There is no doubt that Barcelona has an abundance of Old World charm, but it is also a thriving, contemporary city with all of the modern attributes befitting a world class metropolis.
This is one of the big reasons that we love to visit it so much. In the same day we can go back in time to neighborhoods that are centuries old, and also see the latest trends in architecture and technology. As an example, we are always thrilled to spend a day in the historic Gothic Quarter, but then love to go to El Poblenou and spend the night in a sleek, contemporary hotel in Downtown Barcelona. This makes the the ILUNION Barcelona Hotel a great choice because from there we are close to the center of everything.
El Poblenou, with its skyscrapers and bustling nightlife, has everything we think makes for a great downtown. The name means new village, and the area definitely lives up to it. From the Mediterranean to the high-rise buildings of the city’s technological and innovation district, Poblenou has become the city’s modern center.
Since the Olympics in 1992 the area has transformed into Barcelona’s most modern quarter with many of the old factories and warehouses being converted into shops, studios, and galleries making El Poblenou known for its creative character. We find this to be a big part of the charm of Poblenou.
But beaches also play an important role in what makes this such a great place to stay. The incredible long, sandy stretch of Playa de Bogatell is without a doubt one of Barcelona’s best beaches. It is perfect for a morning run or a sunset stroll, or it has all of the facilities for a relaxing all-day retreat.
But of course the city has a wealth of history, so we love to wander our way through the older districts just as much as the new when we explore things to do in Barcelona. The legend we heard is that the Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca, father of Hannibal, named the city Barcino in the third century BC and historic records show that by 15 BC the Romans had established a military camp here. There are still remains of the ancient Roman walls and aqueducts that can be seen in a few places around the Gothic Quarter.
More recent history can be discovered in places such as the Plaça de George Orwell. It is named for the renowned author who came to Barcelona back in 1936 to fight in The Spanish Revolution, saying that he had “come to Spain to join the militia to fight against Fascism.”
And perhaps the city’s biggest attraction, Sagrada Família, could be very well described as history in the making because it is still many years away from completion. Architect and designer Antoni Gaudí left an indelible mark on Barcelona while creating over a dozen buildings and the iconic Park Güell, but this massive basilica is without a doubt the pinnacle of his incredible career.
Towering over fifty stories high, it can be seen from almost every part of town and it is not even finished yet! That is one reason why we keep returning to Barcelona, because we love to see the progress made in the construction.
One more thing we would like to mention, while we don’t travel with any fur babies, we know that a lot of our fellow travelers do. Or some may need accommodations that cater to disabilities and service animals, so it’s good to know about an accessible and pet friendly hotel in Barcelona. Once again, the ILUNION Barcelona Hotel is a great choice.
With it as our home base there is nothing stopping us from discovering the remarkable history, modern marvels, Catalan culture, amazing architecture, and delicious gastronomy in Barcelona.
We know that we will certainly be back.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
You are doing fantastic work; keep it up.