After having taken only a short walk to explore the direct surroundings of the hostel on the first evening, we started visiting the city on the next day. First, we walked along the entire Ramblas. The street is full of people all over the day and until late at night. The locals and the tourists do their shopping there. Along the Ramblas there are numerous shops, restaurants and hotels, and even many takeaways in which you can have a delicious and cheap meal. In the middle of the large street, there is market where even birds are sold every day.
We followed the Ramblas up to the port of Barcelona. For some time, we observed the skateboarders and BMX bikers who meet at the port and train their tricks near a concrete monument. After a short break at one of the port cafés overlooking on the open sea, we went to see our friends who had invited us for dinner.
Our friends who live in Barcelona reside in the Gothic quarter of the city. This quarter is located directly in the centre of the city and many houses are built in a Gothic construction style and very old. The alleys of the quarter very small and in some of them there is next to no day light. Here you can find many small Tapas-bars and pubs where, first of all, the locals meet.
As customary in Spain, we had dinner at around 10 p.m. only, and then, after various cocktails in one of the numerous bars, explored Barcelona's night life. We went to El Raval, a quarter situated directly in the centre, behind the Gothic quarter. There we visited the Benidorm Club. The music there was electronic, the drinks were not very expensive and the guests were a mix of the quarter's inhabitants, students and tourists. At half past four, we returned to the hostel and were tired after a long day.
On the next day, after a late breakfast in a small Spanish bar in the Gothic quarter, we visited the famous "Sagrada Familia". This cathedral was designed by the architect Antonio Gaudí and is still unfinished today. The cathedral is – nonetheless – absolutely impressive and unique in its style. During the following days, we visited the numerous sights of the City. For example, we made an excursion to the Guell Park, which was designed by Gaudí and is situated on a mountain near the city. From there, you have a splendid sight of Barcelona and its surrounds. The park itself has many colourful mosaics designed by Gaudí and there are some little houses that are imaginatively painted and shaped and above all there are many winding alleys.