Barcelona
Spain
© Johnny Greig/Getty Images
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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Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
Barcelona is known for its architecture, nightlife and beaches. Here's what not to miss.
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Things to Know
From the best ways to avoid the crowds to keeping yourself safe, this is what you need to know before visiting Barcelona.
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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
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
Packed with attractions, a visit to Barcelona can quickly smash even the most generous of budgets. Here's how to stretch your cents and have a great time.
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Traveling with Kids
From teen-oriented exhibitions to playgrounds next to tapas bars in star-lit plazas, Barcelona is a place where culture and children happily collide.
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5 Shops
Shop delicious market fare, vintage finds, best-selling books and much more at these five independent retailers, which you’ll find only in Barcelona.
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Spending Diaries
A jam-packed weekend in Barcelona for about €350 per person.
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