Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Exploring the Heights
Morning
Taking the northern route
of the Bus Tourístic (see
p133) is the easiest way
to negotiate the vast
northern area of the city;
it also gives discounts on
entrance to major sights
en route. Start off at
Plaça de Catalunya
(tickets can be bought on
board) and sit on the top
deck for a good view of
the Modernista magic
along Pg de Gràcia. Make
the whimsical Parc Güell
your first stop and spend
the morning ambling
around Gaudí's other-
worldly park. Get back
on the bus and continue
north to the southern
end of Av Tibidabo. Walk
about 500 m (1600 ft)
up Av Tibidabo and stop
off for a leisurely lunch
in the garden of the
palatial El Asador
d'Aranda (see p117) .
Afternoon
After you've had your fill
of fine Castilian cuisine,
continue strolling up Av
Tibidabo to Plaça Doctor
Andreu where you can
hop on the steep funicular
train to go higher still to
Plaça de Tibidabo. Pop into
the Parc d'Atraccions
(see p111) for a ride on the
dod-gems or the Ferris
wheel. Then head to
the landmark Torre de
Collserola (see p111) ,
where a glass elevator
whisks you up to an
observation deck for
spectacular views. Return
to Plaça Doctor Andreu
on the funicular and treat
yourself to a granissat
(see p43) in one of the
terrace bars. Then go
down Av Tibidabo on the
charming Tramvia Blau
and catch the Bus Tourístic
back to the city centre.
Parc del Laberint d'Horta
and winding paths is an oasis of
calm. It is great for hiking and
biking (see p59) , with sign-posted
paths and nature trails. d Info point:
C/Església 92 • Map B1
( Tramvia Blau
The city's blue trams, with
their old-fashioned, wooden inter-
iors are attractions in themselves.
The route, from the FGC station
to Plaça Doctor Andreu, passes
many Modernista mansions to
the top of Avinguda Tibidabo. d
Av Tibidabo • Map B1 • Trams run 10am-
8pm (Oct-May 6pm) daily (mid-Sep-late
June Sat, Sun & bank hols only) • Adm
) Parc del Laberint d'Horta
In 1802, the Marquès
d'Alfarràs hosted a huge party in
these wonderful Neo-Classical
gardens to celebrate the visit of
Carles IV. Designed by Italian
architect Domenico Bagotti, they in-
corporate a lake, a waterfall, canals
and a wonderful cypress-tree
maze. d C/German Desvalls • Map C1
• Open 10am-dusk daily • Free (Wed &
Sun), Adm (all other days)
Museu de les Arts Decoratives, Palau Reial
11 3
For more on Barcelona's parks See p56-7
 
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