Posts Tagged ‘Las Ramblas’
Staying near Las Ramblas offers many exciting activities, and is in the center of all the action.. Las Ramblas is a long, pedestrian friendly road that stretches from Plaza Catalunya to the Christoper Columbus statue near the Port.
Las Ramblas is in the city center and there are many metros, which makes getting around the city very convenient. While cruising down the street you can find street performers, human statues, flower stands, outdoor eating and even pet stores, but be careful of pick-pockets and bag snatchers since this is a tourist filled area. You are only minutes away from the large marketplace, La Boqueria, which is filled with colorful exotic tropical fruits and vegtables, a variety of meats and seafood, cheese and eggs. The location is central, only being 5 minutes from the Cathedral, the Port, Plaza Catalunya, the Opera House, shopping and many museums. Just off of Las Ramblas there is the famous Opera house, Liceu, as well as many plaza’s, the big one being Plaza Reial, which is filled with restaurants, bars and clubs. The restaurants near or on Las Ramblas do not have the best food, and are a little over priced due to the amount of tourist. However it is a great place to grab a cerveza or a pitcher of sangria, and people watch. The are many bars around Las Ramblas to choose from, since it is the center of nightlife in Barcelona. There is something going on at all hours of the day and night, and if you are hoping for a good night’s sleep, Las Ramblas may not be the right place for you. Be prepared for a lot of noise. On the other hand, if you want to be in the heart of Barcelona, Las Ramblas is the place to be.
Located just 15 minutes walk from Las Ramblas and Plaza Catalunya on the top floor of a typical example building. This recently refurbished Attic has a terrace with an amazing view over “Montjuic” and “Tibidabo” mountains. The area is quiet yet central, many local restaurants and bars. The beach is easily reached by Metro or bus and the many clubs at Port Oliympic (Catwalk, Opium, CDLC) are just a short taxi ride away. The apartment has wooden floors throughout, air condition, central heating and Internet. Very sunny and luminous flat with space for up to 6 people. Book this beautiful apartment today.
Need some time off, and then I really mean some time off. That would mean you definitely should enjoy a great time in a lively city like Barcelona, with a group of your finest friends. This recently refurbished 2 bedroom apartment is located right in the city center of Barcelona. It sleeps up to 6 people and it’s excellent location makes it the perfect accommodation for shorter stays. It is well illuminated and located in a modern building. Plaza Universidad, Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas are only a short walk from the apartment. Other touristic hot spots are easy accessible with the well-organised underground metro’s. It is fully equipped and the entire flat has a very modern touch. Air condition, central heating and wifi makes the flat even more comfortable. There are a great number of restaurants, pubs and theaters just around the corner from the apartment. Got interested, book this flat today and start the countdown to an amazing time!
Are you still planning to go on holiday, but simply can´t decide where to go? Barcelona is the right place to be these days. The wheather is still really nice and there are less toerists, which means no long queues or bombing into everyone on the Ramblas. The only thing left, is a place to stay. This beautiful place is a loft of two levels with its own style. Here, you can enjoy a wonderful private terrace, but when you need some company, you can enjoy the community terrace with the rest of the neighbours.There is a maximum space for four people, divided among one double bed and one double sofa bed. This apartment is located in a bohemian district with lots of character and which offers a great variety of bars, café´s and restaurants. All of this is creating a fantastic cosmopolitan atmosphere for the day as well as the night life. Another possitive about this particulair apartment, is that is next to the beach and to important commercial zones, including Las Ramblas, Parque de la Ciutadella and the Church of Santa Maria del Mar. Interested in this place, or looking for a place to stay with more space? Visit Barcelona-Home and check out their wide variety of offers.
If your income in your native country has a relatively high minimum income, do not expect to have the same income in Barcelona. The Spanish national minimum wage is currently set around 3.5 € per hour. Wages for jobs in bars and shops start around 6 € per hour. Rents are not as low as to be expected when compared to the low wage, and so it is no surprise that a high percentage of people under 30 years of age still with their parents. However, you income goes a lot further here than it would be home, just don’t expect to eat out every night of the week! Many employers in Spain operate on a 14 month year, meaning your entire year’s salary is divided between 14, not 12, months. Then you get an extra’s month wage in July and December.
Like most cities the apartments in Barcelona can range from luxury to shabby. Your budget may determine where you locate, but it is also a case of chance and your requirements. Think about what you require from accommodation and ask people who work in the business for advice, for example if you have a disability or trouble with stairs make sure your accommodation has an elevator/lift. Therefore you may be advised to avoid Ciutat Vella as most of the residential buildings in this area have narrow staircases and no lifts. Most apartments in the city do not have central heating, purely because they don’t need it. The Summers are warm enough that you do not need it and the Winters are short and mild enough that you can suffice with an sweater and a pair of socks. You should know in advance if you require a parking space included with your apartment as this will be an important thing to note when searching.
