Barcelona’s hidden spots
Barcelona is well-known for the Sagrada Familia, the Ramblas, and other sites that are mostly found in the centre of the city. But there is more to Barcelona than these famous sights. Here are some less touristic places to enjoy.
Turó de la Rovira
As one of the highest places in Barcelona, standing at 262 metres, it has an interesting history. The city was founded by the Romans in 1 BC in an area already populated by the local Iberians (Hence the reason for naming the area encompassing Spain and Portugal as the Iberian Peninsula). An ancient Iberian village was located on the Turó de la Rovira.
This place is also famous because it became the main air defence point of the city during the Spanish Civil War, from 1936 to 1939, when the Republican army defended the city from the German and Italian planes (Franco’s allies), striking the city from the sky. Today, visitors can check out this defence station. In fact, the whole complex has been transformed as a museum, where it is possible to visit all the rooms that were operational during the war. You can also enjoy a 360 degree view of the city.
Not far from here, you can stay in Europea’s luxury Modern Residence.
Poble Nou
Barcelona became an industrial city at the beginning of the 20th century. Some areas became more developed and factories soon appeared in places like Poble Nou. During this time, the neighbourhood was called the Manchester of Catalonia. This title remained until the end of last century, when the city put forward an ambitious ‘improvement plan’. The Barcelona 1992 Olympic Summer Games was a big turning point.
Today, Poble Nou is one of the neighbourhoods that has changed the most in the last 30 years, where the old factories have been replaced by business centres and company headquarters. This transformation is still ongoing today.
Poble Nou is famous for its beaches, its gardens and its Rambla. The Rambla is the main street of Poble Nou, where one can enjoy shopping or having a drink with “tapas” on one of the several terraces that this street offers.
It is also close to Europea’s Babel Penthouse Residence with sea views.
Poble Sec
Much like Poble Nou, Poble Sec was one of the industrial areas of Barcelona. This neighbourhood is still one of the quietest areas of Barcelona, but its closeness to Montjuic (famous for its castle and the Olympic rings) is bringing some changes to the neighbourhood and is becoming more touristic.
Poble Sec is famous because it hosts the most popular cabaret theatre, called “El Molino”. This place was opened in 1898, and has since then become one of the most popular cabarets of Europe.
But there is more to Poble Sec than cabarets. In the last couple of years, this area has become one of the most trendy hang outs of Barcelona as multiple bars serve the best gin & tonics the city has to offer. The area also hosts one of the best clubs and concert hall, the “Sala Apolo”. It is not far from Europea’s Plaza Espana Residence.
