Barcelona enjoys a glowing reputation as a destination for business and leisure. But what about romance?

Couples visiting the Catalan capital will also undoubtedly discover a city teeming with romance. The city has a long and unique history that provides an air of refinement and delicacy – the perfect setting for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.

The weather is crisp yet sunny, and each Valentine’s Day couples from around the world enjoy an intimate and cozy time together. Marvelous cuisine, unforgettable views and more await. Here’s a closer look at how to enjoy a perfect Valentine’s Day in Barcelona.

Restaurants for a romantic Valentine’s Day in Barcelona

Of course, there’s no better way to celebrate with your loved one than with an intimate meal. This gives you the chance to not only enjoy indulgent cuisine, but also to chat and enjoy some wine in a romantic atmosphere.

Barcelona has a staggering number of restaurants to pick from. There are thousands which offer everything from traditional Italian cuisine and seafood, to sushi and steakhouse options. There’ll be something that helps you and your partner to celebrate in a way that you love. To get the inspiration flowing, here’s a look at some of the key options for Valentine’s Day in Barcelona.

• Lab Restaurant

  Lab Restaurant is one of the highest rated restaurants in Barcelona and given the quality of its Mediterranean dishes, it’s a really little wonder. The prices don’t break the bank too much, and the food here is really creative and presented well. Relationships are all about sharing new experiences, so the imaginative plates here will give you a new shared experience.

  If food is important to you and your partner, then this remarkable restaurant offers a true fine dining experience that you won’t forget any time soon.

• Santa Rita Experience

  If you’re looking for a comfortable and unique experience that celebrates the very essence of cooking, Santa Rita is an exciting option. The experience is built around the idea of removing the barriers that divide the kitchen and a comfortable dining area.

  You and your partner will enjoy a gastronomic experience that demonstrates keen respect for quality and seasonal products. The atmosphere is comfortable and calm, resembling that of a home. Vegetarian and flexitarian options are also available.

• La Caleta Burger

  Of course, different couples enjoy different things. While some people adore fine dining and the opportunity to relish a fresh culinary experience, others are happy with an incredibly burger, a beer, and great company.

  If this sounds more up your street, then La Caleta Burger is a great option. Located in the center of the city you can enjoy an exquisite burger without having to worry too much about making a booking or navigating a bizarre menu!

  This is a nice option if you’re looking to keep things real and experience a truly incredible burger.

• Jai-Ca

  If you’re in Barcelona, you’ll naturally want to make the most of the local cuisine here and sample some great tapas. Jai-Ca is found in Barceloneta and offers a perfect introduction to tapas via its large and delicious menu.

  Perfect for couples, you and your partner can sample the best that tapas has to offer in a lively and fun atmosphere. You’ll also be located close to the beach and clubs on the one side, and the center of Barcelona on the other – the perfect location to launch an amazing evening!

Activities for a special Valentine’s Day in Barcelona

Valentine’s Day in Barcelona doesn’t just have to be about the food: there are a huge range of amazing activities that you can enjoy to have an unforgettable day. Here is a look at some of those.

• Walk through the City

This might not sound like the most imaginative idea, but Barcelona is truly beautiful to walk through and enjoy from the street level. The streets are long and wide, meaning that they are bright throughout the day. You and your partner can enjoy getting lost together and stopping for a drink or snack whenever you need.

There are a huge range of attractions to see, and you can lose yourself in the rich history of the city. We recommend passing through the center of the city and visiting the Parc de la Ciutadella. You can also extend your walk to the north of the city to explore Eixample and Gràcia. These wonderful neighborhoods are filled with hidden gems.

• Enjoy a Segway Tour

If a wander doesn’t sound like your thing and you want a more detailed look at the most incredible areas in the city, you could consider a Barcelona Segway tour. This is the perfect way to get around the city quickly while still enjoying it at your own pace from the street level.

You and your partner will have a lot of fun using the devices and experiencing something new together. Best of all, you will be guided around to get a clear explanation of the key areas of the city and the history that happened there.

• Share a Spa Day

Barcelona has a huge range of spas. Some are huge and well-known, while others offer a more intimate and customized experience. If you and your partner love a bit of pampering, then there’s nothing quite like a visit to the spa.

