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Barcelona
Spain
Walking through Barcelona park near Sagrada Familia.
Overview
Founded over 2000 years ago as Roman Barcino, Catalonia’s capital is one of Europe’s most desirable cities – a sunny, Mediterranean-hugging hub that breezily combines its rich cultural traditions with a forward-thinking, environmentally aware attitude. During Barcelona’s medieval Golden Age, great churches and mansions were built across the Ciutat Vella (Old City), shaping today’s Barri Gòtic, La Ribera and El Raval neighbourhoods, where creative tapas and vermouth bars and boundary-pushing galleries now sit between centuries-old walls. Then came the industrial boom, with areas like El Poblenou, Gràcia and Sants taking centre stage, and the creation of an entirely new district, L’Eixample, where Barcelona’s otherworldly Modernista buildings still command attention on almost every street. T oday’s Barcelona remains above all else a fabulous showcase of Catalan culture. All along the seafront, gold-tinged beaches and the shimmering Mediterranean beckon. As darkness falls, the whole city is reimagined, with plazas springing to life and the famous Barcelona night beginning. With tourism now a key part of the local economy, the city is pushing forward ambitious plans to balance the needs of local residents and the tourism industry, from the creation of leafy pedestrian boulevards to sensitive accommodation regulations.
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The Spanish Classics: Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada in 12 days
12 days / 11 nights
highlights
- 1Visiting Madrid’s famous food markets on a guided, fun, and delicious street food crawl
- 2Pairing a passionate flamenco performance with a tapas tour for a perfect night out in Seville
- 3Witnessing the jaw-dropping views of Ronda, Malaga’s crown jewel, on a dazzling day trip
from $4,700
per person
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Must-see attractions
Attraction in L'EixampleLa Sagrada Família
Attraction in BarcelonaPark Güell
Attraction in La Rambla & Barri GòticMercat de la Boqueria
Attraction in L'EixampleCasa Batlló
Attraction in BarcelonaMuseu Picasso
Attraction in L'EixampleLa Pedrera
Attraction in BarcelonaFundació Joan Miró
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Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
Here's how to make sure your visit to Barcelona doesn't add to the city's problem of overtourism.
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Best Time to Visit
Plan your visit to Barcelona in Spain with this seasonal guide to events, weather and crowds.
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Things to Know
A jam-packed weekend in Barcelona for about €350 per person.
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Transportation
With its compact size and developed public transport, Barcelona is a pretty easy city to get around. Here's everything you need to know.
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Free Things to Do
Barcelona has a wealth of temptations, but much of what makes the city magical is free: walkable neighborhoods, glowing beaches and lively parks.
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Best Neighborhoods
Barcelona's lively neighborhoods put the city on the travel map. Here's a guide to the top areas to explore in Barcelona.
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Day Trips
Take a mini beach getaway from Barcelona by heading to one (or all!) of the beaches on our list.
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Best Road Trips
Barcelona isn't the only gem in Catalonia. Take a break from the bustling city on one of our five favorite day trips.
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Money and Costs
Resolving to see more of the world in 2020? You don’t have to go bankrupt chasing the dream.
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Traveling with Kids
Barcelona's popularity as a tourist destination has surged in recent years, but there are still many local barrios (neighborhoods) to explore away from…
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5 Shops
Poblenou lies at the centre of the Barcelona design movement, with trendy markets, concept stores and innovative festivals. Check out our favourite spots.
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Accessibility
With its compact size and developed public transport, Barcelona is a pretty easy city to get around. Here's everything you need to know.
Read full article
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