Arrived nice and early at the Sagrada Famalia - already quite a few tourists there but only a small queue to get in. I have seen 100's of churches in the past and they have been amazing but this is out of this world - both beautiful, an amazing engineering feat, stunning modernisme glass, and a fantastic tribute to nature. The outside tortoises are holding up pillars, towers festooned with apples, pomegranates, grapes, lizards etc. Inside huge tree shapes are the pillars to the ceiling. It really was impressive and enjoyed by all and we spent several hours mesmerised by the Sagrada familia and Gaudi's vision. A vision taken from Nature.

Sagrada Familia is due to be complete in 2026 - 136 years after building was started and 100 years since Gaudis death . The project was only a quarter complete at his death. 

Afterwards had delicious real fruit iceblocks in the square overlooking the Sagrada Familia and then took the metro to the beach and hired bikes for the afternoon. Rode our bikes slowly along the beach front with beach after beach (10 city beaches) along the way, crowded with people. Away from the main city beach crowded with locals - everyone sandwiched in on the beach, sunbathing - many topless which was a bit too much for Jed. We stopped at one of the furtherest beaches which was great but realised it was next to the nudist beach and a few nudists were sunbathing near us - this was really too much for Jed who just giggled. More biking and swimming. A great afternoon. 

Found a great organic, non GMO, Slow food restaurant in the local square and had a delicious tapas meal crowded into this very funky place - Jed chose tomato bread with dry cured organic jamon, Ruby a plate of hummus, grilled octopus and chorizo dusted with paprika, and we also had ceviche of cod with fresh tomato, olives, and smoked sardines - YUM!

 No wonder Barcelona such a great spot - amazing architecture, fantastic food, and beautiful beaches all in one spot.

Written by Heidi