Barcelona is one of those magnificent cities that envelops you in a cocoon of culture and doesn’t let up the entire time you’re there. No matter what your interests, how long you have, or how big (or small) your budget, you’ll never be short of things to see, do, eat, or experience!
Once you’ve explored the main highlights, like Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and La Rambla, if you have some spare time, this is one city where it’s well worth your while to scratch a little deeper below the surface.
Discover Some Unusual Highlights of Barcelona
The city is definitely running high on the “cool” quotient, with a thriving arts, culture, music and club scene. Just wandering the Old Town for a couple of hours will give you a good taste of the vibe, and getting lost in the tangled streets can end up being a genuine joy. You may find yourself in a tiny, hole-in-the-wall bar eating tapas, strolling down a back alley to a hideaway museum, or just sitting in a street cafe watching the locals go about their daily life. Let your imagination run wild…
Here are three of the more unusual attractions to get you started on your off-the-beaten-track adventure.
Head Beneath the Streets: A Sewer Tour!
If you’ve got an interest in architecture and history, or you just want the kudos of doing something unique for Instagram glory, a tour of the city’s underground aqueduct sewer network might be for you. The original system can be dated back to the Romans, but it wasn’t until later, during medieval times, that it was expanded to run the length of La Rambla. In the nineteenth century, a more modern sewerage system was developed to incorporate suburbs beyond the city centre, and the old tunnels were used as part of this. Incredibly, even today, some of the tunnels are still in use. Access is obviously prohibited to those ones, however there are a small number that have been decommissioned and are open to the curious public.
It is possible to explore the tunnels on your own, however it’s not really recommended. If you join one of the excellent tours with La Fabrica del Sol (groups are limited to just 10), you’ll get fascinating historical and social commentary as well from the experienced guides. You’ll learn about the architecture and engineering of the tunnels, as well as some of the local stories that have developed around them. Deep below the busy city streets, the sewers are literally another world: cool, damp, and with an ever present, slightly eerie soundtrack of slow-flowing water, it’s one of the quirkiest things you can do in the city.
Get Lost in a Maze: Labyrinth Park of Horta
The Labyrinth Park of Horta is located within the oldest of the city’s many lush green spaces. Originally created for the Desvalls family, in 1791, the neo-classical terraces are reminiscent of Italian gardens, and complement what’s known as the Romantic section, which was created later. But the star of the show is the maze, and the statue of Eros (the God of love) that sits at its centre. It comprises a mind-bending 2,000 feet of turns, corners and dead ends to traverse, and is a particular delight to enter in the hotter weather. The hedge walls are quite high, denying the temptation to cheat, but it’s a fun way to spend some time. The beautiful sight of Eros, when you successfully navigate the maze, is a just reward.
The Park of Horta is located slightly out of the action, which means fewer people and a lovely tranquil atmosphere – something that you might crave after a busy few days exploring the high profile hot spots. There’s a small entry fee and numbers are limited, so going early is advisable.
Eat your History: The Chocolate Museum
Satisfy your sweet tooth guilt free by including some history as well! Chocolate has been around for more than five centuries in Spain, since cocoa beans were brought to the country from the spoils of raids on the Mayan and Aztec civilizations. This delicious sounding museum depicts the evolution of chocolate through the ages, from more than 3,000 years ago to the present day.
When you enter the museum, as part of your admission you’ll receive a chocolate bar to keep you going while you explore the exhibits, which range from intricate sculptures of familiar icons like the Sagrada Familia, the sculptures in Parc Guell, and other architectural gems around the city, right up to the more contemporary figures of Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and well-known celebrities.
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Wherever you choose to stay in the heart of Barcelona you’ll find a wealth of hidden cultural experiences just waiting for you to discover them. Be prepared to wander, poke your head around corners, and expect the unexpected – this warm and wonderful city will never disappoint…
Where to Stay
Hotel Lleó: A true home-from-home in Barcelona, this comfortable, well-appointed hotel puts you in a central location with all the attractions of the city within arms’ reach. It features air-conditioned rooms with modern furnishings, private bathrooms and all the mod cons. The rooftop pool is a fantastic bonus, and you can take advantage of the daily delicious buffet breakfast. As well as being convenient to Las Ramblas, Hotel Lleó is just 4km from the beach.
