You have just 2 full days to see and experience all Barcelona has to offer. It sounds like mission impossible but you can do this wonderful vibrant city in just 48 hours with the help of this guide.

13:00

The main streets of Barcelona are wide and long, criss-crossing the city taking you off in new directions and new sensations. Spend some time familiarising yourself with Las Ramblas and the top of Plaça de Catalunya.

You could spend hours on the Ramblas alone, taking in the unique stalls selling everything from newspapers, to birds, to reptiles, to flowers and rabbits. Then there are the street performers, colorful characters that pose, mime, sing, dance and juggle for the passing crowds.

Halfway down is the La Boqueria market. A total sensory overload of smell, color and taste. This is a great place to pick up a few items for breakfast or just a snack. Fruit, vegetables, meat, fish and sweets are stacked high over a huge area.

At the bottom of Las Ramblas is the port. This has been extensively redeveloped with the huge Maremagnum complex. By day it is a shoppers paradise and by night becomes the hub for touristy bars and nightclubs.

16:00

Plaça Reial is a real melting pot of people, sights, smells and activities. Just spend some time watching the interactions of the locals, tourists, police, restaurants, bars and pigeons. Even the Gaudi lamp posts either side of the fountain add to the overall atmosphere. Some of the side streets lead off to some excellent restaurants and the Barri Gotic quarter.

16:30

The Barri Gotic quarter is an area of ​​Barcelona that dates back to the 11th and 12th C. You may walk through Plaça Sant Jaume to reach it but the narrow streets are worth exploring to see the royal palace in Plaça del Rei, once home to Queen Isobel and King Ferdinand. They were the financiers for Christopher Colombus' voyage to the new world.

There has been some Roman ruins excavated beneath the palace that are also on show. The most impressive example in the Gotic quarter is of course the Cathedral. This looks rather like a shorter wider version of Notre Dame but reflect the Spanish style of gothic architecture. There is a lift to the top for a view across the city roof tops.

In front of the church the square often attracts more street performers with classical guitarists and artists setting themselves up in the side streets.

19:00

The evening 'passage' is a very important part of Catalan culture. Around this time of evening many families will walk together down Las Ramblas before taking a pre dinner drink at one of the street bars, dressed up and looking their best. Most of the popular restaurants won't open their doors until 8pm and people will begin queuing from about 7.30pm onwards. Waiters then take the number in each party so when the doors open you are taken straight to your table.

Catalan cuisine is very traditional with particular regional recipes being handed down over centuries. Now is a good time to familiarize yourself with paella, an all in one rice dish that can include meat and / or sea food. Cava is the Spanish champagne and can be cheaper than wine but a worthy alternative. Also popular is sangria, basically a red wine punch with fruit pieces and ice.

Barcelona is also diversifying its tastes with many other Mediterranean cultures making the city their home so you can also find typically non Spanish flavors, including Greek, Turkish and North African.

After hours

From May to September one of the best things to see by night in Barcelona is the Magic Fountain of Montjuic. The fountains first performed their illuminated ballet in 1929 at the Great Universal Exhibition. Every half hour from 8pm until midnight the fountains perform a display of light, color and music attracting hundreds of spectators every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The music ranges from classical and opera to movie themes and contemporary pieces.

The fountains run on reduced hours from October to April, Fridays and Saturdays only between 7pm and 9pm. At the top of the steps is the Palau Nacional which offers a fine panoramic view over the city and backs onto the Olympic stadium where Spain made its return to the world stage in the 1992 Olympic games.

Now to swap the walking shoes for dancing ones. You can choose to go with the rest of the tourist crowd to Maremagnum or the more discerning head to Port Olimpic and the Baja Beach Club. There are many nightclubs and dance bars for all tastes, most going on until 2 or 3 in the morning.

Usually there are no entry fees but the cocktails and drinks are pricy. There may be flyers being handed out in the street offering 2 for 1 deals inside, and these are no ordinary drinks. They are usually long pours so you won't need many.

09:00

Today is the day to get better acquainted with Antoni Gaudi, the modernist architect responsible for some very unique buildings in and around Barcelona. His inspiration came from nature, causing some considerable criticism during his lifetime as some felt his attempts to recreate natural forms was tantamount to playing God.

