The Aquarium of Barcelona

For the happiness of youngest as well as oldest, the Aquarium of Barcelona opened its doors in 1955. Today, it is one of the biggest in the world regarding Mediterranean marine life and has more than 35 aquariums, 450 species and about 11.000 “hosts”.

A 80 meters gallery goes through the Oceanoarium, the most spectacular pools of the aquarium, where you could bump into a few of the most disturbing specimens which smartly live with all kind of fishes. We can also find some pools reserved for tropical and Mediterranean species. Among the most intriguing subjects, you could see the sea dragon, strange creature similar to seahorses, or the moon fish, a singular animal with circular shapes.

The Aquarium organizes several activities for children and adults, including puzzles to solve, treasure hunts but also an exceptional diving with sharks! Besides, it is also possible for children to make a birthday party there.

Good to see: The gallery under the Oceanoarium and rare species.

OPENING HOURS (Ticket offices and accesses open until one hour before):

Open all year around

From Monday to Friday: 9.30 - 21.00

Weekend and public holidays + June and September: 9.30 - 21.30

July and August: 9.30 - 23.00

CHARGES

Adults: 17.75 €

Children from 4 to 12: 12.75 €

Adults over 60: 14.75 €

Tip:

Enjoy a reduction of 2 € by printing the coupon here!

To spend pleasant family holidays in Barcelona, you can book one of our apartments on our website: Top Barcelona Apartments.

Address:

L'Aquarium Barcelona

Moll Espanya del Port Vell, s/n, - 08039 Barcelona

Metro : Drassanes (L3) ou Barceloneta (L4)

Tel : +34 932 217 474 / +34 628 265 908

Nearby : Port Vell, Maremagnum, Mirador de Colon.

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Sant Jordi's day in Barcelona

On the 23rd of April, come celebrate lovers’ day in Barcelona!

Considered as a Valentine’s Day by Catalonian people, La Diada de Sant Jordi actually celebrates the patron saint’s death of Catalonia: Saint George. According to the story, it is said that Saint George, a Roman knight, killed a dragon in order to rescue from its fangs a princess coming from the south of Barcelona. Then, a rosebush sprang from the dragon’s blood and the hero picked the most beautiful rose to give it to his princess.

Since The Middle-Age, this nice gesture of Saint George has been perpetuated and Sant Jordi’s day has become the most romantic day of the year in Catalonia. On this date, tradition wants boys to offer a rose to their girlfriend and girls to offer back a book to their boyfriend.

Anyway, by walking in the city, you will notice quickly that this festivity is present elsewhere and things are taken seriously in Barcelona! Indeed, you could enjoy a big flowers and books market all along the famous Ramblas, specially transformed for the occasion. And although Sant Jordi’s day is a working day, many Barcelonan people will not hesitate to miss classes or work to hang out in the streets and breathe love perfume…

By the way, this day has become under the auspices of the UNESCO, the international day of book and author’s rights.

Tips:

· La casa del Arcediano (free entry for public during Sant Jordi’s day). Address : click here

· Listen to the best musicians near Cathedral of Santa Eulalia. Address : click here

· Visit the precincts of the cathedral to see swans walking.

· Visit freely the Dependencias del Palau de Generalitat. Address : click here

· The municipality of Barcelona (Ayuntamiento de Barcelona). Address : click here

Enjoy a romantic stay in one of our cosy apartments. More information about this on our website: Top Barcelona Apartments.

Pete Doherty Concert in Barcelona

As a former member of the band Libertines and currently the frontman of Babyshambles, Pete Doherty is on the roads for his first solo tour for the promotion of his new album Grace/Wastelands.

The british rock star, who has become famous namely because of his scandals, is also one of the most talented artists of his generation.

Writer-musician-singer, Pete Doherty will start tonight in Hamburg, to finish on the 23rd of September in London. But he doesn’t forget his Catalonian fans and will stop on the 18th of April in Barcelona! Favoring UK, his homeland, this will be one of his scarce dates in Europe since he will perform only in Germany, Spain, Ireland and Sweden.

Rock fans, don’t miss this concert! Take this opportunity to see Pete Doherty on stage and visit Barcelona by the way! This will take place at Sala Apolo from 20.30 with The Ezra Beats for the first part.

The ticket is 22,40euros: you still can book your place by clicking here.

You could also book one of our available apartments on Top Barcelona Apartments.

Address:

Sala Apolo Barcelona

Nou de la Rambla 113 - 08004 Barcelona

Metro: Paral-lel (L2)

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The 29th Barcelona International Comic Fair

Traveler friends and fans of comics, this article is for you!

The 29th International exhibition of comics in Barcelona will take place from the 14th to the 17th of April 2011, Avenida Reina M. Cristina, in Hall 8 of la Fira de Montjuïc.

For this event, many english artists are scheduled as Brent Anderson (portfolio), Charlie Adlard (portfolio), Eddie Campbell (blog), Garth Ennis (portfolio), Kurt Busiek (portfolio).

During the fair, several activities will be proposed:

trendy rock concerts :

• Thursday, April 14, 6:00 p.m. ANNA & THE BANANAS, 19:00 REMBRANDT42

• Friday, April 15, 7:00 p.m. MOTORZOMBIS

• Saturday, April 16, 7:30 p.m. LOS TIKI PHANTOMS

• Sunday, April 17, 6:00 p.m. MÜRFILA

Dedications: Find all the dedications and schedules on the official website;

video games testing;

debates and conferences.

