~ Beautiful places of Barcelona and Catalonia

jueves, 13 de junio de 2013

BARCELONA: MURA

The road from the village of Pont de Vilomara to Mura, the last ten kilometers of our journey, was narrow and winding. However, it was worth driving those kilometers because we enjoyed a lot walking around the beautiful cobbled streets of Mura, a small village of stone houses with a fantastic Romanesque church. Mura is also the entrance to the Natural Park of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac. So you can also enjoy routes in this splendid protected natural environment.

On the right you can see the romanesque church of Sant Martí in Mura

The places I liked the most of Mura were:

Environment of Mura
Cobbled Streets in Mura
Romanesque church of Sant Martí
Chapel of Sant Antoni
Gorja del Pare

Recommended route in Mura

Environment of Mura

Mura is located in a very beautiful natural environment, next to the Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park

Cobbled streets in Mura

Here we began to walk along the streets of Mura

Cafe Restaurant Laika in Mura near Barcelona

Beautiful street in Mura

Another cobbled street in Mura

But, unlike the other streets we saw in Mura, this one has vaulted sections

This street is one of the places I liked the most in Mura

As you can see, we took some pictures in this place of Mura

Taking pictures of the beautiful streets of Mura

Bell tower of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura

Sant Martí Romanesque Church

Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura

Doorway of Sant Martí church, where you can see a romanesque tympanum

A closer view of the tympanum of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura

Doorway of Sant Marti romanesque church in Mura

Apse of Sant Martí romanesque church in Mura

Sant Antoni Chapel

Sant Antoni chapel in Mura

Gorja del Pare

After a short walk we got there in Gorja del Pare

Waterfall of Gorja del Pare in Mura

Gorja del Pare is probably the most beautiful place I visited in Mura

A last picture of Gorja del Pare in Mura

Other fantastic places you can also visit near Barcelona are:

Besides, If you like medieval architecture, you could be interested in visiting the following beautiful villages in Catalonia:

sábado, 8 de junio de 2013

BARCELONA: ORENETA PARK

The Castell de l'Oreneta park is a large wooded area, which has become the link with the hills of Collserola, the access to the wood which penetrates the city. The park was opened to the public in 1978 and conserves, almost intact, the original Mediterranean vegetation.

This park is actually a perfect place to spend the day with the kids. Therefore, when you visit the park, it is worth planning a whole day out. It is an excursion through woods in the city, where urban planning has improved the network of paths, built rest areas, children's playgrounds – the largest with table tennis tables – and picnic areas.

The most interesting attractions of Castell de l'Oreneta park are:

Picnic area and Cafeteria
A ride on the miniature steam train
A pony rides for children
In the summer, there is the public swimming pool, Can Caralleu, right by the park
Imposing Carob tree in the higher areas of the park
An enormous eucalyptus and a fantastic Santa Lucia cherry
Fantastic views of Barcelona

Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona

Map of Oreneta Park

Map of Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona

Playground in Oreneta Park

Children playground in Castell de l'Oreneta park

Picnic Area and Cafeteria in Oreneta Park

Apart from Picnics areas, in Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona there is also a cafeteria where you can get spit-roast chicken or other meals and snacks, and it is open longer hours in spring and summer.

Railway Station in Oreneta Park

Since 1981, there has been a miniature railway, which covers a route of 635m. The railway has its own main station and crew, and its rolling stock includes 11 locomotive engines and three carriages. It is without a doubt the Parc de l’Oreneta’s star attraction.

Railway station in Oreneta Park

Trains in Oreneta Park

Waiting for the train in Oreneta Park

One of the locomotive engines you can see in Oreneta Park

I liked more this locomotive engine than the previous one in Oreneta Park

Wayside station in Castell de l'Oreneta park in Barcelona

The miniature train in the Parc del Castell de l'Oreneta is one of the best scale models, and best equipped, in Europe.

The route is 636m with three wide tracks, goes through three tunnels, over two bridges and a metallic viaduct, and there is a main station and a wayside station. On Sundays, visitors to the park can ride on the train between eleven in the morning and two in the afternoon.

Pony Stables

A Pony ride is a funny attraction for children in Castell de l'Oreneta park

Path near the Pony Stables

Views from Oreneta Park

The higher areas of the park offer exceptional panoramic views of Barcelona, from Sant Adrià de Besòs all the way to Prat de Llobregat.

