August 2019 - The Ultimate Thrifty Air Ticket Deal Finder

What to Expect from Athens, Greece

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Athens is not just an ordinary capital; Classical Greece was born here, and the first prehistoric settlement arose here in the era of 3000 BC. Located in Central Greece, this famous city is on the plain of Attica, which is surrounded by the mountains of Parnihta, Egaleo, Pendeli, and Imito. The Gulf of the Aegean Sea washes the city. The climate in Athens is the Mediterranean, the summer here is hot and dry, the average temperature +25|+35 ° C, and the winter is relatively mild, windy +5|+15 ° C. Athens is a sunny city; it has about the 300 sunny days a year!

Restaurant terrace with sunlight - perfect place for dinner — Restaurant terrace with sunlight – perfect place for dinner

Athens includes the Old Town, central districts, suburbs and also the port of Piraeus. In this city, you can spend a month exploring in detail all the ancient monuments and ruins, charming neoclassical buildings in the historical center, and museums. If you decide to do this, please, keep in mind there are places, even in the very center of the city, where you will come in contact with street sellers. For example, it would be best if you avoid the Omonia quarter, filled with emigrants.

How to get to Athens?

Regional buses KTEL connect Athens with other cities of Greece. The bus park was recently renovated, which makes the journey pleasant and safe. Unlike other European countries, the Greek railway network has only two lanes of traffic. The first goes to the south to the Peloponnese, and the other one to the north, connecting Athens with Thessaloniki.

The port of Piraeus serves as a sea gate in Athens and serves many ferries. You can get to the port either by taxi or by subway, but then you will have a walk. There is a bus for cruise passengers from the terminal to the city.

I got to Athens by a ferry from Santorini, and it is an interesting story. My flight got postponed three times. And as it happened, I didn’t get to read the third e-mail. When I arrived at the airport and came to the check-in, I was told that I’m not flying this plane. So I had to buy a ticket for another flight 3 times more expensive or to buy a ferry ticket. I stayed in Santorini for one more night. By the way, my first ticket price was 43 $, but at the airport, I have been offered to buy a new one for 170 €. It turned out that many passengers fell for such kind of trick the same way as I did and that this is often practiced here by some airline companies. What I can add – just be careful with that.

Transport

A bicycle is always a good idea. There are more than 70 municipal bicycle rental points near the main attractions, underground stations, parks, and squares. The fee (5 €) is for the whole day of the rental. There is no hourly rate. You need to buy a plastic card in a kiosk, subway ticket office or cafe, and use it to unlock the rack to which the bicycle is fastened.

Also, you can catch a taxi at any given moment. Athenian yellow taxis take 1.20 € per landing and 0.60 € per km per day (at night – 1.20 €). The minimum fare is 3.10 €. When you are landing, it is essential to ensure that the driver activates the counter.

Public transport

The public transport system of Athens includes underground, trams, and buses. The underground works from 5:00 a.m. to midnight; this is a very convenient choice for travel. It has only three lines (it is impossible to get lost). Unchangeable travel fee – 1.40 €. There are fascinating museum stations that were uncovered during the construction of tracks. If to speak about trams, there are three tram lines which connect the center of Athens with the southern districts of the city.

The tram is more convenient for trips on the coast. Night buses are indispensable when returning from the “evil places” beyond midnight. Tickets for public transport valued at 1.40 € are valid for 90 minutes without restriction. There is also a 24 hour (4.50 €) and five days (9 €) pass. You can use them on all types of transport – buses, trolleybuses, underground and an EL. The exception is the route to the airport and the Express X80 line. They cost 4.50 €.

Car rental

Rental cars in Athens is popular and in demand, which is not surprising, given the fact of the low cost of this service. Economy class car in the capital of Greece will cost you only 25-30 EUR per day. And taking into account the Athenian parking lots, such cars will be more comfortable. Although the network of city parking lots is well developed, it is often difficult to find a place. Parking is paid by unique cards, which you can buy in kiosks, cafes, and shops.

Traffic in the city is intense. In the morning and evening rush hours, the whole center is in a traffic jam.