You will be able to enjoy massages and circuits through a range of pools and thermal baths. There is a range of prices and packages available, so be sure to do some research to find the option that is best for you! Don’t forget that Groupon is popular in Barcelona – you can find some great deals there.

Have an Incredible Valentine’s Day in Barcelona!

We love this city and we have absolutely no doubt you will too. Our entire team hopes that you and your loved one have an unforgettable day and a wonderful stay!

If you want to dig deeper and find some more inspiration, then be sure to check out our exploration of the best activities in Barcelona.

Der Beitrag The Perfect Valentine’s Day in Barcelona erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

The Park of the Ciutadella in Barcelona was built at the end of the 19th century and was the first public park in the city, a category that it has held for many years. In the park, you can find centennial trees, more than 100 variety of plants, 19th-century buildings transformed into museums, sculptures, fountains and large areas for walking and breath.

The history of the Ciutadella Park

In the lands where this park is located, with an area of 17 hectares, King Philip V ordered to build a sizeable military citadel in 1715 with the aim of maintaining control of Barcelona after the surrender of September 11 of the previous year.

Its construction involved the demolition of more than 1,000 homes in the neighborhood of La Ribera and the walls of the northeast area of Barcelona.

In 1869, General Prim, seeking the support of the Barcelona bourgeoisie, delivered the citadel to the city of Barcelona. As a condition, he said that this space had to host a public park. After that, some volunteers demolished the military construction. Only the chapel, the Governor’s Palace and the arsenal, the current seat of the Parliament of Catalonia, were preserved.

It was then that these lands became a green lung for Barcelona, a place to breath in a city that was increasingly crowded.

Josep Fontserè was the creator of his original layout in 1872; with the collaboration of Gaudí. This design was modified in 1888 to house the Universal Exhibition of Barcelona and, later, to locate the city’s zoo.

What you can see in the Park of the Ciutadella in Barcelona

Flora and Fauna

Nature is the main protagonist of the Ciutadella Park in Barcelona. You will see a lot of trees and plant varieties, such as lime trees, poplars, acacias, palms and pines, among others.

As for the fauna, there are more than 100 different species of birds: herons (its colony is considered the most important in Catalonia), charcoal burners, parrots, starlings, hawks, sparrows, blackbirds and turtledoves are just some examples.

Centenary trees

In this natural environment, it is worth mentioning the trees included in the catalog of trees of local interest in Barcelona. In this park, you can admire an orange tree from Louisiana, an acacia from Constantinople, a Quercus polymorpha or an Australian pine. All of them were planted at the end of the 19th century. The bald cypresses of the lake zone date from beginnings of the XX.

An Open Air Museum

There are many sculptures you will find on this walk, so the Ciutadella Park in Barcelona is almost an open-air museum. Among them stands out an equestrian of General Prim (which we’ve already told you he was the one who delivered these lands to the city), a bronze sculpture dedicated to the Catalan volunteers of 1914 and different busts scattered throughout the park.

There are two of these statues that are especially famous: the Stone Mammoth and the Umbrella’s Lady, that for a long time became one of the symbols of the city. You will find it crowning an ornamental fountain by Josep Fontserè.

Architecture in the Ciutadella Park

Besides nature and sculptures here you will also enjoy a rich architecture.

The Park of the Ciutadella in Barcelona has 10 entrances, among which 2 monumental doors stand out. Josep Fontserè designed these doors with iron bars, lampposts and lion heads next to the Barcelona coat of arms, among other elements. These doors are gorgeous.

The vestiges of the old military citadel

Among them, we find the military chapel, the governor’s palace (now a secondary education center) and the arsenal building, seat of the Parliament of Catalonia.

Another one is the Martorell Museum of Geology, of neoclassical style, integrated into the initial design of the citadel.

The old Plaza de Armas

This square, designed by the French engineer and landscape architect JCN Forestier in 1916, is located in front of the Parliament. We wanted to put particular emphasis since it is considered the best-preserved landscape work in the park.

