One of the oldest and most well-known football clubs in the history of the sport; the FC Barcelona has been struggling over the past seasons in the Spanish first division in order to get back on track. It has definitely been a bumpy ride for the Catalan group as many of its football have began to diminish their usual shine; either due to injuries or constant internal affairs that do not seem to reconcile.

However, the Barça continues to be an European football powerhouse with 18 Liga titles, 7 Spain Supercopa, 2 UEFA Championship League, 24 Copa del Rey and 2 European Super Cups as background. The team draws large amounts of followers due to the magnificent play display and its football players who make the show worth seeing; players such as: Samuel Eto’o, Xavi, Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Thierry Henry, Lionel Messi, and Rafael Márquez have supported the Spanish team for the recent era.

As of 2003 the Spanish club hired former AC Milan and Dutch star Frank Rijkaard to lead the club and during his first season the Barcelona obtained the Liga championship besides the Super Copa and one of the most incredible accomplishments a UEFA Champions League title which ended the team’s drought of 14 years.

Most recently during the 2006-07 season the Barcelona began to show some signs of weakness as the club finished second in the Liga and were not able to conquer any other European tournament. Therefore; the team’s leaders decided it was time for a major change as they have asked Rijkaard to step down.

“Joan Laporta [FC Barcelona President] has announced that Frank Rijkaard will end his career at the club at the end of this current 2007/08 season. Josep Buardiola, current coach of Barça B, has been picked as his replacement on the bench of FC Barcelona. “After a meeting of the Board of Directors, the president Joan Laporta appeared before the media to announce the takeover on the bench of the first team of FC Barcelona at the end of the season. On June 30, Frank Rijkaard will no longer be coach of FC Barcelona and Josep Guardiola will be his replacement.”

The announcement has left many questions as what exactly happened in the club’s locker room as despite the Dutch Coach’s success his leave has become a need. Many have stated the real reason is the players themselves who don’t count with the proper encouragements and a positive attitude besides the obvious disagreements between the club and some of their super stars as Ronaldihno and Thierry Henry. Others claim that two years without a title is a clear sign it is time for a new approach in order to shift the future.

On the other hand, new coach Guardiola who will take over from the beginning of the new football season was leading the FC Barcelona B team since 2007 and he has a vast knowledge in the sport as he is a former Al Ahly of Qatar, Brescia, AS Roma, and Mexico’s Dorados player. We certainly hope to see an improvement in the team’s play and attitude as it has everything required to be one of Spain’s top winners and achieve a new title during the 2008-09 campaign.

Barcelona is a perfect place to rent holiday apartments in Spain as there is so much for visitors to see and do. It is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. It is a lively cosmopolitan city and a great favourite for a weekend break as there are plenty of reasonably priced holiday apartments in Spain or villa holiday lettings in Barcelona available to rent. Visitors rent holiday villas and apartments here to take advantage of all Barcelona has to offer including great shops, museums and galleries, fabulous and historic buildings, lively nightlife and of course the beach!

The following are a few of the must-see places if you book holiday villas or apartments in Barcelona:

LA RAMBLA – (also known as Las Ramblas) is a world-renowned area of Barcelona which consists of five separate primarily pedestrianised streets end-to-end, from Port Vell at the southern end to Placa Catalunya at the northern end. Along this amazing boulevard you can find all kinds of restaurants, bars, street-markets, buskers, ‘living statues’, mime artists as well as museums and the Christopher Columbus Monument. There is plenty of accommodation available along the Ramblas in the form of hotels, hostels and holiday apartments in Spain.

THE GOTHIC QUARTER (Barri Gotic) – This district is close to La Rambla and is centred around the Placa de Sant Jaume, a spacious square which has a busy market and is one of the places where the weekly dancing of the sardana takes place. The mazes of streets in the gothic quarter tend to be narrow and cobbled and most of the buildings date from the 14th and 15th Century. There are plenty of cafes and bars, as well as some of the cheapest apartment holiday lettings in Barcelona.

THE PICASSO MUSEUM – If you have booked holiday apartments in Spain to take advantage of the rich cultural tradition of Barcelona you must not miss the Museu Picasso. It is located on the historic Carrer de Montcada in three beautiful stone mansions. The museum has numerous works on show that trace the artist’s early years, and it is especially strong on his ‘Blue Period’. It is one of the most popular and most visited museums in Barcelona and is open Tuesdays to Sunday from 10 am to 8pm.