Praktik Vinoteca: Set in the wonderfully central Eixample district, this sustainable hotel has spacious, contemporary rooms with air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, satellite TV, private bathroom, and stylish appointments. Within walking distance of the city centre, in a friendly neighbourhood with markets, cafes and bars, you can enjoy a continental buffet breakfast included every morning before getting out to explore.
Gaudi Hotel: Situated straight opposite the Gaudi Museum, close to the Old Town, the Gaudi Hotel provides clean, spacious rooms – some with a balcony and city views – and a wonderful buffet breakfast (vegan and vegetarian options). A rooftop lounge and sixth-floor terrace are the perfect places to relax overlooking the city while you dine or enjoy a sundowner or two. The hotel is within easy access of markets, the Picasso Museum and many other central attractions.
How to Get There
If you’re heading off for a short and sweet mini-break in Barcelona, you can rest assured you won’t arrive stressed out from travelling. Book a flight to Barcelona Airport, which will take around 2 hours and 20 minutes from various UK airports. A range of carriers operate the route, including Tui, Jet2, easyJet and British Airways.
Once you arrive, the fastest and most convenient way to get the rest of the way to your accommodation is on a pre-booked airport transfer with Shuttle Direct. Getting from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona will only take around fifteen minutes, and a friendly local driver will be waiting to get you there without delay.
Overview
UK to BCN Flight Time: 2 hours, 20 mins approx.
BCN to Barcelona Distance: 16 kilometres
Shuttle Direct Transfer: 15 minutes approx.
Types of Transfer
Here at Shuttle Direct we offer something for every traveller’s budget and style. Our pre-booked services from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona city centre will help you start your holiday the right way. Which one is for you? Have a look and you decide.
When you pre-book a local taxi with us, you get the convenience of a door-to-door service from Barcelona Airport to Barcelona city centre accommodation. After you land at the airport, instead of queuing with everyone else, your taxi and driver will be waiting to take you the rest of the way to begin your holiday immediately.
If keeping within a budget is important, you may prefer one of our economical shared shuttle bus services. You’ll meet at a designated spot at the airport then travel with other passengers to a central drop-off near your accommodation. They are cheap, comfortable and never compromise on safety and timeliness.
If you’re prepared to pay a little extra and convenience is your top priority, splash out on one of our luxury private Barcelona transfers and you’ll be more than satisfied. A professional driver will meet you inside the terminal, then escort you to your comfortable vehicle. You’ll be taken directly to the door of your accommodation without delay.
If you’re travelling in a larger group of friends or family, you might want to opt for one of our shared minibus transfers to get you from the airport at Barcelona to Barcelona centre. A larger capacity vehicle will enable you to all travel together, there’s plenty of room for luggage, and you’ll have the convenience of a door-to-door service.
Choosing the Right Transfer
Choosing the best airport transfer for your individual needs is a very personal decision that only you can make. Basically, however, it will come down to two factors – cost and convenience – and which of those you feel is a priority.
Cost: If your focus is on saving as much money as you can for the more exciting things on your holiday, then a shared airport transfer on one of our shuttle buses will be perfect. While you’ll travel with other passengers, and it’s not a door-to-door service, the cost savings are considerable.
Convenience: However, if you rate convenience above everything, and door-to-door is a must, then one of our private luxury services or a pre-booked taxi or minibus will be the best way to get you from the airport at Barcelona to Barcelona city centre.
About Shuttle Direct
Shuttle Direct is one of the leading providers of ground airport transport all over the world. With a range of services from budget-beating shared shuttle buses to top-of-the-range luxury private transfers, we’ve got something to suit every budget and every kind of traveller. Pre-book today and then just sit back and enjoy the ride!
