Barcelona Travel Guide

Rich in history and design, renowned for its state of the art architecture, cutting edge cuisine, gorgeous landscapes and thriving night life, Barcelona is a place that will pull you in and make it hard to leave. Nestled between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, Barcelona is an ideal fusion between the 'old' and the 'new'. Just a twenty-minute walk and one can find themselves transported through the ages between the Gothic Quarter's medieval alleyways and Roman Ruins into the Eixample neighborhood full of Gaudi's magnificent art nouveau (modernism) masterpieces. It's a city laden with hidden streets, niche courtyards, quaint boutiques, rustic tapas bars, wide open patios and terraces and a never ending 'joie de vivre'. It's not hard to understand why Barcelona is the 16th most visited city and an artistic, architectural and culinary leader across the globe.

Spain's second largest city (behind Madrid) and the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is home to some of the world's most intriguing and exceptional architectural structures, including Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Casa Batllo, La Pedrera, Parc Guell and the Cathedral amongst many other breathtaking buildings. Thanks to the 1992 Olympics Barcelona was brought 'back to life' and resumed its place on the world stage as a top tourist destination. The '92 Olympics can take credit for the clean up of Barcelona's waterfront, the creation of Olympic village and the construction of the grade sports' stadiums atop Montjuic. Today Palau Sant Jordi and Camp Nou are used to host concerts, festivals and of course, FC Barcelona's football matches

When it comes to Barcelona's beaches, there is no shortage of options. Barcelona's beautiful coastline includes both natural and man-made beaches that stretch for miles. The Costa Brava is particularly serene and its where you'll be able to find some of the clearest water with the whitest sandy beaches, only an hour or less outside of the city. In Barcelona itself there are plenty of great places to tan, swim, kite surf or just enjoy some sangria at one of the many chiringuitos (beach side huts) along the boardwalk.

With regards to bars and clubs, Barcelona is not lacking. It's a city with something for everyone, whether you're into funk, hip hop, electronic, house, pop, 80's rock or top 40, it's one of the easiest cities to stumble from place to place and enjoy an affordable, exciting and very eclectic night out.

Barcelona is rare in that it's one of those cities that truly has it all. Whether you're looking to relax by the water, hike in the mountains, explore art galleries, boutique shop, learn about architecture, savor delicious food or party until noon the following day, this is a city with infinite options one that will continuously keep you on you toes.

Where to Go in Barcelona