13 Barcelona Apps to enjoy the city

These Barcelona Apps will give you all the guidance you need. There is no need to wander around the city with your nose buried in a guide book!

Barcelona Apps: Transport

  • Virtual Bus Touristic App

Plan where you want to hop off by taking a ride on the virtual-reality version of this iconic bus tour first.

Virtual Bus Turistic Barcelona Apps

  • TMB App

This easy-to-use Barcelona app allows you to plan your route using the city’s combined bus, metro, train and tram network. Simply put in your start and end points and it will give you a list of options, the time each will take and when your first connection is due.

Barcelona Apps_TMB.l1

  • MyTaxi App

Simply enter your destination and how you want to pay you’ll soon be sent a picture of the driver who is on their way to you.

Barcelona Apps My Taxi App

Barcelona Apps: Sightseeing

  • The official guide to Barcelona App

A traditional city guide on your phone. Includes all the information you need as a tourist in Barcelona.

Barcelona Apps Barcelona_Guia_Oficial.l1

  • Mapp4all App

This Barcelona app details the accessibility of famous sights and museums as well as the more day to day amenities such as banks, supermarkets and restaurants.

Barcelona Apps app-mapp4all-l1

  • iBarcelona – Smartour App

The ultimate Barcelona app for the smart phone generation. If you don’t know where to start, follow their recommended itinerary or see what local events are near your apartment.

Barcelona Apps Smartour_Barcelona.l1

  • GaleriesArt App

Find everything you need to know about the galleries in the Association of Art Galleries of Catalonia (GGAC), from exhibition dates and opening hours to information about featured artists. The geolocation capability helps you find galleries near your apartment.

Barcelona_Galeries_Art_l1

  • Joan Miró App

Scan the code next to the famous works to find out the story behind it. For an artistic spin on sightseeing, you can also walk a mile (or more!) in Miró‘s shoes and take a look at his former residences around Barcelona.

Barcelona_Fundacio_Miro_l1

  • Barcelona Metro Walks App

This Barcelona app will guide you around Barcelona’s surrounding neighbourhoods by public transport and on foot. The audio guide will show you the real Barcelona by explaining its history and development.

Barcelona_metrowalks_l1

  • 22@Barcelona App

Jordi, a local architect and interior designer will give you a tour of a former industrial neighbourhood, now a urban hub of innovation.

22@Barcelona.l1

  • Medieval Barcelona App

Be transported back to Barcelona’s golden age with this Barcelona app, admire the Romanesque and Gothic architecture which dominates the old part of the city. If you are interested in this topic also check our guide to 5 Medieval Villages near Barcelona.

Medieval_Barcelona.l1

  • Gaudí’s Barcelona App

This Barcelona app not only gives you practical information about these iconic sights, an architect and interior designer describes them in fascinating detail with music and sound effects.

Gaudi_Barcelona.l1

Barcelona Apps: Food

  • Barcelona Restaurants App 

Makes choosing a restaurant from the multitude of mouth-watering possibilities easy, listing a selection of the city’s most recommended restaurants near your apartment.

Restaurants_Barcelona.l1

So step into the 21st century and step out of your apartment with these helpful Barcelona apps.

sant jordi libros y rosas

Novedades editoriales en la Diada de Sant Jordi 2017

Desde el año 2015, la propia UNESCO ha nombrado a Barcelona “Ciudad de la Literatura”.

Ello sólo es la corroboración de que esta ciudad ha sido desde hace mucho tiempo una de las ciudades que da a los libros una importancia significativa. Barcelona es la capital editorial del mundo de habla hispana y es una de las pocas ciudades en que hay una festividad completamente dedicada a los libros y la literatura.

