The Mediterranean Muse…
A Romantic Barcelona Tour
**A note from KaSonndra… Live Well… Be Fabulous’s Founder and Creative Director**
I’m excited about the return of the Mediterranean Muse. The writers of this series either currently live in one of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea or travel to the region on a regular basis, bringing a true air of authenticity to this beloved reader favorite.
As some of our regular readers may know, this entire blog is based on my love of the Mediterranean. Rich history vibrates throughout the gorgeous cities of that area and influences the style and daily activities of people who are thousands of miles away. This month’s muse has chosen the beautiful beaches of Lloret de Mar along with a detail-rich romantic Barcelona tour.
Located about 70km from Barcelona, Lloret de Mar is an attractive tourist destination. This summer resort is well-known for its nightclubs and promiscuous way of life, so it’s not recommended for families with children. Instead, I recommend this part of the city for young people who love to party. While in Lloret de Mar, you need to exercise caution and perhaps use a tour guide to help you avoid troublesome areas.
On the other hand, Lloret de Mar’s beaches are well-known for their breathtaking views and cleanliness. Choose one of Lloret de Mar’s beaches that labeled with the words Blue Flag for cleanliness. Areas such as Lloret, Fenals, Sa Boadella, and the Santa Cristina beaches.
If you are looking for an extra adventure, there is a nearby water park Water World with an entrance ticket priced at 33 euros per person.
Even in October, the sea maintains a comfortable temperature for bathing.
Kelsey Chow once said: ‘’I wrote every day between the ages of 12 and 20 when I stopped because I went to Barcelona, where life was too exciting to write.’’
Enjoy our exciting romantic Barcelona tour! Our Mediterranean Muse brings you the summary of a two-day trip… the best sites and sounds of what you must visit, buy and try in Barcelona!
Start Your Day: Morning
Let’s start with one of Barcelona’s main attractions…Gaudi! I wouldn’t miss Gaudi’s attractions for the world! Fortunately, most of his works are easy to find. Starting from Casa Milla, you can continue veering south and see Gaudi’s creations one-by-one.
Stop and take a tour through the famous La Pedrera (Casa Milla) which costs about 27 euros per person. The only part of the building you can’t see is the private apartments. If you’d rather not pay to visit the building, you can simply admire the beautiful architecture from the outside.
Once you’re done sightseeing at Gaudi’s gorgeously crafted buildings, you can take a five-minute walk to Casa Batllo. This building is also open for visits and tickets are 22.5 euros per person. Or take a few moments to sit in one of the cafes that offers a good view of Casa Batllo.
Another one of Gaudi’s buildings is located nearby at about 1/2 of a mile from Casa Batllo. If you’d like to explore more of his work then take a walk to Casa Calvet, one of Gaudi’s first buildings. The tour of Gaudi’s works ends with the Guell Palace.
At the time of this writing, all attractions are open for tourists. Tickets cost from 12 euros for Guell Palace to 27 euros for Casa Milla.
If you don’t have a tourist guide, the best way to get around Barcelona is by metro. Purchasing a Barcelona card allows you to travel for free on the metros and by bus. The price of the card is 40.5 euros per person for three days, along with the admission for many of Barcelona’s museum. However, one metro ticket costs 2.15 euros if you don’t want to buy a Barcelona card.
Let’s Explore Gaudi’s Most Famous Structures
From Guell’s Palace, you can take the L3 metro to reach the most famous of Gaudi’s architectural pieces, La Sagrada Familia. This masterpiece is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona. This temple is expected to be finished in 2026. By purchasing the ticket you are helping to give money for its completion.
The ticket costs 15 euros. If you are visiting during what’s considered the summer season (April-September) the building is open between 9 am and 8 pm. Sagrada Familia is not yet finished due to the wishes of the architect. He wants to have the structure built via funding from donations.
Around lunchtime, a great spot to visit near Sagrada Familia is a little restaurant called Alkimia. You’ll have about a ten-minute walk to reach it. On the menu, you’ll find meals with interesting names like The Sea from Inside. The prices of meals go between 40 and 140 euros.
Since the Sagrada Familia is near the seashore, you can take a 20-minute metro ride to one of its famous beaches called Barceloneta. If you’re more of an adventurer there’s even a nudist beach nearby, La Mar Bella, the only attraction of its kind in Barcelona.