The first building to examine is the Casa Battlò on Passeig de Gracia. It stands as part of the Manzana Discordia, the apple of discord. This is also a fun play on words as the word for city block is also manzana. The house is a representation of St George and the dragon, with thousands of ceramic tiles decorating the façade like scales. Next door is Casa Amatller by another of Guadi's contemporaries Josep Puig I Cadafalch.

10:00

Much of the modernist approach drew on Moorish influences and a freer expression of shape. Some of the buildings look more as if they were built today rather than almost 200 years ago. The second building to discover is Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera- the rock quarry. La Pedrera is on the corner of Passeig de Gracia and Carrer de Provença, the façade imitating sand dunes with a wind blown effect, the rock curving and undulating around the windows.

Both buildings are open to the public with Casa Mila home to a gallery and also offering tours of the remainder of the building and roof. Casa Batllò was originally offices and closed to the public but some rooms have been opened up.

11:30

Perhaps the most impressive and time consuming of the Gaudi creations, certainly the most visited, is the Sagrada Familia. Begun in 1882 this was Gaudi's most ambitious project. He devoted himself entirely to overseeing the work, moving into the crypt beneath the nave and rarely leaving the site.

Relying totally on public donation to fund the project it followed a rather stop start pattern, and even following the untimely death of Gaudi the donations continued to come in. the building still continues today, the tourist coin adding to the donation box and allowing the completion of Gaudi's greatest dream, a church for the people built by the people.

13:00

Tapas are a cheap, tasty and typically Spanish snack. They are eaten virtually at any time of the day and accompany coffee, wine or aperitifs. There are many tapas bars providing a huge range of choice. They are either served hot or cold and you can buy singles or make a selection. Toppings are mainly meats, fish, seafood, frittatas and tapenades.

14:00

Where to go for that all important siesta? There's no better place to catch a few z's than in Parc Guell. Another fantastic creation by Gaudi the park as originally a complex designed for a private owner but it later became a public park.

The bench snakes it's way around the edge of the center of the shady park, detailed with broken ceramic tiles and ergonomically shaped to make a comfortable place to rest. In the colonnade area beneath musicians will often set up, violins and classic guitar complementing the peaceful atmosphere.

15:00

The beach and waterfront have undergone some serious redevelopment in the years following the Olympic games resulting in Barceloneta becoming a hot spot for shopping and dining. Depending on the weather you can either enjoy some time on the beach or make your way to the Museu Picasso behind it, the artist's most important collection, or up to the Parc de la Cuitadella and the small zoo.

16:00

If the day is clear and fine you can make your way along the water front to the cable car that runs over the port and up to Montjiuc where you can visit the Fundaciò Joan Mirò, another awesome modern art collection, and the lively Poble Espanyol full of shops and restaurants.

Evening

After dinner there are plenty of flamenco shows to choose from. Some places offer a drink with the entry fee and after the show become a night club. If the feet are feeling tired it might be worth it to let someone else do all the fancy footwork.

There is so much to see and do in this city, it even feels as if it never sleeps. Chatty café customers can keep going until the early hours as well as the discos and dance clubs. 48 hours is never enough but then that's always a good reason to return.

The following list contains observations and facts that you would only get after spending time in Barcelona observing the culture. Very useful whether you are visiting or moving to Barcelona.

1. When using your credit card you will always need to sign and must bring some photo ID, either a passport or driving license. Chip and PIN is virtually non-existent in Barcelona.

2. The main language of Barcelona is Catalan, but the most widely spoken is Spanish. Catalan is spoken by 75% of the population, but virtually 100% of Catalans speak Spanish and there are many immigrants from South America and indeed from the rest of Spain, so Spanish is universal. In many bars and restaurants, Spanish is the main language.

3. Many large stores (such as supermarkets) do not let you bring large bags or backpacks into the shop. Many provide lockers with keys just before the entrance.

4. Pedestrian crossings – beware of the green man! In many countries when the green man flashes you have enough time to cross from one side to the other. Not in Barcelona. You normally have about 3 seconds to cross. If you are halfway across the road by this point you will probably need to start running. Do not attempt to start crossing the road when the man is flashing. This takes some getting used to.

5. Ticket validation for public transport – you must validate your ticket for all forms of public transport (trains, metro, trams, buses etc.). Validating means getting your ticket stamped in a small machine located in buses, or on the platforms when taking a train. Metros have a turnstile system where your ticket gets validated.