Opening hours:

• Thursday, April 14 from 10am to 20pm

• Friday, April 15 from 10am to 21h

• Saturday, April 16 from 10am to 21h

• Sunday, April 17 from 10am to 20pm

Price:

Admission 6 €

Tip:

If you go on the FICOMIC stand, a free comic book will be offered (in a limited availability).

Address:

Metro station : Espanya (line 1 and 3 subway)

Hall 8

Avenida Reina M. Cristina

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If you need an apartment, you can go on our website Top Barcelona Apartments.

22nd Guitar Festival of Barcelona

Every year in spring, Barcelona promotes one of the most famous instruments in the world of music: the guitar.

This year, the Guitar Festival is coming back for its 22nd edition, with a series of special concerts: until the 21st of May, you could enjoy more than 30 bands and artists from Spain and abroad, come with their guitars for live performances.

With completely different styles of music, you could applause (by order of appearance):

Iván Ferreiro, Very Grapefruit, Lax'n'busto, Rulo y la Contrabanda Antonia Font, Christina Rosenvinge, Ariel Rot, Rafa Pons, Josemi Carmona, Owen Pallett, Manos de Topo, Tarantula, Jorge Drexler, Depedro, Rosendo, Espaldameceta, Popa Chubby, Toti Soler Sílvia Pérez Cruz, Punta Anna Roig IL'ombre your dog, Aaron Thomas, Julian Lage Group, Eric Vinaixa, Cass McCombs, Anímic The New Raemon, Russian Red, Sandra Rehder, Michel Camilo, Tomatito , Mazoni ...

For more information about the dates, locations and prices, click here.

If you want to come and see one of these concerts, do not waste time and book your apartment now!

Focus on: Lax'n'busto

Created in 1986, Lax'n'busto has become one of the most emblematic band of Catalonia. In constant evolution, the band has managed to mix different styles, between Rock and Pop. After 25 years of existence, they are coming back with a new album called Simfonic, and a new concept: integrating a classical orchestra in their compositions.

It's on the 15th of April, during the 22th Guitar Festival of Barcelona, that you could see them play songs of the album on the Gran Teatro del Liceu (Gran Teatre del Liceu).

Address :

Gran Teatre del Liceu

Carrer La Rambla 51-59 - 08002 Barcelone

Metro : Liceu (L3)

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The Museu Blau, new space of the Barcelona Museum of Natural Sciences

Here is a new thing to visit in Barcelona! The Barcelona Museum of Natural Sciences, which already includes the museums of Geology and Zoology, as well as the Botanic Garden, is still growing.

On the last 26th of March, in the Forum Park, a new space has been opened: baptized Museu Blau (Blue Museum), the building with modern design houses a collection of rocks, minerals, fossils, plants and animals, coming from the Catalonian lands and the Mediterranean.

This museum highlights the history of our planet, through a permanent exhibition called Planeta Vida. In the same time, other exhibitions spread on two floors will be temporary presented. Visitors could also benefit of a media library, a shop, a cafeteria-restaurant, and various workshops, whereas children from 0 to 6 years old could enjoy a playground.

On its opening day, the Museu Blau attracted 6300 visitors! Come also enjoy the museum’s inauguration: indeed, its visit is free until the 30th of June! Then the price of one entry per adult will be 7euros.

To book an apartment, check our website: Top Barcelona Apartments

Adresse :

Museu Blau

Leonardo da Vinci Square, 4-5

Fòrum Park - 08019 Barcelona

Metro : El Maresme – Forùm (L4)

Tel.: +34 93 256 22 00

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Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló is one of the achievements of the architect Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona. Its achievement (more precisely the transformation of an existing building) lasted from 1904 to1906. The current Casa Batllo (Maison Batlló in Catalan) is the result of the total reform of an old conventional house built in the year 1877.

Gaudi was commissioned to complete renewal of the owner's building, Josep Batlló I Casanovas, a textile industrial. On this basis, Gaudí built this amazing house, one of the most fantastic and special in Barcelona. The project designed by Antoni Gaudí i Cornet made in 1904, was disputed by the municipal authorities, due to a series of design features of Gaudí, which far exceeded the limits of bylaws.

Despite the mentioned problems, the building was selected as one of the best works of 1906 by Barcelona City Council. The changes made by Gaudí in building were completely and radically altered. In fact, the Gaudí's building is pratically a new one.

Some details of the Casa Batlló:

The facade covered with splendid mosaics of shapes and colors, is perhaps the most imaginative and attractive of the city.

The balconies look like skulls with fragments of eyes and nose. The columns of the gallery's first floor look like humans bones. The shape of the roof is the most characteristic Gaudí's for urban buildings, culminated by an undulating reminiscent form which reminds of a dragon's arched back; it is covered with ceramic tiles that look like scales.

Useful information:

Address: Passeig de Gracia, 43 Barcelona

Metro: L2, L3, L4 Passeig de Gracia

Bus: 22, 24, 28, 7.16, 17

Opening hours: Visits: Monday to Sunday from 9 to 20 h. (The schedule of visits can be modified according to room availability).

Price: Visits included an audio guide

• Individual ticket: 16,50 €

Save 20% or € 13.20 for anyone who:

• A student card,
• Barcelona Card Bus turístic there for more info click here
• Ruta del Modernismo for more info click here
• Barcelona Walking Tours for more info click here

Handicapped Accessibility: The ground floor which level is the same that the street. You can visit the 1st. floor, an elevator provides access for wheelchairs and people with other difficulties. The attic is also accessible by lift, but the upper terrace and its other dependencies are not.

For visiting Barcelona in the best conditions look at our apartments! To see them click here!