Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, is known for its art and architecture. The infinite variety of street life, the nooks and crannies of the medieval Barri Gòtic, the ceramic tile and stained glass of Art Nouveau facades, the art and music, the throb of street life, the food one way or another, Barcelona will find a way to get your full attention.
PLACE TO SEE
1. LA SAGRADA FAMILIA CHURCH
It is one of Gaudi’s most famous works in Barcelona. It’s a gaint Basilica that has been under construction since 1882 and it’s not expected to be completed for some time yet.
2.LA RIBERA
Sports the Museu Picasso Barcelona’s biggest tourist attraction. A elongate square leading from Santa Maria church to the old Born Market.
3.LAS RAMBLAS STREET
Under the plain trees, you can buy jewellery, have your palm read and your portrait painted or while away time with the buskers and human statues.
4.LES CORTS AND PEDRALBES
Precints of Camp Nou and FC Barcelona’s stupendous football stadium. Nearby the Palau Reial de Pedralbes combines the city’s art collection of clothes, textiles, decorative arts and ceramics. A short walking distance past the Gaudi dragon gate at Pavellons Guell you will find the Gothic monastery of Pedralbes.
5.BARRI GOTIC
With it’s medival buildings dating from the 14th and 15th centuries such as the La Seu cathedral, Museu d’Hisotia de al Ciutat and the Museu Frederic Mares.
6.PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA
Largest park in the city surrounded by eye-catching buildings and monuments such as the Arc de Triomf.
7.DIAGONAL MAR
This waterfront convention and business disctrict held the dazzling biscuit-tin building hovering seemingly unsupported about the ground designed by Jacques Herzog. The main exhibition of the Natural Science Museum is housed here while the vast landscape area beyond showpieces the Parc del Forum.
8.MONTSERRAT MOUNTAIN
Well know for its strangely shaped crags of rocks, it’s monastery and ruined hermitage caves.
9.SANT PERE
Home of the Palau de la Musica Catalana concert hall and the neighbourhood market Mercat Santa Caterina.
10.BARCELONETA
Famous for there seafood restaurants along the harbourside Passeig Joan de Borbo where you can sit outside most of the year and enjoy your meal.
11.MONTJUIC
The hill and park rising over the city to the southwest. The old castle since was chosen as the site of the International Exhibition anchored by the Museu Nacional d’Art de Cataluny and several minor museums.
12.PORT VELL
This glistening harbourside merges with the old town just steps away form Ramblas where just past the marina you will find a boat converted into a floating bar, the Luz De Gas for a perfect sundowner.
13.PORT OLIMPIC
Along Passeig Maitim you can find the city’s two tallest buildings the Torre Mapfre and Hotel Arts Barcelona surrounded by restaurants, cafes and bars. Beyond the Port Olimpic you will find the city beaches Nova Icaria, Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nova Mar Bella and Llevant, each with showers, playgrounds and open-air cafes-bars.
14.THE EIZAMPLE
The city’s main shopping and business district. An array of classy galleries and fashionable hotels, shops and boutiques can be found here.
15.TIBIDABO AND PARC DE COLLEROLA
From the peak on a clear day you can see across to the Pyrenees and out to sea even as far as Mallorca. Beyond the wonderfully old-fashioned amusement park stretches the Parc de Collserola , an area of peaks, wooded river valleys and hiking paths.
The best times to visit Barcelona, Catalonia, and Bilbao are April through June and mid-September through mid-December. The winters are chilly enough for overcoats, but never freezing, ideal for walking, fireside dining and hearty winter cuisine.
To get around Barcelona is by Metro, making stops near many of the city's most popular attractions, but unfortunately not at the airport. To travel from Barcelona Airport, you'll need to catch a taxi, ride a bus or rent a car.