6. Metro turnstiles – when entering the metro you will need to insert your ticket into the gate to get through. Confusingly there are two types of gates: turnstiles and automatic glass gates. When entering though the turnstile gates you will need to pass the ticket with the left hand and pass to the right of the ticket. For the glass gates, you will need to pass the ticket with your right hand and pass to the left. When exiting the metro, you will not need your ticket at all.

7. Electronic goods are expensive in Barcelona, even more so than in the UK. In particular, computers, TVs and white goods are very expensive.

8. On the other hand, alcohol is very cheap. In bars (except in tourist areas) a bottle of lager will cost about 1.30EUR and a decent bottle of wine in a supermarket will cost about 3EUR. It is also possible to buy bottles of wine for as little as 1EUR or less. Lager in supermarkets is also very cheap. A 330ml can of normal lager can cost about 0.25EUR in supermarkets, but a known brand will cost double.

9. Smoking in Barcelona (and Spain) is extremely popular. There is a saying that goes “if you’re Spanish you smoke”. Spanish law has recently banned smoking from work places and applied smoking restrictions to restaurants, but many restaurants have smoking licenses. The majority of restaurants in Barcelona are smoking or have a smoking area. For the locals, smoking in public is considered a right, so if you are in a restaurant eating a meal don’t expect the customers sat on the neighbouring table to wait for you to finish before they light up.

10. In Barcelona, people like to take their time. If they have queued for a service (e.g. in banks or supermarkets) they will not be rushed once they are being attended to, even if the queue behind them is long. This can be frustrating if you are in a hurry, but it is part of the culture and they believe it is their right to take their time if they have been queuing.

11. Lunch in Barcelona is extremely important to the culture. If you are working in Barcelona for a normal Spanish or Catalan company then you will probably leave the office at 1:45pm to 2pm at the earliest and lunch normally lasts at least 1.5 hours. No matter how busy work is, very rarely is this hour and a half sacrificed. It is virtually sacred.

12. Tap water in Barcelona is perfectly safe to drink despite what you might have heard. Most people in Barcelona buy their own water because the tap water here does not have a particularly pleasant taste. It is normally used for cooking instead.

What to do in Barcelona? Why not see outstanding architecture, take in some incomparable Spanish culture, look through artisan wares, and eat fresh, delicious foods? And why not do all of this at the same time? Going to the many markets and bazaars that Barcelona has to offer allows you to explore the best that this city has to offer. From local crafts to fresh wild mushrooms, you can find it all – and then some!

At Mercat de Sant Josep, you step into a kaleidoscope of color: vibrant fruits and vegetables, candied fruits, nuts, meats, cheeses, and more line the walls of Barcelona's best food market. Besides shopping, you can also dine. At Pinotxo, for instance, you will enjoy food that is "fresh, fast, hot, spicy, and garlicky" and Llorenc Petras's fruits del bosc , or fruits of the forest, offers the best of wild mushrooms, nuts, berries, and herbs . Some people say that Mercat de Sant Josep is "typical." This does not have to be a bad thing! It is typical – of life, of culture, and of food in Barcelona.

Mercat de Ninot is a bit less traveled; it is here that many residents do their daily shopping, and for good reason. The fruit, vegetables, meats, and cheeses are all very fresh. As at the Mercat de Sant Josep, you can enjoy lunch as you wander the market. Stop for some tapas and continue on your way.

Another must for shoppers is the Mercat del Encantes, which is, as one reviewer described it, "bizarre"! Here, you have an eclectic mix of wares, often in the strangest juxtapositions. Power tools next to cosmetics, videos next to antiques. This is the place to bargain, pick up interesting souvenirs and oddities. Go early in the morning (many stalls close by midday) and be prepared to sift through odds and ends to find gems.

If you are visiting Barcelona in December, do not miss Fira de Santa Llucia, the Christmas fair. It has an incredible Catalan flavor and has been a tradition since the 18th Century. Besides the festive mood, you can pick up some unique gifts. Look for cagnares . These little figurines are often used by Catalans in their nativity scenes. If you do not know what cagnares are, find out! They make quite an interesting addition to a traditional nativity scene.

You can find virtually anything in Barcelona's markets and bazaars, but the most important is a sense of the Catalan culture and the proud Barcelona people.

