Barcelona, an alternative guide

La Rambla is the heart of Barcelona and I like to say that it is a small world. From here, you can reach several hidden places, such as the small square called Sant Felip Neri. During the Spanish Civil War, executions took place in this square, so you can still see bullet marks on its walls. Near there, you can discover six columns of the Roman Augustus Temple (Paradis St.). Frederic Marés Museum is placed in a royal palace built in 14th century and it is may be the weirdest museum in the city. Don't miss the City History Museum to discover Roman walls and the old Barcino. You'll visit the audience hall where Columbus was received by the Catholic king before his journey to America. El Born is the coolest neighbourhood in the city. All the shops and restaurants are worth a visit. Also visit El Raval. Some years ago, this quartier was a dangerous place to go in; poor people and a lot of immigrant families live here. Now it is full of Pakistani shops, Indian shops, and Arabian bars. Gràcia is a very nice place to have a drink. It’s a neighbourhood with small streets and squares, full of people from 8pm until 3am. These are the best neighbourhoods to discover Barcelonan way of life. Don't miss its cafés, small squares, and the diversity of its people, bars, and shops.

For good views, go to Park Güell -- you'll see the whole city from there. There's a romantic labyrinth in the Parc del Laberint d'Horta. It's not easy to get there, but it is worth the visit.

Quick Tips:

If you want to feel like a real Barcelonan, ask for a "suizo" (hot chocolate with whipped cream) in any of the popular "granjas" in the city, especially those in Petritxol Street. If you want to discover a different neighbourhood, get lost in La Barceloneta, near the sea.

Best Way To Get Around:

Barcelona is not a big city, so it's easy to go everywhere on foot. There are six tube lines. A piece of advice: don't take the tourist bus unless you don't want to walk. It's expensive and it's better to go by your own.

Best streets to walk along: Ferlandina, Avinyó, Montcada, Rec.

Warning: it is said that tourist have been robbed in Raval and other streets around La Rambla, and some people say that this is a dangerous place to go. This is not true at all. It is true that is not the best place to go at night, but you can go there if you know where you are going.

A cute restaurant in one of the most curious streets in the city. Good food and different recipes, including Spanish to Oriental meals. You can also have breakfast here.

This is one of the best restaurants in the city. It's very well decorated and serves fabulous food. It could be described as a "tapas" restaurant, but the food is more creative, original, and unique. You'll enjoy eating here.

Flash Flash serves salted and sweet omelettes in a very well-known restaurant built in the '70s. It was the intellectual restaurant at that time; nowadays, it remains a little bit retro, but still cool.

This is one of the best restaurants in town and is located close to Plaça Sant Jaume (where the city hall is). It serves a mixture of dishes and the food is good quality. It's a special place to go and is only open at night.

This is a popular restaurant. It's huge, modern, and informal. The menu is small, but the dishes are well-chosen -- good Catalan food at very good prices. It's close to la Rambla in the center of the city.

This is an astonishing dance hall, built in 1903 and decorated as an art nouveau theatre on two levels. It is probably the most well-known disco in the city. The style of music played depends on the day (concerts, DJs, orchestra, etc.). They're open from 6pm to 6am. Check out their website.

It boasts over 50 interactive activities that involve touching, watching, listening, investigating, and discovering nature. Explora! represents three ecosystems of the Mediterranean coast: the marshes of the Ebro Delta, an underwater cave of the Medes Isles, and an area on the Costa Brava. FOr more ifnormation, check out the website.