Barcelona Guide Bureau’s guide opinions: Núria Bargalló

Why Barcelona Guide Bureau (what is the difference between you and other guides) ?

BGB provides us with updated information for our job (about the city, culture, art, architecture, etc.) and a training program. BGB considers it is essential to have a good communication with each other and we meet often to update our demands and the company’s. BGB takes care of all the reservation (both from the client and museums, restaurants, transportation facilities, etc) so we are not answering the phone every 10 minutes as most of other tour guides do.

Why Barcelona is a “must” ?

Architecture, standard of living, weather, Gaudí & art nouveau, gastronomy, FC Barcelona, culture…

Your favourite place in Barcelona and why.

The Boqueria market. It is full of life, it changes every day, every minute, there are many people it’s extraordinary and you can eat and drink so well!

A curiosity about Montserrat.

The rock formation. Many rocks are so weirldly-shaped that local people have given then names like the Gorilla, the Elephant Head, the Sphinx… But often you need a glass of the famous liquor produced with the secret recipe of the monks “Aromes de Montserrat” to see them.

A curiosity about Park Güell.

In the main entrance there is one building which was meant to be the door keeper house. Up on top, there is a mushroom with white little points on it. The white little points are recycled upside down coffee cups!

A curiosity about Sagrada Familia.

At this moment there are 8 towers completed. Each one of them represents an apostle and has a statue of him. One of the statues in the façade of the Passion is not wearing underwear!

A curiosity about Montjuïc.

Some roads in Montjuïc in 1960s were used as a Formula 1 race track.

A curiosity about Gaudí.

Gaudí was very generous. When he was a young (and poor) architect he was paid to work for the construction of the unfinished Church of Sagrada Familia (the symbol of the city) but when he was older and quite wealthy he decided not to accept the payments anymore but to donate all his belongings to the Institution Sagrada Familia.

A curiosity about Catalan people.

“Seny & rauxa”. Seny means when it is time to work, we work like crazy but since we work so much, we need time for RAUXA. Every little village, mid town or big city need FESTA MAJOR and then, we have fun like double crazy (= RAUXA)!

Three tips to enjoy Barcelona.

Sit down in front of MNAC when the sun is setting. Have a cup of cava (or coffee or what ever you like) in the terrace of the bar enjoying the incredible view of the city.
Buy a ticket for the tour to visit el PALAU DE LA MÚSICA CATALANA. Usually people have to go there several times because it is fully booked. But it is INCREDIBLE, UNIQUE, FANTASTIC. It is worth the effort.
Lose yourself in CIUTAT VELLA (Gothic, Raval, Born, Ribera). Unique shops, beautiful buildings, interesting art galleries and museums, bars, restaurants, tapas, nightclubs…. DAY AND NIGHT it is so full of life.