Europe's most popular city is Barcelona. The historic capital of Catalonia has a lot of things to see and do.
Located between the mountains and the sea, Barcelona is known for its unique architecture, famous artists and urban beaches. There are a lot of things to do in Barcelona.
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The church is far from a construction site and features two grand facades studded with stone carvings, towers that gleam with gem-like tiles and an interior filled with tree-like columns. The building was supposed to be finished in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaud's death, but that date has now been pushed back, though construction has resumed.
The most famous of Gaud's buildings, the Sagrada Famlia, is not the only one worth a visit. Casa Batll, with its dragon-like scales and skull and bone-like balconies, and La Pedrera, with its stone faade and fanciful chimneys, are the most well-known. The first house he ever designed was Casa Vicens, which he designed for Eusebi Gell.
The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of the city. There are alleyways, hidden plazas and historic buildings that make up the east side of the town.
Small bars and cafes can be found in the neighborhood. The striking Plaa Reial is one of the highlights of the Gothic Quarter.
The most famous of Barcelona's food markets is La Boqueria, but there are many other excellent ones. La Boqueria is the oldest and one of the most atmospheric, but in recent years more stalls have given over to things like tropical fruit shakes and novelty candy.
The grand Mercat de Sant Antoni, which reopened after nine years of renovations, has a more authentic vibe.
The beaches of Barcelona won't be missed. Even in winter, it is possible to sit outside and eat a meal at one of the seaside restaurants while the weather is warm.
Nine different beaches can be found on the city's 3 mile stretch of coastline. Nova Icaria has a watersports center and beach volleyball, as well as a range of upscale restaurants.
The Olympic Park is located on the green hill of Montjuc, which is also home to many museums and gardens. You can see the grand sets of stairs and fountains from the Plaza d'Espanya. The rest of the park is behind that.
Take advantage of the pre-dinner tapa when you are hungry. It's important to go to the local favorite for a bite of anchovy, sausage, squid, wild mushrooms, roasted peppers or dozens of other tempting tidbits. Beer and wine are great accompaniments.
There are a lot of lively stand around the bar affairs. When it's time for a change of scenery, barcelonins make their way to dinner or just head to another bar and skip the sit down formality.
Picasso lived in Barcelona between the ages of 15 and 23 and elements of the city influenced his pieces, from the colorful but simply painted frescoes hanging in the Museu Nacional d' Art de Catalunya to the imaginative trencads-style mosaics. The setting of the Museu Picasso adds to the appeal.
FC Barcelona is a big part of the imagination. It's best to go to a football game at Camp Nou in September to May, but if you want to watch it at a bar, you can.
If you can't make it to a game, the interactive Bara Stadium Tour and Museum experience will take you through the locker rooms and onto the field.
The Barcelona night has so much to offer. If you want to start with drinks on a rooftop, you can go to the beach. Bars fill up around midnight as the city transforms into a buzzing square with live music.
You can pick from old-school taverns, plush lounges in medieval chambers, sleek cocktail dens, boisterous cava bars, and more. Barcelona's wild side can be found at the clubs.
At times you can barely push through the crowds on the pedestrian boulevard that stretches toward the sea. It's pure sensory overload when you first wake up in the morning.
The Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Mercat de la Boqueria and numerous galleries can be found on the other side of the street. El Poblenou is one of several barris that have their own attractiveness.
Barcelona has a reputation for its innovative chefs and innovative cuisine. Don't forget to sample some local Catalan dishes as well.
At a typical vermouth bar, you can find fortified wine with bites of olives and anchovy. Traditional Catalan dishes include butifarra amb mongetes, suquet de peix, escalivada, and crema catalana. You can sample the food at Casa Delfn.
Barcelona has a festival almost every other month so it won't be difficult to make your trip coincide with it. La Diada de Sant Jordi and the fire festival of St Joan take place in June and July respectively. The castellers, huge parading giants, and cor refocs are some of the main features of Catalan festivals.
The art foundation was bequeathed to the town by Joan Mir, the city's best known native son. There are seminal works in the buildings, from Mir's early sketches to paintings from his last years.
Barcelona is one of the most charming places in the world. The artistic movement that affected everything from literature to art to architecture began in the late 19th century.
Bright colors, floral or botanical motifs, patterned tiles and curvy lines can be seen in these buildings. You can find some of the best examples all over the city. The Palau de la Msica Catalana was designed by Llus Domnech i Montaner and is one of the best examples in the city.
The former industrial neighborhood of El Poblenou is on the up. Creative tech and design hubs are being created out of vacant warehouses.
The woman admires a cocktail or vermouth. Eixample has an array of hidden-away, view-laden open-air bars and cafes that are open to everyone.
The article was first published about a year ago.
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