LA SAGRADA FAMILIA – The Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia, to give it its full name, is Antoni Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece and a popular tourist attraction. It is expected that construction on this remarkable church will continue until at least 2040 and even though it is far from finished it is still worth a visit. There is a museum which tells the story of the architect and the history of the church and you can visit the top of one of the towers where you can get a fantastic view of Barcelona – see if you can spot your rented villa or apartment holiday lettings in Barcelona!

THE OLYMPIC STADIUM – Barcelona hosted the 1992 Olympic Games and the effect of this event can still be seen in modern day Barcelona. The main Olympic athletics events took place at the Estadi Olympic in Montjuic. This imposing stadium was originally constructed in 1929 when Barcelona hosted the World Fair. Having fallen into disrepair it was restored for the 1992 Games. The stadium is open to the public on non-match days and entrance is free. If you are staying in holiday apartments in Spain that do not have access to a pool, there is a swimming pool complex – the Piscines Bernat Picornell – right next to the stadium if you want to cool off and have a splash about!

Barcelona really is a fantastic place to rent holiday villas or apartments for a short break. Perhaps one visit is not enough and you will want to come back and book holiday apartments in Spain again so that you can further explore the delights of this amazing city!

1. Sagrada Familia

If you only get to see one thing whilst in Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia is it. This huge cathedral has been in a state of construction since as far back as 1882, and there is at least another 20 years or so until it is complete. It is the most famous building of the most famous Spanish architect of them all, Antoni Gaudi, who died in 1926. It is a project on a vast scale, a truly original monument that seems entirely fitting to such a fantastic city as Barcelona.

Gaudi worked on the building up until his death, focusing on nothing else for the last 12 years of his life. Its incredible, original design has made it instantly recognisable, and it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the city. A guided tour is worth taking to find out all about the history of the building. It’s also found right on Metro Line 5 so it’s easy to reach.

2. Parc Guell

La Sagrada Familia may be Gaudi’s masterpiece, but Park Guell is a close second. This huge park is full of a large number of attractions designed by Gaudi, with new wonders appearing around every corner. It gets its name from Eusebi Guell, who commissioned it to be a luxury villa for himself, and was built between 1900 and 1914. At one point it was going to contain luxury houses for the rich residents of Barcelona, but luckily it was converted into a public park that you can walk around for free.

So impressive is the park that it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it includes La Torre Rosa, Gaudi’s old house that has now been converted into a museum. There are also numerous statues and a wonderful viewing area with a cafe to admire the city from above. It’s a steep walk to the top, and there are even outdoor escalators to help along the way, but it’s most definitely worth it.

3. Camp Nou

For any fan of the beautiful game, a trip to Barcelona should not definitely include a visit to the stadium of one of the best teams in Europe. The Camp Nou is one of the best stadiums on the continent, which is fitting as it is home to one of the best teams in the world. With a capacity of over 90,000, it is a vast arena that is impressive enough on a simple guided tour. But if you’re lucky enough to catch a game here then it will be an experience you won’t forget. And should you be really lucky and get a seat to witness the visit of Barcelona’s arch rivals Real Madrid, you’ll be able to watch one of the most passionate games in world football.

Built in 1957, the stadium also hosts a shop, a chapel for the players and the most visited museum in the whole of Catalonia, with over a million people making the journey to this Mecca of football to witness the over 400 trophies that Barcelona FC has managed to gather during its reign. Not to be missed.

4. Picasso Museum

Barcelona is a city of art, and nowhere do you realise this more than in the Picasso Museum. This is an absolute must for anyone with even the slightest interest in Pablo Ruiz Picasso, and for real fans it will be a definite highlight of your trip.

There are over 3,800 works in the permanent collection, a hugely impressive wealth of incredible artworks that show the development of the artist from young experimentalist to modern master. Opening back in 1963, the museum is rightfully placed in Barcelona, a city which Picasso shared a real connection with throughout his life.

Regular exhibitions are always changing, so you never know quite what you’re going to get, and the building itself, situated right in the heart of the old city, helps bring the experience to life.

5. La Rambla

Once you’ve seen all the main attractions of Barcelona, get out in the open air and take a stroll down La Rambla. This is the large street through the centre of the city that is over 1.2 kilometres in length. Lined by trees and completely pedestrian, it stretches from Placa de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus monument.

