Explore the capital of Catalonia
Barcelona is the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region and world-famous for its art, architecture and food. The fantastical Sagrada Família church and other modernist landmarks designed by Antoni Gaudí dot the city. Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró feature modern art by their namesakes.
1. BARCELONETA BEACH
La Barceloneta is known for its sandy beach and its many restaurants and nightclubs along the boardwalk. Among the attractions on Barceloneta's beach are German artist Rebecca Horn's "Homenatge a la Barceloneta" monument, and, where the beach gives way to the Port Olímpic, Frank Gehry's modern "Peix d'Or" sculpture.
The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral, is the Gothic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Barcelona. The cathedral was constructed from the thirteenth to fifteenth centuries, with the principal work done in the fourteenth century.
3.CAMP NOU & FC BARCELONA MUSEUM
The football stadium Camp Nou (new field) has been the home stadium of FC Barcelona since its completion in 1957. With a current seating capacity of 99,354 it is the largest stadium in Spain and Europe, and the fourth largest association football stadium in the world.
4. CASA MILA, VICENS GAUDI & GUELL PALACE
Casa Milà, popularly known as La Pedrera or "The stone quarry", a reference to its unconventional rough-hewn appearance, is a Modernista building. It was the last private residence designed by architect Antoni Gaudí and was built between 1906 and 1912.
Casa Vicens is a modernist building situated in the Gràcia neighbourhood. It is the work of architect Antoni Gaudí and is considered to be his first major project. It was built between 1883 and 1885, although Gaudí drew up the initial plans between 1878 and 1880.
The Palau Güell is a mansion designed by the architect Antoni Gaudí for the industrial tycoon Eusebi Güell, and was built between 1886 and 1888. It is situated on the Carrer Nou de la Rambla, in the El Raval neighborhood.
The Fundació Joan Miró was created by Miró himself, at first principally with works from his own private collection, with a desire to set up an internationally recognised centre in Barcelona for Miró scholarship and contemporary art research, and to disseminate the collection. The Fundació opened to the public on 10 June 1975 and has since become a dynamic centre in which Joan Miró’s work coexists with cutting-edge contemporary art.
The Sagrada Família is a one-of-a-kind temple, for its origins, foundation and purpose. Fruit of the work of genius architect Antoni Gaudí, the project was promoted by the people for the people. Five generations now have watched the Temple progress in Barcelona. Today, more than 140 years after the laying of the cornerstone, construction continues on the Basilica.
Park Guell was designed by famous architect Antonio Gaudi. Gaudi planned and directed the construction of the park from 1900 to 1914 for Eusebi Guell for a residential park intended for sixty single- family residences. The project, however, was unsuccessful and the park became city property in 1923.Though never fully completed, it still remains one of Gaudi’s most colorful and playful works.
8. LA RAMBLA & RAMBLA DE LA MAR
La Rambla is a tree-lined pedestrian street that stretches for 1.2 km connecting the Plaça de Catalunya in its center with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. La Rambla forms the boundary between the neighbourhoods of the Barri Gòtic to the east and the El Raval to the west.
By means of a bridge, the Rambla de Mar connects the end of the Ramblas, with the Columbus Monument, to the Maremágnum, the shopping and recreational centre that is open 365 days a year. A pleasant stroll amongst boats and seabirds, perfect for relaxing and forgetting everyday routine.
The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria, is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district and one of the city's foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceu, Barcelona's opera house.
10. MONTJUIC
Montjuïc is a hill in Barcelona. Montjuïc translates to "Jewish Mountain" from medieval Latin and Catalan, and remains of a medieval Jewish cemetery have been found there. Some sources suggest that Montjuïc is related to the Latin phrase Mons Jovicus ('hill of Jove’). Montjuïc, because of its strategic location on the Mediterranean, and alongside an important river communication channel, the Llobregat River, was the birthplace of the city of Barcelona.
11. PICASSO MUSEUM
The Picasso museum Barcelona is a key reference for understanding the formative years of Pablo Picasso. The genius of the young artist is revealed through the 4,251 works that make up the permanent collection. Furthermore, the Picasso museum, opened in 1963, also reveals his deep relationship with Barcelona: an intimate, solid relationship that was shaped in his adolescence and youth, and continued until his death.
12. PLACA DE ESPANYA
Plaça d'Espanya is one of Barcelona's most important squares, built on the occasion of the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition, held at the foot of Montjuïc. The square was built on a site that had been previously used for public hangings, until the creation of the now demolished Ciutadella fortress in 1715, where the gallows were moved. It was designed in 1915 and built in 1929 so that it could be ready to host the 1929 Universal Exposition.
13. SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM (Figueres - 140km north of Barcelona)
Inaugurated in 1974, the Dalí Theatre-Museum rises on the remains of the former Municipal Theatre of Figueres and is considered to be the last great work of Salvador Dalí. Everything in it was conceived and designed by the artist so as to offer visitors a real experience and draw them into his unique and captivating world. The Dalí Theatre-Museum's collection allows the visitors to capture the artistic journey of Salvador Dalí (1904-1989) through a broadspectrum of works. The route around the rooms allows visitors to capture his first artistic experiences, surrealism, nuclear mysticism and his passion for science, guiding them tothe works of the last part of his life.