There is always people moving to and from Barcelona, therefore apartments are always becoming available throughout the year. Although there are some times that you might want to avoid if possible. In September the city is often overrun with students from Barcelona’s various universities looking for accommodation for the upcoming academic year so it may be quite competitive at this time of the year. In August, many Barcelonians leave the city to escape the heat and humidity so there may be a shortage of people showing their apartments in this month. However apartment rental companies usually operate throughout this month and always ensure they have a sufficient selection of varying apartments on their books.
Many people in Barcelona prefer to rent rooms in apartments. This is where you rent your bedroom from the person who owns/rents the apartment. There is usually a common living area and the kitchen and bathrooms are shared. This may suit some people who have just moved to Barcelona and do not know anyone; living with other people who are familiar with the city can make you feel more settled. It can often be cheaper than renting a studio or one bedroom apartment. Utilities are usually divided equally between all the flatmates. Additionally this is quite a flexible way to rent in Barcelona as there is usually no lease involved – simply pay the rent on time and give thirty days’ notice of when you want to leave and there should be no problems!
Using and paying utilities in Barcelona
The usual utilities for residents in Barcelona are water, electricity, gas (for cooking and heating water) and Wi-Fi/internet. Some apartments have converted completely to electricity as it is cheaper. Some landlords include the utilities in the rent but this is not common. Landlords may have the connections to the apartments turned off while there are no tenants the for safety. To have them reopened there may be a fee – make sure you discuss with your landlord who pays this charge. Our research has shown bills to average out to around 40 – 50 € a month for most people. But of course this figure can vary with your usage. Electricity bills are issued every two months and water bills every three months.
There are different types of rental contracts available in Barcelona and the nature of your stay will determine which is best for you.
Furnished and recently renovated studio, ideal for one or two persons, located in a bohemian district with lots of character. The building has a community terrace to share with the rest of the neighbours, perfect to relax and enjoy the sun. It is situated next to the beach and to important comercial zones. Only a few minutes from Las Ramblas, Paseo del Borne, Parque de la Ciudadella, the church of Santa María del Mar and Arco del Triunfo. The district has plenty of bars, cafés and restaurants, creating a fanstastic atmosphere for day and night life.
Interesting, right?? This amazing studio, located at a perfect area will cost you only € 23.50 per night, so book this studio today to make sure it’s yours for your visit to Barcelona.
Make your stay in the city of Barcelona extravagant by renting this modern apartment with a loft and wooden beams which gives it an exciting and airy character.
It’s ideal for four people and costs only around 35€ per night and you have all the facilities you need. The apartment is fully furnished, with an equipped kitchen and Internet.
It is located in the neighborhood Ciutat Vella with all the famous sites near by like, Plaza Cataluña and Las Ramblas.
A thrilling nightlife is just around the corner with all the bars and restaurants for your enjoyment.
If this charismatic loft caught your interest, visit our website to book it now!
At the end of Las Ramblas you can find a statue dedicated to the explorer Christopher Columbus. The statue, referred to as the Colom in Catalan or Colon in Spanish, stands 60 meters (197 feet) tall.
The place where the statue stands, near the Port Vell, symbolizes that Barcelona was the place where Christoper Columbus returned from his trip to the Americas, and then reported to Queen Isabella and Ferdinand about his voyage. The idea to construct the statue began in 1856, by Antoni Fages i Ferrer. However the construction did not begin until 1881, when he had the support of the mayor of Barcelona. There was a contest among Catalan artists to design the statue. The Catalan artist, Gaieta Buigas i Monrava, won the contest. Antoni Ferrer only wanted Catalans to construct the statue. The construction began in 1882 and was completed in 1888, right before the Exposicion Universal de Barcelona. The bottom of the monumet is 20m (66 ft) wide circle, and at the very top of a Corinthian column stands a 7.2m (24 ft) bronze state of Columbus. With his right hand, Columbus is pointing to the New World, and holding a scroll in his left hand. However, he is not pointing to the new world, but is pointing east towards Columbus’s home town of Genoa.
The aquarium in Barcelona, L’Aquarium, is a must see for familys with kids and young ones. It maybe hard to believe the aquarium is the second largest tourist attraction in Barcelona with more than 2,056, 400 visitors a year.