It is in reality a number of different streets, all given different names for different parts. The final part, the Rambla de Mar, goes right down to the harbour. Lots of shops, restaurants and tourists fill the street, and on a sunny day there is no better way to see the city by foot.

Ever-chic and cosmopolitan Barcelona is often considered the jewel in Spain’s glittering crown. Defined by easy-going wide boulevards and an array of cultural centers, it’s a city that warrants weeks – if not years – of exploration and enjoyment.

For visitors, orientation around this large city is made easy by Las Ramblas, a collection of streets that cut a swathe through the center of Barcelona, running in succession from Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell. Evocative and energetic, the streets are potent with potential for the incoming visitor…

Hostels

Barcelona is a city that excels in hostels, with some of the top ranked hostels in Europe to be found here. What’s more, many of these top-quality joints are to be found either on or close to Las Ramblas, which makes exploring Barcelona’s central stretch all the more straightforward.

Hosteria Grau, for example, is situated about two minutes walk from Las Ramblas, not far from the Placa de Catalunya. A cozy and ever-so-slightly plush family run place, it is truly a hostel Barcelona is proud of.

Another such establishment is the Albareda Youth Hostel, which is about 200m west of the Monument a Colom (Las Ramblas’ southernmost point). Considered one of the very best hostels in Barcelona, it’s a trendy and popular all-mod-cons type of place, where backpackers come to chill, chat and (inevitably) party.

Placa de Catalunya

At its northern tip, Las Ramblas heralds the impressive Placa de Catalunya – a large plaza characterized by colored fountains, sculptures, cafes, and the thousands of people who frequent its cafes, restaurants, and open spaces on a daily basis.

Placa de Catalunya is particularly memorable at night, when its various parts are illuminated spectacularly.

Port Vell

On the face of it, Port Vell is a bit of a rich boy’s playground – the port itself is almost overflowing with large-scale yachts and the like. That being said, this is no out-of-bound’s elitist club; Port Vell can be traversed and enjoyed by all who visit.

Particular tourist attractions include shopping in the Maremagnum (a super-sized mall), an IMAX cinema, and Europe’s largest aquarium.

Shopping

Las Ramblas is basically a shopper’s paradise. There’s something here to tempt all forms of shopoholics, from those who like to cruise designer shops to those who are happiest bargaining and bantering around a market.

The streets of Las Ramblas are, themselves, a shopping district, with various street-vendors peddling all types of foods and trinkets. The sides of the roads, meanwhile, are lined with a number of recognizable brand name shops. For department-store consumption, Corte Ingles on the Placa Catalunya is probably the best bet.

Barri Gotic

Las Ramblas forms the western border of the Barri Gotic, Barcelona’s extravagantly attractive Old Town. This medieval district is a labyrinthine delight whose numerous alleyways herald chich cafes, numerous art galleries, and (of course) fascinating architecture.

The Picasso Museum, La Merce Basilica, and the (stunning) Cathedral of Santa Eulalia are particularly worth seeking out.

Is the role of the referee limited to judging the two teams according to the rules or is he just another player, some moments playing with one team and the next moment with the other? The influence of the referee seems significant.

Imagine that a player is approaching the goal and the goal-keeper leaves this very goal. The player passes the keeper but recognizing his defeat, the keeper grabs the foot of the same player. But then;

The player, Eto’o from Barcelona, manages to kick the ball to Giuly who marks a goal. 0 – 1?

The referee, however cancels this goal, draws a red card from his pocket and presents it to the keeper of Arsenal. Red, ten players left, but still the goal is canceled. A wrong decision? Rule number one: in case of advantage the game continues.

After this, the ball possession of Barcelona continues to increase, but they fail to mark the equalizer. Before ending the first half, Campbell from Arsenal does head the ball in a fabulous way into the goal Barcelona. 1 – 0. The first half ends.

The Second half.

This time it is Henry from Arsenal who mistakenly receives yellow. Arsenal on ease, Barcelona in anxiety.

And it is raining.

And then, a we all think that Barcelona loses pace and Arsenal continues to dominate the game. Then, just when the same Arsenal if lowering pace, imagining that the victory is within reach – the goalkeeper receives yellow for holding up the game – it is Eto’o from Barcelona who equalizes the game. 1 – 1.

And shortly after Belletti marks a second goal and with only ten minutes to go, Barcelona moves in direction of the cup. 1 – 2.

Three minutes are added to the game, but it will not help Arsenal.