Are you planning a trip to Barcelona? Here you’ll find some tips and tricks to enjoy a great city break! Do you fancy culture, do you like sun bathing or are you a party-animal? Barcelona has many advantages to plan a successful citytrip. Furthermore you can enjoy a warm Mediterranean climate. Let Barcelona surprise you and get ready for an exotic city break!

Must-sees

When you think of Barcelona it immediately reminds you of Gaudi. The buildings of this world famous architect are the trademark of the city. The Sagrada Familia, the monumental building in the city center, Casa Batllo, Park Guell,… These are just a few of the monuments you must have visited during your city trip to Barcelona.

Do you want to experience the real atmosphere? Take a walk on ‘La Rambla’ and enjoy dozens of street artists. Stroll around ‘La Boqueria’, the huge fresh-food market of Spain. One thing is certain; you have no time to waste to discover all the curiosities and museums Barcelona has to offer.

Barcelona Card

Purchase a Barcelona Card to get the most out of your citytrip in Barcelona. With this card you do not only have permission to enter a lot of museums at a lower cost, but this card is also a valid ticket in buses, trams and metros. You can purchase the Barcelona Card in the Tourist Office, at the airport or on the Internet.

Night life

Spanish people in Barcelona know how to party… The city is well-known for its heavy and wild night life. There is no lack of trendy bars and cosy places to eat. Keep in mind that night life starts quite late. For those who prefer to take it easy, there are lots of cosy cafes.

Mobility

In Barcelona everything is accessible by using public transport. And do not forget, with a Barcelona Card you have free permission in trains, trams en buses. Would you like to go from point A to B very quickly? You can simply use the network of metros in the city. Also the network of buses is in Barcelona well organized. Practical: Who arrives in Barcelona Airport can go to the city by Aerorobus. This bus leaves every 12 minutes between 5.30 and 1.00 am from every terminal of the airport to Plaza Catalunya in the heart of the city. You can purchase a ticket on the bus which will cost you 4,05 Euro. A returnticket (7 Euro) is valid for at least 1 week.

Get ready for a stunning citytrip to Barcelona!

Spain is a very attractive destination for tourists. Some tourists are attracted by the weather, while others are visiting Spain because of its history, culture and food. Spain really has a lot to offer. Millions of tourists are visiting Spain and many of them return for a second or third time. Cities are one of the most interesting things in Spain. Every city is different and offers something that other cities don’t. In this article I would like to talk about the beautiful city of Barcelona and all the great joys and pleasures it has to offer.

Barcelona wasn’t a very attractive target to tourists until the 1992 Olympics. After the Olympics, Barcelona became one of the most visited cities in Europe. Barcelona represents some of Spain’s richest cultural aspects and history. People in Barcelona are also very helpful and this makes Barcelona one of the Spain’s most desirable cities.

Those who visit Barcelona will not be disappointed. There are many things to see and do in this fantastic city of Spain. Sagranda Famillia Cathedral is one of the most famous tourist attractions. The designer of this Cathedral was Antonio Guadi. This Cathedral represents the life of Christ and those close to him. 12 apostles and 4 Evangelists are represented by The Eighteen towers of the Cathedral. Other parts of the Cathedral represent the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. Guadi died before he finished the Cathedral. Spanish civil war delayed the construction even further. Nowadays its one of the Barcelona’s most visited attractions and it stands proud over the city.

If Cathedrals and history don’t interest you, then maybe a trip to the Barcelona FC museum is a more suitable attraction for you. If you are lucky enough, then you can even get tickets to one of Barcelona’s games. Picasso museum, large choice of restaurants and clubs are also places that you could visit. The Salvador Dali Museum also should not be missed.

Spain is one of the most visited countries in the world. Everyone will find something interesting for them in Spain. Even the fussiest of tourist won’t feel bored in Spain. The city of Barcelona should definitely be visited, if you are in Spain. It offers everything you could want in the idea vacation sport. Even if you are not interested in the art and history of Spain will find a lot of interesting things in Barcelona. Sports fans will also find something interesting for them. If you are looking for a wonderful vacation sport, then look no further. Barcelona, Spain has everything you need.

