As you explore the wonderful city of Barcelona, no doubt you will have heard of Parc de la Ciutadella or Citadel Park. If not, you are sure to stumble across it as you wander.
As I was en route back to my hotel after a long day sightseeing, I only skirted the outskirts of this lovely park, but I liked what I saw and when I get back to Barcelona, I will take more time to explore it.
The wide promenade of Passeig de Lluís Companys is where the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia is located.
At the north-western end of the promenade, you’ll find the Arc de Triomf – a spectacular archway which was the main access to the 1888 Barcelona World Fair. The words Barcelona rep les nacions (“Barcelona welcomes the nations”) is sculpted on the top (Wikipedia).
There are other impressive buildings (if you like that sort of thing) such as the castle-shaped Castle of the Three Dragons, built for use as an exhibition space for the 1888 World Fair (Wikipedia).
There is also a tropical garden, created by architect Josep Fontsére.
And , of course, you’ll also find lots of people enjoying the park. Some relaxing or exercising or, like you, exploring.
If you get to Barcelona anytime soon, head to Parc de la Cuitadella for a peaceful couple of hours. I’ll be doing exactly that!
I headed off to Barcelona just in time! It was February 2020 and there was talk of a virus. I wasn’t sure whether I should cancel but, in the end, I decided to go – and I was happy I did! I (we) didn’t know then, that travelling would be banned in the coming months!
I really want to do more exploring in Spain because the few places I have been, I have simply loved. And Barcelona was no exception.
Let’s take a walk around the city.
I stayed in the Hotel del Mar on Pla de Palau, 19, 08003, housed in this beautiful building with its colonnade of columns. It’s a great location too – near the port and the Gothic Quarter.
There are lots of fabulous buildings in Barcelona.
And street art too.
If you walk away from the centre, the streets are almost empty – a pleasant change from the busier areas.
You may see what looks like a familiar building too – this one looks like the Gherkin in London. There is also one in Bangkok.
Head along La Rambla..
..towards Plaça de Catalunya where people stop for a breather or to enjoy each other’s company.
Turn back along La Rambla and browse the Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria or La Boqueria – sadly closed on the day I wandered past.
Or stop for a coffee at Cafe el Magnifico.
Turn off any of the streets from La Rambla and you’ll find lovely little plazas.
Head back onto La Rambla towards Port Vell.
Or, go to the beach for a sundowner cocktail or to feel the sand between your toes.
If you’re like me, you’ll research things you want to see, but you could simply go where your feet take you – it’s a beautiful city to explore.
And, if you have a sharp eye, you’ll see pretty birds in the trees around you!
Being a popular tourist destination, Bruges is always packed with people. In spite of this, it’s possible to find pockets of the city bereft of the hustle and bustle!
It was really peaceful meandering through these empty streets without having to share it with anyone else!
I am somehow drawn to water, so if I visit somewhere with canals, you can be sure they will be on my list of things to see.
While in Bruges, I headed to the Spiegelrei Canal and wandered along its banks. There are some lovely colourful buildings in the traditional stepped-gable design.
Next, the Augustijnenrei Canal with water so still it creates beautiful reflections.
I skirted around the old-town and headed south to the Groenerei Canal. There is a viewpoint where you can sit and watch the boats go by or take a break from sightseeing in one of the cafe bars located along its banks.
Bruges is a beautiful place to explore. Walk around the city or take a trip on a canal boat to see a different view of the city.
On a trip to Belgium in 2020, just two days into the new year, I went to Bruges for the day. It was a lovely way to spend a few hours. I loved it so much, I’m going to retrace my steps and hope that you will join me for a little tour around the city.
Bruges is just under an hour and a half from Brussels. Leave the station and walk up Oostmeers towards the city centre. There will be plenty of people doing the same, so you won’t get lost.
The narrow street is lined with houses including the almshouse of Reylof de Blieck – used as a shelter for the poor in the past.
At the end of Oostmeers, take a right onto Goezeputstraat and second-left onto Kleine Heilige-Geestraat. You’ll see the tall tower of Saint Salvador Cathedral on Sint-Salvadorskerkhof.
Walk around and you’ll see the whole cathedral.
From Sint-Salvadorskerkhof, go right onto Steenstraat and you’ll find yourself in the shopping zone with typical Belgian buildings converted into cute boutiques.
Keep going and you’ll come across the Markt – Bruges’ market square with its impressive buildings including the Belfry – arguably the most impressive.
The Provincial Hall isn’t bad either.
The market square is bustling with people and and there are also colourful old guild houses which have been converted into restaurants, so it’s also a good place to sit and eat and watch the world go by.
Just off of the Markt, you’ll find Eiermarket with some nice cafes and restaurants – stop for a coffee in Het Hof Van Rembrandt,
Venture onward and pass by Dumon Chocolatier, housed in this cute little building.
Go along Kuipersstraat, turn right onto Jakob Van Ooststraat, left onto Vlamingstraat and, finally, right onto Academiestraat and you’ll see The Burghers’ Lodge (Poortersloge) – a place where important citizens of Bruges held their meetings.
Head towards Augustijnenrei Canal and located by the Ezelsbrug or Donkey Bridge is thebeautiful Restaurant De Bottelier. I didn’t eat here, but I thought it was worthy of a photo.
Go back the way you came along Sint-Jakobsplein and St James Church stands on the corner.
Double back on yourself through the Markt, walk along Breidelstraat and you’ll come across Burg Square. In the far corner, you’ll see Blinde-Ezelstraat or Blind Donkey Street – a narrow alleyway running between Burg Square and Vismarkt. Apparently, there was an old inn called The Blind Donkey in the late 15th century.
Back on Burg Square, you’ll find part of the Brugse Vrije (Liberty of Bruges).
And the beautiful Gothic Stadhuis or town hall.
My walk took me further around the city centre but, for this tour, I wanted to show you some of the buildings in Bruges. I hope you enjoyed yourself. More of Bruges next time!
This is the last of my Brussels’ posts and these are my best photographs for you to get a last glimpse of the city.
As I’ve mentioned before, choosing photographs to be the best is very subjective. For me, I choose the best ones based on interesting subjects and nice views, colours, reflections, rule of thirds, juxtapositioning, angles, patterns, close ups, moody skies, low angles and high angles. What about you?
Gouden-Handrei is, arguably, one of the prettiest streets in Bruges so, of course, I had to make a beeline for it when I visited in January 2020. The street carries on into Spaanse Loksaai and ends at the Augustijnenreibrug – a three-arched bridge dating from the 14th century, making it the city’s oldest. After the bridge, you can carry on walking along Augustijnenrei for more lovely views.
It certainly was very pretty and I enjoyed walking along this lovely part of Bruges.
