No Euro, No Problem: Barcelona
April 8, 2009 | admin
By John Wilkes
Whereas treasures of old Europe like Vienna and Geneva inspire a sense of awe a rich tradition of history and culture, the city of Barcelona, Spain, is place with its eyes on the present and future. A bastion of youth and vibrancy, Barcelona’s wealth of art, architecture, and music is just as renowned for its modern contributions as for those stretching back to the Reformation and beyond. But more than that, it’s a city of fun, with a booming nightlife and beautiful Mediterranean beaches. That’s why this incredible city attracts so many young people- not just from Spain, but from the entire world over. And the good news about bringing in young people is that, as a result, prices are never too high.
While Madrid is really the center of old Spain, Barcelona represents the new country, which until recent decades was a very poor, agricultural country, unknown to many travelers. Following the 1992 Olympic Games which boosted the city’s prominence, Barcelona now powers the economy of the entire nation.
Today, Barcelona is a place for fun-seekers, lovers, foodies, sightseers, and even businesspeople. Whatever you are, get ready for what just might be the time of your life…we’re going to Barcelona (go ahead, pronounce it “Barthelona” just like the locals, if you please).
Getting There:
Barcelona has three major airports. One- Barcelona International Airport- is just about two miles outside the city, and is the largest and most prominent hub. Sabadell is also relatively close, but is much smaller in size and offers fewer flights and destinations. Girona-Costa Brava, located about 50 miles outside the city, hosts a number of discount airlines and runs busses and shuttles into the city. For the best deals, check out Europe’s many discount airlines which can offer one-way flights for as little as $20 with taxes and fees. The European Low Fares Airline Association (ELFAA) is a group of these carriers and a good place to start bargain hunting. Additional discount airlines that offer flights into Barcelona are listed below.
ClickAir – Barcelona
Norwegian Air Shuttle – Barcelona
EasyJet – Barcelona
Jet2 – Barcelona
SkyEurope – Barcelona
WizzAir – Barcelona
RyanAir – Girna-Costa Brava
Transavia – Barcelona, Girona-Costa Brava
MyAir – Barcelona
There are other low fare airlines as well, but these often have the most flights with the best prices and availability. And remember: the further in advance you book your ticket, the better deal you’ll get on the price.
Where to Stay:
Because Barcelona is such a big draw for young people from around the world, hostels tend to be very crowded, even though there are tons of them throughout the city, and will run between €6 and €12 per night. I’m always partial to hotels, myself, and in Barcelona, this is probably a good bet. I always recommend traveling in groups, but nowhere is this advice better than Barcelona where you will want to experience the night life. With a group, it’s safer and more enjoyable, and when it comes to hotels, pooling resources will afford you a much better stay. Barcelona’s hotels are exceptionally inexpensive. €50 or more will have you staying in complete comfort. If you even think of approaching €80-100, you’re looking at a very nice stay. Of course, the city is home to big luxury hotel chains like the Four Seasons. If you’re thinking of staying there…well, call me.
Getting Around:
The city has a fairly comprehensive above-ground metro system as well. It’s clean and reliable. The stops aren’t always as close as you might like them to be, but if you don’t mind walking a few blocks, the tram is a good way to go. For daytime, when you’re visiting museums and would like to see architecture and other things along the way, I’d highly recommend it. Visitor passes are available in single-day, three-day, and week long passes, in addition to the typical per-fare ride. Tickets are available at all stations.
Barcelona is a modern city with cars and bus routes all around. It’s one of the few cities in Europe where it really makes sense to take taxis from place to place, especially if you’re going out at night with a group for even cheaper fares.
What to Eat:
Breakfast/Coffee
Spain just might have one of the simplest breakfast regimens in all of Europe. Residents will typically enjoy black coffee with a bolillo, a small bread roll similar to French bread, though sometimes they’ll enjoy a sweet bread instead. Breakfast dishes like Spanish omelets, burritos, and huevos rancheros are American creations, and most restaurants in Barcelona usually aren’t even open in the morning to serve them. Instead, bakeries and coffee shops offer a simple way to start the day.
Lunch/Snacks
Before the advent of the modern work schedule, lunch was a large meal in Spain, and was typically followed by an hour-long siesta. But today, Spaniards in Barcelona will enjoy a lighter meal during the day and eat their largest meal of the day in the evening. Typical lunches include soups like gazpacho, a tomato based soup served with bread. Other times, fresh meats or sausage will be served with tortillas, and will be accompanied by a glass of red wine.
Dinner
Barcelona is known for a number of different delicacies, but a few ingredients seem to find their way into a wide variety of the regional dishes. Beans of all types- from black beans to pinto beans to lentils- are often mixed with rice or added to stew, along with typical poultry meats. Pork is quite common, and perhaps as a result, chorizo- a spicy Spanish sausage- is one of the nation’s most well-known exports. Dinner is commonly served with an array of fresh vegetables.
Spanish dishes are almost always served with tortillas, used to soak up savory beans and sauces and to wrap seasoned meats.
But an especially delicious dish worth trying while in Barcelona is paella. There are a number of different varieties, but it typically includes rice, several different beans, chicken, tomatoes, rosemary, garlic, paprika, and artichoke. In different regions, seafood paella with shrimp and lobster is also popular.
Alcohol
It’s no secret that the Spanish love their wine, and for them, it’s almost always red. Beers are popular for the younger crowd in the evenings, but older Spaniards will enjoy large glasses of red wine from early afternoon on into the late evening.
Dessert
Many of the desserts you’ll find in Barcelona are known to us back in the United States, but there’s simply no substitute for having authentic Spanish treats right there in the heart of the country. Churros are sold in restaurants as well as by street vendors for just a few Euro. Flan, a custard tart with a soft caramel top, is a national favorite, as are the house-made custards available at most restaurants. Arroz con leche- a rice pudding infused with milk, cinnamon, sugar, lemon- is also loved by all ages, but often set aside for small children. Spaniards in Barcelona will often top off a large dinner and dessert with a shot of espresso.
Things to see in Barcelona:
Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art – €6 for students– The Catalan region of Spain was one of the most important to 20th century art, and this museum has a wealth of works from some of the most significant artists.
Picasso Museum – €6 for students– A collection of works from Spain’s favorite son, Pablo Picasso, from his works of pottery to some of his most famous paintings.
Sagrada Familia – FREE – Designed by world renowned architect Antoni Goudi, the unfinished cathedral is one of the most impressive buildings in the city.
Park Guell – FREE – Another work of Goudi, the park is dotted with intriguing architecture and colorful works of art. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casa Batllo – €16 – Yet another Goudi creation, the building looks like something out of a crazy dream. It’s as spectacular inside as it is outside. Perhaps Goudi’s most awe-inspiring creation in Barcelona.
National Art Museum of Catalonia – €6 for students – Home to a wide variety of Spanish art, the museum is located in the gorgeously ornate Palau Nacional, which was originally built for the World Fair back in 1929.
Barceloneta Beach – FREE – A magnet for beautiful young people to soak up the sun or splash in the waves of the Mediterranean, the area also features a number of popular bars and nightclubs.
Looking for a Little Dose of Home?
Soccer is king in Spain, but basketball- an American export- isn’t too far behind. The country has really only started competing in the sport in recent years, but it has exploded in popularity. AXA FC Barcelona (the local team) is among the best in the ACB national league, and is usually considered second only to much-hated rivals Real Madrid. Spaniards love their basketball!
