Barcelona's Best Bits!
Adaptable Travel's very own Aimee Fisher recently went on a fantastic trip to Barcelona and couldn't wait to share her best bits and top tips with us, to help you make the most of your next school trip to the beautiful city.
Barcelona, the home to one of the most famous football clubs in the world, renowned architecture, abundant culture, and some of the best Catalonia gourmet delicacies, it was a city that was at the top of my must-visit list and it did not disappoint. From the narrow cobbled streets and hidden gems in the Gothic Quarter, to the golden sandy La Barceloneta beach that sits on the coastline of the city, to the highest point of the city in Parc Guell overlooking the enchanted city, Barcelona is the perfect destination for anybody looking for a taste of everything.
Day 1
An early wake-up call gets me to the airport for 07:00 ready for my 2-hour 15-minute flight from Birmingham to Barcelona Airport, as I arrive the sun is shining, and the summer air hits me as I disembark the plane.I opted to travel from the airport to the city centre via RENFE train as they run every 30 minutes and take 25 minutes travel time making this a very reliable and cost-effective option. I purchased the T10 transport ticket, that not only runs to and from the airport but allows up to 10 single trips in Barcelona – perfect for visiting all of the must-see attractions.
I arrived at my accommodation, The Generator Hostel, a modern, sociable and safe hostel located in the buzzing district of Gracia, surrounded by a glimpse of Gaudi everywhere you turn. I drop my bags and head for the iconic La Sagrada Familia just a short walk away from the hostel, with an interior just a mesmerising as the exterior.
Lunch Time – The streets surrounding the Sagrada have many restaurants, cafés and fast food stores so you are spoilt for choice. I had some delicious Catalonian tapas dishes, including patatas bravas with aioli and serrano ham.
In the evening we walked from the City centre to Parc Guell, the public park designed by Gaudi (although never finished) composed of gardens, architecture, and home to the historic museum dedicated to Gaudi himself. The walk itself, although quite a distance, was broken up by many street art paintings, and an array of colourful gardens and plants.The top of the park comprises the best lookout over the whole of Barcelona making this the perfect picture opportunity, As well as it being a Saturday evening, the Parc also attracted many musicians playing Spanish music, and local people which enabled us to immerse in the local Spanish culture within a busy bustling city.
Day 2
After a busy day travelling and sightseeing on day 1, we took the opportunity on Day 2 to head to the beach. As you hop off the metro, you are met with many street vendors selling souvenirs, from Barcelona football shirts, to Spanish dancing dresses, Jewellery, and much much more. We walked on down to the sandy coastline, lay down our towels, covered ourselves in sun cream and relaxed on the sandy beach until sunset.
In the evening we visited the infamous Las Ramblas, a lively and vibrant area situated in the heart of Barcelona. A hub for tourists flocking to sample exquisite food from the La Boqueria food market and the many eateries, the street performers and human statues, and experiencing the best that Barcelona nightlife has to offer.
Day 3
Today we devised our own ‘Gaudi walking tour’ and visited many beautiful architectural pieces of work he produced. To start the day, we visited the Gaudi House Museum, which is the former residence at which the architect once lived and displays the urban development project of Parc Guell. Inside it also showcases furniture which he had designed and influenced, as well as documents related to his life.
Next we visited Casa Mila, otherwise known as La Pedrera or ‘The Stone Quarry’ due to its resemblance to an open quarry. This is one of his most famous buildings due to it being the last private residence designed by himself. Following this we visited Casa Batllo, by far my personal favourite piece of work by Gaudi in Barcelona! This masterpiece is made up of funky themed rooms, bright colours and adventurous architecture with the aim of the building being to avoid straight lines and bring a building to life.
Teatime is Tapas Time! On our final night we discovered a charm of a classic tapas bar in the centre of Gracia, having eaten in mainly tourist areas on our previous days we felt it was a must-do to visit a bar recommended by a local, and I must say this was the best food we had had over the duration of our trip!
Day 4
Our final day arrived, and it was time to pack our suitcases and say our goodbyes to the beautiful city of Barcelona. Having experienced so much of what the city has to offer, we will be sure to return with so much more to see!
Let your students explore Barcelona for themselves on a fantastic school trip to the city! If you would like some more information about our Barcelona tours and visits get in touch with a member of our friendly, expert team today!
