Home > News Archive > Barcelona Bans Tourism Buses From Sagrada Familia

Barcelona City Hall said the move was aimed at easing the traffic chaos in the streets around the famous Gaudi landmark, which is likely to improve tourists' impressions of the area.

The city hall also announced a €700,000 (£564,000) scheme to widen the pavements in the city's major tourism hotspots, in a bid to help Barcelona cope with the rising number of people exploring the city by foot.

The Sagrada Familia is by far the most well-known and popular of the Barcelona landmarks. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the cathedral and enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

Designed by Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi, the unfinished church has been declared a Unesco World Heritage Site and was proclaimed a minor basilica by the Pope two years ago.

Gaudi fans might also want to head to the nearby Parc Guell, which features two fairytale-like gatehouses based on the designs for the Hansel and Gretel opera.

The staircase at the entrance of the park was also designed by Gaudi and takes visitors past a mosaic lizard up to the Gran Placa Circular, a former marketplace which again offers great views of Barcelona.

And while you're in the city you should not miss out on taking a stroll down La Rambla, one of the most famous boulevards in the world.

If you fancy a break from sightseeing, you might want to head to one of Barcelona's excellent live music venues, such as Razzmatazz or Bikini.

Concert lovers can choose between several splendid concert halls such as the Gran Teatre del Liceu, which features gold leaves, plush red carpets and ornate carvings.

Seating 2,400 people, L'Auditori is another popular live music venue which covers not only classical but also jazz and world music.

by Verena Vogt