Couple Browsing the Museu Picasso

Why You Need to Visit the Museu Picasso

Barcelona’s rich history and vibrant culture can be clearly seen throughout their numerous museums and art galleries scattered throughout the city.  These establishments are brimming with incredible works and pieces of countless, talented artists that have influenced this exotic city throughout the years.  One of the most outstanding attractions in Barcelona is the Museu Picasso, an institution dedicated to honoring the many masterpieces of the Spanish-born Pablo Picasso.  A brilliant individual who contributed greatly to the art realm with his unique ideas and styles, Picasso was known as one of most impressive artists of the 20th century, best known for his introduction of cubism   Here at the Picasso museum, you can admire 4,251 of his works, as well as pieces from other key artists from this time period.  Discover what there is to do at this museum and start making your plans to visit today!  

3 Things to Do at the Museu Picasso

  1. Explore the Museum

The Museu Picasso is comprised of five different buildings, each reflecting the classic Catalan civic Gothic style; they are all townhouses located on the Carrer de Montcada.  You can take guided tours of these buildings to get more insight into the life of Pablo Picasso, or get an audio guide so you can tour this amazing attraction at your own pace.  Their hours are 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday; they stay open late until 9:30 p.m. on Thursdays and are closed on Mondays.  You can purchase your Museu Picasso tickets online for your convenience.  

  1. See the Many Exhibits & Collections

Established in the 1980s by Picasso’s friend and secretary, Jaume Sabartés, the Museu Picasso is now home to several large, permanent collections, in addition to the many rotating exhibits they host.  These exhibits usually include a particular grouping of paintings or works with shared or similar characteristics.  The works displayed here are mostly from Picasso’s formative years, but there are also pieces highlighting his earliest creations, like sketches of self-portraits and his first trip to Paris.  

  1. Attend Fun Events

The Museu Picasso holds many events in order to further the community’s education about this famous artist.  One special event is Zoom, which occurs every second Thursday of the month; it involves an art historian and artist teaming up to reveal certain, hidden aspects of Picasso’s works.  Other programs include art classes and senior memory workshops.

To see even more arts and history in Barcelona, be sure to visit the Sagrada Familia and La Catedral Barcelona!  

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Find the Best Cheap Flights to Barcelona, Spain

How to Find the Best Cheap Flights to Barcelona, Spain

Let’s face it, vacationing can become pretty expensive, especially if it involves air travel!  If you’re dreaming of exploring the exotic destination of Barcelona, Spain, but aren’t sure how you can afford those plane tickets, there are a few tips and tricks you can try to help you find the best deals so you can get there without draining your bank account.  Finding cheap flights to Barcelona, Spain, is actually not as far-fetched as it sounds; you just need to know how and where to look!  Browse through our methods of detecting the lowest prices for flights and start planning your vacation-on-a-budget today!

Tips and Tricks to Finding Cheap Flights to Barcelona, Spain

  1. Book Well in Advance

The first step of planning your low-cost vacation is to start planning as far ahead as possible.  This will give you plenty of time to find the cheapest days to fly out, you’ll have more flexibility, and you can avoid sticky circumstances, like long layovers.  Seats also become more expensive as the flight starts to fill, so booking sooner rather than later is always a good tactic.

  1. Use Smart Search Techniques

When you search for the same flight repeatedly, you might see the prices getting higher; that’s because your web browser recognizes that you really want a certain flight and so the site tries to trick you into booking quickly before the prices rise yet again.  Use an incognito or private search window when searching flights to avoid this situation.  There are also quality search engines you can use, like Skyscanner, AirFare Watchdog, and Jet Radar.

  1. Find the Best Budget Airlines

There’s an abundance of quality budget airlines to Barcelona, Spain; you just have to look hard enough!  Catching a flight with Easyjet or Ryanair to Spain will definitely save you some cash.  Jet2 and Flymonarch are also good alternatives to the bigger, more expensive airlines.

  1. Search for Last-Minute Deals

If a certain flight doesn’t fill up completely, their employees will be desperately searching for customers to fill up their seats as quickly as possible.  Travel consolidators are a great resource for last-minute tickets as well; they buy a mass amount of tickets, which usually results in them selling any leftover ones for a discounted price.

