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District of Barcelona in Catalonia, Spain
Photo: Canaan, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sants-Montjuïc is a district in the southwest of Barcelona. Many of its attractions focus on the Parc de Montjuïc, which has museums, a castle, Olympic facilities and some great views overlooking the city. The district also contains the high-speed rail train station.
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Pavelló alemany
The Pavilion is one of the emblematic works of Mies van der Rohe and key reference architecture of the twentieth century. The famous German Pavilion was designed for the 1929 Barcelona International Exhibition and reconstructed in 1986 on its original site. Its innovative architectural structure marked a radical change in the layout of space and greatly influenced the development of modern architecture. Furthermore, the Pavilion exhibits the Barcelona Chair, also designed by Mies van der Rohe, along with a bronze reproduction of Georg Kolbe’s sculpture Morning. The Fundació Mies van der Rohe veils for the conservation of the Pavilion.
Arts & cultural centre.
Joan Miró Museum
Treasured museum dedicated to Joan Miró and always has interesting temporary expositions on display.
Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya
Has the single best collection of Romanesque art in the world, and a fine Gothic collection as well. Includes the Pantocrator from the Taüll Romanesque church. The building itself is also very beautiful.
Museu d'Arqueologia de Catalunya
Situated on the Montjuic, it exhibits archaeological findings from Catalunia from different periods. Under 16 and 65+ free. €3 for others. Special discounts for other groups.
Museu Etnològic de Barcelona
This museum mainly exhibits exponents, which were imported by Catalan sailors as they explored the new world. Free on the first Sunday each month (11:00 to 15:00)
El Museu de l'Esport Olímpic
The museum displays high-performance sport competitions, recreational sports, sports in general and sports for disabled people. It shows how sport can promote values, educate, innovate and renew. The museum has a sport idols space with outstanding players.
Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys
The stadium and its surroundings built in 1927 and renovated for the 1992 Summer Olympics provides nice architectonic and city views. Since it's not too crowded outside sport events, it's usually a pretty calm place.
Placa d'Espanya was created for the 1929 World Exhibition, on a site once used for public hangings. The fountain in the center of the square is a great attraction and plays music during the summer. Plaça Espanya is located at the base of Montjuic hill.
A fake village built in 1929, with replicas of characteristic buildings in Spain (like the Avila walls, the Vall-de-roures town hall, etc.). The village hosts the Fondation Fran Daurel, where you can enjoy an interesting Modern Art collection boasting Miró, Picasso, Tapiès and other, mostly Spanish and Catalan, contemporary artists. The audio tour is very worthwhile there. Also worth seeing - the flamenco show at Tablo de Carmen. You can also step into several of the workshops to see craftsmen at work such as glassblowers and leather workers.
Jardí Botànic de Barcelona
Although a botanic garden had been established in Barcelona as early as 1888, the current gardens date from 1999.
Jardines de Miramar
This is where you arrive by a harbour cable car. Marvelous place in the spring, full of roses and fountains. Entrance to the cactus garden is nearby. The Mirador Miramar offers splendid views over the city.
Castell
Provides a beautiful panorama view over the rest of the city. The Montjuic Castle is in the Montjuic hill. From the Montjuïc Castle, take the harbor cable car to Barceloneta for more splendid views.
Swimming pool on Montjuic
In the summer months July and August the outdoor swimming pool is open for public. This pool offers spectacular views over the whole city. The pool is close to the exit from the funicular that departs from metro station Parallel; metro ticket is valid for the funicular.
A big variety of tapas including cheese, tortillas, seafood and meat options are offered by friendly staff. First one has to choose a plate and a drink. At the end one pays for the number of toothpicks. Cheap drinks attracts a young public.
Going back to 1908 the restaurant is known for its anchovies accompanied with good vermouth.
The tapas bar has great drink choices and serves original non traditional food.
Lively little bar that serves excellent sandwiches and has a good selection of wines.
The tapas bar is very popular and hence always packed. It offers interesting varieties including sweet dessert ones.
Wine bar with lots of local choices plus a great selection of cheeses. They have great suggestions according to personal taste.
Bar that seems out of the eighties. It is very popular and plays regular concerts.
A chilled out lounge bar with groovy tunes that uses its space to host short film nights, installations and concerts. Their webpage is worth a look for upcoming events and shows in Barcelona.
It is one of the best clubs in town, and the place to be on Monday nights. Concerts every weekend and also during the week.
Brew pub in the Poble Sec area. A range of dishes to go with the beer.
Alberguinn
Clean, secure and trendy hostel with a team of receptionists that will strive to help you with anything that you may need. The beds are comfortable and a continental breakfast is included. Free computers to use and WIFI. Lockers and bed linen included. Main train station is a few blocks away, as well as 3 metro lines (L1 L3 L5) and an international bus station. Luggage room is also free to use before check-in and after check-out.
Avda. Roma, 2-4. Next to Sants Central Station. Restaurant on the 23rd floor, spa, gym. €100.
Between Sants Station and Plaza Francesc Maciá. 50 rooms, free Wi-Fi.
On a major street. The metro station "Poble Sec" is right across from the hotel. If you prefer to walk you can reach "La Rambla" and all the major atrractions in downtown Barcelona in just 15 minutes. The rooms are spacious, the furniture is almost like new, and the staff are quite friendly.
Hotel fully renovated, just two minutes walking from the Sants Station. 80 rooms, restaurant, meeting rooms, free Wi-Fi.
This has to be one of the world's oldest Tryps, and it is so old that it is literally falling apart. The reason why it is still in business is the unparalleled location next to MEtro (pardon the pun) Parallel.
Nice 4-star hotel of the chain Best.
AC does the trick by wrapping quite small rooms and limited facilities in modern design in very toned-down hues. Don't expect anything fancy, this is Marriott's lowest-tier brand in Spain. Some of the rooms begin to show dents and cracks after guests failed to properly navigate the narrow bits. The location next to the Sants station is convenient even if a bit sombre.
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