Barcelona City Guide

Barcelona is, without a shadow of a doubt, not only Spain's most cosmopolitan, stylish city but quite possibly also Europe's.

The most popular destination for city breaks throughout Europe, Barcelona now attracts more and more visitors from across the Atlantic and it's immediately obvious why. This vibrant, beautiful city of just 1.5 million people combines so many varying aspects into one beguiling, sensational mix. Ancient yet modern, minimalist yet extravagant, peaceful yet boisterous, city and coast – Barcelona is an enticing melting pot.

Take the architecture, for example. Most visitors will arrive knowing something already about the iconic architecture of Antoni Gaudi, Barcelona' most revered son. La Sagrada Família, one of the world's most unconventional churches, is an unfinished masterpiece of modernista design. Then there are his other buildings such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà and the incredible Parc Güell, with its incredibly colored tile mosaics and ostentatious shapes. The works of Gaudi and his companions illuminate much of the town.

And yet there is also the Gothic splendour of the cathedral, tucked away in the narrow labyrinth of the Gothic Quarter, adjacent to the famous Ramblas. The oldest part of the city, now almost completely pedestrianized and full of atmospheric shops, tiny squares and open air cafés, anyone who has read The Shadow of the Wind will immediately feel at home here.

But then Barcelona is also full of modern architecture that takes the breath away. The Montjuïc Tower, standing out above the city like a piece of bone pointing upwards, or the recently opened Torre Agbar, inspired by Gaudi, the peaks of the mountains behind the city and the blues of the Mediterranean Sea, both help show why this bold, imaginative city attracts so many artists and design students.

Barcelona is a place of contrasts. From the dark, eclectic shops in the older parts of town, to the buzz of activity in Las Ramblas and the many markets, and to the leading international stores along the Passeig de Gràcia and the Avinguda Diagonal – the city is a shopper's paradise. Not forgetting the wonderful landmark departmental store of Spain, El Corte Inglés – and the shop in the Plaça Catalunya has a restaurant at the top with stunning views across the city.

And speaking of restaurants! This is Spain, famous for its tapas and paellas. And this is also Catalonia, where the food is reputed to be amongst the best in Europe. From world class Michelin starred restaurants, to outdoor terraces in the Gothic Quarter and chiringuitos -small, outdoor bars – on the beautiful golden stretches of Barceloneta beach, you'll find the food outstanding. And you can even go to places like Les Quatre Gats, where Picasso and his friends used to sit and exchange their ideas and you almost breathe in the Bohemian atmosphere.

And I've not mentioned Barcelona's wonderful parks, its exciting nightlife, its marvellous marina, its abundance of galleries and museums, its fantastic selection of music and art festivals during the spring, summer and autumn. And not even the presence of FC Barcelona – perhaps the most exciting soccer team in the world.

There is a wide range of Barcelona accommodation in the city – from luxurious 5 star hotels to budget hostels; from city centre to beach hotels. There's also plenty of possibility of renting a Barcelona apartment, especially if you're able to look just outside the main areas.

In so many ways, Barcelona can offer visitors just about everything they could possibly want. It's a place you'll want to return to.


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Barcelona City Guide