Travel Information Barcelona

Cerveceria Catalana is in the heart of Eixample and is an absolutely brilliant place to go in a group or just a deux for tapas. Although it isn't dark and smoky with an old man serving tapas and only 3 tables in the whole place it doesn't take any authenticity away from the food, and testament to this is the non stop queues. Don't be deterred though, quite often you only need to fight your way to get you name down and you will be seated straight away. If not you can always go for a quick drink and come back when they have room for you.

El MACBA is the Museum of Contemporary Art in Barcelona is in Plaza de Angels at the top of Raval. It was opened on the 28th November 1995, having been designed by Richard Meier and partners. The building hints at modernism although it is very different to any of the other modernist work around the city. Instead of bright colours and curved lines like a lot of Gaudi's work, it has sharp lines and is simply white with one front mostly glass providing a great view of the square and allowing lots of natural light into the galleries.

The Sagrada Familia is arguably the most famous tourist attraction in Barcelona. Gaudi's largest and most obscure work, this church rises high above all the surrounding buildings and is yet to be completed. Antonio Gaudi was revolutionary in the modernist movement that swept across Barcelona in the late 19th Century and his Sagrada Familia is a prime example of that. Although unfinished the privately funded, Roman Catholic church has been planned to operate some ceremonies in September 2010.

Barcelona has been used as the setting for many films, many of which recount the story of Spanish figures who have emerged through history. One of these which had great success was 'Salvador'; the flim based on the life of Salvador Puig Antich, a young arnarchist who was part of MIL. He spent his whole life fighting for freedom even though he was acutely aware of the repercussions of his actions. This made him a hero among his peers and a symbo of an entire generation. His fate was not unexpected and he was executed under the Francoist regime for killing a police officer.

Origens is an amazing restaurant right in the heart of Borne. Their philosophy is locally produced ingredients and traditional recipes.

They serve lots of different dishes of meat, fish and pastas. For a starter you can have a "coca", chunky toast, with a delicious topping, or amazing stuffed vegetables, all for around the 5€ mark, and for your main dish of veal or cod you pay about 7 or 8€.

Calle Tallers is one of the oldest streets in Raval and it is known principally for its many shops which sell all types of music, new and old, and all things to do with music. There are shops selling music from all decades and all genres and the street has an added charm about it, you get a sense that everyone there is a huge music enthusiast and loves it for the right reasons. Besides the music it also has many tattoo parlours and gothic like shops selling clothes, shoes and accessories for that trend.