La Diada de Sant Jordi es y será siempre la festividad más emblemática de la primavera barcelonesa, y un momento en el que más allá del eslogan de “libros y rosas”, la literatura es la protagonista de un evento reconocido internacionalmente y que es parte  innegable de la imagen que Barcelona ofrece.  Si la literatura es la imagen frontal de este evento, hablaremos de las novedades editoriales que podremos disfrutar en este abril en Barcelona.

novedades literarias libros para Sant Jordi
Sant Jordi cada año nos trae las mejores novedades literarias

Estrellas ascendentes

Este año la diada de Sant Jordi se acompañará de eventos culturales adicionales, incluyendo un festival nocturno en la plaza comercial del Born, denominado “Nit del Drac”. Gracias a esta organización, varios autores estarán presentes en la ciudad y presentarán sus obras esperando cautivar a los apasionados de la literatura. Entre estos nombres, hay dos estrellas literarias ascendentes que vale la pena seguir y por supuesto, leer sus obras:

Los cuentos de Sara Mesa

A pesar de que la joven autora sevillana, Sara Mesa, fue galardonada en los inicios de su carrera por su obra en verso, son sus cuentos lo que le ha dado un reconocimiento nacional e internacional. En el año 2015 recibió el Premio Ojo Crítica de la Narrativa y ello ha potenciado la presencia editorial de su obra.

Este año 2017 presenta una edición revisada de su premiada obra “Un incendio invisible”, además de seguir promocionando su libro “Mala Letra”, publicado en el año 2016.

Rodrigo Fresán y la metaliteratura

Para los apasionados de una literatura que habla a la vez de tópicos universales y de sí misma, introspectiva y compleja, “La Parte Soñada” del autor argentino les viene como anillo al dedo. En este texto recién publicado en marzo de este año, el autor rehace y deshace a la literatura contemporánea. Este escritor detalla sus certezas dándole a su texto literario una forma pulida, dándole voz a una época en la que lo único válido es el silencio. También es una oportunidad para redescubrir sus otras obras como “Jardines de Kensington” y “La parte inventada”.

Recordando a Gloria Fuertes

En conmemoración de los cien años del nacimiento de Gloria Fuertes, hay dos libros a los cuales merece poner la pena: “Me crece la barba”, que es una antología poética y una bellísima antología, editada por Jorge de Cascante: “El libro de Gloria Fuertes. Antología de poemas y vida”.

Max Basora y la presencia catalana

No podía faltar una presencia local en una fiesta que es tan significativa en la cultura de la ciudad de Barcelona. Este año los reflectores estarán sobre el escritor Max Basora, autóctono de la propia ciudad de Barcelona y multifacético autor que estará presentando su libro en catalán “Aventures i desventures de l’insòlit i admirable Joan Orpí, conquistador i fundador de la Nova Catalunya”. ¿Suena interesante? También será una oportunidad de descubrir (o redescubrir) su primera novela corta “Volcano” que fue un absoluto éxito de la crítica.

Novedades Editoriales En Ciencia Ficción

Hay muchas novedades internacionales que seguramente estarán presentes en la Sant Jordi. Recordando que este año la festividad es domingo, ello dará la oportunidad a muchas personas de recorrer librerías a placer, y los fanáticos de este género no serán la excepción. Autores como los siguientes, tendrán nuevas publicaciones en el abril barcelonés:

  • Ken Liu
  • Brandon Sanderson
  • Cixin Liu
  • Peter Tieryas
  • Steven Erikson

Autores consolidados: Rosa Montero

La diada también puede ser la oportunidad de revisitar la obra de autores consolidados en el gusto del público y protagonistas del mundo editorial barcelonés como Rosa Montero. Su último libro “La carne” publicado en 2016 seguramente figurará protagónico en la oferta literaria de la fiesta del libro, y si hay quienes aún no hayan caído en las redes de esta maravillosa autora española, seguro lo harán al probar la exquisitez de su pluma y su manejo de la palabra.

Jaume Cabré y su esperado retorno literario

El autor Jaume Cabré ha tomado su tiempo para escribir esta fuerte serie de cuentos que buscan explorar las emociones más oscuras del ser humano. Su título en catalán “Quan arriba la penombra” y “Cuando llega la penumbra” en castellano, nos deja entrever que son trece cuentos que se asoman al lado oscuro de la vida, personajes que enfrentan periodos complicados, ladrones, suicidas, rebeldías… historias que no buscan moralizar sino mostrar crudamente la violencia y su origen y efecto en el individuo y la sociedad. A no perderse, además de que su publicación el 5 de abril cae justo para la Sant Jordi.

