BARCELONA: ESPLUGUES DE LLOBREGAT

Located beside Barcelona, Esplugues de Llobregat is a quiet town which offers  its citizens many beautiful places to walk, as the Montserrat street in the old city or El Parc dels Torrents, one of its many parks.

Besides, Collserola is only 30min walk from the city center of Esplugues de Llobregat. Actually, there is a hill of Collserola, Sant Pere Màrtir, which belongs to this town and where you will be able to walk along La Carretera de les Aigües among the trees of this Natural Park and to enjoy fantastic views of Barcelona.

Some of the most interesting places in Esplugues de Llobregat would be:

• City Hall in Santa Magdalena Square
• Can Tinturé Museum
• Monastery of Santa Maria de Montsió
• Can Ramoneda
• Santa Magdalena Church
• Carrer Montserrat
• Parc de Can Vidalet
• Parc de la Solidaritat
• Parc dels Torrents
• Municipal Swimming Pool
• Centre Cultural L'Avenç
• Àngel Guimera Boulevard
• Parc Pou d'en Fèlix
• Robert Brillas Gardens 
• Parks and Gardens in Montesa District
• Sant Pere Màrtir in Collserola
• Esplugas City

City Hall of Esplugues de Llobregat

City Hall of Esplugues de Llobregat, a town located beside Barcelona

Castellers de Mataró in front of the City Hall of Esplugues de Llobregat

Can Tinturé Museum

Can Tinturé museum in Esplugues de Llobregat

Monastery of Santa Maria de Montsió

Monastery of Santa Maria de Montsió in Esplugues de Llobregat, where you can visit its gothic cloister

Cloister of Santa Maria de Montsió Monastery in Esplugues de Llobregat

Gothic arches of Santa Maria de Montsió Monastery in Esplugues de Llobregat

 Two-storey gothic cloister of Santa Maria de Montsió Monastery in Esplugues de Llobregat

Can Ramoneda (Esglèsia Street)

Can Ramoneda house in Esglèsia Street in Esplugues de Llobregat

Santa Magdalena Church

Santa Magdalena church in Esplugues de Llobregat

Carrer Montserrat

Medieval look of Montserrat Street in Esplugues de Llobregat

Stone house in Montserrat Street in Esplugues de Llobregat



Montserrat Street is a beautiful pedestrian street which begins in Plaça de L'Esglèsia and ends near Pont d'Esplugues

Doorway of a house in Montserrat Street in Esplugues de Llobregat

House in Montserrat street in Esplugues de Llobregat

Parc de Can Vidalet

Parc de Can Vidalet in Esplugues de Llobregat

Tempietto or small temple in the middle of a lake in Parc de Can Vidalet

This Tempietto is located on a small grotto

Parc de la Solidaritat

Parc de la Solidaritat in Esplugues de Llobregat

Parc dels Torrents

Parc dels Torrents in Esplugues de Llobregat

Stairs leading to Parc dels Torrents from Santa Magdalena Square in Esplugues de Llobregat

 Parc dels Torrents in Esplugues de Llobregat near the Municipal Pool

Municipal Pool

Municipal Swimming Pool in Esplugues de Llobregat

Fantastic place to enjoy a drink in the Swimming Pool of Esplugues de Llobregat

Centre Cultural L'Avenç

Centre cultural l'Avenç in Esplugues de Llobregat

Àngel Guimerà Boulevard

Àngel Guimerà boulevard, one of the axes of Esplugues de Llobregat

Parc Pou d'en Fèlix

Pou d'en Fèlix Park in Esplugues de Llobregat

Pou d'en Fèlix Park is one of the largest parks in Esplugues de Llobregat

Robert Brillas Gardens

Robert Brillas Gardens in Esplugues de Llobregat

Sant Pere Màrtir in Collserola

Sant Pere Màrtir in Collserola

Plaça Mireia Picnic area in Sant Pere Màrtir

Esplugues de Llobregat from Sant Pere Màrtir in Collserola

Esplugas City

Esplugas City was a film studio where were filmed 25 westerns between 1964 and 1972

