Cowboy1968

Browsing through my Barcelona e-newspaper, I found this.

The impressive Arenas de Barcelona bullring on Plaça Espanya had been transformed into a shopping center. I still remember it to be very much "under construction" last fall. Having yet another mall in the city would not be that exciting, though it's sure a far cry from the usual mall design.

But it's sure worth a visit when in the area as an observation platform got attached to the building. So you have a nice view over Plaça Espanya, the Magic Fountain and up Montjuïc to the MNAC.
To get up to the observation platform, you can either "splurge" on a ride with the panoramic elevator (for €1), or take the escalators inside the shopping center for free.

http://www.elperiodico.cat/ca/notici...urista-1122364
www.arenasdebarcelona.com

Robert2533

It was a beautiful building, but not the most attractive renovation, a flying saucer hovering over a classic Plaza del Toros.

danon

When, few years ago, a taxi driver told us the building was going to be a mall, I was disappointed

Somehow , one would expect something less commercial...Oh, well. Might even go to see it next time in Barcelona.

yk

Thanks cowboy. The shopping mall aspect doesn't interest me, but perhaps we'll go check out the obs platform. Having said that, the view from the front of MNAC is much better, no?

NeoPatrick

Too funny. I'm in Barcelona and rode the Aerobus right by there today. I remembered the bullring and my immediate thought with that dome over it was that they had turned it into a sports stadium of some sort. A shopping center? Good grief.

Cowboy1968

Well, the view from the MNAC is better as it's higher above sea level. But you can't see the MNAC ;-)
The best & closest views of central BCN you get when riding the harbor cable car IMO.

yk

Cowboy, can you tell me more about the harbor cable car? Is that up on Montjuic? When I was in Barcelona last, I only visited MNAC, Fundacio Miro, and walked around a bit (took funicular up and took the escalators down). Never quite figured out where the cable car is (or the fort/castle).

Cowboy1968

yk
this website sums it up nicely, and also puts the locations of the cable car stops on a map:
http://www.barcelonayellow.com/index...=599&Itemid=26
The cable car is often not running, when winds are too strong.
The mountain "terminus" is served by buses 50 and 193, and the stop is called "Av. Miramar/Pl. Carlos Ibanez". Walk towards the roundabout/hotel complex, keep left of hotel.
The harbor "terminus" in Barceloneta is easier to spot. Tall structure near the "W" hotel.