Is Barcelona a good weekend destination

Asks esmeharrison

A. Barcelona is a great place to visit for a long weekend, as it is just possible to cover most of the top sights�on foot - if you prefer not to use the very efficient Metro. It is one of the best places in Europe to visit if you appreciate architecture,�and has an international reputation for design and public art.�Eveything is�really accessible and easy to enjoy without having to be an expert. The city is perhaps best known as a monument to the flamboyant architecture of one of its favourite sons, Antoni Gaudi.

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As the host of the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona was given the impetus for major urban redevelopment and renewal. The infrastructure of the city was drastically overhauled and four new beaches were created. The process of regeneration continued throughout the 1990s, particularly around the old port. Today, Barcelona is a sparkling city where old and new coexist harmoniously. It is also a place with a strong sense of regional identity. If you visit during any of the city's numerous festivals you'll know you're in Catalonia, not just in Spain.

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Q. Can you recommend its best tourist attractions

A. Some of the best places to visit include the following:

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Barri G�tic (Gothic Quarter): This area of the city dates back to the 14th Century and is full of old squares, cobbled streets and�grand churches, and�and is within easy walking distance of La Rambla. Pla�a Sant Jaume, the main square in the heart of the district, is the epicentre of the city's political life. It is home to the Palau de la Generalitat, which houses the Catalan government and the town hall - the Ajuntament.

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Also located in the Barri G�tic is the famous Catedral de la Seu, a huge church that dates back to the 14th century. If you go inside, visit the cloisters and the Capella de Lepanto.

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Parc de la Ciutadella: Situated near the Barri G�tic, this�is a serene and quiet place to relax while soaking up the luscious greenery. It is also home to the Museu d'Art Modern.

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Santa Maria del Mar: Appreciated as the most beautiful church in the city (and some say the whole of Spain), this is�a prime example of Mediterranean Gothic architecture.

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La Sagrada Familia (Expiatory Temple of the Holy Family): Awesome, unfinished cathedral located in the Eixample district, and known to be Gaudi's unfinished masterpiece. It is one of the city's most visited attractions and although an amazing structure, is loved by locals and tourists alike because it is never likely to be finished and always resembles a building site.

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Casa Mil�: An undulating apartment block on the corner of Passeig de Gr�cia. The building is known locally as La Pedrera (the quarry) because of its uneven grey stone facade that ripples around a street corner - it creates a wave effect as the shape was said to be inspired by the ocean. Gaudi's combination of curved shapes, broken mosaic and rounded curves are amazing and have to be witnessed on this building's hugely impressive roof terrace. The loft space of Casa Mil� houses a beautiful museum - Espai Gaud� - dedicated to the architect.

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Parc G�ell: You can experience even more Gaudi at Parc G�ell, which was originally conceived as a garden city and today exhibits fantastic stairways, columned halls and an organic plaza -�decorated with stunning broken-mosaic work (trencad�s) - that is home to the largest park bench in the world.

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Museu Picasso: Gallery featuring one of the largest collections of Picasso's work in one place, and concentrating primarily on his early work including his famous Blue period. The Museu Picasso is Barcelona's most visited museum. It's housed in three beautiful stone mansions on the Carrer de Montcada.

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Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA): The museum opened amid a blaze of publicity in 1995, and houses a permanent collection of post-1940s international art and various temporary exhibitions.

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Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (National Museum of Catalonian Art) has great collections of Medieval, Gothic and Romanesque art and artefacts.

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Fundaci� Joan Mir�: this gallery in the Parc de Montju�c is a must for any fans of Miro as it houses a permanent collection of his paintings, graphics and sculptures.

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Q. Is it easy to get around the city

A. Yes, most attractions can be reached on foot. But if you're feeling hot or just not that energetic there is a very efficient Metro system that stops at several city centre stops. Metro lines are identified by a number and a colour; the direction is shown by the name of the line terminus.

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You can obtain some discount passes to enter most tourist attractions. The Ruta Modernista pass allows admission to all of the city's modernista architecture. The Barcelona Card offers discounts of up to 50% at all tourist attractions and also allows free access to the Metro and on local buses. The ticket is available for 24, 48 or 72 hours.

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All tourist passes and general tourist information�are available from the Centre d'Informaci� Turisme de Barcelona, Pla�a de Catalunya 17 S. Tel: (93) 304 3421. Fax: (93) 304 3155. It is open from 8am-9pm daily. English is spoken.

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Q. When is the best time to visit

A. In spring, Barcelona is temperate and uncrowded, so it the best time to visit. However, if you want to experience a Catalan festival - and there are loads - some of the best times to visit would be when one of the following events is on as you'll experience fireworks, street theatre, music and general merrymaking:

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Festes de Sant Medir in May

Festes de Sant Joan in June

Festes de Sant Pere (summer solstice) in June

Festes de Sant Jaume in July

Festes de Gr�cia in August

Diade Nacional de Catalunya (Catalonia National Day), 11 September

Fiesta de La Merc� in September

International Jazz Festival in November

Fiesta de Santa Ll�cia (Christmas fairs), throughout December.

Exact dates for all festivals are available from the Tourist Office, detailed above.

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By Karen Anderson