The city of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, often shortened to L’Hospitalet, is a municipality in the southwest of Barcelona. Conveniently connected to Barcelona by metro, bus, and rail service, it’s a popular place for travelers to stay within a short distance of both Barcelona’s airport and city center. If you’re interested in learning a bit more about what L’Hospitalet de Llobregat has to offer, here’s a bit of background on the area and the top sights to see there.
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History of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat
Photo by Jorge Franganillo via Visualhunt
The first records of settlement in the L’Hospitalet area date all the way back to the Neolithic era with archeological evidence showing human life along the Llobregat river at that time. Roman artifacts from the 2nd century BC were also discovered and given to the Archaeological Museum of Catalonia.
The area went through many changes throughout history but remained a village until the 19th century when the population dramatically increased due to the construction of textile factories during the Industrial Revolution. Today, it’s considered a second municipality within the Barcelona urban area.
What to visit
Although L’Hospitalet de Llobregat is located just a few minutes away from cosmopolitan Barcelona, the municipality offers its own set of sights to see. Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía is a popular area for its unique architecture, including the Hotel Porta Fira skyscraper, which has achieved worldwide fame in the architecture world for its unique design.
The Centre d’Art Tecla Sala is another must-see in the area for art lovers. The visual arts center is full of impressive exhibitions and one of the best libraries in Barcelona. The Museum of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat is also home to several unique and diverse collections ranging from historical exhibits to contemporary art pieces.
Finally, if you want to do some shopping, the Gran Vía 2 shopping center located in L’Hospitalet is one of the best shopping centers in Barcelona. IKEA is also located nearby if you need anything for your home in the Barcelona area.
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How to get there
Photo by JT Curses 2012 via Visualhunt
Getting to L’Hospitalet de Llobregat from Barcelona couldn’t be easier. From Plaza Catalunya in the city center, you’ll have several transport options. Take metro line 1 to Santa Eulalia, Torrassa, or Florida, Can Serra, or Rambla Just Oliveras. You can also take the R1, R2, or R3 train services run by RENFE. Finally, the H12 bus from Plaça Universitat will get you to the Gran Vía 2 shopping center or the IKEA in no time.
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