Thousands of tourists from year to year choose Spain for a long-awaited vacation with the whole family. The question arises before them: where is the best place to rest? Fabulous Barcelona beckons with its Gothic buildings, museums and shops. Mallorca teases with beautiful landscapes, beaches, nature reserves and ancient castles. To make your choice, you need to know about the peculiarities of rest in these resort centers in Spain.
The first thing that comes to mind when mentioning Barcelona is the famous architectural monuments of this city. The Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia) became the work of the whole life of Antoni Gaudi, who declared a taboo to straight lines in architecture. In addition to this grandiose structure in Barcelona, there are many of his other brainchildren. They forever changed its appearance and made it unlike any other European city.
But in the capital of Mallorca, Palma, there are also unique buildings in the Gothic style. The Cathedral, too, did not pass Gaudí's attention during its reconstruction. The appearance of Palma was influenced by the influence of the Arabs. A striking example of this is the Almudaina fortress.
History buffs will love Barcelona. There are many museums in it: historical, military, art. Many of them are located in medieval buildings. There are also favorites for tourists: the Gaudi Museum, Picasso, the Egyptian Museum, the Spanish Village complex.
Palma also has museums. Some are housed in private medieval houses. The Municipal Historical Museum is located in the only round Gothic Bellver Palace in Europe.
If architectural sights are more to the liking of adults and teenagers, then little travelers will love the aquarium in Barcelona. Thanks to the tunnel through the huge Oceanarium, you can see the life of underwater inhabitants from the inside.
There are 8 water parks in the vicinity of Barcelona, the closest is a 30-minute drive away. They have entertainment and attractions for all ages, both for adults and children.
Mallorca also boasts several water parks, a zoo and an aquarium.
Beach holidays are the main goal of many tourists. There are many beaches in Barcelona for a relaxing family vacation and for youth with noisy discos. In most cases, they are crowded and have a well-developed infrastructure for entertainment and games.
Mallorca has over 80 white beaches with turquoise waters. They encircle the island around the perimeter. In most cases, these are sandy beaches, there are calm bays protected from waves and wind. Most popular with youngsters and surfers alike, Magaluf with its turbulent nightlife and discos. More suitable for families with children: Palma Nova with a gentle entrance to the sea, Paguera, Santa Ponsa, Alcudia, Cala d'Or.
Old quarters, interesting museums, rainbow mosaics, Mediterranean cuisine, gorgeous beaches - these are just some of the reasons why you should visit Spain!
My husband and I, as always, planned our trip to Spain long before the trip and, of course, on our own. We have not used the services of travel agencies for a long time, as we prefer to develop routes and choose hotels ourselves. And preparing for the next trip is an extremely exciting business.
This was our first trip to Spain (we usually go to Asian countries). But this time we were practically persuaded to choose Spain, and we did not regret it. The warm sea, stunningly beautiful landscapes, an abundance of fruits, cheeses and jamon, as well as the friendliness of the local population made our stay excellent.
Barcelona
Barcelona
Tickets were bought several months before departure. The choice was this: either expensive tickets with a direct flight from St. Petersburg to Barcelona, or cheap ones, but with transfers. We are not looking for easy ways, besides we travel quite often, so we chose tickets through Helsinki and with a change in Riga. AirBaltic tickets came out cheap (about 15,000 rubles per person in both directions with a flight from Helsinki), but they had their own limitations: baggage was paid for separately (we flew with hand luggage), and you also had to check in online. If you do not check in online, you will have to pay additional airport check-in fees. Hotels in Mallorca were booked almost six months in advance, as in the summer there is a very high demand for good hotels.
Embankment
Travel itinerary to Spain
Two weeks passed quickly. Five days were allotted to Barcelona. We didn't try to cover as much as possible in one trip to Barcelona. Indeed, in the Catalan capital there are so many interesting places: cathedrals, basilicas, monuments, beautiful squares and narrow streets! And I want to consider everything, not in a hurry. In addition, the suburbs of Barcelona: Figueres, Girona, Sitges - also attract tourists from all over the world.
For the first visit, we decided that we definitely want to visit the Gothic Quarter, see the Sagrada Familia of the great architect Antoni Gaudí, climb Montjuïc, walk along the central Rambla, look at the Boqueria market and, of course, visit one of the most popular parks in the world. entertainment - Port Aventura.
Most of all, I like to combine a dynamic vacation in big cities and the tranquility of a beach holiday in one trip. This time we stopped our choice on the Spanish pearl - Mallorca, and managed to live on two opposite parts of the island. So, first things first!