This one is for Barcelona. Well done guys! FIESTA…

Barcelona is well known for its bizarre architecture but equally celebrated for its spirited vibe which means that its stag and hen party scene is probably the most renowned in the world!

Anyone who has decided on Barcelona for their stag or hen weekend will be wondering what to do to make the most of their break because two or three days in this amazing city is not nearly enough. From chartering a yacht to banana boat rides; shopping to spa treatments, paintballing to pitch and putt and cultural sightseeing tours to Spanish football, there is nothing that cannot be done in Catalan capital Barcelona.

Here are just a handful of ideas to get you started, but the best thing to do is contact a specialist stag and hen party organizer, preferably one based in Spain that will be on hand to provide help and advice when you are there, and ask them to make all the arrangements for you as they will be able to negotiate preferential rates on a range of activities.

Shopping
Shopping in Barcelona is a fusion of charming designer boutiques and big name brands. A tangled web of streets throws up a plethora of retail opportunities on every turn. In Barcelona, ​​shopping is an activity as much loved as sightseeing, so if retail therapy is your thing, indulge yourself! Football Stand back in amazement as you take in the sheer scale of the Nou Camp Stadium, home to sporting giants Barcelona Football Club. A stadium tour or even a match and could be the highlight of your lads' weekend.

Activities If Go-Karting, Paintballing and Quad-Biking is your thing then Barcelona is the place to do it. These activities all take place in the most stunning settings in and around Barcelona and the spectacular rugged coast: the Costa Brava.

Water Sports If you prefer water-based action then your Barcelona based hen or stag weekend party will normally be whisked off to Costa Brava hotspot Calella where you will be able to experience the thrill of the banana boat ride, parasailing and kayaking.

Skydiving Some people prefer to experience their piece of the action from above, so if jumping out of a plane and experiencing the exhilarating panoramic views of Spain's northeast coastline from the air is something you fancy why not include it in your Barcelona weekend break?

Pitch and Putt Anyone with a penchant for the more refined stag or hen activity will really enjoy a touch of pitch and putt, especially when they see this glorious Costa Brava golf course set amidst a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Barcelona Bike Tour An innovative way to take in the most famous tourist hotspots of Barcelona including La Sagrada Familia, Ciutadella Park and the Gothic Quarter is to do so by bicycle! Many organisers include this tour in their package as you get to see far more than if you were on foot. Then once you've seen everything on your itinerary you can settle into one of Barcelona's authentic cozy bars for drinks and tapas!

Spa Treatments One of the most popular hen weekend pastimes is the spa, and Barcelona is not short of a quality spa. Turkish baths, Jacuzzis, detoxing and massage are all on offer so if you fancy being pampered by day ready for the buzz of a Spanish city by night, then Barcelona is the place to go.

Yacht Charters Chartering a private yacht is no longer restricted to the rich and famous! Fill your champagne flutes and head out onto the shimmering blue Med for a memorable journey that will show you the gloriously rugged Costa Brava. Later on you could stop off for a succulent seafood lunch at one of the charming fishing villages along the way and then get back on course for Barcelona's exclusive port ready for the evening that awaits.

Whatever you choose to do for your hen or stag weekend in Barcelona, ​​you are guaranteed to have a good time. Just remember one thing: make your weekend a memorable one! Enjoy yourself responsibly so that your weekend is one that you will remember for years to come rather than forget over night!

Positioned towards Spain’s eastern coast such that the location overlooks the Mediterranean Sea, lies the Barcelona city that is home to museums that showcase work of the world’s greatest architects and artists including Antoni Gaudi and Pablo Picasso. Hundreds of cultural attractions, art exhibitions and museums disclose the wealthy heritage of this admirable travel destination. The Barcelona City is sure to meet the desires of those who like to explore history, art and architecture. The museums of Barcelona are filled with knowledge and artifacts that have high historical value. A visit to this thriving city is incomplete without getting to know what is contained in the museums that exhibit 100 of year’s old heritage and culture old Spain.

Art

Museu Picasso is Barcelona’s most visited art museum, housing more than 4,000 exemplary art pieces which attracts more than one million visitors and admirers annually. Other important art museums are the Fundacio Joan Miro, the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya and Fundacio Gala-Salvador Dali.

Architecture

Two of the most popular museums in Barcelona are housed inside the historic buildings that have been created by the famous architect named Antoni Gaudi. The building alone attracts more that 2 million visitors. The Museu del Temple Expiatori de La Sagrada Familia demonstrates Gaudi’s history and the Sagarda Family. La Pedrera another masterpiece by Gaudi displays Modern and Renaissance artwork.

