Highlights
Venture through the Gothic Quarter and admire the medieval architecture.
Experience the essence of Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia and Park Güell.
Get lost in the pages of The Shadow of the Wind, a captivating mystery set in post-war Barcelona.
Enjoy a stunning virtual concert from the Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House.
Whip up a delicious dish of traditional Spanish paella, perfect for food lovers.
This week, we’re heading to one of the most culturally rich and architecturally stunning cities in Europe — Barcelona, Spain. From its unique blend of Gothic and modernist architecture to its vibrant street life and mouth-watering food, Barcelona has something to offer for every traveler. If you're ready to explore this beautiful city with us virtually, keep reading!
We are trying to make sure the content we suggest is accessible in different ways. Although it can be difficult to find websites that are fully accessible, we review many to offer you the ones that are the most accessible. As always, if you find barriers or have suggestions please reach out to us at info@bluetrunk.org and let us know so that we can improve!
Visit the Museums and Sites
Barcelona is full of breathtaking landmarks and historical sites. Let’s start with one of the most famous: La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece. Gaudi is a Spanish architect famous for his innovative, unique Catalan Modernism. La Sagrada Familia, is a huge Basilica that has been under construction for over a century and offers a mix of Gothic Art forms. It’s covered with vibrant stained glass windows with a variety of symbolic content. You can explore this architectural marvel in a virtual tour from the official website, which includes stunning 360-degree views.
Another stunning part of Barcelona is the Gothic Quarter, a maze of narrow medieval streets filled with history. Be sure to check out a blog post by traveladdicts.net, where they share tips on what to see and do. For a video experience, YouTube offers a visually rich tour with audio and captions. In this walking tour you can see the famous Plaça Nova, Pont del Bisbe, the Roman temple, Plaça Sant Felipe Neri, Plaça del Rei, the Jewish Quarter, Plaça San Jaume and the Port de Mar. Venga. There are many peaceful areas to sit and relax while enjoying a coffee or pastry, while admiring the gothic architecture.
Barcelona is also home to Park Güell, another Gaudí creation. This colorful park looks over the city and is filled with mosaics. Park Güell’s astonishing art is rich with religious and political symbolism. At the center of the park lies a square bordered by a bench that is curved like a colorful snake and a popular spot for photography. Gaudi's house is located in Park Güell and opened to the public as a Museum in 1963, which many visitors still go to today. You can enjoy a virtual walk through this park with the Park’s website, which includes accessibility features like descriptions and captions for videos. If you download the Park Güell app you can, have access to an audio guide as well
If you want another beautiful outdoor experience you must visit Montjuïc, one of the tallest hills in Barcelona, offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. It’s home to the historic Montjuïc Castle with stunning 360-degree views, the Magic Fountain known for its captivating light and music shows, and several cultural sites like the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and the Fundació Joan Miró. Visitors can also enjoy lush gardens, explore Olympic facilities from the 1992 Games, and take a scenic cable car ride to the top for breathtaking city and sea views. Here is a youtube video exploring the captivating views of the area, Youtube.
Looking to immerse yourself in art? The Picasso Museum is a must-see. This museum is home to one of the most extensive collections of Pablo Picasso’s works. This museum showcases his famous works of cubism and collage. Picasso’s most famous pieces, including the First Communion and The Embrace, are featured in this museum. He is known for his breathtaking artwork captured in various colors and forms. A virtual tour of the museum is available on their website, with captions and audio descriptions included.
Want to get a glimpse into the fine music of Barcelona? The Gran Teatre del Liceu Opera House is one of Barcelona's most famous cultural landmarks, offering world-class opera, ballet, and symphony performances. Built in 1847 on La Rambla, it's known for its grandiose architecture, including a stunning auditorium with elaborate red and gold decor and a large chandelier.
In a virtual concert experience, you can enjoy iconic performances like Carmen, La Bohème, or other renowned opera and symphony pieces right from home. Many virtual tours and performances include accessible features such as subtitles, captions, or audio descriptions, allowing viewers to appreciate the opera's rich visuals, acoustics, and historic ambiance.
Tune in to Shows and Movies About Barcelona
Barcelona has been the backdrop for a variety of films and TV shows. One standout is a Romantic Comedy called Barcelona. You can watch it on Tubi for free, with subtitles and audio descriptions are available, to gain insight into life in this beautiful city. Another popular television series that took place in Barcelona was The Game of Thrones. Castell de Santa Florentina, a 11th-century medieval castle that served as the home of House Tarly in Season 6. Here is a guided tour on Youtube where you can enable captions.
Get Lost in Books About Barcelona
Books set in Barcelona often capture the city's magical atmosphere. One popular recommendation is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. This mystery novel takes readers through the streets of post-war Barcelona, following a young boy’s discovery of a forgotten book that changes his life. This book uses rich metaphorical language and is known to be an intense read, truly capturing the ambiance of Barcelona’s winding streets. You can find this novel on Amazon, with a Kindle and Audiobook version available.
Another captivating read is Cathedral of the Sea by Ildefonso Falcones, a historical novel set in 14th-century Barcelona, focusing on the construction of Santa Maria del Mar. This church is one of the few remaining examples of pure Catalan Gothic style and was built in the 1300s. This church was built to honor the conquest of Sardinia.To read more you can visit Amazon and Audible.
For something a bit lighter, Homage to Barcelona by Colm Tóibín offers a blend of personal narrative and historical insights about the city. This book explores the vibrance of the city, including its culture and nightlife. It is part-guide, part-memoir and features Barcelona in present day, while alluding to past events, making it ideal for those interested in both history and culture.This book is It can be purchased on Amazon.
Bring Barcelona to Your Kitchen
Barcelona’s culinary scene is world-famous, and we’ve got a few recipes you can try at home to bring a taste of the city to your kitchen.
First up is the traditional Spanish dish, Paella. Traditionally made with seafood or chicken, this version from Minimalist Baker offers a vegan, diary-free, and gluten-free alternative. The mix of spices and hearty vegetables make this dish both flavorful and filling.
If you are looking for something solely vegan, Escalivada, a smoky vegetable dish made with roasted eggplants, bell peppers, onions, and tomatoes is the choice food for you. Escalivada captures the essence of Catalan cooking. Traditionally served with olive oil and crusty bread, it’s a vegan-friendly addition to any meal.
Another great recipe is Pan Con Tomate, a simple yet delicious Catalan dish. It features garlic, bread, olive oil and tomatoes. You can find a vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free version from the Mediterranean dish, perfect as a starter or snack.
And for dessert, why not try Crema Catalana, a creamy custard dish similar to crème brûlée.It is a beloved Catalan dessert known for its creamy texture and subtle flavors. It’s similar to crème brûlée, but with some unique Spanish twists. Made with a rich custard base infused with lemon zest and cinnamon, crema catalana offers a warm, slightly spiced flavor profile. A great gluten-free version can also be found through the link above.
If you are more of a chocolate lover, Churros with Hot Chocolate is a tasteful dessert. Though often associated with Madrid, churros with thick, rich hot chocolate are also popular in Barcelona. This recipe captures the traditional flavors and is great for a cozy night in. Try using dark chocolate for an authentic taste!
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