Ancient buildings of the 1888 Expo

For the exhibition of 1888, some constructions that still remain were built. An example is found in the building that was the restaurant of the universal exhibition. It was constructed of exposed brick and, being the work of Domènech i Muntaner, it is part of the first stage of Barcelona’s modernism. It is known as the Castle of the Three Dragons and is currently the headquarters of the Museum of Zoology of Barcelona.

The waterfall of the Ciutadella Park

Another very representative element of this green space is its waterfall. It was designed by Josep Fontserè with the help of a young Gaudí, who developed the hydraulic project and who is supposed to have created the decorative elements.

This waterfall also has a sculptural decoration designed by Catalan artists of the late nineteenth century. In the center, you’ll see the birth of Venus and, at the top, the quadriga of the Aurora. You will also observe four groups of geniuses, two fauns and the figure of Eros and Neptune, among others. A fantastic piece of art.

More places to breathe and relax

Remember that in this oasis of nature you will find many places where you can breathe and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. You will only have to walk along its wide promenades, but you can also navigate with a small boat in its lake or visit the zoo located in this green space, serene and full of treasures in the form of trees, buildings and sculptures.

And we do not forget all the other points of interest that are located around the Ciutadella Park: the Basílica of Santa María del Mar, the Palau de la Música, the Arc de Triomf or the magical streets of the Gothic Quarter are some of the places that you can see very close to the Ciutadella Park in Barcelona.

Der Beitrag The Ciutadella Park in Barcelona erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

April 23 is an especially romantic day in Catalonia. Books, roses and love fill the air. The Ramblas, Barcelona’s most famous avenue, is covered with rose petals. So where does all this romance come from?

It is none other than Saint George’s Day, or Sant Jordi’s Day in the Catalan language. The festival has evolved from a mixture of traditions, the most popular being the legend of Saint George slaying a dragon, and therefore saving the King’s daughter. Thanks to his heroic feat, Saint George was named patron saint of Catalonia since the 15th century, and Sant Jordi in Barcelona became one of the greatest festivities in the city.

The medieval Saint George chapel would soon host a rose fair, making George the most romantic of European saints, still inspiring sweethearts centuries later.

The Legend: Sant Jordi, the dragon, the princess and the rose bush

Once upon a time, there was a dragon that lived in Catalonia, devastating its people. The dragon ravaged the gardens, devoured the cattle and terrified the villagers. It was then that the King, famous for his extraordinary justice, decided to offer the dragon a human sacrifice so that he would leave his subjects and his property in peace. The King decided to set a raffle instead of choosing among all the people who would be sacrificed. Unfortunately for him, it was his daughter, the princess.

The dramatic day arrived and, when the princess walked inconsolably towards her own sacrifice, a knight on horseback appeared in the distance. The dragon, who could almost taste his gift, faced the courageous knight, who was none other than Sant Jordi. After a fight to the death, Sant Jordi threw his spear against the dragon, piercing his heart. Legend has it that from the blood of the dragon a rose bush with red roses came out. Then, Sant Jordi plucked a rose and gave it to the princess.

Sant Jordi in Barcelona today

Catalonia, and especially its capital, has taken Sant Jordi as a version of Valentine’s Day to another level – over the years the tradition developed into sweethearts exchanging gifts: men give women roses, and women give men books, from which the phrase “a rose for love and a book forever” was born. However, today, the tradition has adapted to modern times, and both a rose and a book would be a right choice to give to men or women, or children.

23rd of April is also a historical literary date, marking the death of William Shakespeare and Spain’s most famous writer, Miguel Cervantes, both having died on the same day in the year 1616.

Love and literacy have exploded in Barcelona in modern times: now nearly 4 million roses are exchanged and nearly 1 million books bought on April 23rd!

Like every tradition, certain rules apply, and nowadays roses of many different colors are sold. Depending on the color of the rose the meaning of the gift will be different: red roses symbolize passion between lovers; blue roses symbolize trust between friends; pink roses reflect affection, and yellow roses reflect joy.