Where to stay

Athens is one of the most specific megacities of the world, and the place where you live may have a significant impact on the impressions you will leave with. The specificity of Athens is not only about the rich historical heritage. The city is divided into clusters, which are very strikingly different from each other. Prices for accommodation aren’t enormous. Even in the center of the city, you can find establishments offering a bed for 12 € per person. In hostels, rooms for 1-6 people are available. Of course, private apartments or a room in the hotel will be more expensive. Prices are different, and they start from 30 to 300|450 € per night. It depends on additional amenities. In Athens, my choice again fell on the Couchsurfing.

Want to know more about Athens?

Follow the blog updates!

– Romanna

Previous post: 10 Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece

Next post: What to See in Athens, Greece

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

10 Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Imagine, you came to Santorini, already walked through Oia, and saw the most beautiful sunset. What to do next? In this article, I will tell you ten unforgettable things to do in Thira island.

1. Watch the Star Sky

I have never seen such beauty before! Due to the size of the island and small population, there is no intense light as in the big megapolis. So you can go to some high ground and see a perfectly clear sky. Of course, if there are no clouds at this moment. Please be careful with night driving – all leading to the top roads could be dangerous during the night time.

2. Relax on a Black Beach

Perissa Beach or the Black beach is the longest and the most popular beach on the island. It is 8 kilometers long, starts under the mountain which protects visitors from the wind. Here you can find tons of restaurant and cafes, almost all of them propose their sunbeds so you can have a free place to hide from the sun. The usual price is 5-10 euros per person, but sometimes you could find a free one. To get to the beach, take a bus from Fira to Perissa city.

3. Get Lost in Imerovigli City

In my opinion, Imerovigli is as beautiful as Oia city. At the same time, there are no crowds, prices are lower, and you still can see caldera view in front. Moreover, you see the nearest island, cliffs, and even Oia! Imerovigli is very authentic, with blue-domed churches and typical Cycladic architectural style houses.

Do you know why all the buildings in Santorini are white and blue? The Greek ex-prime minister Ioannis Metaxas ordered to paint houses in these colors as a symbol of the white waves of the Aegean Sea and the blue of the Greek sky in 1936. Besides this, white walls save the climate inside buildings by reducing sun absorption.

4. Walk Through the Pass From Oia to Fira

You thought all you can do in Santorini is swimming in a swimming pool, watching sunsets and sunbathing on the colored beach? I had a hunch that this is not the whole list of activities, and found a walking pass from Fira to Oia. It is nearly an 11 km long trek on the edge of the caldera. This pass goes through Imerovigli and Firostefani cities, and you can stop wherever you want if you feel tired. I decided to do it in reverse due to the daytime heat and the number of tourists in the evening in Oia. So I arrived there at 6 pm – at this time all the tourists start coming to take the best places for the sunset. But not me – I went out of the city. Firstly it is quite hard to go because it is still sweltering. But in an hour it gets a colder and fresh breeze from the Aegean Sea which makes you feel awesome. It took me 4 hours with a few stops to take photos, and one big stop to enjoy the sunset. At 10 pm, I came to Fira and was extremely happy – it was a fantastic experience!

5. Try Local Food

Traditional bakery snack - a sandwich with feta cheese, tomato and olives — Traditional bakery snack – a sandwich with feta cheese, tomato and olives

Dinner in a tavern - seafood, greek salad, and potato — Dinner in a tavern – seafood, greek salad, and potato

All places in Santorini are targeting tourists. To find a traditional Greek tavern for locals is difficult, but possible. You need to go to the not very touristic villages and ask for a lovely place to eat. Of course, there is lots of seafood and fish. Usually, one dish costs 8-16 euros, depending on the place, size, and product.

Traditional greek dish from eggplants - Musaca — Traditional greek dish from eggplants – Musaca

It is a great idea to go to some restaurants (not fancy) in the evenings and at other times to prepare food by yourself (if you rent an apartment and you have a kitchen). Prices in supermarkets are almost the same as in European cities, and it is a way to save money.