The aquarium is a great place to go when it is raining, or you want to escape the heat. The aquarium is located down by the sea in the Port Vell, which is near Las Ramblas, and has other activities, such as a movie theater, and IMAX, and a mall. The aquarium has 35 different aquariums, which contain over 11,000 animals of 450 different species. There are fish that come from all around the world, however the aquairum does show more of the Mediterranean and the Carribean waterlife. The aquarium has the best Mediterranean exhibit in the world. In the 80 m, underwater tunnel there are shark’s swimming over your head, as well as other fish which allows you to seem them up close. There is also a large aquarium with penguins. Make sure to bring your camera, as there are many photo opportunities. The aquarium is closest to the metro stop Drassanes(line 3) and Barceloneta (line 4). L’aquarium opens at 9:30 everyday, and closes at different times depeeding on the time of year. For more information you can go to their website here.
Walking along Las Ramblas, sitting on the beach, or just strolling the streets of Barcelona, it is quiet easy to notice the beer salesmen. For the most part, no matter where you are in Barcelona and at all hours of the day, you can always hear someone say “Cerveza, Cerveza, Beer!” In my opinion I find it quiet nice, as I am a beer drinker.
They sell beers for about 1 euro each, and you can buy a 6 pack for 5 euros. There are many Pakistani/Indian beer sellers around Barcelona, but do not be afraid of them as they are probably not going to steal from you. After all it is hard to turn down cold cheap beer, on a hot day or night. When you are wandering the streets at night, you can see everyone walking around with a beer, bottle/box of wine, or a mixed drink in hand. It seems that everyone is doing it, so the question is, can I do it too? Even though it seems no one thinks twice about walking around with a beer, it is however illegal. Obviously it is not heavily enforced, but you can get fined around 70 euros for an open container. You may get caught for drinking on the streets, and then that 1 euro beer all of a sudden seems a lot more expensive. To have a beer or not to have a beer, that is your choice, but you have been warned. Do not be surprised if you get caught by the policia.
Walking out of the Barcelona airport, it is hard to tell what country you are in. Signs are posted in a mix of Catalan, Spanish, and English, and your ears are bombarded by what seems like a million languages being spoken in the street. The wide variety of people are dressed in an even wider variety of clothing types, some attractive, some…. not so attractive. Already, Barcelona seems like a different planet, rather than a different country.
Upon arriving at your accomodation (whether it be a hotel, apartment, or house), you will immediately notice the size difference from the U.S. Everything in Spain seems smaller, and squeezing between the toilet and the shower can be a struggle at times. The beds are short, pushed together (even though you asked for two twin beds, assuming they would be separate), and sometimes hard as rocks. Good thing that you won’t be sleeping much during your time in Spain.
Make sure to memorize your address, because the roads are complicated enough even if you think you know where you are going. Most streets have street signs stating their names, but.. some don’t. This makes traveling very interesting, and you should always plan on taking extra time to get anywhere. Barcelona is set up in a series of square blocks, which appear small and easily walkable on the map, actually turn into miles and miles of walking. Comfortable shoes are a must, as even the metro requires more walking than expected.
Luckily, most restaurants offer menus in English, since the items on the menu don’t look familiar at all. The wide variety of foods available in Barcelona makes eating out easy, and more affordable than expected. Unlike New York, or other big cities in the United States, Spaniards believe in eating well without spending much money. Meat, fish, pasta, pizza, and vegetables.. all are easily found within walking distance anywhere in the city, especially in the city center. Las Ramblas, for instance, is jam-packed with restaurants of all types, from typical Spanish to French to Italian to Japanese. Even picky eaters can find something to eat in this city.
The biggest shock for Americans traveling in Barcelona may be the strange things that take place in the streets. Walking down Las Ramblas, day or night, you will pass by people dressed in extravagant costumes, standing for hours in the hopes of getting some spare change from generous tourists. Dragons, gargoyles, fairies, and cavemen are only a few of the costumes you may see as you walk around the center. Then come the street performers. Magic tricks, dancers, acrobats, and jugglers always gather large crowds, often stopped in the middle of the street, causing a bit of a traffic jam for passersby. To add to this chaos, at night, men stand around offering six packs of beer for 1£ per can, often being fairly pushy to sell beer to unexpecting tourists. Beer, light-up glasses, rings, and toys, and roses are just a few of the available purchases you can make on the street, in bars, or even in restaurants. A simple ‘no’ doesn’t always work, and unfortunately you may have to resort to just ignoring the vendors.
As you can see, Barcelona is an overwhelming place to be at times. However, you can certainly never say the city is boring. There is always something to do, somewhere to go, or someone to meet, and the people are much friendlier than you would expect from a big city. Don’t hesitate to ask for directions, ask for descriptions of something on the menu, or just say ‘no’ to street vendors. For such a busy city, Barcelona feels very safe, and if you are cautious about the occasional pickpocketer or scam artist, you will get along just fine. Make sure to take advantage of the cultural diversity in this very European city, as there are very few places like it.
