Fellow travellers,
I have an important post to write, about my surfing experiences and my accident, and I see I am doing everything to avoid it. ;) Today’s distraction is definitely worth your time, it’s a MUST DO in Barcelona! We will be climbing to the Tibidabo Mountain, in the Serra de Collserola.
Our effort will be well-rewarded - a panoramic view over Barcelona and it’s coastline from the highest point of Barcelona. Definitely the best view of the city!
I know that most of us visit Barcelona to admire the stunning and one-of-the-kind architecture of Antonio Gaudi. Then we hurry to barrio Gotico and Montjuic. Others, those who already know the city a little better, relax and enjoy a glass of cold cava (typical Spanish sparkling wine), a paella (typical dish) and the sun in popular Gracia or by the sea.
But today we gonna do something alternative. We explore the outskirts of the city in order to enjoy the view from 512 meters above the sea level.
Starting point:
There are alternative ways to reach Tibidabo Mountain, so I will briefly mention all of them. But I will focus on the walking way, as this is what I did and what I think is fun if you have more time to spend :)
We meet at the Plaça Catalunya which is one of the main squares in Barcelona, and very well communicated with the rest of the city. From there you take the Line 7 (brown), with the departures every 15 minutes, and you get off at the last stop called “Avinguda Tibidabo”. From there we walk up, firstly in a mainly residential area of the city's rich and famous, with charming buildings, some of which from the early XIXth century.
Later on, we enter a little Park Font del Racó.
After the park, we pass the Funicular Tibidabo station. Here we have two possibilities – we can either take the funicular, which will take us up or we continue climbing. I suggest we do the latter :)
This is the point where the road quickly switches to a trail. We continue the uphill, alongside joggers and cyclist, and yes, this is already an opportunity to appreciate the view.
The whole trip will take approximately 80 minutes, so you see, it’s not so much.
Alternative way to get to Tibidabo:, you can take the Tramvia Blau from the Avignuda Tibidabo (the last metro stop) which will take you to the Funicular Tibidabo station. From there, with the funicular, you can ride up to the top.
There are 3 attractions that await us once we reach the top of the mountain:
Stunning view over Barcelona!
The Church de Sagrat Cor, visible from many parts of the city, especially at the night time when it is beautifully illuminated.
The Tibidabo Amusement Park.
The Church de Sagrat Cor
The external appearance of the church is of a Romanesque fortress of stone from Montjuïc (the crypt), topped by a monumental neo-Gothic church accessed by two grand outdoor stairways. The upper church has a central floor with an octagonal dome on eight columns. The upper church is square with three apses, a large central tower, and four lower towers marking the four corners of the square, and statues of the Twelve Apostles. (…) The church is crowned by the enormous bronze statue of the Sacred Heart. The ascent from the crypt, passing through the church and ending at the sculpture, reflects the rise and the purification of the human condition by means of sacrifice and atonement.
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This mixed Neo-Gothic and Modernist church was under construction from 1902 up to 1961. One of its towers has the elevator that will take us even higher – at 575 meters above sea level - to the first viewing platform. But bear in mind that the elevator is available only until 6 pm and that you have to enter it 10 min before 6 pm. at the latest! It costs 2 Euros.
From there we climb again a little more - the stairs lead us to the top of the church at 548 meters above sea level where we “greed” the statue of Christ. Yes, our thoughts concerning its similarity to the statue in Rio de Janeiro is fully justified.;)
The Tibidabo Amusement Park
Right next to the church there is the Tibidabo Amusement Park, worldwide it is one of the oldest amusements parks that still function, and the oldest in the whole Spain. It was built in 1899 by, and was opened in 1905.
The Park is very recognisable by its colourful ferris (big, observation) wheel. We can also take a traditional carousel or take a ride on a little red plane.
A popular ride at the park is the 1928 Avió airplane ride, a single-car carousel giving the impression of flight above the city, a novelty at the time. Riders board a replica of the aircraft that first flew from Barcelona to Madrid.
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Here is its website for the details concerning prices and opening hours.
I really hope you enjoyed this trip to the outskirts of amazing Barcelona as much as I did.
Sending Joy!
Kasia
More about me here. :)
My "what to do/visit in Spain" recommendations:
Paying Leo Messi a visit - visiting Castelldefels, Spain
ALTERNATIVE! MUST SEE/DO in BARCELONA, Spain vol. 1: COSMOCAIXA and its Tyrannosaurus Rex “TRIX”
Salvador Dalí Theatre-Museum by night (Figueres, Spain)