History

Museu d’Historia de Catalunya is amongst other notable museums that are there in Barcelona city. The museum is known to have housed different interactive historical exhibitions. The Museu d’Arqueologia de Catalunya, the Museu Maritim (covering maritime history) and the Museu Futbol Club that displays various sporting artifacts are worth visiting.

Culture

Barcelona hosts many popular festivals including Gracia’s Festa Major and the La Merce. A wide range of activities, events, performances and cultural exhibits are hosted by both the Centre de Cultura Contemporanea de Barcelona and the Caixa Forum. The very well known Ciutat Vella Flamenco Carnival is also hosted in the town.

Kid Friendly

Kids can also have a great time in Barcelona. You can take kids to the Cosmo Caixa which is an interactive science museum. The Museu de la Xocolata is a chocolate museum that really interests kids and is a popular attraction for them. The Parc Guell is another notable kid-friendly museum that has been designed by the famous architect Antoni Gaudi. Tibidabo Fun Fair that has at least 100-year-old tradition is also a great place to take kids. It is located over the hills that overlooks Barcelona.

The cosmopolitan city of Barcelona is the capital of Catalunya which is situated in the North Eastern corner of Spain. It is a coastal city situated on the Mediterranean sea and it enjoys a pleasant warm climate all year round which helps to keep the 4 kilometers of beach busy, the largest city beach in Europe. Being the capital of Catalunya, Catalan is widely spoken as it is the official language of Barcelona, but speakers of Spanish have no need to worry as both are spoken and understood by practically everyone.

For the traveler who wishes to fly to Barcelona it has never been easier, as the city is served by two major airports, Barcelona Girona Airport (also called Girona Costa Brava Airport) in the North, which is approximately 103 kilometers from the city and Barcelona International airport, 13 kilometers from the city centre. Both airports are served by an excellent bus shuttle service and travel times are 40 minutes from the international airport and around 1 hour and 10 minutes from Girona Airport, there is a train service from the International airport that takes you to the very heart of the city and that runs every 30 minutes and it takes only 15 minutes, unfortunately if you wish to travel by train from Girona you will first have to go to the city station in Girona which will actually lengthen your journey time. Of course, the other option is taxi, which is much more convenient, especially if traveling with a lot of luggage, but it can also be on the pricey side, especially if traveling from Girona, where you can expect to pay in the region of 120 euros for a one way trip. My advice would be to travel by bus from Girona and train or taxi from the International airport.

Once in Barcelona the easiest, quickest and safest way to get around the city is the excellent metro system, revamped and improved before the olympics, that were held in the city in 1992. You can purchase tickets that allow you unlimited travel throughout the city very cheaply. If you prefer to stay above ground there are many open top bus services that follow regular site seeing routes. These are excellent as all the operators run circular routes meaning that the next bus is never more than forty minutes away, they are a bit more expensive than using the metro but you will be able to top up your tan whilst traveling around the city. You can purchase a one, two or three day tickets that offer a  jump on jump off service allowing you to be as spontaneous or as organized as you want with regards to visiting the cites many attractions.

If you are considering driving, the uninitiated should expect to have nothing short of minor heart or panic attacks on a regular basis as the city streets are extremely busy with traffic that seems to travel at frighteningly quick speeds when the flow allows (city traffic jams are a regular occurrence) and the average barca driver has no, or at least, very little patience with dithering tourists as a constant barrage of horns gives the city the characteristic backdrop of sound, often associated with major Spanish cities.

Whichever way you decide to travel to and around Barcelona, this beautiful and bustling city will always leave you wanting to come back to visit again and again.

When you first step out of your hotel on the first day of your holiday there is often an overwhelming feeling of where do I begin? If you are only visiting for a limited time or you’re staying for a while a Hop-on Hop-off tour is the very best way to begin.

Sightseeing has never been so hassle free. Regular buses mean you don’t waste time waiting at the bus stop. This convenient way of traveling is perfect for all ages.  Dictate your trip hop-off when you want, as many or as few times as you fancy. Alternatively sit back, relax and absorb the abundance of attractions Barcelona has to offer.

Barcelona is Europe’s largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast. Unlike many cities that have a small epicenter of attractions in close proximity, much of Barcelona’s attractions are scattered. This make the Hop-on hop-off tour ideal to get the most out of your trip.

