I cannot think of a better way to see Barcelona for the first time! A trip on the tourist bus will include the most famous sites and give you a feel for the city in the comfort of the tourist bus and if you are lucky enough and the weather is good a place on the top open deck!


So where do you buy your tourist bus tickets?


1. Directly onboard the tourist bus.


2. A vendor.

Today Corpus Christi will be celebrated in Barcelona with parades of giants and big-headed carnival figures known as 'Cabezudos' that meet around the cathedral area in the centre of the city.

During the celebration of the L'ou com Balla, or "dancing egg" festival, which dates back from the 16th century, an emptied eggshell is perched above a stream of water coming from one of the city's many fountains, which are decorated with flowers in deep reds and pretty pinks. Under the water jet, the egg appears to dance in mid-air! It's free and maybe worth taking a look if you happen to be in Barcelona today.

Las Ramblas or if you prefer to say it in catalan, Les Rambles! Las Ramblas is a busy, pedestrianised street in central Barcelona, popular not only with the tourists but also the local people of Barcelona.


Las Ramblas is 1.2 kilometer-long and is lined with beautiful trees and is in what is knowm as the Barri Gòtic area of Barcelona, it connects Plaça de Catalunya with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell. You can usually expect to find lots of street entertainers, mainly these amazing statutes of weird and wonderful characters. They in fact look so statue like it is hard to believe that it is actually a person! It has infact got a very London Covent Garden feel to it, well same sort of atmosphere.


Las Ramblas is really a series of shorter streets, each differently named, hence the plural form Les Rambles.


When walking down Las Ramblas you can visit its many small shops or enjoy watching the various performances. There are also several vendors trying to sell paper figures they claim are capable of dancing! Las Ramblas is usually very crowded, especially during the summer months. For this reason, it has become a prime target for pickpockets. Lots of tourists have had their wallets stolen on this street. So hold on tight to your handbag or at least be aware that it can be stolen very quickly here!


The Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said that Las Ramblas was "the only street in the world which I wish would never end". Yes it is indeed very nice to walk down, but after a while you realise that most of the things on display are very similar. However, if you are in Barcelona it is one walk that I highly recommend that you do...just watch your bag and wallet! Also, do not be conned by the "tricksters" to part with any money. They have a little game going, which is of course illegal, as they run pretty quickly if a policeman is in sight! This game, always has a large crowd of tourists looking on. You of course think it looks very easy to win. Wrong! You lose every time...believe me! I have seen many an irrate tourist who has given their money believing that they would win!

Casa Milà, also more popularly known as La Pedrera, is one of Barcelona's wonderful buildings. La Pedrera was designed and built by Catalunya's most renowned architect, Antoní Gaudí, between 1906 and 1912. La Pedrera was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Today it is owned by the leading bank Caixa Catalunya, who sponsor the arts and various events there, as well as opening the patios, the Espai Gaudí (loft and roof) and the Pedrera Apartment to the public.


The Espai is probably the most famous part of the building, with a loft exhibition and a roof of sculptures. As well as displaying the architect's designs, the exhibition provides historical and autobiographical documentation of his work and a chance to see the 270 brick arches that support the roof.


Visitors will find an array of unique and fascinating structures. As well as six skylights, there are two ventilation towers and seven chimneys, covered in mosaics. You can also enjoy fabulous view across the city of Barcelona.


The building created by Antoni Gaudí opens its doors at night to visitors during July, August and September. La Pedrera at night presents special activities where the public can listen to music performances.


During July, August and September, every Friday and Saturdays, La Pedrera will offer the possibility of visiting the Gaudí Space and of having a drink while listening to music performances from 9 p.m. up to midnight. This musical program changes every month, and includes jazz, flamenco- merger and tango.


I have never been at night, but this is certainly on the list of things to do this summer!! In fact it was Alex, fellow blogger, who mentioned to me that we must definetely have cocktails amongst the chimneys!


La Pedrera is situated in the Passeig de Gracia 92


It is open daily from 9 until 8 from March till October
and 9 until 6.30 from November till February.


Entrance cost is € 8.00 and € 4.50 for the kids.

The Poble Espanyol, or Spanish Village, was built for the 1929 World Exhibition to show the architectural styles particular to the 17 autonomous communities of mainland Spain.
In an initiative to preserve and replicate the traditional buildings of the Spanish provinces, the committee of the 1929 World Exhibition decided to undertake this enourmous project, which brings together houses from all 17 regions. The Balearic and Canary Islands were excluded for practical reasons: the logistics of transporting workers and materials to Barcelona were deemed too complex.


The final result is a village which enchants locals and visitors to this day. With a particular old-time feel to it, the Poble Espanyol has also become the centre of traditional crafts in the region. A special scholarship enables gifted students to undertake a postgraduate placement in the village (Poble), where they work alongside other artists and are provided with a forum to sell their work.

This is quite a nice day out with the family and usually appeals to the kids as they can run around! Check out the weather today because it is again looking like it is going to rain!!

The Poble Espanyol is situated on the Montjuic in Barcelona. You can look at the website for the actual opening times and entrance prices.