That means more time for youwhat we call time to momo. Our walks take you past our favorite restaurants, cafs, museums, galleries, shops, and other notable attractionsplaces we ourselves like to go.

None of the places mentioned here have paid to appear in either the text or the photos, and all text has been written by an independent editorial staff. This is true for the places in this book as well as for the information in the time to momo app and all the latest tips, themed routes, neighborhood information, blogs, and the selection of best hotels on www.timetomomo.com.

LOCAL

ANNEBETH VIS

CITY

BARCELONA

WORK & ACTIVITIES

COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL

As a Barcelona resident, journalist, and historian, Annebeth is curious about everything, especially the people of Barcelona. On the weekend she likes to have lunch with friends, preferably at a gastropub or laidback rooftop bar. Her favorite spot is the green Montjuc overlooking the city and sea.

The six walks in this book allow you to discover the best neighborhoods in the city by foot and at your own pace. The routes will take you past museums and notable attractions, but more importantly, theyll show you where to go for good food, drinks, shopping, entertainment, and an overall good time. Check out the map at the front of this book to see which areas of the city the walks will take you through.

Each route is clearly indicated on a detailed map at the beginning of each chapter. The map also specifies where each place is located. The color of the number tells you what type of venue it is (see the key at the bottom of this page). A description of each place is then given later in the chapter.

Without taking into consideration extended stops at various locations, each route will take a maximum of three hours. The approximate distance is indicated at the top of the page, before the directions.

Along with the address and contact details for each location, we give an idea of how much you can expect to spend there. Unless otherwise stated, the amount given in restaurant listings is the average price of a main course. For sights and attractions, we indicate the cost of a regular full-price ticket.

The Spanish rhythm of life is quite unlike what we are used to in North America. Meal times and opening hours for many shops are different. Shops are generally open from 10am until 2pm, close for lunch, and open again at 5pm until approximately 10:30pm. In the commercial shopping and tourist areas, shops stay open throughout the day.

LEGEND

>> SIGHTS & ATTRACTIONS

>> SHOPPING

>> FOOD & DRINK

>> MORE TO EXPLORE

Lunch is the most important meal of the day in Spain. Between about 1pm and 4pm, people sit down and take their time to enjoy their food. Most restaurants open for lunch later in the afternoon than youre used to, and again late in the evening for dinner. You can get a cheap, three-course lunch menu almost anywhere, so those who adapt to the Spanish schedule might also save some money!

Most restaurants dont open for dinner until around 9pm. The kitchen typically closes at midnight, but customers can usually linger over drinks for a few more hours. On weekends some places can be bustling as late as 3am. Many restaurants are closed on Sundays. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends.

For Spaniards, food is an important part of life, and they take time to enjoy it. Barcelona is full of restaurants; only a small selection is included in this book. Eating tapas is an essential part of the Barcelona experience, and you will find a wide range of options in the cityfrom traditional tapas in authentic taverns to trendy snacks in designer restaurants.

August is vacation month in Spain, and many Barcelonans leave to cool off outside of the city. This means that many local shops and restaurants will be closed.

Barcelona also celebrates quite a lot of public holidays. On these days, almost all shops are closed. Besides the typical holidays such as Good Friday, Easter, and Pentecost, Barcelona also celebrates the following holidays and memorial days:

January 1st> New Years Day

January 6th> Epiphany

April 23rd> Saint Jordi

May 1st> Labor Day

June 24th> Saint Johns Day

August 15th> Assumption Day

September 11th> National Day of Catalonia

September 24th> La Merc Festival

October 12th> Columbus Day

November 1st> All Saints Day

December 6th>