The most interesting spots to visit during Sant Jordi in Barcelona

Although Sant Jordi’s day is well represented by books and roses, this festivity offers much more than that. During this day, acts, events, performances, presentations and all kinds of open doors in emblematic buildings are held. Here we show you a list of the most interesting places to visit during the day:

· The Palau de la Generalitat, Barcelona’s principal government building, is open to the public. So during this day you can visit the medieval palace, one of the few that still serves as the seat of government. Its interior is decorated with roses to honor Sant Jordi or Saint George.

· In Las Ramblas, you will find all kinds of bookstores, book and roses stands and booths where you can find the latest editorial products. The publishers bring their most famous authors to sign copies and there is always a great stir. Do not forget to stop by here in the nest of Sant Jordi’s celebration.

· The Casa Batlló celebrates this special day by covering its façade with red roses, embellishing, even more, this beautiful Catalan modernist style house.

· The Columbus viewpoint makes a special offer during this day: you can ride it for free if your name is Jordi or any of its versions in another language. This goes for the Georges, Georginas and Jürgens of the whole world who only today can access the viewpoint without any cost.

· The Sagrada Familia neighborhood festivals coincide with Sant Jordi, so you can combine a walk through the most literary party in the city with one of the best popular festivals of the city. You also can visit the Sagrada Familia during the night, since on this day the basilica extends its visiting hours.

All this is just the tip of the iceberg since during this Sant Jordi in Barcelona you can enjoy concerts in the old factory of Estrella, film festivals or the Nit del Drac, a literature celebration that takes place in the Cultural Institute of the city. Street performers and musicians in public squares add to the day’s atmosphere.

As you can see, there are so many options for the whole family, in addition to the lovers. And whether it’s to enjoy the books, the workshops, the exhibitions or the different official open buildings, the day of Sant Jordi is the perfect moment to visit Barcelona.

Be sure to look for books stores or cafés hosting reading events on Sant Jordi’s Day in Barcelona – or even a 24-hour marathon reading of different classics of Catalan or Spanish literature!

Catalonia exported its tradition of the book and the rose to the rest of the world. In 1995 UNESCO adopted 23 April as World Book Day.

So, go ahead and follow in this Catalan tradition, and be sure to give your sweetheart either a rose or a book this Monday! You’ll be participating in the most romantic holidays this Sant Jordi in Barcelona!

Der Beitrag Sant Jordi in Barcelona: Books, Roses…and Lovers! erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.

Bunker’s Panorama Barcelona, a piece of Barcelona’s History

They are actually air raid bunkers used during the Spanish Civil War and then deserted for years.. but now they’re back, but instead of ducking from bombs, “los bunkers” have taken on a whole new meaning…

View from the Bunkers towards the city & sea below.

The Bunkers are known locally as “Los Bunkers del Turó de la Rovira”, which is a complicated way of saying that they’re located at the top of “Rovira’s hill” in the heart of the “Carmel” neighbourhood.

This is without a doubt one of the city’s best-kept secrets and the best panoramic view of all of Barcelona – which is not an easy claim since there are many!

Although the structures date to the period of the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) there’s no need to worry about dilapidated infrastructure – the Bunkers were recently renovated. That said, it makes for a perfect outing to gather with friends, makes an outdoor picnic, contemplate the city below with that special someone or even go it alone.

Barcelona was bombarded several times during the Spanish Civil War. Above, in 1938.

To back up that claim of Barcelona’s best view, you can expect a 360º vista of the entire city – from the mountains of Collserola behind you, to Montjuic to the south, the Besòs neighborhood to the north, and of course, the sprawling city at your feet – which ends where the vast blue Mediterranean begins. If you happen to be a photographer – even an amateur – this is the spot for you!

So, now that you’re convinced, here’s the big question: how do I get to this secretive place? Well, there are a few ways: first is by metro. Getting off at the “Alfons X” stop on the L4 (yellow line) is one option, following the exit for “Ronda Guinardó”; another option would be taking the V17 bus and walk a few more minutes uphill. Or, once you make that first local Catalan friend, you can reach the Bunkers by car! So, make your way off the Ramblas, and go where the locals go “to get away from it all” (even though you’ll still be in Barcelona!”) – you won’t be disappointed!

Der Beitrag Bunker’s Panorama Barcelona erschien zuerst auf Barcelona Segway Tours.