Barcelona has so much to offer. The more you see of Barcelona, the more you’ll love the city.

In just one day on this tour you can see the stunningly unique architecture of Antoni Gaudi at the Casa Mila. The city’s architecture is a feast for the eyes, as a world heritage site the unique blend of styles will blow you away. From Medieval, Art Nouveau to Modern the buildings sit side by side creating a truly special cityscape.

Explore the diverse Catalan culture that still lives so strongly within the people of Barcelona in the Museum of the History of Catalonia. You must shopping till you drop in the bizarre L’illa Diagonal, a fantastic shopping centre that was designed to look like a skyscraper lying on their side. Then find tranquility at the Jardin de Miramar with its spectacular views of Barcelona Harbor. Alternatively visit one of the beautiful sandy beaches such as Nova Mar Bella which boasts to have over 500 meters of pristine white sand, perfect to top up your tan.

Hop-on hop-off Barcelona bus tours is no acceptation, it is the only way to experience the city! Everywhere you look the city has something new and exciting to offer and with the Barcelona hop-on hop-off tour you can see it all.  Barcelona will not disappoint. This tour insures that you don’t miss a thing yet you take it at you own pace so you can relax and enjoy your stress free stay.

There are lots of beautiful cities in Europe that offer the perfect destination for a short break or weekend away. In Spain alone you have the options of Seville and Madrid, Malaga and Palma, whilst the Catalan capital of Barcelona has an intriguingly diverse view unlike any other Spanish city. Often featuring amongst the top ten favourite places to visit, it’s a fashionable location for visitor’s who have the chance to experience the modern and the ancient alongside each other.

The 2nd biggest city in Spain, Barcelona is recommended for a trip due to the exciting ambience to be experienced and the ability to please every kind of visitor. Amble around the Roman remains before stopping off for a hot chocolate in one of the trendy cafes in the medieval city and then venture further into the more modern part of the city with its wide streets and open squares.

This Catalan capital is ideal at any time of year, in winter you can enjoy the shops and boutiques and see the sights, then when the weather turns warmer do a spot of sunbathing and meander through the streets sightseeing and people watching before heading down to the waterfront. The city area is fairly flat so it’s not tiring to walk around the centre, it’s only when you get further out to the neighboring hills that the roads start to incline at steeper angles.

Signs of the architect Antoni Gaudí are everywhere from the amazing Parc Güell with its exquisite sculptures, fascinating buildings and mosaic patterns, the massive but as yet still incomplete church of the Sagrada Família, and the Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gracia with a façade of skulls that are in fact balconies, and bones that make up the supporting pillars.

There are lots of open spaces to enjoy in the city including the beaches, gardens and parks. Two of the best are, of course, Güell Park as mentioned above, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the Barri Gotic in the Park de la Ciudadella with its museums and galleries and boating lake. Around the city itself are several places that you can take a walk and admire the views, Montserrat is prominent for its distinctive rocky shape and natural beauty whilst the Montjuic hill hosted the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Travel on the Tramvia Blau up Tibidabo mountain for the stunning views and interesting cycling tours where you can discover the natural surroundings. Afterwards the Funicular de Tibidabo will take you all the way to the amusement park at the top, built in 1889 many of the rides date back to this time, giving the park a vintage feel.

The beaches also have plenty of space to hang out for a while, with their rough golden sands and raised promenades you can choose to walk or cycle, swim in the cool waters or join in any number of sporting activities going on every day. Barcelona has made a big effort to clean up its beaches in the past few years and now its 5 km stretch of 7 beaches are clean, safe to swim and have the facilities and services you can expect from a Mediterranean beach.

The holiday summer beach season is usually from mid April until mid September. Each has a choice of bars on the sand, known as chiringuitos, that are very popular, some even arrange DJ’s to play chillout music and have beach parties.

A saunter along the harbourside is the best way to experience the results of Barcelona’s regeneration programme. Port Vell, previously a neglected district with dilapidated warehouses, industrial buildings, rubbish tips and railroad yards is now a delightful place where you can dine on all kinds of cuisine, sip cocktails in chic bars, go shopping in a modern mall and visit one of the best aquariums to be found in Europe. You’ll see the many sailboats moored here whilst further up is the Olympic Port where the Games were set. There’s a real mix of people who frequent this area, it’s popular with the tourists and party-goers but also the locals who’ll you see coming down for a drink in the evenings or strolling along the promenade on a Sunday.