The Best Travel Guide to Barcelona

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Barcelona

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The guide was updated: 2019-12-11

Fanciful architecture and hip restaurants have come together with the sunny Spanish climate and beaches. This has transformed Barcelona in just a few decades from a rough port city to one of Europe’s—if not the world’s—premier destinations. Stroll along La Rambla, admire the Casa Calvet’s façade or the Casa Mila designed by Gaudi, visit the Market of la Boqueria or shop at El Corte Inglés, and sample some of the many bars, cafés and late night haunts while you’re at it.

Facts

Population:	1.81 million
Currency:	Euro, €1=100 cents
Search Accommodation:	Hotels »
Emergency numbers:	Emergency call: 112
Newspapers:	La Vanguardia El Periódico El País El Mundo
Opening hours:	Usually Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 1:30pm and 4:30pm to 8pm with some variations. Many establishments have the same opening hours on Saturdays and some are open until lunchtime on Sundays. Shopping centres and many large stores do not close for lunch/siesta.
Tourist information:	Turisme de Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya 17 - basement +34 932 853 834

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Much of the attraction of Barcelona is the city’s wide range of sights. The architect, the design nerd, the football fan, the art historian, the city planner - there is something for all of them in the most self-assured city on the Mediterranean. A visit to Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila and Casa Calvet is a must when visiting Barcelona.

Casa Vicens

Casa Vicens

The more recent of Gaudí's many projects to be opened to the public is the Casa Vicens. Built between 1883 and 1885 and declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, Casa Vicens was the first house designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Located in the bohemian district of Gràcia, this bold project, commissioned as a summer house, combines elements of nature into a chaotic and yet peaceful retreat.

National Art Museum of Catalonia

National Art Museum of Catalonia

The Museu nacional d'art de Catalunya, MNAC for short, hosts many temporary exhibits through the year, but it is also known for for its Romanesque collection of mural paintings. Here you can also find pieces like Gaudi's furniture or illustration from Casas and other artists of the Catalan Modernism.

La Sagrada Família

La Sagrada Família

Antoni Gaudi's ambitious project remains, as of today, unfinished, which by no means takes away from its popularity - at nearly 3 million yearly visitors, La Sagrada Familia is Spain's 2nd most visited monument. The masterpiece was crafted meticulously to embody the Christian faith through composition, sculpture, and individualistic, offbeat design. Guided and audio tours available.

La Rambla

La Rambla

Barcelona's most well-known street is unofficially not just one uninterrupted stretch but five (hence it being known as "Las Ramblas"), each containing attractions of their own. A pedestrian-only walkway runs through the street's central section, with street artists, souvenir vendors, bars and restaurants competing for visitor attention.

Casa Mila

Casa Mila

Another one of Gaudi's unconventional architectural creations, Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera ("quarry", for its wacky appearance distantly resembling an actual quarry), is one of Barcelona's primary attractions. Entry tickets include a free audio guide.

Park Güell

Park Güell

In this park with stunning views over the city you can admire several impeccable works of Gaudi. Actually, the entire park is designed by the artist himself. Statues and buildings in different colours and shapes stand side by side and the park is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Casa Batllo

Casa Batllo

Once Gaudi got his hands on this previously unremarkable building in Passeig de Gràcia, it was never to be simply passed by again. Fascinatingly idiosyncratic and almost beast-like on the outside, it continues to amaze from within with twisted lines and elements that could only be thought up by the genius of Gaudi.

Picasso Museum

Picasso Museum

The Picasso Museum has one of the most extensive art collections by the 20th century Spanish artist Pablo Picasso. The permanent collections contain more than 3,800 works, and this is one of the most popular and most visited museums in Barcelona.

Poble Espanyol Architectural Museum

Poble Espanyol Architectural Museum

Located in one of the most emblematic areas of Barcelona, within walking distance from the Montjuïc Fountains, Poble Espanyol is one of the most attractive sites of the city for it unique setting, featuring architecture from across Spain, contemporary art, crafts, shopping and gastronomy. All this in a peaceful environment, ideal for children and adults.

Plaça Reial

Plaça Reial

Plaça Reial, a beautiful square and one of Barcelona's busiest, most vibrant spots (especially so at night), is known for its many outdoor venues, restaurants and nightclubs. During summer time it becomes an even more popular meeting place when open air concerts take place. Stroll around or sit down with a tasty drink at one of the bars and just enjoy the moment.

Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site

Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site

Sant Pau is Barcelona’s new wonder. The world’s largest Art Nouveau site has been restored and invites you to enjoy one of the most emblematic works of architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner. Declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, Sant Pau is a city within a city, 12 buildings of great architectural value surrounded by gardens where history and architecture exist side by side.

Camp Nou

Camp Nou

FC Barcelona is much more than just a football club. Sometimes it feels as if it carries the whole nation’s pride on its shoulders. Even those not interested in football will enjoy a visit to this grandiose stadium. One reason is the large number of well-dressed spectators, another the masterful architecture of the arena.

MACBA

MACBA

Leave the busy streets behind you for a moment and visit Barcelona’s museum of modern art. MACBA is short for Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona, and showcases Spanish and Catalonian art from the 20th century.

Palau de la Música Catalana Concert Hall

Palau de la Música Catalana Concert Hall

This sublime concert hall designed by Domènech i Montaner a hundred years ago is not quite as wacky as some of Gaudi’s architecture. It is actually more representative of Modernism. The Palace of Catalan Music not only pays tribute to the musical heritage of the Catalans but to all music—as well as beauty, colour and joy.

Santa Maria del Mar

Santa Maria del Mar

Barcelona’s most beautiful church is probably the best existing example of the Catalonian Gothic, with a cleaner style than normally associated with Gothic architecture. The church has a wonderful feeling of spaciousness and weightlessness emphasized by slender pillars and very sparsely decorated chapels.

Aquarium de Barcelona

Aquarium de Barcelona

The sharks are the stars at this Mediterranean themed aquarium, but you will be able to see almost all different kinds of marine species here. The Aquarium is situated at the end of Las Ramblas and is very close to the city centre. When here, make sure not to miss the tunnel where you can spot stingrays, sharks and many other fish swimming around and above you.

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