Now That We’ve Finished Lunch
Recharge your batteries and head to Camp Nou which has become a must-see attraction for tourists in Barcelona. You’ll get there via the L5 metro line from Barceloneta. The ticket price is 23 euros, and if you choose to use a tourist guide you can glance at FC Barcelona’s dressing rooms, walk through the tunnel where football players are getting out on the court, and even take time to try your hand at a game or two. This also includes visiting their museum, a fabulous gallery that has many trophies and an art gallery filled with the works of Dali and Miro.
We finish our tour in Camp Nou. It’s already dinner time, and we’ll be heading out to the Abrelatas restaurant. Get ready to experience the taste of some pretty great burritos and tortillas for a reasonable price. We picked this restaurant not only for its great food but also because the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc is nearby. Like several of the previous adventures, the walk takes less than 10 minutes.
After the Allure of a Fabulous Dinner
During the summer, most theatrical performances and art shows take place between 8 pm and 11 pm from Thursday to Sunday. Attendance is free for everyone. Definitely make this one a must-see place on your bucket list. During your visit, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy film, classic, and modern music performances with accompanying light shows.
Our first day ends here, but not for the people who love to party! For lovers of the EDM music, we recommend La Terraza, Otto Zutz, Republic, and for ones who prefer rock and metal we’d suggest Sala Apolo and New York. The parties usually last until 3 am.
Tour Day 2
We begin our second Barcelona tour day with a visit to Park Guell. General ticket costs for the monumental zone Is 7 euros per person. There’s also an unrestricted area which is free of charge. But you should definitely pay for a ticket to visit the monumental zone for a chance to see the longest bank in the world.
Next, treat your eyes to the beauty of Salamander. Both attractions are made of colorful pieces of ceramics. You will also have the chance to experience a panoramic view of Barcelona from Park Guell.
Next, we take the L3 metro line to La Rambla. This street represents the true spirit of Barcelona. You’ll find a slew of restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and street vendors scattered throughout the streets. However, watch out for the pickpockets. La Rambla ends in Port Vell Marina at the golden statue of Christopher Columbus. While visiting Port Vell, take some time to enjoy the fantastic aquarium where you can see sharks swimming above your head. The current price is 18 euros per person.
End of the Main Tour
We’ve come to the end of our first part of the romantic Barcelona tour. However, we won’t leave without trying some of the traditional meals. We recommend a restaurant called Escriba for pallea (a traditional Spanish meal made of rice, saffron, chicken, fish and other ingredients). Are you not in the mood for meaty dishes? Then head on over to Cal Pep where you must try the tapas or cannelloni (pasta rolls with meat or vegetable) or the fideua – pasta with seafood.
Belgrade
Belgrade- The capital of Serbia and known for its vivid nightlife.
While in Belgrade, we’ll stop to visit Kalemegan first. It’s the largest park and houses the most important historical monument in Belgrade. Take a stroll through the monuments and listen to the locals tell fascinating stories about the history of the structure. Or take some time to enjoy walking in nature and the sight of the merging rivers Sava and Danube.
After you tire of your walk, you’ll need to recharge your batteries. That means going to a Serbian restaurant with unique food. I highly recommend Skadarlija, a bohemian quarter. Steal some time to sit in one of the area’s famous restaurants.
Shall We Eat And Enjoy A Bit of Bohemian Charm?
My picks: Tri šešira (Three hats) try some of the traditional Serbian meals. Karađorđeva šnicla (Karadorde’s stake) cabbage rolls, kebabs, and various other meat meals at the price of $5-10 per meal. There’s also Dva Jelena (two deers) and Ima dana… (there are days…).
Afterward, take time to visit one of the symbols of the Belgrade. Specifically, the Church of Saint Sava in the Vračar plateau. You’ll find helpful locals who’ll be more than happy to tell you about its history. Saint Sava is one of the largest churches in the world.
At night, Belgrade offers many options to party. From raft discos in the River Sava (Acapulco, Baywatch, Hill) or taverns in Skadarlija, Gardoš to popular nightclubs like Mr.Stefan Brown, Mixer House, or Vanilla, there’s something for everyone in the Belgrade nightlife.
This concludes our Tour and mini guide of beautiful Barcelona. I hope you find this information useful.
**The Mediterranean Muse Takes A Romantic Barcelona Tour article first appeared on Live Well Be Fabulous on 11/5/18**
Be the first to experience the magic of the Mediterranean.
Sign up for our email list.