Spain’s largest city is Barcelona and it is situated on the Mediterranean coastline. Many people dream of going to Barcelona because of the many attractions that the city offers and the warm weather during summertime and the not-so-cold winter season. The city is an industrial zone and is known to follow the Catalan tradition.

When you stay in Barcelona, you will be pleased with the wide variety of arts and culture destinations which include Opera Theater, concert hall, museum, and music festival. The Gran Teatre del Liceu, Palau de la Musica, National Museum of Catalonia and Sonar Music Festival are the best places to visit.

In Barcelona, you will fully appreciate the beauty of architectural structures as shown in churches and monuments greatly influenced by Roman Art and Humanities. You will be amazed at the artistry of Antoni Gaudi for his Sagrada Familia Church masterpiece. The other heritage sites that you can visit include Park Guell, Casa Mila Casa Batlo among others.

Aside from the art and culture appreciation, you will love what Barcelona offers in its beaches and coasts. You can choose from the seven beautiful beaches where you can enjoy sports facilities. You can also experience a seafront golf game in one of the coastal areas.

In the area of dining and entertainment, you will enjoy Barcelona cuisine specifically the Catalan stew and bread with tomato and sausages topped with white beans. For the finale, you should try Barcelona’s sweet Crème Catalana for your dessert.

Shopping will never be out of your itinerary when you go out for vacation. This is one thing that many locals and tourists love to do in Barcelona. You can choose from the three shopping areas and buy beautiful souvenir items that include artwork, shirts, interior design items and trinkets. You can choose from high-end stores or go to the street markets for crafts, antiques, ceramics and books. Go to the Espanyol de Montjuic and you will have a variety of choices. You can spend the whole day shopping and you will still want more.

The exclusive place for buying trendy items is the Barcelona Centro. It is the center for all shopping activities. You can get all the best items in Barcelona from this shopping area. Eixample is also a place to go to especially for those who prefer luxurious and high-end pieces.

Your stay in Barcelona will truly be worth it. This destination offers heritage sites, beautiful architecture, relaxing beaches and outdoor fun and adventure. This is the reason why people dream of stepping their feet at this part of the world.

There is lots of dancing to be experienced in Barcelona and one in particular you really should try to at least watch, if not try yourself, is the Sardana, the national dance of Catalunya and an important part of Catalan culture as it's seen as a representation of their identity and pride.

The Catalans were viewed as a threat by the dictator Franco who ruled the country from the end of the 40's to '75, he hated them for their strong independence and refusal to submit to his rule, as a result he banned many of their local customs and traditions including the Catalan language and the Sardana in an attempt to beak their spirit. This is partly why the dance is so popular these days, loyal and proud the Catalans are keen to keep their traditions alive and teach the younger generations about who they are, as well as providing a sense of unity.

You'll be able to see this traditional style of dancing everywhere in the region and at various places around the city itself, check out the Plaça de la Catedral on a Saturday night or Sunday morning where the dances are held frequently, or Plaza Jaume I and other squares during the summer evenings. Anyone can join in whatever their age, sex or attire, as the dancers form a circle and join hands they raise them in the air and dance with very small, defined steps. Circling slowly round and round other dancers join the circle, when it gets too big more are started and the end result can often be 4 or 5 circles of dancing people which is a lovely sight to behold and a great symbol of togetherness.

Accompanying the dancing is an 11-piece cobla band with a varied selection of brass instruments, the flaviol – a type of flute – takes the lead and the tambourine sets the rhythm. If you're really interested in seeing Catalan culture then there's a profusion of rental apartments in the city center for those interested in experiencing the real Barcelona.

The Catalans' love a good festival and there seems to be an endless stream of them, especially during summer. You'll see the Sardana dance performed at many, such as September's Festes de la Mercè where you can also expect to see dwarfs, human castles and massive papier-mâché giants dressed as princesses and fishermen, as well as the famous correfoc where devils dance throughout the streets, waving tridents that shoot out fireworks and daring spectators to try to touch fire-breathing dragons.

The Sardana is also demonstrated at The Focs de Sant Joan festival in June, in the weeks before the main event the locals go crazy with firecrackers and on the night of 23 June there are bonfires and firework displays all over the city and down on the beach . The L'Ou Com Balla L'Ou Com Balla – the dancing egg – features circle dances outside the cathedral and was started back in 1637. Hollowed-out eggshells are set spinning and bobbing on fountains throughout the region which have been dressed with flowers especially for the event – also watch out for the Sunday Corpus Christi procession as it leaves from the cathedral in the early evening.