The most popular street food is Gyros. It is a local kebab in a pita. Usually, it cost 2.5 euros or 5 euros for a super big one (30 cm!). It is a quick and delicious food to satisfy your hunger.

6. Watch the Sunset Near the Lighthouse

My local friend told me two years ago it used to be a quiet and romantic place where you can be alone with nature’s beauty. Nowadays lots of people are coming there in the evening but it still worth visiting! You could get to the end of the island by bus, but after the sunset, there will be no more buses. So you need to be ready to catch a car or go by foot (too far for a night walk).

7. Climb the Skaros Mountain

Located near Imerovigli, this mountain is one of the best places to watch the sunset. You need to be prepared to climb over 3 meters of sheer cliffs! So you need to have comfortable shoes and clothes. It is not very hard, but for me, it was a surprise.

It used to be part of the city before, one of the most affluent areas with beautiful buildings and a Venetian Castle. Unfortunately, after the earthquake in 1956 the whole area, named Skaros, fell to the sea and the mount is the only thing left in that place.

8. Find the Fog Over the Cliff

A breathtaking view! I need to tell you it is not an everyday phenomenon. I was lucky to see it twice – once in Fira, and once near the Imerovigli city. Imagine – you stand on the top of the hill, and there is the fog below. It is moving so quickly, changing directions, getting over hills, and moving forward. I could not believe it could happen in Santorini!

9. Climb the Profitis Iliаs on the Sunrise

The highest mountain on the island has a monastery on top, named after Profits Ilias. I climbed to the top, not for a religious purpose. I wanted to see how the island wakes up. It took one hour to get to the top and enjoy the view.

The significant fact is no-one will do the same. I spent an hour on the top, and halfway back, I met the first person who was going up!

10. Find the Red Beach

One more place to enjoy the Aegean Sea – the Red Beach. It is incredibly tiny in comparison with the Black one. It has received its name because of the color of the cliffs over the beach. It is not very safe to be there – there is a sign – danger zone, but it does not stop anyone. If you want to swim there, I advise you to take aqua-shoes; otherwise, it is too painful to go into the water because of the rocks.

– Romanna

Previous post: Overvalued or Not? the Real Santorini Situation

Next post: What to Expect from Athens, Greece

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

Overvalued or Not? the Real Santorini Situation

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

The most publicized place in all of Greece. White houses you saw on thousands of pictures, ads, photos, and greeting card. I thought the whole island looks like this picture. White walls, blue roofs, and windows – that was all I knew about this place.

Typical Santorini colors - the white church with a blue dome — Typical Santorini colors – the white church with a blue dome

Could you imagine what I was thinking during the first ride through the island? After those fairy expectations, all I saw were cliffs and not many attractive villages.

Is it all fake? The truth is every touristic company, the bloggers, and magazines show us only a few spots – the most popular and beautiful places of Santorini.

Fira

Fira is the capital of Santorini. Do not confuse it with Thira – the real name of the island.

It is almost impossible to miss the visit to this city. Firstly, it is situated almost in the middle of the island. Secondly, in Fira is the central bus station and all the buses come here. (Hope, you remember that all routes start from Fira. If you want to get from East to North of the island, you need to get to the central bus station and catch another bus). Thirdly, it is the heart of Santorini. It is not very picturesque, but here is the biggest group of needed facilities like shops, supermarkets, small and cheap cafes, pharmacies, and an old port where you can take a boat excursion.

Street sellers of fruits and vegetables in Fira

Interesting fact, to get to the city from the port you need to choose one of the following three options: the Cable Car which goes up once every 20 minutes and there is a huge queue, to be brought up on mule (donkey), or to go up on foot (500 stairs!). In the last option, you need to share narrow stairs with mules and their smell – I warned you!

"parked" donkey waiting for a job — “parked” donkey waiting for a job

Oia

A real fairy tale! The first time I get to Oia, I could not believe my eyes! It looks like all those pictures on the Internet. Yes, all those white houses are real. And they are situated near each other. You can not understand if they are all separated or if it is one colossal lego construction.

Do you know that feeling on a sunny winter day when you look at snow, and it blinds you? The same goes here; you can not look at them without sunglasses.

