What to see and where to eat in Barcelona

We recommend various ideas for a quick visit to Barcelona, taking a tour of the most iconic monuments and areas in the city, some of which are in the vicinity of the Hostal Abrevadero.

Three eternal symbols of the capital of Catalonia

The Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

This is the most popular monument in Spain, with 3.2 million visitors each year. It is the major work of art of the Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí and is the best example of modernist Catalan architecture. Started in 1882, this impressive basilica is unfinished and still under construction.

  • Address: calle Mallorca, 401.
  • Opening hours: from October to March from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm; from April to September from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm.
  • Website: www.sagradafamilia.cat

Parque Güell park

Parque Güell park

This is an enormous garden with peculiar architectural pieces created by the unique architect Antonio Gaudí. It owes its name to Eusebi Güell, a rich businessman who was a major fan of the works of the Catalan artist and acted as his main sponsor.

Decorated as a fairy tale, it opened in 1922 and in 1984 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

  • Address: Carrer d’Olot, 3
  • Opening hours: November-February, from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm; March and October, from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm; April and September from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm; May-August, from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm.
  • Website: www.parkguell.es

The Cathedral

The Cathedral

Also known as the Seu or the Cathedral of Santa Cruz and Santa Eulalia, this is a famous example of Catalan Gothic architecture which dates back to the 14th century. Its impressive Gothic façade illuminates the centre of the city.

  • Address: Pla de la Seu, 3.
  • Opening hours: from Monday to Saturday from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm; Sundays and bank holidays from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.

The best gift for your palate in Barcelona

The Hostal Abrevadero is situated in the district of Poble Sec, which is famous in Barcelona for being home to many restaurants of a high quality and wide variety.

Here is a list of the best eating establishments in the area so you can treat yourself to the best Catalan, Italian, Argentinian or international cuisine.

Restaurante El Abrevadero

The Restaurante El Abrevadero, which belongs to the hostel, has room for 100 diners as it includes two rooms and a large terrace. The larger room is around 30 metres2 and the smaller one is about 10 metres2.

El Abrevadero owes its unusual name to an old basin situated at the door to the building, which animals used to drink from.

This establishement specialises in Mediterranean cuisine, with tradititional and exquisite dishes such as salmorejo (traditional cold soup), patatas revolconas (traditional potato stew), Spanish omelette, calamari, patatas bravas, paellas, black rice, fideua (noodle paella), Jabugo ham, fried suckling pig, sea bass cooked skin side down, different types of fish, etc.

It also has a wide variety of tapas, sandwiches and a baguette menu with cold and hot options.

In addition, from Monday to Friday at lunchtime the Restaurante El Abrevadero in Barcelona offers a Daily Set Menu, which includes two courses plus dessert and a drink, at a special, unbeatable price: 9.80 euros (including VAT).

The Restaurante El Abrevadero is situated in the heart of Barcelona, on Calle Vila i Vilà, number 79, next to Avenida del Paral·lel.

The phone number for bookings is (+34) 93 441 22 05.

Restaurante El Abrevadero Menu

Antic Magatzem

Situated at calle Aldana, 18, this is a restaurant specialising in traditional Catalan cuisine which features on the list produced by the magazine “Time out”.

Excellent service and very good value for money in a hundred-year-old building which strives to preserve the original look of an old 19th century warehouse.

Basílico

Situated at Avinguda Paral.lel, 142 and belonging to one of the main restaurant groups in Barcelona. It offers a very elegant atmosphere and fusion cuisine at extremely competitive prices.

Can Margarit

Located at calle Concòrdia, 21, this is a historical place in Poble Sec, with free tasting of 4 wines before the meal, ancient and charming premises, and a menu based on barbecued meats and vegetables.

Strongly recommended for group events. Advance booking required for weekends.

La Bella Napoli

This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Barcelona, or perhaps the best. It is situated at calle Margarit 14. It opts for traditional Neapolitan cuisine: pizza, pasta, meats… Prices from €20 per person.

San Telmo

Situated at calle Vilà i Vilà, 53, just a few metres from the Hostal Abrevadero. This Argentinian restaurant specialises in imported meats. The restaurant is decorated with photos of celebrities from football, music and politics who are regular customers.

The establishment offers an excellent tango musical show during dinners at the weekends.

Medium-high prices and excellent service. Bookings are recommended at weekends.

A paradise in Barcelona very near the hostel

The fountains of Montjuïc

Las fuentes de Montjuïc

Thanks to the inspiration of the engineer Carles Bugas, who invented a new type of fountain-jet in which the artistic element is the changing shapes of water, the Fuente Mágica (Magical Fountain) is one of the last works completed in the complex of the International Exhibition in 1929. It is one of the most traditional spectacles in the city; a party of water, music and light.

  • Opening hours: winter (from October to April) Friday and Saturday from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm; and summer (from May to September) Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9.00 pm to 11.00 pm.
  • Price: free entry.
  • Website: www.bcn.es/turisme/castella/turisme/llocs/01.htm

The Pueblo Español

The Pueblo Español

Construido para la exposición universal de 1929, este recinto, de 49.000 metros cuadrados y 117 edificios a escala real, reproduce los distintos estilos arquitectónicos de las diferentes regiones de España. Así también es posible degustar los platos típicos en los restaurantes de cada región, o visitar la ciudad de los artesanos.

  • Address: Av. de Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, 13 (antigua Av. Marquès de Comillas, 13)
  • Telephone: (+34) 935 086 300
  • Website: www.poble-espanyol.com

CaixaForum

Caixa Forum

Museum of contemporary art, situated in an old industrial factory of modernist Barcelona, and a work by Puig i Cadafalch.

It covers over 3000 metres squared, divided into 3 itinerant exhibition halls, a media library and a concert hall. In recent years, it has exhibited collections by Lucian Freud, Cartier Bresson, Joan Brossa, Antoni Tàpies …

Plays, musicals and entertainment all on one street in Barcelona

The Hostal Abrevadero, is situated at Avenida Paralelo, formerly known as Avenida del Teatro, which at the start of 1900 was the epicentre of the show scene in Barcelona. During that golden age several theatres and cabarets in the purest Parisian style were opened.

After many years of change, with redevelopment of theatres into cinemas or clubs, the Barcelona city council has made a strong commitment to recovering the splendour of that period at the start of the 20th century. As a result, some hundred-year-old theatres have been restored or are in the process of being reopened.

Currently, just a few metres from the hostel you can enjoy musicals, plays or cultural displays of any kind.

Teatro Apolo (Av. Paral·lel, 59)

Teatro Apolo

Rebuilt a few years ago, its listings are based around comedies and musicals. It has recently welcomed the Spanish version of Fame  and the comedies Boeing Boeing and Una pareja de miedo.

Teatro Condal (Av. Paral·lel, 91)

Teatro Condal

Built in 1903, and managed since 1992 by Focus, one of Spain’s main producers, its listings are based around comedies for the general public.

This theatre has been home to highly successful shows such as La jaula de las locas, Matar al presidente, La cena de los idiotas and El Enfermo imaginario.

Teatro Victoria (Av. Paral·lel 67-69)

Teatro Victoria

Founded in 1890 and rebuilt in 1992, it has room for 1224 spectators. The last shows were: Grease, Spamelot los caballeros de la mesa cuadrada, Bollywood, Rock the ballet, Circo de los horrores…