If you're not sure where to stay then check out the many accommodation websites that will help you make your mind up. In every city now can be found boutique hotels as they offer great value for money and generally have the latest mod cons, including free access to the internet. Anyone traveling with limited funds will still be able to find cheap accommodation in some areas although they are very likely to be basic and the décor might not be up to much. Parents visiting the city with young children in tow might be better off rent apartment in Barcelona for their short break as it is less expensive and offers more of a home environment.

Busy all year round, Barcelona receives an influx of visitors over the weekends and during school holidays, people are attracted to the city for its infamous clubbing venues and it's a popular location for stag and hen nights. Business people also like it here as facilities are modern and it's a central meeting point in Europe, thus mid-range hotels are generally booked up during the week so ensure you always book early to avoid any disappointment.

Rent yourself a city apartment and you can easily get to the best festivals and catch some traditional Catalonian dancing mentioned here. If you feel you haven't seen enough then you can always come back for more later in the year.

It’s not that long ago that the number of hotels in Barcelona was quite limited and the reputation of many of the city’s hostels would deter many discerning visitors from even considering staying in one.

Thankfully, though, those days have long gone. The re-development of the city that began with the 1992 Olympic Games has continued since then and, consequently, any visitor to the city – be they there for a weekend or a summer – can be sure of finding accommodation that will perfectly suit whatever criteria he or she might have.

Let’s start our review with a look at the top end of the hotel sector – and there is plenty of that to choose from. Lovers of the contemporary hotel, packed with state-of-the-art technology and perfectly manicured rooms will swoon over the award-winning Hotel Arts. Those who prefer their luxury to come in a more traditional setting, recalling the opulence of a by-gone era, will love the dignified glory of hotels such as the Majestic and the Palace.

Barcelona also caters perfectly for guests who want to be right in the heart of things, near the beach or even slightly away from the city centre. Many people choose to be near Las Ramblas or the Gothic Quarter – so that they can feel the atmosphere even from their hotel lobby. Others, especially if they have children with them, might prefer the option of having a beach nearby so that the little ones can let off some steam when necessary. Barcelona is fortunate enough to have sufficient hotels of all types so that, with a little bit of research, you will find just the right one for your stay.

Many people might wince at the thought of staying in a hostel – putting them firmly in the backpacker bracket and not considering them for anyone else. If that’s you, then think again. Barcelona hostels can offer guests an economical and pleasant alternative to the hotel experience. Don’t think Youth Hostels – in Spanish they are albergues juveniles; nowadays, you’re as likely to find a couple together as a backpacker or a group ‘on tour’. Almost every Barcelona hostel will now possess a shared kitchen for guests to use, a laundry room, common room and, increasingly regularly, computer terminals. They are clean, comfortable, secure places – and usually within walking distance of all the city’s main attractions.

Incidentally, don’t get too stressed out about the differences between hotels, hostels and ‘pensions’; the terms are often interchangeable. Officially – more or less – a pension is more of a British-style Guest House or Bed and Breakfast but, in reality, hotels can also call themselves Hostels or Pensions!

One attractive option for many people is to find some self-catering accommodation in Barcelona that will give them a greater degree of freedom that they can find in hotels as well as possibly being much more economical. Apartments can vary in both size and price – it’s even practical to rent student accommodation during July and August.

As with all accommodation, a little research before you make your reservation can enable you to find out for yourself that Barcelona has come a long, long way in the past few years.

When you decide to visit Spain, Barcelona should be on the top of the list of the cities worth visiting. It’s the most unusual and the least Spanish city in the whole country.

Barcelona is one of the largest cities in Spain and one of the main tourist destinations. It’s also the capital of Catalonia, a province with its own language and big ambitions.

Millions of visitors Barcelona receives every year, are attracted by the original architecture and live attitude.

The conditions for tourist in the whole travel infrastructure are perfect. Barcelona has more than 300 hotels, like Madrid, but the capital of the Spain is twice as big as Barcelona.

When you think of Barcelona architectural attractions Antonio Gaudi buildings are the first things that come to mind. The best known is his unfinished structure – Sagrada Familia (the Holy Family) cathedral. This masterpiece of the architectural thought has became the symbol of the city. Its image adorns the postcards, photos and travel guides devoted to Barcelona.

