Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
which was only
discovered in 1983.
d
Av Diagonal 686
• Off map
cleaned and the
many facilities in-
clude showers,
toilets, childrens'
play areas, volleyball
nets and an open-air
gym. There are
boats and surfboards
for rent. Be warned:
bag snatching is
endemic.
See p97
.
(
Castelldefels
^
Parc de
Joan Miró
Also know as Parc
de l'Escorxador, this
park was built on
the site of a 19th-
century slaughter-
house (
excorxador
).
Dominating the
paved upper level of
the park is Miró's
striking 22-m (72-ft)
sculpture,
Dona i Ocell (Woman
and Bird
; 1983). Elsewhere there
are three children's play areas
set around a café.
d
C/Tarragona
• Map B2
Just 20 km
(12 miles) south of
Barcelona are 5 km
(3 miles) of wide,
sandy beaches with shallow
waters. Beach bars entice week-
end sun worshippers out of the
afternoon sun for long, lazy sea-
food lunches and jugs of sangria
aplenty. Windsurfers and pedalos
are for hire.
d
Off map • Train to
Platja de Castelldefels from Estació de
Sants or Passeig de Gràcia
Parc de l'Espanya Industrial
&
Parc de l'Espanya
Industrial
Built on the site of a former
textiles factory, this modern
park, by Basque architect Luis
Peña Ganchegui, has deteriorated
somewhat since its inauguration
in 1985. It still has a certain
appeal, including ten strange
lighthouse-style towers that line
the boating lake and an enormous
cast-iron dragon, which doubles
as a slide. There's a good terrace
bar with a playground for the
kids.
d
Pl de Joan Peiró • Off map
*
City Beaches
)
Premià/El Masnou
By far the best beaches
within easy reach of Barcelona,
just 20 km (12 miles) to the north,
these two adjoining beaches lure
locals with gorgeous golden sand
and clear, blue waters.
d
Train to
Premià or El Masnou from Plaça de
Catalunya or Estació de Sants
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The beaches of Barcelona
were once insalubrious areas to
be avoided. With the 1992
Olympics they underwent a
radical face-lift and today the
stretches of Barceloneta and the
Port Olímpic are a major people
magnet. Just a short hop on the
metro from the city centre, they
provide the perfect opportunity
for a refreshing Mediterranean
dip. The beaches are regularly
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57
Explore Barcelona's parks by bike
For details on bicycle hire
See p131 & p133