Algo diferente

Y en una nota especial, Marc Pastor presenta su libro “Farishta”, una compleja novela que nos lleva a seguir la vida de una huérfana de un héroe afgano y a la vez nos embebe con la historia de cosas que suceden en la polinesia francesa.

Estas novedades y ofrecimientos culturales y literarios acompañarán un programa que incluye presentaciones de la reconocida dramaturga francesa Yasmina Reza (encargada del tradicional pregón) y una serie de festividades de otras artes que soportan cual pilares el papel protagónico de la literatura como medio de unión social y de enriquecimiento personal que define a la Diada de Sant Jordi.

¿Visitas Barcelona en Abril? Entonces aprovecha tu estancia en un cómodo loft en esta ciudad para descubrir toda la variada y novedosa oferta literaria que hemos descrito y que es la punta del iceberg de una multitud de lanzamientos y novedades editoriales que pintarán el rostro de la tradicional festividad de Sant Jordi: libros y rosas para este 2017.

Barcelona in 5 days – Barcelona Travel Guide

So, we previously showed you what you can visit in Barcelona in 1 day and in 3 days, and now it’s time to show you what you can do in Barcelona in 5 days.

When you have 5 full days to spend in Barcelona, you’ll be sure to maximize your time so you do not to miss the most attractive parts of the city. These 5 days should give you enough time to really appreciate this magnificent city.

 

What to do in Barcelona in 5 days:

Day 1 – La Sagrada Família to the Port

As suggested in our previous articles, you can start your visit from La Sagrada Família (metro L2 – purple line and L5 – blue line), go inside and spend 2 or 3 hours admiring its unique architecture. Tickets always sell out during the popular travel months, so we strongly suggest you pre-purchase the tickets online, so you can skip the queue and have a confirmed reservation.

After the visit, walk the streets of the Eixample district to Plaça Catalunya and La Rambla. Walking is a bit long (half an hour), so we suggest a stop at the Boqueria Market where you can eat, have a drink, and browse the local produce. Next to the market you will find El Teatre del Liceu, a very historically important centre for the arts where the best operas take place.

At the end of La Rambla, you will see the statue of Cristòfor Colom (you can visit but be sure you book it in advance). Now, cross the street and go towards the Port, where you will enjoy the view, walking around the marina taking photos of the mega yachts, and looking for that perfect something in the mall (Maremagnum) which is just across the bridge. If you like sea creatures and marine life, you can visit the Barcelona Aquarium, which is right next to the mall. As the day ends, take in the sunset from the Port, it’s stunning.

ESTATUA CRISTÒFOR COLOMB

Day 2 – Born and Gothic Quarter

Day 2, Start the visit from the Barceloneta area, which means L4 – Yellow line, and stop at Ciutadella – Vila Olímpica. Spend around 1 hour walking around Ciutadella Park and rent a boat on the lake, it’s nice and quiet, just perfect for a short siesta or a picnic. Outside the park, you will see the Arc de Triomf, built in 1888 for the Universal Expo.

Heading west, you will be walking through the medieval Born district, well known for its magnificent Santa Maria del Mar, a Cathedral built in 1383. In the Born, you will also find the Picasso Museum. In this area we  recommend a restaurant called ‘El 300 del Born.’ Otherwise, the Mercat de la Princesa offers a wide variety of food with a modern ambience and live music.

Heading still further west, walk through the Gothic Quarter and visit its famous Cathedral. If you would like to tour the interior, proper attire is required (make sure your legs and shoulders are covered), otherwise you won’t be allowed inside the place of worship.

In this area there are many other churches and historical places like the old Jewish district, Plaça del Rei, and Palau de la Música Catalana.

Take the whole day and part of the night to visit these two districts. They are well worth it.

Born

Day 3 – Gaudí

Now that you have experienced La Sagrada Família, it’s time to discover Gaudí’s other creations.