Spanish market
The trip was strictly planned by day, and we did not deviate from the plan. To briefly describe our journey, this is what happens:
1 day: departure to Finland. Since we have Finnish Schengen, the trip through Finland was beneficial for us (we didn't need to go there specially). So, early in the morning we went by bus from St. Petersburg to Helsinki airport (we ordered a transfer). In the evening we took off from Helsinki to Riga. We had to spend 6 hours at the Riga airport, during which time we had dinner and even slept a little. In the morning we were already in Barcelona, tired, but looking forward to a great holiday.
2nd day: Barcelona greeted us with great weather! In the afternoon we checked into the apartment we had booked in advance on booking.com. Despite the tiredness, after checking in, we immediately went for a walk around the city. And the first attraction on our way was the Sagrada Familia.
Sagrada Familia
Then we went for a walk along the famous Rambla street, on the way we looked into shops, visited the old Boqueria market. And already late in the evening we managed to go to the Arena shopping center.
Arena in Barcelona
Day 3 held in PortAventura amusement park and water park. And it was a very emotional day!
Port Aventura
4th day. We did not plan it in advance. We just went for a walk to the city center. And they found an amazing place - the Citadel Park.
Barcelona
We walked along the old streets of the Gothic quarter and, of course, could not pass by the Picasso Museum.
Picasso Museum
Day 5. On the morning flight, we flew from Barcelona to the heavenly place - Mallorca. We took a taxi to the hotel located at the westernmost point of the island. Sant Elm is a picturesque and tranquil beach destination.
6, 7, and 8 days we spent at the lovely Universal Aquamarin & Aquavilla. The main attractions of Sant'Elmo are the beautiful beach, walking along several streets and amazing cuisine at the hotel.
Day 9. In the morning we packed our things and took a taxi to the eastern part of the island of Mallorca - the small town of Porto Colom. The popular sandy beach of Cala Marsal is located here.
9 - 11 days we stayed at the JS Cape Colom hotel, located among the picturesque cliffs. Its hallmark is the observation deck on the top floor, which offers a breathtaking view. The hotel has an all-inclusive system, but the kitchen did not please at all. But I was very pleased with the presence of a good tennis court, the use of which was included in the cost of living. It should be noted that this hotel accommodates adults only. And this is correct, since the beach at the hotel is very peculiar, entry into the sea is by stairs from the cliff.
Day 12. In the morning we moved to a hotel in the capital of the island - Palma de Mallorca. We spent only a day here. On the first day, we saw the main sights of the city - Cathedral and the central square as well as Bellver Castle.
Day 13. In the morning we walked around the main square of Palma de Mallorca, devoted a couple of hours to shopping. After lunch we flew to Barcelona. Barcelona held romantic evening in one of the restaurants in the Gothic Quarter.
Seafood in Spain at every turn
Day 14. The last full day in Barcelona was very busy. In the morning we went to the Park Labyrinth d'Orta, located next to the hotel where we were staying.
Barcelona
Then we went to the center, planned to visit the great creation of Gaudí - Casa Batlló. But due to the huge queue, we postponed his visit until the next trip to Spain. Instead, we took the cable car to the famous Montjuïc castle, admired the beauty of the National Art Museum of Catalonia, walked around the Olympic village, and even dined in the cafe of the Olympic stadium.
Barcelona Olympic Park
Also on this day we saw Spain in miniature at Poble Espanyol. This so-called Spanish Village turned out to be just a large cluster of retail outlets and overpriced restaurants.
Spanish village
We spent the evening, of course, in our already beloved Gothic Quarter.
Day 15. In the morning we bought cheese / jamon in the shops closest to the hotel. In the evening we flew to Riga. It turned out that on this very day - August 13 - Riga celebrates the City Day. We hardly found our little hotel, had a delicious dinner at a local restaurant (the food seemed insanely tasty to us compared to Spanish). We did not go to the square to watch the fireworks, as we were tired and did not want to freeze.
Day 16. In the morning we walked along the central streets of Riga, looked at all the disgrace that was happening on the streets after the celebration of the city day. After lunch we flew to Helsinki, from where we finally got to St. Petersburg by evening bus.
Prices in Spain
Holidays in Spain left a lot of positive emotions. What I liked especially was the general friendliness and openness of the Spaniards. And their language is just music to my ears! I even wanted to learn it in order to understand not only the well-known ones - “gracias”, “ola”, “buenos diaz”, etc.