EAT CHURROS
EAT FIDEUA
Fideuà is a seafood dish originally from the coast of Valencia that is similar to paella, and even more so to arròs a banda, but with noodles instead of rice. Its main ingredients are pasta noodles (often hollow), fish (rockfish, monkfish, cuttlefish, squid), and shellfish (Squilla mantis, shrimp, crayfish). It is seasoned mainly with lemon.
EAT JAMON IBERICO
According to Spain's denominación de origen rules and current regulations on jamón, dry-cured jamón ibérico must be made from either pure breed Black Iberian pigs or cross-bred pigs at least 50% Black Iberian mixed only with Duroc pigs, the same restriction as required to keep official ibérico denomination on any Spanish pork meat product. Jamón ibérico, especially the one labeled de bellota, has a smooth texture, rich, savory taste, and regular marbling. The fat content is relatively high compared to jamón serrano.
DRINK CAVA
Cava is a sparkling wine of Denominación de Origen (DO) status from Spain. It may be white (blanco) or rosé (rosado). The Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo are the most popular and traditional grape varieties for producing cava.
SLEEP @ BARCELONA PRINCESS HOTEL
This exclusive 4-star business hotel in Barcelona, features 363 well-equipped rooms and ideal spaces for all types of events in Barcelona. It also boasts a Solarium swimming pool 85 meters up on the 23rd floor with spectacular sea views, the Gym Bar terrace, sun-bed, pool, gym and sauna.
SLEEP @ CASA MATHILDA
Casa Mathilda is a Boutique B&B situated in Barcelona Eixample Area, a Smart neighbourhood and close to La Pedrera and La Sagrada Familia. The hotel is located on the main floor of a stately building which used to belong to one of the most prominent Catalan textile-manufacturing families in the early 20th century.
SLEEP @ HOTEL MIRLO BARCELONA
In their rooms you will forget the limits of the sheets, of the spa and of the environment. Both interior and exterior, come together at Hotel Mirlo to offer you an exclusive experience. Enjoy a SPA like you have never known before. A spa in your own room. A spa for you and for your imagination to fly by.
SLEEP @ HOTEL RIALTO
Hotel Rialto is one of the most central hotels in Barcelona, as well as one of the most popular thanks to its excellent location. It is close to the Ramblas, the port and Boquería Market. Its privileged location within the tourist and commercial center of Barcelona and its excellent value for money make it a safe bet in order to enjoy your stay in the city.
SLEEP @ SENSATION APARTMENTS BARCELONA
Sagrada Familia: Enjoy the majestic jewel of Gaudi from your window. Modern and fully equipped apartments, located one minute walk from the spectacular Sagrada Familia. The building has a solarium terrace with a small pool, sauna, gym and a chill-out terrace with wonderful views.
EAT @ BARRACA
Barraca Restaurant is where you can taste the best paellas and fish in Barcelona while you enjoy the views of the beach of Sant Sebastià in Barceloneta.
EAT @ DONKILO BARCELONA
After a decade of experience DonKilo decided to transform their love of pizza and good food into a concrete commercial enterprise. Offering culture, tradition and passion for their cuisine, with special attention to the real Neapolitan pizza. They are organized to offer tasty dishes and delicious pizzas in a cheerful and familiar atmosphere.
EAT @ JOBS RESTAURANT
Jobs Restaurant is a cozy Mediterranean restaurant in the heart of L'Eixample serving exquisite tapas and traditional dishes in an elegant and relaxed setting.
PLAY @ BARCELONA BORN&BRED
Barcelona Born & Bred is your small food experience company 100% local in the Catalan's Capital. They were born and raised in El Born neighbourhood, gorgeous quarter at the Old town of Barcelona.
PLAY @ EXCURSIONS BARCELONA
Join Excursions Barcelona today on one of their renowned Barcelona day tours and discover what this truly beautiful place has to offer. Their ever-popular snorkelling and kayaking Costa Brava day trip allow guests from Barcelona to explore the stunning Costa Brava coastline from the comfort of a sea kayak.
PLAY @ FOOD LOVER TOUR BARCELONA
If you’re hungry to discover the rich history and culture of the capital city of Catalonia, then going on a food tour in Barcelona is a must. Eat to your heart’s content in Barcelona and find out why this city is at the top of every food lover’s list.
PLAY @ PHOTO BIKE TOUR BARCELONA
Explore Barcelona by ebike. Is the best way to know this beautiful city !! Faster, more comfortable and enjoying more 100% sure !!! Barcelona is a city so full of beautiful corners perfect for photographs that it will amaze you, and you will go away with the best mementos of an awesome stay.
PLAY @ STEEL DONKEY BIKE TOUR
Steel Donkey Bike Tours are the first and only alternative bicycle rides in Barcelona. They are not about fixed itineraries and reciting facts to you which you could read in a guidebook, they are about going on adventures on their trusty steeds (bikes, but you can refer to them as Steel Donkeys if you like…) and revealing parts of the city which many locals don’t even know about!
BEST TIME TO VISIT: The best time to visit the Barcelona is from May to June when balmy temperatures mesh with a flurry of festivals that trumpet the advent of summer.
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