There are almost no locals in Oia – it is the most popular city. The most expensive hotels, restaurants, and shops are here. All because of the caldera view. The word caldera means a volcanic crater formed by eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the volcano. Santorini appeared after this eruption – if you look on a map, you can see the island has a form of a crescent. Places, where you can enjoy the caldera view, are overpriced. Apartments with infinity pools, all tables in restaurants – all of them are booked in advance and for huge prices!

Besides small and same type houses, there are huge windmills – you can see them in the best light while the sun sets in Oia. If you want to see the best sunset, you need to be prepared for it morally.

The crowded way to the "sunset view" part of Oia city — The crowded way to the “sunset view” part of Oia city

The fact is, almost all people on the island want to see it with you. Oia is a small city, but the part with the sunset view is tiny, which brings us to an annoying situation. Imagine caldera view, windmills, the Aegean sea, yachts, sunset, a fantastic sky color…. And a thousand people near you. They are not standing somewhere near you – they almost touch you because there is no place for such an amount of people! Feels like you are inside an anthill. Oh, that was one of the best and the worst memories at the same time.

"Waiting for sunset" — “Waiting for sunset”

A funny tradition I had never seen before – at the moment when the sun went down, everybody claps!

It comes as no surprise Fira and Oia are a touristic city – you can not even imagine how it is possible to live there permanently. A strong earthquake in 1956 almost destroyed both of them. Reconstruction of those cities occurred for tourism due to their location on the edge of the caldera.

Yachts coming back to the port after the sunset in the caldera

It is almost impossible to meet locals in Santorini. There is no manufacturing on the island. The only opportunity to earn money is to work with tourists, and this work is hard and not very well paid. Almost all the workers migrated from other Greece islands or even countries. I was shocked; these people work without weekends off! The season lasts for eight months – from March to October. During the off-season, closed are the hotels, restaurants, and shops, as well as no ferries and almost no flights. All people leave the island and wait for the next season. So can you imagine how to work eight months without rest? Once I met a barman who works from early morning to afternoon, then he has a few hours to rest and one more evening shift till 2-3 a.m. And he works every day! You need to know they do not have extra pay for night shifts and weekends. Leisure for some people is hard work for others — a big difference between living there, and a one-two week vacation.

– Romanna

Previous post: Dream Island Santorini

Next post: 10 Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

Dream Island Santorini

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Welcome to the most beautiful corners of the globe! Santorini island annually accepts hundreds of tourists every year. Sometimes, it is impossible to understand how all of them could stay on such a small piece of ground.

Did you know “Santorini” is a nickname? To my astonishment, I found out the Island’s original name is Tira only when I arrived! This name deals with the volcano eruption near the Island, which ruined a great civilization. From the old days, the Island received its nickname – Santorini, named after Saint Irina, patron of locals. There is a version that the Island is part of the legendary Atlantis that supposedly is under the water, described by Platon.

The indescribable beauty of snow-white houses, more than three hundred small churches, picturesque views on the Aegean Sea, and a mighty volcano – it is all about Santorini!

According to the version given by National Geographic, the sunsets on the Island are among the ten most beautiful in the world. They say that you can see all the existing colors while watching these sunsets. The Island has lots of awards as “best sunset,” “best book store,” and others. It seems more like one of the tourist attractions.

The most beautiful sunsets are here! (due to National Geographic)

The Island also attracts by its multi-colored volcanic beaches. They are no less popular than famous sunsets. Although there are about 15 of them, the most popular ones are black, red, and white.

Getting married in Santorini island is a dream to thousands of girls all over the world. Amazingly, lots of them do it despite insanely high prices for everything. The Island is also very popular among newly-married Chinese couples. They like to spend a romantic honeymoon here and also arrange beautiful photo sessions. Santorini is relatively small, it’s only 17 km long, but every square inch of it looks like a peachy postcard.

Typical marriage photo session with a breathtaking view

You want to get lost while walking by flamboyant surroundings. The area is 76 square km, so it is possible to get from one side of the Island to the other by car in 2 hours. In some areas, you can see the sea on both sides of the road.

How to get to Santorini?