Barcelona has small Gaudi museum – in Apartment and office block – La Pedrera, – also of his work. His style is unmistakable and is noted for clear, bright colors and the untraditional lines.

Old city with almost two thousand years history, Barcelona survived its rises and falls. After Roman and later Arabian invasions, in Middle Ages Barcelona became one of the most significant cities of the Mediterranean. If you like to sink into the medieval atmosthere, you can visit the houses of the nobility, which still adorn the centre of Barcelona.

Don’t forget shopping when you come to Barcelona. Its most famous shopping street La Rambla (also called Las Ramblas) has the numerous amount of the prestigious boutiques and the small shops with the works of the local craftsmen.

Barcelona has gained its glory not only by its architecture, but by the people born in the city too. Pablo Picasso, Juan Miro, Jose Carreras, Montserrat Caballe and the above-mentioned Antonio Gaudi – are the greatest Barcelona citizens.

One of the unique attractions in Barcelona is Barcelona Aquarium. It’s the biggest aquarium in Europe with more than 300 species of the sea fauna. 80-meters tunnel goes under the huge oceanarium with sharks and the rare fishes.

Barcelona is also one of the Spanish sport centers. Its stadium “Nou Camp” (or “Camp Nou”) is considered to be one of the best stadiums in the country, and Barcelona clubs (football and basketball) are always among the leaders of the Spanish championships.

Barcelona warm climate makes the city a very popular destination for summer trips and beach holidays. The most of the beaches are situated around the Olympic Village, built in 1992 for the Olympic games. The only problem is that they are often overcrowded.

As one of the top tourist destinations not only in Spain but also throughout the entire European continent, Barcelona continues to prove time and time again what truly makes it so intriguing. Whether it is the unique architecture unlike any other, the 5-kilometer shopping street, the fantastic nightlife or simply a combination of all of them and so much more, the city is undoubtedly a fantastic to spend any amount of time in. If you are planning a trip Spain and unsure about what to see and do while there, you have got to see these Barcelona travel tips.

Marvel at the Architecture

Even if you don’t originally set out to do this, chances are you will end up doing it anyway. Due to the immense amount of absolutely stunning architectural buildings scattered throughout the city, they are almost impossible to avoid and an excellent way to not only snap some great pictures but to learn about the history behind each one. Be sure to check out Antoni Gaudi’s priceless works such as Guell Park, Casa Batllo and the ever-popular La Sagrada Familia-one of our best Barcelona travel tips.

Go on a Shopping Spree

If you have got money to spend and high hopes of finding some Spanish treasures to take back home with you, then get ready for the shopping experience you have been dreaming of. From the streets of Las Ramblas to the streets of Passeig de Gracia and Portal de l’Angel, the variety is far from few and guaranteed to have something for any type of shopper. If you find yourself on a tight budget with this shopping and the other Barcelona travel tips, then head to the famous Mercat Del Encants flea market for some more affordable treasures.

Eat Tapas & Drink Wine

Throughout your time spent wandering the streets, marveling at the architecture and filling your shopping bags to the brim, you are most likely going to need to stop for some food along the way. Fortunately, the Catalans know exactly what they are doing when it comes to satisfying even the pickiest of taste buds. All those foodies out there love this out of all our Barcelona travel tips. Chances are, you are never more than a few steps away from a fantastic tapas and wine bar, so keep your eyes wide open and ready to indulge in some of the best food of your life.

Spend a Night Out on the Town

As mentioned before, the nightlife in Barcelona is far from boring and oh-so-exciting. There are bars everywhere and although it might seem as if the party gets started a little late, prepare to head out at around 11 p.m. and get ready to begin mingling with the friendly locals, sipping on your favorite drink of choice and having an unforgettable night out on the town. Though it can be rather touristy, Las Ramblas always has some great but pretty crowded bars for those who like that sort of thing. If you have exhausted all of these Barcelona travel tips and more interested in less touristy places, head just a little outside of that part of town and check out some smaller but just as cool spots that you’ll find the locals really enjoy.

As you can see, there is something for everyone, when visiting Barcelona. Make sure to bring your appetite and your walking shoes before you step foot in Spain. Like all tourists, you will love our Barcelona travel tips!