Barcelona from the observation deck
Of course, while traveling, we involuntarily compared holidays in Spain with Asian countries that we had visited. And everywhere there are pros and cons. The biggest disadvantage of Spain is the rather high prices for food, transportation, souvenirs, excursions. But this is all in comparison! But the guarantee of a good trip is not to compare with the previous vacation. But, when planning an independent trip to Spain, take more money! The average bill in a cafe is 30-60 Euro for two without alcohol, a taxi in the city - 10-20 Euro, entrance tickets, for example, to Park Aventura - 47 Euro per person.
A little about food
The only thing we got a little disappointed with in Spain is the local food. Perhaps because of too high expectations. Before the trip, we read that Spanish cuisine can be considered one of the main attractions of the country, it is so good. We had lunch and dinner in many restaurants of different price ranges, from cheap cafes to a famous restaurant in Mallorca. But they didn't get much pleasure. Paella, gazpacho, tapas (various snacks), chorizo - all of this is delicious, of course! But after a few days I want something completely different. This does not apply to our beloved brie cheese, jamon and, of course, sangria!
Spanish salad
When it comes to holidays in Mallorca, here everyone can find something to their liking. Either calm beach vacation and an evening promenade through the local streets (as, for example, in Sant Elm), or unbridled fun for young people in the Arenal resort.
In a short time of travel, we saw a large number of sights of Barcelona, rested on the most famous island of Spain and even managed to see Riga a little. We will start our next trip to Spain from Madrid, and then we would like to see Seville, Zaragoza, Valencia, and the island of Tenerife. But in Barcelona, we did not see all the sights, besides, we would like to visit PortAventura amusement park again.
Where is the best place to relax in Spain? Barcelona or Costa Brava or ?. ... Where is the best beach? and got the best answer
Answer from La rosa [guru]
in Barcelona
Answer from 2 answers[guru]
Hey! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: Where is the best vacation in Spain? Barcelona or Costa Brava or ?. ... Where is the best beach?
Answer from Serg tihom[guru]
if you need a beach 100-200m wide and + sightseeing in Barcelona (i.e. go closer),
then I recommend the town of Callela (Calleia) - north of Barcelona, 40 minutes drive to Barcelona by train.
Buy a BONATREN ticket at the electric train ticket office - and you will have 5 inexpensive round-trip trips to Barcelona (that is, only 10 trips and the price with a big discount).
All other beach villages are further away. In the north there is still Malgrat, Tossa. And in the South of Barcelona - Solow is known, but it is a 3-hour drive from Barcelona.
Answer from Filaret[guru]
In Barcelona, the city has a large wide beach, but the sea is a little dirtier.
Answer from Marina Anatolyevna[guru]
in Salou silk golden sand, excellent beaches, close to Port Aventura ... and only 110 km to Barça, an hour by train
Answer from Prischepka[expert]
The most the best beaches on the islands, of course! Mallorca is heaven on earth, I recommend it! I fly there myself the next week 🙂 Ibiza is also good, but they fly there to hang out and it's insanely expensive .... And from Mallorca you can get to Barcelona and Ibiza if you want! Ferries run regularly plus there are inexpensive domestic flights. A friend was vacationing on the Costa Brava, she did not like it there at all ... too crowded and feels like Turkey. The islands are always better 🙂
Mallorca belongs to the Balearic Islands group. Now it is the largest Spanish resort, annually gathering fans from all over the world. Beaches, sailing and scenic landscapes are just some of the island's attractions. Unsurprisingly, the island ranks among the most popular tourist destinations. The most convenient route is through Barcelona as one of the largest cities in Spain. Therefore, tourists and vacationers are interested in how to get from Barcelona to Mallorca and how much it can cost.
All roads lead to Mallorca
From Barcelona to the resort 203 km - and all by the sea. Therefore, there are only two ways: by ferry or by plane.
We do not mention the exciting possibilities of chartering a yacht or private jet, and we do not recommend getting a cabin boy aboard the ship. But the real possibilities can be compared using a table.
Sea cruises across the Mediterranean are gaining popularity, including special routes to Mallorca. The minimum price for a cruise on a liner in the summer of 2019 is 519 €, but the resort island is not a goal here, but only one of the stages of the journey.
Romance of the sea route
Ferry travel looks romantic. In this case, you can ride sitting or take a cabin. Another plus of this transport: you can transport a car and pets on it. Passenger transportation is carried out by Balearia and Trasmediterranea, the latter being about 10-20 € cheaper.