It is comfortable to reach Santorini by ferry from Athens. Such ferries follow the time-table, the ticket price starts from 50 €. It depends on the travel time: the shorter your way, the cheaper the ticket. Also, you can reach Santorini by plane; the flight from Athens to the Island lasts less than one hour. On the territory of the small airport, there are not many facilities. There are ATMs and restaurant, and prices are a little bit overestimated. In general, this airport is considered to be one of the worst in Europe. One more way to get here is by cruise ship. Nowadays, there is a rule that only one can come per day because usually each of them brings a few thousands of people.

Crowds of people in Oia city during the sunset time

Transport

Public transport is not the only way of movement by the Island. A lot of tourists prefer to rent a quadricycle, which is a comfortable vehicle; but you should be careful with that, especially on mountain roads. Also, you can catch a taxi, but the prices aren’t small. On average, a 10-15 minute trip will cost you 20-25 €.

One of the hundreds of souvenir shops on the Island.

Public transport

The only public transport on the Island is the bus. The buses on Santorini go frequently and almost to all the breathtaking places. Based on the bus terminal, which is in the capital of the Island – city Tira (Fira), are all the buses. Most of the routes go through this bus station. The buses on Santorini are not cheap: minimal price varies from 1,8 to 2,5 €, but sometimes it is necessary to change the bus to reach some points on the Island. In such a way, you will pay around 10 € per day.

Cable car

At first sight, it seems like it is impossible to achieve Fira from the port, but for those who aren’t impressed by walking on foot, you can ride the cable car. It’s situated in the Old port and goes daily every 20 minutes. The ticket costs 5 €. There is also an opportunity to get up on a donkey, but I do not recommend to ride the poor animals.

Car rental

You can rent a car on the Island, the price per day will start from 50 €, but some fantastic snow-white streets are so narrow for a vehicle to maneuver there. So in small cities, you need to always walk on foot.

Where to stay

During the high season, prices for the cheapest hotels on the Island start from 150 € per night, and if you need a higher comfort level – 350/600 €. If you want to stay at a luxury apartment with a beautiful view and a pool, it will cost you about 800 € per night. But all the variants mentioned above aren’t the only option. You also can find an apartment on Airbnb (it can be a whole flat or one private room in the flat), and the price will start from 30 €. There are some hostels in Santorini; the bed in a room for 6/8 persons will cost 20-25 €. My host was an amazingly friendly person. We watched shooting stars from the best point of the Island; he told a lot of unexpected things about the life of locals. A large part of these people works without days off and holidays for an incredibly small payment. But living in such a paradise demands patience and effort.

Is it worth to visit Santorini? Definitely yes. Rich with exotic beauty and contrasts, this Greek island, you will not forget. Moreover, it will take 2-3 days to get to know almost all the best spots of the Island!

– Romanna

Previous post: Feel like a Local in Barcelona

Next post: Overvalued or Not? the Real Santorini Situation

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

Feel like a Local in Barcelona

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Have you ever tried to come to a new city and ignore all tourist attractions?

The World Begins With every Kiss - photo mosaic — The World Begins With every Kiss – photo mosaic

When I came to Barcelona, I decided to try both – being a tourist and being a local (pretend to be like a local). In the last article, I told you how to be a typical tourist – must-visit places, how to get there, what to do, and what to be aware of; and now I want to tell you another point of view.

You know how Barcelona looks like, right? It is a city made of rectangular quarters near the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the fact, Barcelona has a 1,5 million population, and thousands of tourists; the sea and all the beaches are clean and well maintained.

Barceloneta is an area on the coast of the sea with the most crowded beach. It is the oldest, the craziest and a loud place. There is a street with tons of restaurants and cafes. Usually, they prepare some seafood and paella. You need to understand all those places are for tourists; you will not experience the real, local taste in here. Locals rarely come here; only teenagers come to have fun on the beach.

The only reason to visit this place is the Cable Car. But if you have enough energy to climb a small hill, I advise you to catch a Cable Car from another side.
Usually, from Barceloneta, you need to spend at least one hour waiting in a queue. At the same time, from the Montjuic there is nobody! So you can quickly buy tickets and enjoy the view. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 12 euros (one way). It is definitely worth it – you enjoy the view of the city and the seashore from a height of more than 170 meters.

