Barcelona Spain and the Four Points by Sheraton

I made a deal with my friend that I would cover the flights if he covered the hotels.  As part of this arrangement, I picked the flights and he picked the hotels.  I was partial to the W Barcelona, but since it wasn’t my dime, we were at the Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona (FPBS).  We anticipated spending most of our time sightseeing, so it should not make much of a difference.

Barcelona Spain

The Air Canada flight landed around 8AM and we were quickly through customs and to the taxi stand.  We went to the hotel to drop off our bags, grab a map, and start looking around the city.  The FPBS is in a business area of town and four subway stops away from city center.  The room was a normal sized room by European standards with a weak air conditioner that was loud and clunky.  I picked the free breakfast SPG Platinum amenity and enjoyed the morning spread.  There was usually a long wait at the front desk, but the agents were friendly and somewhat helpful.

Antoni Gaudí is an architect that left his mark on Barcelona, a very unique mark.  The three places to go and see his work is the church of Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell, and Casa Batlló.  Sagrada Familia is a basilica that is still under construction.  The church is beautiful and worth the €10 to visit.  Parc Güell is a large park in the north of town.  It has some very unique design elements and the world’s longest bench.  Casa Batlló is a house built, and completed, by Gaudi on the main shopping boulevard.  It is an amazing architectural sight.

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

Parc Güell

Parc Güell

Parc Güell

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló

Picasso worked in Barcelona for some time and there is a decent Picasso museum in the old town.  It follow’s Picasso’s works through his life.  There aren’t any iconic works on display, bigger museums and private collectors have those, but it is still an interesting collection that shows his evolving style over time.

Church Close to Picasso Museum

The Old Cathedral in downtown was my favorite spot in Barcelona.  I will always go into an old church and always be impressed.  The Barcelona Cathedral has a lovely courtyard off the side and it is peaceful and relaxing.  I grabbed a seat and cleared my mind.  It was a wonderful experience.

The beach at Barcelona is a big deal.  Like its why most people visit Barcelona.  It’s huge and packed with people.  My friend and I were on a sightseeing trip, not a beach holiday, so we didn’t spend much time on the sand.  It looks like a great spot for a beach holiday and I want to return and be a beach bum for a few days on another trip.  If you are doing the beach, stay at the W Barcelona.  It’s on the beach and looks like an amazing hotel.

The monastery at Montserrat is a day trip into the mountains.  It has a beautiful church and miles of trails through the hills with breathtaking views.

Barcelona is a great walking town with numerous cafes that all look great and are worth a visit.  Jamon Ibiricos is plentiful, though up to $100 per pound, and a taste is required on any visit.  We stopped at Pernil 181 and had our picture taken in front of the wall of hams.  We also picked up 100 grams of ham to have in the park outside.  It’s only a few blocks (downhill) from Parc Guell and worth a stop.

When our three days in Barcelona were over, we headed back to the new terminal at BCN to continue the trip to Vienna.  I need to return to Barcelona and do a proper beach holiday; definitely staying at the W Barcelona, but maybe not in July or August.

Not the Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona, but Close By