Barcelona – I’m not that into you

Am I bad? I’m not that into you Barcelona. I didn’t get that overwhelming feeling of excitement everyone talks about in Barcelona. Before I began my travels through Europe, I was inundated with stories of the allures of Barcelona. Be it for Barcelona’s fascinating history, the pleasant Mediterranean climate or that this city delights football fans around the world, I was hearing great stories that were drawing me to Spain. For some reason, my geographically challenged mind never really associated Barcelona and Spain in general with Europe. Never mind, I eventually figured out Barcelona’s location and researched things to do in Barcelona and got keyed up to experience all the splendor that I had been informed it would present. Splendor, however, I did not receive.  Instead, in its place I was gifted with disenchantment. Was this Barcelona’s fault or the result of my own high expectations? Expectations, I’ll remind you, which were result of the acclaimed reputation that preceded this city.

Barcelona is the embarkation point for many large cruise ships. We arrived in Barcelona two days before boarding the Royal Princess for a twelve day Grand Mediterranean cruise to Venice. This was probably our first mistake as we were full of the excitement from five days in Paris and the anticipation of our pending Mediterranean cruise. In hindsight, to expect to see enough of the Barcelona sights to sustain our appetite for all things Spanish in two days was ridiculous. After researching where to stay in Barcelona we booked in at Ibis Barcelona Centro close to Sagrada Familia.

Booking.com

Aside from the cruise, this was the number one attraction to see in Barcelona and the big ticket item that enticed us there. We found the streets in this area were clean and not crowded, that was, not crowded until we arrived at the most visited sight in the Barcelona. The queue was banked down the road and around the corner on what was a very warm day.  Little did we realise until later, we could have purchased ‘skip the line’ tickets in advance which would have taken us beyond the queue and straight inside the architectural works of Gaudi and UNESCO World Heritage site, Sagrada Familia.

So, instead we got tickets and boarded the hop on hop off bus to see some of the sights in Barcelona. The bus was to have had commentary, but unfortunately the system was not working so we travelled for what seemed like forever not knowing where we were travelling to or what we were looking at.  The other drawcard to Barcelona was Flamenco dance, which we had pre-purchased tickets to see on our first night. We arrived early, too early to be seated, as the early show was still on, so we were told to come back. We went down the street to a bar and sampled the local beer and sangria.

When it was time to return, we were seated in the restaurant area which we joked was like a Spanish Sizzler’s. There was an abundance of food, and an even greater abundance of sangria.  We ate, drank and soaked up the atmosphere until it was time to adjourn to the next room staged for the Flamenco show. Sadly we were denied taking pictures and the dancers were so serious I was scared to show any enjoyment. Enjoyment I might add that was short lived as we had front row seats, and the stomping of their feet on the timber stage soon began pounding through my head. After many dancers had been stomping for over an hour or so I concluded this as a ‘once of’ experience that I won’t need to see again.

We had also wanted to go to ascend Montserrat Mountain by cog-wheel train and see the Monks in the Royals Basilica with its spectacular views and 12th century carvings, but unfortunately time didn’t permit us this experience. Well I can assure you our time in Barcelona was not all disappointment. Around the corner from our hotel we found this little place where we sat at a sidewalk table and had coffee and Churros to die for, and a little further found another place where we had amazing seafood paella and another where we were served a variety of tapas. We walked the famous Passeig de Gracia and visited the century old food markets Hostafrancs Market, spend some time at the Casa Batllo, known as the House of Bones and the National Museum of Art of Catalonia at the top of Barcelona’s largest park, Montjuic.

But the highlight turned out to be the water fountain and light show at Montjuic which we were lead to on our hop on hop off ride.  When the sun went down the crowds grew until the area was swollen to the fringes with tourists.  I have never seen a fountain of this mammoth size before.  By the time the show commenced the crowds were also mammoth, it was like all of Spain was attending.  What a truly remarkable night it was, this beautiful fountain put on a spectacular free show that combined water, colour, light and music. All the impromptu music heard in Barcelona creates a memorable experience as also discovered by Contented Traveller.

Well by now I am beginning to see Barcelona was not such a terrible place. In fact, I admit I want to return to this city again, this time with a fresh perspective. While it is true Barcelona has crowds, and with them I will walk Las Ramblas, check out the architecture and try Bocadillo.  In the Barri gottic I will sit near the cathedral and watch the people.  And I will go back to Gaudi’s famous building which defies all logic on architecture, only this time on the inside with my advance tickets.

Lesson learnt, there is so much to see and do in Barcelona. The only way to make the most of a short time in this city is to plan ahead. In summing up, yes we will go back, after all, we still have the opportunity to hear one of Europe’s oldest children’s’ choirs singing at the beautiful and inspiring Monsterrat. Barcelona is so different, creative and it really is beautiful. Yes Barcelona is definitely worth a second look.

Have you been to Barcelona? Did you enjoy your time there? Or is there somewhere you visited that let you down as it was not the same as your expectations?

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