Moreover, you can buy a ticket for the Cable Car online by following this link: https://bcnshop.barcelonaturisme.com/shopv3/en/product/19916/montjuic-cable-car.html

Right near the cash desk, there is a viewpoint with a small snack bar to eat something with a beautiful view. There is also a small park with a fountain, and benches where you can rest a little bit in a shadow of trees during a hot day.

Do not forget to take a walk through the park, take a look at different parts of the city, and find a tiny Sagrada Familia from this distance.

Could you see Sagrada Familia in the photo?

Where to go for the best sunset in Barcelona?

After the 3 meters over the sea film, this place became overcrowded. Nevertheless, many of the people behave so pleasantly that it is still a beautiful place to come. Recognize Bunker El Karmel? It used to be a real military bunker in the 20-30s. But now it is the most popular place with a panoramic view of the city – parallel streets, hills, Sagrada Familia, the Mediterranean sea – you can see the best points of Barcelona from here!

You can get here by the blue metro line and get off the Carmel station, or by the yellow metro line and get off Alfons station. A more accessible way of getting there is by the V17 bus; it comes almost to the top of the hill to a bunker.

A good idea to take some snacks with you and spend the whole evening at this place. If you forget – do not be upset; due to the number of people and popularity of this place, every evening, sellers come and propose your water, wine, beer, and some food.

Nightlife in Barcelona

First of all, I want to warn you it can be unsafe to walk alone at night if you are a girl, especially if you do not know where the secure areas are. I advise you to find a company to discover the nightlife of the capital of Catalonia together. For solo travelers, I recommend finding some locals or also travelers in the hangouts section of Couchsurfing. It is beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, you are not afraid to be alone. Secondly, locals could show you great places you will not find yourself. Finally, it is always great to have fun with new friends!

There are hundreds of bars, pubs, and night clubs all over the city. Of course, the most significant part of them is in the central area. During the night, the city seems completely different. Tiny streets of a Gothic Quarter seems even terrifying! But do not be afraid – enjoy Barcelona! As I am not a huge fan of night clubs, I will tell you about two bars I liked the most.

Nevermind bar. Loud and crowded, this bar has an energetic atmosphere. The name is the same as one of the most famous Nirvana albums. Funny to say this, but it really Smells Like Teen Spirit inside! It is a skateboard bar, and one of the rooms is a skate-rat! Graffiti all over the walls, loud music, and low prices. Worth visiting at least once!

33/45 bar is the contrast to the previous: muted music, relaxed atmosphere, and unusual visitors. Feels like you moved to Berlin! Prices are more expensive, but you could find some interesting cocktails and meet some new friends here!

– Romanna

Previous post: Feel like a Tourist in Barcelona

Next post: Dream Island Santorini

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

Feel like a Tourist in Barcelona

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

What type of tourist are you? There is one significant separation in traveling – some people grab a thick guide (or create a google map with a dozen places of interest), others prefer to get lost in a new city and feel it as it is.

Nevertheless, in Barcelona, there are some places worth visiting for both categories. Even if you don’t take a look into a map, you will find them and be amazed.

So let’s discover the Barna! (Do not confuse Barsa and Barna. Barsa in the name of a football team, and Barca is a shortened name of Barcelona)

Everything starts from here – Catalonia Square. There are a Suburb train station, more than 20 bus stops, and a metro station. Aeroexpress from the airport also comes here, and most of the touristic routes start from here. It used to be small before the year 1888, but now it is a vast square with monuments and fountains and a central meeting point.

The biggest attraction here are thousands of doves. There are more doves here than in San Marco Square in Venice and more than in Duomo Square in Milan. There are tourists, artists, running children who try to scare doves and peddlers who work to sell you cold water and beer. Be aware of them and do not buy anything; some of the peddlers cool drinks under the sewer covers!

Rambla street - Barcelona — Rambla street – Barcelona

Just in a few steps from the square, Rambla street begins. It is the most famous pedestrian street in Barcelona, which spreads from Catalonia Square to the cruise port. There are tons of shops, cafes, restaurants and tourists attractions. It is always crowded with tourists and locals and seems nice and bad at the same time; cross it with caution and pay attention to your personal belongings. As I told you in the previous article, there are many pickpockets.

You are now in the old town – the Gothic Quarter. It is the heart of the city where Barcelona was born. Saved in their original appearance were buildings from the 14-15th century. Most of the streets are pedestrian; the only way to see them is by walking through them.

The main sight of the Gothic Quarter is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral. Thirteen geese are living in one of the chapels of the Cathedral. They are the symbol of Saint Eulalia, who died at the age of 13 years.

One more famous spot in Gothic Quarter – Bisbe Bridge. There are some legends and beliefs about it. The most known one says that you need to stay under the bridge and make a wish while looking at a skull to make it real. Others say that a couple who kisses under the bridge will be in love forever.

If you are interested in art, I recommend to climb the Montjuic Hill and visit the Museum of Catalonian Art. It is an extraordinary place with so many different styles – Barocco, Gothic, Renaissance, etc. You can spend half of the day in the halls of the museum!

Want to rest a little under a tree shade? Make your way to Guel Park. There are two parts of the park – free and paid. Remember, many tourists visit Barcelona every day. That is why in all the touristic places, there was a limit of visitors. Even if you arrive at the entrance, there is a big chance that there will be no more tickets.

Best idea – to buy tickets online or enjoy the free part of the park. Nowadays more than half of paid territory is closed because of reconstruction. So there is no sense to pay 7,5 euros and see the renovation process. Seen from the main entrance are Gingerbread houses, but all other famous mosaic monuments are covered and hidden now.

Sagrada Familia is the main symbol of Barcelona, the most known masterpiece of Gaudi and one of the most unusual European cathedrals. The building process of it started in the 19th century and is still going on today. Antonio Gaudi spent 43 years of his life on a building, and for that time, only one-third of his ideas were brought to fruition. The Cathedral should be finished approximately by 2026.

All parts of it are particular and have sense. You can spend hours focusing on its forms, monuments, and even on a tiny piece!

The first time I came to Barcelona and wanted to visit Sagrada Familia, all tickets were sold out three days in advance! I was so upset. You should see those queues; some people were waiting for hours to get in!

I advise you to buy tickets online. It is much easier and quicker. Use this link – http://sagradafamilia.tickets-barcelona.org/

The ticket price is 17 euros per person. You need to know the ticket is valid only for a selected day and time, so do not miss it. You can easily buy it on the internet for the day you want, skip the queue, and save some time. You can print the ticket or use your phone to pass the checking – you will need to show a QR code for scanning.

Imagine, there are more than three million people who visit Sagrada Familia every year! Part of the ticket price and donations of tourists are the only fundings of construction.

In my opinion, all these places are worth visiting at least once in your life. And of course, I will tell you more about non-touristic and less crowded places in the next article. Do not miss it – follow the blog updates!

– Romanna

Previous post: Freedom, Art, Madness. This Is a Barcelona City!

Next post: Feel like a Local in Barcelona

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram

Freedom, Art, Madness. This Is a Barcelona City!

This is a series of blog entries from SkySurf.Travel’s first travel hiree, Romanna.

Sunny, loud and wild, Barcelona attracts thousands of tourists every year. They come in winter, in spring and much more come in summer, during the best time of the year. People dream of staying here longer, of returning next year or even of moving here.

So what is the secret of Barcelona’s popularity?

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. If you had never been to Spain, I need to explain to you more about this. There are 17 autonomous communities, which has their own rules, traditions, and even languages! So, Barcelona and three more provinces (Tarragona, Girona, and Lleida) are parts of Catalonia. They speak a Catalonian language which is different from Spanish. Oh, that was shocking to me!

Calm Barcelona city center early in the morning

Geographically Barcelona is situated on the north-west of Spain, right on the seashore of the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, the city lays on five hills, and some areas were named after them. That is why you can find mount Monterols hill, and the entire region around will be called the same.