Gaudí is one of the most famous architects in the world. Taking a day to visit his masterpieces is a must, so start your day by taking the metro L3 – Green Line to Plaça Lesseps and follow the signs to the Park Güell. Entry is 7€.

We recommend booking the tickets in advance on their website (http://www.parkguell.cat/en/buy-tickets/). This Park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After spending 3-4 hours touring the Park, head to Passeig de Gràcia either on foot or by metro. If you decide to walk, you will see Barcelona’s hipster District: Gràcia. If you want to see Gaudí’s first house, it will be opened to the public at the end of this year. It’s located in Gràcia, on Carrer Carolines 18-24.

Once you reach Passeig de Gràcia, enjoy lots of shopping and boutique stores on both sides of the Avenue. Be sure to see the stunning Gaudí buildings Casa Batlló , and Casa Milà, also known as La Pedrera, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Both sites offer different kinds of tickets and tours. As you are staying 5 days in Barcelona, we recommend you also visit La Pedrera at night!

La Pedrera

Day 4 – Montjuïc

Can you imagine visiting a Castle on the top of a mountain while looking at stunning views of the sea and of Barcelona? Well, we’ll tell you how to get there!

Start your day at the bottom of the mountain and begin the walk up while admiring the city views. The cable car service begins on Avinguda Miramar and leaves visitors in front of the Castle. It has three stops, the first in Avinguda Miramar, one in the middle of Plaça de la Sardana, and one in front of the Castle.

The Montjuïc Castle was formerly a military fortress circa 1640. After the Spanish Civil War, it became a military museum and today it hosts different exhibitions and events.

Next, go down the hill and stop at the MACBA museum if you are interested in Catalan Contemporary Art, or simply admire the National Palace building. From there, you will see the Magic Fountains of Montjuïc. Most evenings from Thursday to Sunday there is a great show that combines colour, lights, water and music, and the best part- it’s free.

You can also enjoy the views from the mall in Plaça Espanya, Las Arenas. This place used to be a bullfighting ring, but today it is a great place to go shopping, or enjoy one of the many wonderful restaurants on the rooftop. We suggest you go to the rooftop terrace so you will have amazing views of this part of the city.

Las-Arenas-Shopping-Mall-in-Bullring-Sants-Barcelona

Day 5 – Tibidabo Amusement Park and the beach

Day 5 will be dedicated to amusement and relaxation.

Tibidabo Park is located at the top of the mountain with the same name. You can take a direct bus from Plaça Catalunya, drive, or take the Funicular.

From the top, at an altitude of 516 meters, you can visit the Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor. Take in the impressive views of Barcelona, eat at one of the great restaurants close by, and go to the amusement park which was founded in 1899.

TEmple expiatorio del Sagrat Cor

After having walked around Tibidabo, explored Modernism, Gothic and Roman architecture, having climbed mountains and walked for hours, you might just like to relax and we certainly don’t want you to miss the beach!

Get off at Barceloneta (L4 – Yellow line) and this time head east, as you walk to the beach. Enjoy the Passeig Marítim, by walking the pier, or renting a bicycle and stop in one of the bars to have a nice coffee or a cold drink. You will pass by different beaches and no matter which season of the year you decide to explore the city, the beach is a must. Delight in the sunset, and enjoy the ocean breeze.

Barceloneta

On the other side of the road, you will find the Poblenou district which previously served as the industrial suburbs of the city, but today all the factories have moved, and many of the old factories have been remodelled and converted into stunning modern lofts. Night life, restaurants, dance clubs, and art studios can all be found in this district. It´s an exciting and very interesting place to be.

Also if you want to explore Barcelona’s nightlife, save money and drink like a local, try this revolutionary App: TomaBida, the App that allows you to discover Barcelona’s best Bar and get a free drink a day! With the BizFlats code, you have this offers for you:
– 4.99€ for a 3-day visitor pass (which means 3 free drinks worth up to 30€ total)
– 6.99€ for a 7-day visitor pass (which means 7 free drinks worth up to 70€ total)

Download now TomaBida! Shall we get a drink?

We hope your experience in Barcelona for 5 days will be unique and unforgettable!