  1. Look for Discounts

Last but not least, keep your eyes peeled for any travel discounts that may apply to you!  There are travel discounts for teachers, students, seniors, federal employees, and many more.  

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Enjoy a Beer at the Best Bars to Watch Football in Barcelona

Find the Best Bars to Watch Football in Barcelona!

Football is one of the staples of Barcelona culture!  If you didn’t manage to obtain Barcelona match tickets, then you’re gathered in one of the local sports bars to cheer on the Barcelona soccer team with the rest of the city’s most avid fans.  There are numerous bars scattered throughout the area that are fantastic for watching the big game while enjoying some delicious snacks and refreshing drinks.  Discover some of the best bars to watch football in Barcelona to experience the thrill and excitement of this gripping sport to the fullest!  

5 of the Best Bars to Watch Football in Barcelona

  1. La Taverna de Barcelona

This favorite hotspot specializes in serving hearty, homemade food in a rustic and historic environment.  Located in Eixample Dret, La Taverna de Barcelona provides both international and Mediterranean dishes for all their hungry guests, as well as big screens for watching the game.  They are open every day of the week and keep serving drinks past midnight!   

  1. McCarthy’s Irish Bar

Make visiting this bar a priority during your vacation!  McCarthy’s Bar in Barcelona, Spain, is one of the most beloved bars in the city.  Considered the number one Irish bar in Barcelona, McCarthy’s is well-known for the wide selection of reasonably priced beers and cocktails.  They also host showings of all the major sporting events currently happening for the entertainment of their guests.  With their comfortable environment and delectable dishes, you’ll feel right at home in this haven in the heart of Barcelona!  

  1. Belushi’s in Barcelona

The only thing that makes watching football in Barcelona better is to pair it with burgers and drinks!  Belushi’s in Barcelona is famous for their mouthwatering burgers, international beers and spirits, and, of course, multiple massive TV screens.  No matter which team you want to cheer for, you’ll be able to watch it right here!  They also have pool tables and free WiFi so visitors can relax and unwind!  

  1. Flaherty’s Irish Bar in Barcelona

Located right next to the famous Barcelona attraction, Las Ramblas, Flaherty’s Irish Bar features amazing meals and abundant screens to help you celebrate Barcelona’s latest victory!  Their famous starters, such as their Irish nachos and tequila-and-lime wings, are bound to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites.  With their frequent specials and promotions, this engaging bar in Barcelona will keep you coming back again and again!

  1. George Payne in Barcelona

Enjoy watching your favorite team win in the ideal setting!  In addition to hosting parties to watch sporting events, George Payne in Barcelona also throws other fun festivities, like karaoke nights!  Great food and company completes this bar to make it one of the finest places to watch football in the city.

Come Stay with Us at bizFlats!

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Visit the Incredible Montserrat Monastery

Explore the Montserrat Monastery, One of the Best Attractions of Barcelona

Barcelona is a dream vacation spot due to its countless, intriguing attractions!  The Montserrat Monastery near Barcelona has been a place of great religious significance for generations.  What began as a Roman temple to worship Venus transformed into a monastery in 880 A.D. by hermit monks.  It has been said that unbelievable miracles occurred here in the 12th century that caused tremendous growth in the monastery.  Today, this attraction is still a destination of pilgrimages and also serves as a place for people to visit and learn about the history of this area.  Discover what this attraction has to offer and make plans to see it today!

Getting to the Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona

The Montserrat Monastery is perched atop a towering mountain, overlooking breathtaking views of Spain.  If you’re traveling to this attraction from Barcelona and wondering how to get there, you can catch a train from the Barcelona-Plaça Espanya Station that leaves every hour and will carry you up the steep, dizzying incline to this majestic destination above.  The Montserrat Monastery hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and is open all week long.  Tickets can be purchased through the Montserrat Monastery website.

