If you have traveled to Barcelona and never been “to the top” of the city, you haven’t appreciated the best thing the city has to offer. Views. Taking Carrer Balmes all the way to the top, it ends at the foot of a trolley car station on Avenida de Tibidabo. This Avenida is still almost entirely cobblestone with majestic mansions on each side of the road. At one time these were all private homes, and now house banks, modeling agencies and the odd restaurant. One such restaurant is the Asador de Aranda which is an absolute MUST if you like lamb chops, and want to eat in a gorgeous three-level home filled with mosaics and amazing views of the city.
As you wind your way up Avenida de Tibidado it ends in a small “plaza” where you can take the funicular to Tibidabo church. However, this can be done at a later time. If there is thunderstorm forming on the horizon, and the clouds are beginning to roll in off the Mediterranean, stop into the Mirablau bar which hangs over the side of the cliff as if it were to roll into the valley below at any given moment. The top floor contains a long bar with stools all along the wall overlooking the view, and on hot days, the entire wall is slid open to reveal the sultry winds filtering up from the pine trees below. Take a seat, order an Estrella beer, and enjoy views of the entire city of Barcelona, from the airport to the south, Montjuic hill directly in front of you, the twin towers of the Port Olimpic and the meandering coastline of the maresme to the north. At your feet the city of Barcelona bubbles up and down as the buildings all seem to be competing for a bit of sunlight, and the narrow avenues of the Gothic Quarter seem to act like strings holding all the bubbles into a confined area. On stormy days, sit back with your beer and watch lightning rods play hop-scotch over the city as though they were skipping over the amalgamy of color and life below. For a moment you can feel alone, watching the interplay between nature and human activity, as an independent observer high above it all nestled among the swaying pines.
No Comments
No comments yet.
Comments RSS TrackBack Identifier URI
Leave a comment