Ferries run both in the morning and at night, but on Saturday they have a day off. Travel time is 5-10 hours, depending on the port of arrival and flight time. There are a total of 18 flights per week.
A traveler can buy a ferry ticket on the spot - there are offices in the ports, or you can order in advance through the carriers' websites. The cost of a one-way ferry flight for an adult is from 62 to 91 euros, for a child - half the amount. A cabin will cost at least 2 times more expensive, especially during peak season.
If you are transporting a car, the price of a one-way flight is 139-239 €. You will also have to pay for other transport: bicycle, van, motorcycle. It's cheaper to buy round-trip tickets right away - Mallorca is not cheap.
But for transporting pets, the price can jump up to 331 euros, if we are talking about a dog - the standard price for a seat in a 4-seater cabin. On some flights, pets are only accepted if transport is available. The animal must have a veterinary certificate and originals of all documents.
In Barcelona, ferries depart from the Old Port, while in Mallorca they arrive either at Alcudia, the closest port, or in Palma de Mallorca, the island's most famous city.
The difference in price is minimal, but the travel time increases by an hour and a half.
The ferry is chosen by those who want to have a quiet time enjoying the seascapes. The slowness of this type of transport sets up a lyrical mood, besides, the service is excellent.
Fast and inexpensive: plane
The distance from Barcelona to Palma de Mallorca is 277 km and the fastest route is by plane. The price of the flight differs little from the price for a seat on the ferry, although it depends on the specific company and the day of the week.
On Tuesday, the price for an economy class ticket will be 29-39 €, and from Friday to Monday - at least 58 €. The minimum cost can be up to 16 euros - less than a taxi in Barcelona from the center to the airport.
From the center of Barcelona to the airport there is an airbus every 5-10 minutes, a one-way ticket for which costs 5.90 €. A round trip ticket costs € 10.20 and is valid for 15 days. These buses run from 5.30 to 0.30, from the center to the terminal you can get there in 35 minutes. It is easy to recognize them - they are painted in blue and light blue and have a large inscription “Aerobus” on them.
When the bus is not suitable, you can take a taxi - provided you speak Spanish. When there are problems with communication, it is better to use it - so the driver will immediately know where to go. It is possible to get there by metro or a special RENFE train.
Since you have reached the airport, you can fly to Mallorca on the next flight - they fly from 06.30 to 23.00 inclusive, but more often on weekends. All flights are direct and last from 45 minutes to 1 hour. All flights are carried out to Palma de Mallorca airport, from where you will then have to get to the desired point on the island.
Major air carriers:
- Air Europa - from 26 € for an Economy Class flight;
- IBERIA - from 28 € for a one-way ticket;
- RYANAIR - from 16 €, but not on all flights and not every day;
- Vueling - from € 30 for an Economy Class flight.
Business class tickets are many times more expensive - from 272 euros. Children without adults cannot fly, but the price for an Economy Class flight with a baby will be 10 € more expensive. For children over 12 years old, the flight will cost about 20 euros - a little cheaper than an adult.
From Son San Juan - Majorca airport, the largest in all the Balearic Islands, buses number 1 and 21 go to Palma de Mallorca. Tickets for 3 € are purchased directly from the driver.
Intercity routes:
- Bus number A11 from the airport to Magaluf and Peguera;
- Bus number A32 runs in 2 directions: Platja de Muro / Alcudia - Can Picafor and Cala Bona - Cala Millor;
- Bus number A51: Airport - El Arenal de Llucmajor - Cala d'Or
The journey will cost 5-12 euros - the price depends on the destination. This is the cheapest way to travel. Even if the required route does not go from the airport, you can get to the central bus station, from which transport follows in all directions.
As elsewhere, regular taxis and transfers work. You can also rent a car - it will cost 35-40 € per day.
Conclusion
Majorca resorts attract tourists from all over the world. The lion's share prefers to travel through Barcelona - the center of Catalonia, famous for its architecture and beautiful views. Despite the convenient cruise lines, the pearl of the Balearic Islands is worth considering separately. To do this, ferries and special flights fly regularly from Barcelona to Mallorca. Whatever transport you use, you can find out the timetables and even buy tickets and order a car without knowing the language - via the Internet.
Getting there by plane is faster and often cheaper. The ferry makes it possible to transport vehicles and pets, and also fully enjoy the sea trip.
Carrier Balearia: Video