Restaurants in Esplugues de LLobregat

- Ninus

• Address: C/ Severo Ochoa nº 12, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona.
• Website: www.ninusrestaurant.com

 Ninus Restaurant in Esplugues de Llobregat

- El Tast Espai Gastronòmic

• Address: Passatge Ametllers,10, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
• Phone: 931 67 21 67

El Tast restaurant in Esplugues de Llobregat

- Mendia

• Address: Carrer Emili Juncadella, 21, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
• Phone: 933 71 33 92

- La Fàbrica

• Address: Carrer Àngel Guimerà, 137, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
• Phone: 933 72 30 03

- Can Palou

• Address: Carrer Montesa, 15, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
• Phone: 934 73 07 45

- Restaurante Lucas

• Address: Dr. Manuel Riera, 67, 08950, Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona
• Phone: 933726727

Other beautiful places you can visit near Barcelona would be:

Castelldefels

Sitges

Montserrat Monastery

Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

La Colònia Güell

Sant Miquel del Fai

Monastery of Sant Cugat

Sant Pol de Mar

Castle of Cardona

Alba Synchrotron

La Mola

BARCELONA: CIRCUIT DE CATALUNYA

Thanks to my profession I have visited several times the Circuit de Catalunya for work. Here are some pictures of this fantastic sports facility I took in some of these visits.

The first stone of the Circuit de Catalunya was laid on February 24, 1989, through the impetus of the Consortium formed by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Royal Automobile Club of Catalunya (RACC) and the city of Montmeló.

Five days after its official opening on September 10, 1991, the Circuit de Catalunya hosted the first official race, the Touring Championship Spain, with the victory of the former pilot of F-1, Luis Pérez Sala. The September 29, 1991 was held the 35th Grand Prix of Spain in F-1 after 16 years of absence in Catalunya.

The Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix (now MotoGP) would come a year later with the celebration of the Grand Prix of Europe, a name change for Grand Prix of Catalunya since 1995.

2013

View of the tribune from the Stadium area in Circuit de Catalunya

Tribune and pitlane in Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona

Pitlane and Control Tower in Circuit de Catalunya, located near Barcelona

Tribune of Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona from the Control Tower

2008

Paddock in Circuit de Catalunya

2007

Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

Paddock entrance in Circuit de Catalunya

Stadium area in Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

Another view of the Tribune and pitlane in Circuit de Catalunya

Overview of Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

Control Tower in Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

Control Tower and pitlane of Circuit de Catalunya from the tribune

And, finally, an aerial view of the Circuit de Catalunya obtained from google earth:

Circuit de Catalunya in Montmeló

Below you can see the winners of the Formula 1 Grand Prix held at the  Circuit de Catalunya from 1991:

1991 Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault)

1992 Nigel Mansell (Williams-Renault)

1993 Alain Prost  (Williams-Renault)

1994 Damon Hill (Williams-Renault)

1995 Michael Schumacher (Benetton-Renault)

1996 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

1997 Jacques Villeneuve (Williams-Renault)

1998 Mika Häkkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)

1999 Mika Häkkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)

2000 Mika Häkkinen (McLaren-Mercedes)

2001 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2002 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2003 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2004 Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)

2005 Kimi Räikkönen (McLaren-Mercedes)

2006 Fernando Alonso (Renault)

2007 Felipe Massa (Ferrari)

2008 Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari)

2009 Jenson Button (Brawn-Mercedes)

2010 Mark Webber (Red Bull-Renault)

2011 Sebastian Vettel  (Red Bull-Renault)

2012 Pastor Maldonado (Williams-Renault)

2013 Fernando Alonso (Ferrari)

2014  Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

2015  Nico Rosberg (Mercedes)

2016  Max Verstappen (Red Bull-Renault)

More one day interesting visits near Barcelona would be:

• Castelldefels
• Sitges
• Montserrat Monastery
• La Colònia Güell
• Sant Miquel del Fai
• Girona
• Teatre-Museu Dalí

Finally if you want to visit other nice places of Catalonia as well as Barcelona, clicking on the next link you will find links to some of the most beautiful places of Catalonia.