Twin towers in the Olympic Village of Barcelona from Castell de l'Oreneta Park

Pedralbes Monastery from Castell de l'Oreneta Park in Barcelona

Tower of Collserola and Tibidabo from Castell de l'Oreneta Park in Barcelona

Below you have some useful information in case you are interested in visit this park.

Address: Montevideo, 45
How to get there: Bus 66.
Website: www.bcn.cat/parcsijardins

More fantastic parks you can enjoy in Barcelona are:

Laberint d'Horta Park
Park Güell
Ciutadella Park
Pedralbes Gardens
Montjuïc - Joan Maragall Gardens
Montjuïc - Mirador Gardens
Collserola - Sant Pere Màrtir leisure area
Collserola - Carretera de les Aigües
Collserola - Pantà de Vallvidrera
Torreblanca Park in Sant Feliu de Llobregat
Can Vidalet Park in Esplugues de Llobregat
Can Mercader Park in Cornellà de Llobregat

Finally, clicking on the next link you will find links to other beautiful places in Barcelona.

lunes, 13 de mayo de 2013

BARCELONA: SANT PERE MÀRTIR IN COLLSEROLA

Sant Pere Màrtir mountain in Collserola Park is easily identifiable by the Broadcast Station located at the top. Near this station there is a leisure area, called Font de la Mandra, perfect for a picnic with children after the necessary walk to get to it through the Collserola Park. Besides this walk will offer you fantastic views of Barcelona.

In this leisure area begins El Passeig de les Aigües, a track through Collserola perfect for running, cycling or walking while enjoying fantastic views of Barcelona, for example, from El Xiprers viewpoint.

Next you have some pictures I took while going to Sant Pere Màrtir leisure area.

Our way to get to Sant Pere Màrtir in Collserola started here

There were more people walking around this area of Collserola in Barcelona

Montjuïc in Barcelona from Collserola near Sant Pere Màrtir

Passeig de les Aigües

Carretera de les Aigües in Barcelona near Sant Pere Màrtir Broadcast Station

Carretera de les Aigües begins here, in Area d'Estada Font de la Mandra

Mirador dels Xiprers

Walking along Carretera de les Aigües from Estada Font de la Mandra you will arrive at Mirador dels Xiprers

Turó de Sant Pere Màrtir

Sant Pere Martir leisure area in Collserola

Sant Pere Màrtir leisure area in Collserola

Espai Plaça Mireia in Esplugues de Llobregat

Plaça Mireia Picnic area in Sant Pere Màrtir

Sant Pere Martir Broadcast Station in Barcelona

Sant Pere Màrtir Broadcast Station in Barcelona

The particular situation of Sant Pere Màrtir leisure area in Collserola makes it ideal as a starting point for several routes. At the same time, the high situation of the picnic area is a good starting point to routes on Turó d'en Corts, the top of Sant Peter Màrtir (20 min) and Vallvidriera (40 min).

Turó d'en Corts in Collserola

One of the ways to get to Sant Pere Màrtir is from Esplugues de Llobregat. There you have to take the road that leads to Ciudad Diagonal and, finally, to the square Mireia.

Other fantastic parks in Barcelona are:

Laberint d'Horta Park
Park Güell
Ciutadella Park
Pedralbes Gardens
Montjuïc - Joan Maragall Gardens
Montjuïc - Mossèn Cinto Verdaguer Gardens
Montjuïc - Mirador Gardens
Montjuïc - Mirador del Migdia Park
Joan Miró Park
Cervantes Park and Rose Garden
Castell de l'Oreneta Park
Collserola - Bateria Antiaèria Sant Pere Màrtir
Collserola - Carretera de les Aigües
Collserola - Pantà de Vallvidrera
Torreblanca Park in Sant Feliu de Llobregat
Can Vidalet Park in Esplugues de Llobregat
Can Mercader Park in Cornellà de Llobregat

Finally, clicking on the following link, you will get more information about other interesting places in Collserola Natural Park.

lunes, 15 de abril de 2013

BARCELONA: SANT POL DE MAR

Sant Pol de Mar is a beautiful town in Catalonia located, on the coast of Barcelona, 50km from Barcelona and 25 km from Blanes, where Costa Brava begins.

It is easily reached by car or train. In fact we went by train because the station is in the town center, next to Les Barques Beach.

Apart from its beaches, I liked walking through its narrow streets and between its small white buildings.

In summer, I think that Sant Pol de Mar it is a fantastic vacation spot, and in spring and autumn, is a great town for spending a nice sunny day walking along its beaches.

Below you can see the places we visited in Sant Pol de Mar: