Barcelona–The Moxy, the Allure & Why you Need to Go

Did you know that Freddie Mercury and Montserrat Caballe were meant to perform “Barcelona” live together at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics? Sadly, Freddie died in Nov. of 1991 and never made that stage. The song “Barcelona” had been chosen as the anthem for those Olympic Games. They did ultimately change the theme song but Caballe did perform “Barcelona” live onstage, alone, with the prerecorded vocals of Freddie Mercury.

“Barcelona. It was the first time that we met. How can you forget the moment that you stepped into the room you took my breath away. Barcelona”. I still get goose bumps hearing Freddie’s voice belt out those vocals. Organizers also prepared a video montage using the original song. It’s a memory meant to capture the essence of the city and more than 30 years later it has withstood the test of time.

“Hola. Hola. Hola.” were the opening words. The stadium was chanting to the world, Hola. Remember when Antonio Rebollo, a Spanish Paralympic archer, shot a flaming arrow and lit the Olympic fame? Barcelona had introduced herself to the world during the 1992 games and the world couldn’t get enough. This was indeed a very special place. From that moment on I knew I had to visit Barcelona. Here’s a quick 2 min. clip that brings back the memories. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk

It was because of those games that I chose Barcelona for my first solo trip abroad just a few years later. I was in my middle 20’s travelling solo for the first time. What I remember distinctly today about that first visit was of course the stunning beauty of the city. But even more than that there was an attitude of place. This city doesn’t carry the weight of Paris, London or Rome but it should. It’s just as exciting and delivers as much for its people and those who visit.

I chose to stay at the Moxy Barcelona for this trip and that was one of the best decisions of the entire trip. Moxy is affiliated with Marriott’s Bonvoy, so you’ll get all the perks and miles associated with the program. They are almost all relatively new and modern as well. This one is located next to the Sants train/subway station. It’s also very convenient to the Tarragona subway station. https://moxybarcelona.cat

I would encourage you to familiarize yourself with the metro maps beforehand so that you can start exploring the moment you arrive. For just a couple of bucks a trip using the metro is the way to go in this city. It’s fast, cheap, safe and convenient. It’s also easy to use once you get the hang of it. This is some of my best advice. Get comfortable with the local metro system and the world is at your behest.

The value at this Moxy still amazes me. As with all Moxy properties, the rooms are small. The bathrooms are small. There is no wasted space. You use every nook and cranny of the room. That’s the beauty of it. The value at this particular Moxy was excellent. We were able to stay for a couple of weeks for around $100 Euro a day. It was early season, and the value of the dollar was strong. It’s probably the best quality, lowest price I’ve paid for any hotel anywhere in Europe. It was clean. Service was great. Moxy Barcelona, check it out for sure.

The physical beauty of Barcelona is striking to say the least. The Montserrat mountains run along the NW corridor of the city and beautiful hills run throughout. There’s also 2.5 miles of sandy beaches along the Mediterranean Sea and a bustling port district. The city is also known for its charming, narrow streets lined with historic beauty. And oh, there’s Gaudi. Antoni Gaudi’s influence across the city, its architecture, parks and culture are transformative.

Did I mention Pablo Picasso yet? The Picasso Museum in Barcelona houses much of his early work and is among the three largest collections of his work in the world. He did spend much of his early years living and studying in Barcelona. If you’re a Picasso fan this is an important stop to visit while in the city. museupicassobcn.cat

Let’s talk about Sagrada Familia. It’s not finished; they continue to work on it. All of the work is done through private donations now. If you have just one day in the city, this is the place you need to see. During peak season, you will need to purchase tickets a couple of days in advance. It’s an architectural marvel. The pictures you take will be jaw dropping but can’t portray the true beauty. It’s the only Cathedral in the world currently under construction today. It’s been being constructed for 140 years now and has rightly become the iconic symbol of Barcelona. sagradafamilia.org

I wanted to get you excited about the city. It really was the 1992 Olympics that cast Barcelona into the spotlight. There’s so much to see and explore. I haven’t begun to touch on food and wine though. That’s what will keep you coming back for more and it’ll be covered in the next blog! Until then, start planning; Barcelona awaits.