BARCELONA AIRPORT CONNECTIONS

The Barcelona Airport, known as El Prat, is located 15 kilometres aprox. south of the city. It has two Terminals: T1, the larger and newer one, and T2. Next you have the connections between Barcelona and the airport and back.

Zara store in Barcelona Airport Terminal 1

If you aren't in a hurry and you didn't have to go to the Barcelona city centre, I recommend the 46 Bus (TMB). This bus is cheaper and Plaça d'Espanya is well connected with most places of Barcelona.

Another shop in Barcelona Airport Terminal 1

- Metro L9 (TMB)

• Stops T1 or T2.

• Single ticket price for the airport T1 y T2: 4,5€ (2016). This ticket is needed to reach or leave from the airport stations.

Barcelona Airport Connections

- Bus (TMB)

• The 46 bus runs from Pl. d’Espanya to Barcelona Airport (T1 and T2) every 30 minutes aprox.
• Single ticket price: 2,15 € (integrated fare)(2016).

• from 4.50am to 23.50pm departures from Barcelona Airport.
• from 4.50am to 23.50pm departures from Pl. d’Espanya.

• Further information: www.tmb.cat.

The Aerobus is probably the fastest way to arrive at Barcelona from the airport

- Aerobús (A1 and A2)

• Daily service every 5-10 minutes between Plaça de Catalunya, Plaça d'Espanya and Barcelona Airport (T1 and T2).
• Approximate journey time: 35 minutes.
• Ticket price: 5,90 € (single); € 10,20 (return) (2016).

• From 5am to 12.30am departures from Pl. de Catalunya.
• From 5.35am to 01.05am departures from Barcelona Airport.

• Web Site: www.aerobusbcn.com.

Another picture of the Barcelona Airport Terminal 1

- Train (RENFE)

• Daily connections every 30 minutes with Barcelona Airport from the Renfe (Spanish Rail) Barcelona Sants Station.
• Journey time: 20 minutes aprox. (from Barcelona Sants Station).

• From 5.13am to 11.14pm departures from Barcelona Sants Station
• From 5.42am to 11.38pm departures from Barcelona Airport.

• Web Site: www.renfe.es.

- Night bus (NITBUS)

• The N17 night bus runs every 20 minutes from Ronda Universitat / Pl. Catalunya to Barcelona Airport, stopping at Pl. d’Espanya.

• From 09:55pm to 4.45am departures from Ronda Universitat.
• From 11.00pm to 5:00am departures from Barcelona Airport T1.
• From 11.10pm to 4.40am departures from Pl. d’Espanya

• The N16 night bus runs every 20 minutes from Ronda Universitat / Pl. Catalunya to Castelldefels stopping at Barcelona Airport.

• From 11:30pm to 5.10am departures from Ronda Universitat.
• From 11.00pm to 4.40am departures from Castelldefels.

• Single ticket price: 2,15 € (integrated fare)(2016).

• Website: www.emt-amb.com.

Other Buses:

• L99 from Castelldefels (Departures from Plaça de la Estació). Stops in Gavà and Viladecans. Single ticket price: 2,15 € (integrated fare)(2016).
• L77 from Sant Jian Despí (Departures from Hospital Moisés Broggi). Stops in Cornellà, Sant Boi and El Prat. Single ticket price: 2,15 € (integrated fare)(2016).
• PR-1 Shuttle Bus from T2 to T1 and back. Free ticket.

- By car

• The C-31 Barcelona-Castelldefels highway leads to Barcelona Airport from Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça d'Espanya and it also connects easily with the C-32 Barcelona-Sitges motorway and Ronda Litoral ring road.

• From the Avinguda Diagonal and the Ronda de Dalt the best way to get the Airport is the C-32 Barcelona-Sitges motorway.

- Further information in the Airport web site: www.aena.es