Barcelona
“Allow me to state here how much I love Barcelona, an admirable city, a city full of life, intense, a port open to the past and future”. Le Corbusier
Once called the Paris of Spain, Barcelona is in the midst of a revival. After decades of repression by the Franco dictatorship, Catalonian culture has resurged, revealing the region’s capital as a place with unique history and culture: urban, Catalan, Spanish, European. Stunning modernist buildings reflect the city’s role as an artistic hub, once home to Picasso, Dalí, and Gaudí. But nestled between Mediterranean sea and mountains, the city can also boast natural beauty.
The Barcelonan resurgence is best summed up in El Raval, one of the city’s up-and-coming neighbourhoods. A centre for the “new Catalan” cuisine, it also has numerous art galleries, design shops, and museum-shaped nods to the city’s longer history. Looking further afield, you can’t miss the Picasso Museum, or the grand Olympic Park.
Top Attractions in Barcelona
Modernism Route
Off the Beaten Path: Art Galleries
Brunching in Barcelona
Free things to do in Barcelona
Eating in Barcelona: Restaurants, Cafés and Food Markets
Exhibitions in Barcelona
Places to Stay:
Activities
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Casa Batlló, Antoni Gaudí Modernist Museum, Barcelona: All year
Antoni Gaudí masterpiece that looks like it has come straight out of a fairytale, one of three modernist buildings in Barcelona’s “block of discord”
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Cinc Sentits, Restaurant, Barcelona
The restaurant Cinc Sentits (literally “five senses”) features modern Catalan cuisine in a laid back but modern space.
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El Grec, Theatre Festival, Barcelona: Every July
Don't miss out on El Grec, one of the best summer theatre festivals in the world!
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Fiesta de la Mercè, Barcelona: late September
Dragons, devils and DJs take over Barcelona every year around the 24th September!
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Gran Teatre del Liceu, Barcelona
Visit the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the world-renowned opera house, on La Rambla in Barcelona, Spain.
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Joan Miró Foundation, Barcelona, all year
The Joan Miró Foundation is one of Barcelona's most awe-inspiring attractions. View the art of one of Spain's most beloved 20th century artists on the hilltops of Barcelona.
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La Mar Salada, Restaurant, Barcelona
A fresh and spacious restaurant close to the beach in Barcelona, La Mar Salada specialises in seafood.
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La Pepita, Restaurant, Barcelona
Tapas and small dishes, desserts and drinks are available at La Pepita, one of the hottest spots to eat in Barcelona!
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National Museum of Art (MNAC), Barcelona, all year
The National Museum of Art is one of the artistic 'musts' of the city. It has one of the most important collections of Romanic art in the world.
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Park Güell, Barcelona
In the Carmel Mountain, in the north of Barcelona, you will find one of the most popular attractions of the city: Park Güell, designed by Antoni Gaudí.
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Plaça Reial, Barcelona
The liveliest square in Barcelona, located in the Gothic Quarter. It's the perfect place to go for a daytime stroll or for a night out in town!
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Poble Espanyol, Barcelona
Barcelona's Poble Espanyol features different Spanish architectural styles in one place. Keep an eye out for the temporary events that take place here.
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Sagrada Familia, Barcelona
World Heritage Site, La Sagrada Familia is a huge Roman Catholic Church in Barcelona. It's considered famous architect Antoni Gaudí’s chef-d’oeuvre.
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Santa María del Mar Church, Barcelona: All year
Don't miss Santa María del Mar, a gothic church in the Born district, one of the top sight in the Catalan Capital.
