Barcelona at sunset; a sea view in which sky and water alike are pastel dreams, a gentle breeze over the water cooling your skin after a long and sunny day of exploration, a great glass of wine in hand, a belly full of delicious local tapas, the night stretching long and full of possibility for partying, dancing, bar-hopping, or simply wandering the pretty streets of the city ahead of you.
This is the kind of image, the kind of moment that many of us, no doubt, are craving right now, in need of a break and relaxation given the stress and uncertainty of the current state of the world. Yet, unfortunately, for the time being, such an escape is yet a while away. However, that does not mean that we cannot indulge in some dreaming, advance planning, and adding of things to bucket lists.
All over the globe, we have had to adapt, as humans do so well, and have learned to do more things virtually in lieu of the real thing for the moment. And what a time in history to need to do that! While being unable to leave our homes is not ideal, at least we are safer when we have the luxury to do that and, if you have an internet connection, you have access to all sorts of incredible tools and resources to help stave off your wanderlust even just a little bit for now. From virtual tours of the world's best museums to regional recipes accessed in seconds at home to allow us to travel with our tastebuds, there has never been a better time to explore the world from your own sofa.
This is the kind of image, the kind of moment that many of us, no doubt, are craving right now, in need of a break and relaxation given the stress and uncertainty of the current state of the world. Yet, unfortunately, for the time being, such an escape is yet a while away. However, that does not mean that we cannot indulge in some dreaming, advance planning, and adding of things to bucket lists.
All over the globe, we have had to adapt, as humans do so well, and have learned to do more things virtually in lieu of the real thing for the moment. And what a time in history to need to do that! While being unable to leave our homes is not ideal, at least we are safer when we have the luxury to do that and, if you have an internet connection, you have access to all sorts of incredible tools and resources to help stave off your wanderlust even just a little bit for now. From virtual tours of the world's best museums to regional recipes accessed in seconds at home to allow us to travel with our tastebuds, there has never been a better time to explore the world from your own sofa.
So, you can take in a sunset in Barcelona, right now, and look out over that vibrant city's wonderful streets from the beautiful Park Güell, visit famous tourist attractions, and much more besides. Here is our guide to a virtual visit to Barcelona and all the tools that you will need in order to go on a little adventure right now: no passports, flights, or planning necessary!
1 Sagrada Familia
Begun in 1882 with completion of construction not expected until around 2026, Gaudí's iconic cathedral traces its roots to when a bookseller named José María Boca Bella, the founder of the Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José (Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph), decided to build a church in Barcelona and to devote it to the Holy Family, the "Sagrada Familia". Funded entirely by donations, the commission of the church was originally given over to architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who envisioned a standard Gothic revival church. However, he resigned from the position and the young Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883, which saw the plans change dramatically. The new vision for the cathedral was on an immense scale and was a soaring, dramatic thing unlike anything anyone had seen before. Normally open to the public despite remaining incomplete, it cannot be visited in person at the moment but you can explore it virtually below.
1 Sagrada Familia
Begun in 1882 with completion of construction not expected until around 2026, Gaudí's iconic cathedral traces its roots to when a bookseller named José María Boca Bella, the founder of the Asociación Espiritual de Devotos de San José (Spiritual Association of Devotees of St. Joseph), decided to build a church in Barcelona and to devote it to the Holy Family, the "Sagrada Familia". Funded entirely by donations, the commission of the church was originally given over to architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, who envisioned a standard Gothic revival church. However, he resigned from the position and the young Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí took over the project in 1883, which saw the plans change dramatically. The new vision for the cathedral was on an immense scale and was a soaring, dramatic thing unlike anything anyone had seen before. Normally open to the public despite remaining incomplete, it cannot be visited in person at the moment but you can explore it virtually below.
