Introducing Barcelona
Set on a plain rising gently from the sea to a range of wooded hills, Barcelona is Spain's most cosmopolitan city and one of the Mediterranean's busiest ports. Restaurants, bars and clubs are always packed, as is the seaside in summer. The city's avant-garde chefs whip up a storm that has even the French reaching for superlatives.
Advertisement
It regards its long past with pride. From Roman town it passed to medieval trade juggernaut, and its old centre constitutes one of the greatest concentrations of Gothic architecture in Europe. Beyond this core are some of the world's more bizarre buildings: surreal spectacles capped by Antoni Gaudí's Sagrada Família church.
Barcelona has been breaking ground in art, architecture and style since the late 19th century. From the marvels of Modernisme to the modern wonders of today, from Picasso to the likes of Susana Solano, the racing heart of Barcelona has barely skipped a beat.
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region with its own language, character and history – many Catalans think of their home as a separate country. The city itself could keep you occupied for weeks but just outside it are sandy beaches, Sitges and the Montserrat mountain range - so be sure to make time for a few day trips during your stay.
Ready to go?
These tours & activities make it easy:
- See the best of Catalonia on a 4-day tour
- Explore Picasso's Barcelona with a walking tour and visit the Picasso Museum
- Experience Northern Spain in 8 days from Barcelona
- Discover the city of Gaudi with the City Hop-on Hop-off Tour
Last updated: Jan 10, 2013
Tips & articles
-
Go wild at Festa Major de Gràcia, Spain’s craziest block party
16 April 2013
Barcelona has long been known as a hedonist’s paradise but the refined neighbourhood of Gràcia can, to the casual observer,...
-
10 cities with brilliant beaches
17 December 2012
If you’re thinking about your next getaway but aren’t sure whether to take a city break or a beach holiday,...
Barcelona
Things to do
- All things to do (907)
- Activities (176)
- Entertainment (214)
- Restaurants (175)
- Shopping (137)
- Sights (196)
- Tours (9)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Barcelona
-
1 Gaudí wonderland: Park Güell
Just try to resist falling under magical Park Güell's spell. With its enchanting gingerbread houses, much-loved ceramic-clad lizard, curvy mosaic bench and panoramic views, this is one of the world's most delightful public spaces
-
2 Vintage cool on Carrer de la Riera Baixa
This little street in El Raval is a bonanza of groovy vintage boutiques and second-hand record shops, with the nicely restored Bar Resolis perfectly situated for a mid-shop pit stop.
-
3 Get high at Monserrat
Get a spiritual lift in the strange soaring mountains of Montserrat
-
4 Museu del Calçat
So you're in shopping heaven, Barcelona, but you've blown your budget? Shoe fiends should head to the Museu del Calçat, where they can admire a range of historic and 'celebrity' shoes without harming their wallet.
-
5 Miró magic
Perched at the top of Montjuïc, Fundació Joan Miró is a beautiful, light-filled gallery with enough eye candy to keep you buzzing for hours. Don't miss the sweeping rooftop views.
Fast Facts about Barcelona
- Variety of mojitos on offer at Gimlet Classic, coffee, ginger, red fruit, cumquat, passionfruit, perilla (shiso)...¡Salud!
- Getting to / from the airport
Renfe’s R2 Nord train line runs between the airport and Passeig de Graçia in central Barcelona (about 35 minutes). Tickets cost €3, starts at 6.08am and ends at 11.38pm daily.
- Population
1,615,908
- Most famous fictional Barcelona detective
Pepe Carvalho (created by Manuel Vázquez Montalbán)
- Pepe Carvalho's favourite restaurant
Casa Leopoldo, El Raval
- Official Languages
Catalan, Spanish
- One big happy family
Barcelona has a bevy of sister cities. Its illustrious siblings include Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Sarajevo, Havana, Montevideo, Istanbul, Tel Aviv, Gaza and Shanghai.
- Before Vicky Cristina Barcelona
...there was All About My Mother. Pedro Almodóvar's Oscar-winning film takes place in Barcelona, and features a cast of transsexuals, drama queens, and Penelope Cruz as a pregnant nun.