Porto Barcelona Day 22 - Barcelona Here We Come

We have finally reached at the Bus Terminal Barcelona around 7am. The bus terminal was an old railway station converted into a bus station keeping its original architectural features such as the main facade entrance. We managed to meet Joe (who arrived Barcelona a few days earlier than us) as he was leaving for Toulouse, France to visit his sister. 

Having coffee while waiting for Joe at the bus terminal, Estació d'autobusos Barcelona Nord GPS : 41.394441, 2.182573

Though it was still early to check into Primavera Hostel at Carrer de Mallorca (our last place of stay for the trip) GPS : 41.398242, 2.168780. Nevertheless we headed to the hostel to keep our luggage first and started exploring this exciting city. 

The hostel is at the upper floor with an old traditional lift to hoist our bikes up. The lift is really old but amazing it's still functional.

Right in front of the main entrance of Primavera Hostel and we were ready to see Barcelona together with our Bromptons. The location of Primavera Hostel is found to be central and ideal as most of the places of visit are nearby.

Our first visit was La Sagrada Familia, so much talk about it and we finally made it to this iconic spot. 

The construction of this Barcelona most controversial site which is still ongoing, the church is expected to be completed in 2026 so they said but we shall see.

The construction started in 1882 and until todate it is not completed. he famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí took charge of the project a year later from the original architect, scrapping off the original neo-Gothic design and exchanged for a grander scale church.

Some believe even by 2026 it will still not be completed maybe in the 2040's. Though it is still incomplete, the church has received an estimate of 2.8 million visitors each year.

One of the seven buildings by the architect Antoni Gaudí recognised by UNESCO as one of the world heritage sites. The property attests to Gaudi's exceptional creative contribution in the development of architecture and construction technology during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The seven are Park Güell, the Palau Güell, the Casa Milà-La Pedrera, the Casa Vicens, the Nativity Façade and the Crypt of the Sagrada Família, the Casa Batlló, and the Crypt of the Colònia Güell.

Having a coffee break at Big D right in front of La Sagrada Familia.

A wild west line dancing filling the beautiful morning with its western and country music as we slowly moved ourselves to other places of interest. Old or young everyone seems to be enjoying it. I see more elderly people than the younger ones :).

Hercules Fountain (Font d'Hèrcules) with a statue of Hercules, naked, leaning on a stick with a skin of the Lion of Nemea in his left arm. On the pedestal is an oval medallion with the portrait of Charles IV and his wife Maria Luisa. The pedestal is flanked by two lions set on a plinth with steps in the middle of a circular pond. The fountain is made to commemorate the visit of King Charles IV and for his wedding with Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Parma. GPS : 41.401798, 2.166484

Slowly but surely getting into the groove of the cycling on Barcelona cycling lanes and a wonderful way and culture to see the city.

Another attractive building at a junction with a bank housed within it (Triodos Bank Barcelona).
GPS : 41.398040, 2.164554

Cycling lane is a common sight in Barcelona one can get get around in city with your bicycle instead of using the bus or metro networks. As for us we were trying to keep up with its pace especially the cycling speed on the lanes, pretty fast but we were catching up. I simply love it and indeed a pleasant way to get around.

Another project by Antoni Gaudi it's Casa Mila popularly known as La Pedrera or "The stone quarry", a reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance, is a modernist building in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was the last private residence designed by Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912. GPS : 41.395270, 2.162219

A rest in front Casa Mila at the many benches with with heavily decorated street lighting.

After a severe steep climb we found ourselves at Gaudi Park. Another popular place of interest and again by the Gaudi, the famous architect. It is located at Carmel Hill GPS : 41.415069, 2.156034

The project started as a private land development meant for the rich and famous, it's situated on an elevated terrain overlooking into the plain of Barcelona. The owner Usebi Guell engaged Gaudi to plan for the development but it did not turn out to be viable due to unforeseen circumstances and subsequently it was sold to the local council by the heirs of the family in 1922. 1926 it was opened as a public municipal park.

The first person to buy a plot of the land was a friend of Güell, a lawyer Martí Trias i Domènech, who later commissioned an architect by the name of Juli Batllevell to build a villa in 1902. Gaudí himself invested and moved there in 1906 to live with his father and niece.

1907, Eusebi Güell converted the old mansion (Casa Larrard), that was already there when he bought the land into his residence. Over the years, a large number of public events were held at this site with the owner’s consent.

Today the Park Güell is a public park composing of gardens and architectural elements.
In 1984, UNESCO declared the park a World Heritage Site under "Works of Antoni Gaudí".

We were back to the hostel having enough site seeing for the day. The hostel is indeed a good budget accommodation that is comfortable with friendly staff and affordable. 

There many corners in the hostel that one can enjoy its quietness, comfort and rejuvenate oneself before another city adventure.

A common kitchen with well equipped utensil and a cozy atmosphere to eat and chill.

The hostel is a 12th century building cleverly renovated and transformed into a dynamic, bright and warm space preserving the touch of traditional architecture and decoration yet modern in its interior design. What more to you ask as a light traveller for its good service, friendliness and comfortability. It is going to be our home for the next 5 nights and Barcelona is awaiting for us to explore.