2. Park Güell
One of the most enduringly popular tourist attractions in Barcelona, attracting around four million visitors each year, is Park Güell, which is a public park system that is composed of both gardens and architectonic elements and is located on Carmel Hill. Also designed by Gaudí, it is a place to hike, enjoy the pretty gardens and interesting architectural and artistic gems dotted throughout the space, and to take in wonderful views over the city. Take in those views right now with the 360 degree view tool below.
One of the most enduringly popular tourist attractions in Barcelona, attracting around four million visitors each year, is Park Güell, which is a public park system that is composed of both gardens and architectonic elements and is located on Carmel Hill. Also designed by Gaudí, it is a place to hike, enjoy the pretty gardens and interesting architectural and artistic gems dotted throughout the space, and to take in wonderful views over the city. Take in those views right now with the 360 degree view tool below.
3. Casa Mila
Yet another Gaudí creation and another precious architectural gem in Barcelona, Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera, or, “The Stone Quarry,” due to the rough-hewn appearance of its exterior), was the last private home that the architect designed and was built between 1906 and 1912. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is now the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, which runs and manages visits to the building and organises special exhibitions and cultural events. While you cannot currently explore the building, attend exhibitions there, or go to the excellent coffee shop, you can virtually explore the interior and exterior with this tool.
Yet another Gaudí creation and another precious architectural gem in Barcelona, Casa Mila (also known as La Pedrera, or, “The Stone Quarry,” due to the rough-hewn appearance of its exterior), was the last private home that the architect designed and was built between 1906 and 1912. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is now the headquarters of the Fundació Catalunya La Pedrera, which runs and manages visits to the building and organises special exhibitions and cultural events. While you cannot currently explore the building, attend exhibitions there, or go to the excellent coffee shop, you can virtually explore the interior and exterior with this tool.
4. Museu Nacional D'Art De Catalunya
The heritage and history of Catalan culture in incredibly rich, boasting some of the most famous names and works in the history of art, architecture, literature, and more. So, of course, the capital of the region, Barcelona, has to be home to an excellent museum. Housed in the Palau Nacional, a huge, Italian-style building dating to the early 20th century, the museum is famous for its extraordinary collection of Catalan and Spanish art with examples of works by the likes of Velázquez, El Greco, Fortuny, Ramon Casas, and Dalí, as well as an international collection boasting works by Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens, Fra Angelico, Canaletto, and Lucas Caranch the Elder. Explore the beautiful building and artistic gems inside with Google Arts and Culture here.
The heritage and history of Catalan culture in incredibly rich, boasting some of the most famous names and works in the history of art, architecture, literature, and more. So, of course, the capital of the region, Barcelona, has to be home to an excellent museum. Housed in the Palau Nacional, a huge, Italian-style building dating to the early 20th century, the museum is famous for its extraordinary collection of Catalan and Spanish art with examples of works by the likes of Velázquez, El Greco, Fortuny, Ramon Casas, and Dalí, as well as an international collection boasting works by Titian, Tintoretto, Rubens, Fra Angelico, Canaletto, and Lucas Caranch the Elder. Explore the beautiful building and artistic gems inside with Google Arts and Culture here.
5. ...back to that sunset
We started this off imagining a future in which this is all behind us and we're enjoying the sunset after a long day of playing and exploring Barcelona. While that specific moment won't be able to come for a while, we can actually recreate it, too, from home for the time being with this 360 degree view over the skyline of this incredible city at sunset.
Enjoy all of these resources safely at home for now as we all get through this together and look forward to when we can explore Spain and when Spain itself will be healed and in less pain again in the future.
We started this off imagining a future in which this is all behind us and we're enjoying the sunset after a long day of playing and exploring Barcelona. While that specific moment won't be able to come for a while, we can actually recreate it, too, from home for the time being with this 360 degree view over the skyline of this incredible city at sunset.
Courtesy of www.AirPano.ru
Enjoy all of these resources safely at home for now as we all get through this together and look forward to when we can explore Spain and when Spain itself will be healed and in less pain again in the future.