Did you know that Barcelona is one of the five most popular European cities?

Despite the fact of extremely high temperature, a vast amount of people come during July and August. At this time almost all locals are trying to leave the city and go on vacation. Prices are growing. Flights, hotels, hostels, and apartments. So if you do not want to melt from the heat with thousands of tourists and pay a few times more, I advise you to visit Barcelona some other time. During spring and autumn, the weather is still lovely – more than 20 degrees and fewer tourists at the same time. Even in winter, the temperature is over 10 degrees, usually, so you can not be afraid of the cold.

All touristic entrances are full of tourists. Want to come inside? Wait a few hours please — All touristic entrances are full of tourists. Want to come inside? Wait a few hours, please!

How to get to Barcelona

The easiest and the quickest way to get to the capital of Catalonia is by plane. It is the easiest way for other people, who live far, and me. But there are options like bus, train, and ferry – whatever you like!

El Prat airport is one of the biggest in Europe. It is enormous – I almost got lost a few years ago during my first visit. There are two terminals located out of the city. The significant fact – lots of buses are working day and night. So you can cheaply and quickly get almost anywhere even if your plane arrives late. It takes 30 minutes to get to Catalonia Square, which is the city center. Moreover, there is another way to get to the city – a Metro line.

Transport

Imagine 82 millions of people; this is the number of tourists who came to Spain last year! At least one-third of them visited Barcelona, and this number is growing all the time. It will not be possible without a sound transport system.

Well developed public transport consists of metro, buses, trams, ferries, trains, and cable car. I lived out of the city in a small town, Castelldefels. Every day I used Renfe – Barcelona Suburb trains or buses to get to the city. In my opinion, the metro is the most convenient transport to move through Barcelona. There are 11 lines and more than 200 stations! That makes Barcelona’s metro one of the biggest not only in Europe, even in the world! Do not be afraid to get lost; it is almost impossible also if your knowledge of Spanish and English is low. There are intelligible maps and signs in wagons and all stations.

Budget tip – buy a universal T-10 pass. You will get ten rides for all kinds of transport per 10,2 euros. By comparison, for one bus or metro ride, you need to pay 2,2 euros!

Except for public transport, there is a variety of private options. Cars are not the most useful transport in Barcelona, but still, you can catch a taxi or rent a car. Otherwise, you can rent a bicycle, scooter or even a moped!

Stylish Yego mopeds - download the App, connect a credit card, add your license, and go! — Stylish Yego mopeds – download the App, connect a credit card, add your license, and go!

Where to live

The hardest thing about searching for a place to stay is choosing something from thousands of options! And I am not talking about expensive hotels; you can find so many cool budget apartments and hostels! Try Booking, Airbnb and Hotellook or Couchsurfing if you want to spend more time with locals and dive into the real Barcelona life.

Safety rules

There are many tourists in Barcelona and many pickpockets. Few times I witnessed how a phone, purse, and camera got stolen from people.

What to do to save all your things with you?

Always pay attention to your things. Luggage, backpack, bag – remember about all your stuff and keep an eye on it no matter how beautiful everything is around you.
Use a card, not cash. Same with documents – better to carry a copy of your ID with you, than the original one.
Do not keep valuable things in pockets – usually, there are too many people around you, and you will not feel it when they are pulled out.
Like to wear a bag or camera on your shoulder? Hold it stronger. The strap could be cut within a few seconds!
Always keep some small amount away from your purse to pay for transport, bars or museums where there’s a big crowd of people. Pickpockets pay attention to where you put the purse and can easily steal it and run away through the crowd.

Hope I did not scare you. These rules are just for your safety and for a good mood while traveling.

In the next article, I will tell you about the best places in Barcelona.
See you soon!

– Romanna

Previous post: My Best Destination – Madeira Island

Next post: Feel like a Tourist in Barcelona

Romanna’s trip to eight cities (five islands) in Europe cost a total of $815 (flights only). To build your own cheap multicity itinerary, visit SkySurf.Travel.

View more photos of Romanna’s European SkySurf.Travel adventure on Instagram