History and Art of the Montserrat Monastery

Over one thousand years of preserved artwork and historical artifacts are kept here in this beautiful establishment.  These pieces total to almost 1,300 items; the oldest of these collections can be traced all the way back to 13th century BC Egypt.  In addition to numerous icons and liturgical objects from all places and time periods, the Museum of the Montserrat is home to countless paintings created by some of the most talented artists in the world, including Picasso and Salvador Dali.  One of the most beloved pieces here, however, is the statue of the Black Madonna at Montserrat Monastery; visitors and locals alike flock to see this beautiful representation the patron saint of Catalonia.  

Things to Do at the Montserrat Monastery

In addition to touring the many art displays and history exhibits, the Montserrat Monastery offers many other activities as well.  An interactive audiovisual room is available to help visitors learn more about the three pillars that support this institution: the mountain, the sanctuary, and the monastery.  For further education, you can also take a Montserrat Monastery map and an audio guide to lead you on a tour of the Holy Cave, the Basilica, and the Degatolls’ Path.   

Hiking near the Montserrat Monastery

This area also includes the Montserrat Nature Park, a gorgeous portion of the great outdoors that contains numerous trails for walking and hiking.  Go on a stroll along the Hermitage Trail, where individuals traversed for years and years to reach a place of peace for quiet meditation and contemplation.  You can also climb to the top of the Montserrat Peak for jaw-dropping, panoramic views of the surrounding scenery, or take a one-day course on rock climbing to learn a new, exciting skill!  Experienced hikers love the challenge that the Cavall Bernat presents; this long, slender rock needle protruding from the face of the mountain is a climb meant only for expert outdoorsmen!

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Try Amazing Food at the Best Restaurants in Barcelona

Make the Most of Your Vacation by Visiting 5 of the Best Restaurants in Barcelona, Spain

Breathtaking sights, salty sea air, and decadent dining; Barcelona is an exotic paradise for so many reasons.  With all the city’s many unique attractions, you’ll see, hear, taste, and smell things you never even dreamed existed!  The dining in Barcelona is especially amazing; good food surrounded by picturesque scenery is hard to beat!  This city contains thousands of places to eat, with each and every one serving their own incredible dishes and treats.  The abundance of restaurants here might feel overwhelming to a newcomer, however, so we’ve narrowed down a few of our favorites to help with your vacation itinerary!  Discover some of the best restaurants in Barcelona, Spain, to enjoy a meal that you won’t soon forget.

5 of the Best Restaurants in Barcelona, Spain

  1. Botafumeiro

Located close by to the picturesque Plaça de la Vila de Gracia, this is a great spot for some fresh, authentic seafood!  Each dish served at Botafumeiro is carefully prepared to ensure that the flavors are genuine and satisfying.  From lobster to calamari, these exquisite menu items are bound to fulfill even the most ravenous appetite!  Don’t forget to save room for dessert; this fantastic restaurant is known for their sweet treats!

  1. Restaurant Uma

Both visitors and locals alike rave about this one-of-a-kind hotspot due to its distinctive dishes and quirky atmosphere.  Uma is constantly drawing countless, curious individuals who are dying to try their beautifully crafted and utterly delectable foods. These chefs’ passion for the art of food can be clearly seen through their creative and imaginative dishes with an astonishingly alluring presentation.  

  1. Salamanca

Ever wanted to dine right beside the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean?  You can at Salamanca Restaurant in Barcelona!  Not only do they have a picturesque backdrop for enjoying a great meal, but they also serve the best paella in Barcelona, a traditional dish that includes an abundance of seafood atop a delicious pile of rice.  

  1. Alta Taberna Paco Meralgo

Tapas is a dish native to the Catalan people; smaller portions of bite-size foods means you can try a wide variety of different dishes, all within one meal!  Alta Taberna Paco Meralgo makes some of the finest tapas in all of Barcelona, served within a warm, welcoming environment.  Indulge yourself in some heavenly dessert while you’re here as well; their menu includes a long list of sweets, from frozen chocolate truffles to cream-filled pastries.

  1. The Box Barcelona

For a great place to eat that also offers a thriving nightlife, visit The Box Barcelona!  Try Latin-influenced foods and drinks, then dance the night away in this energy-filled destination!

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