Spain
Visit Barcelona, the Capital of Catalonia
By Valerie Mellema
Mar 6, 2008, 08:40

If you love sunshine, cobbled streets, delicious food, a friendly atmosphere and exciting attractions, plan a visit to Barcelona.  There is so much to do and see, before your visit to Barcelona is over you will vow to return no matter how many times you visit.

Much of Spain features beautiful beaches, ancient architecture and exciting food and festivals, but as the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is unique.  Catalan history, culture and of course its people give Barcelona a distinct personality and charm that is unmistakable and irresistible. 

You will experience Catalan culture throughout Barcelona as you hear the language, enjoy traditional Catalan cuisine and visit historic and cultural sites featuring the works of famous Catalonians such as Maria Fortuny and Dali.  While you explore Barcelona, you will find yourself intrigued with the unique Catalonian features of this beautiful city. 

Barcelona’s Popular Barrios

Barcelona is divided into several districts or quarters, but visitors often choose to stay in one of the Ciutat Vella or Old Town neighborhoods (barrios).  Medieval Barri Gotic and El Raval are two popular historic neighborhoods that border Las Ramblas and feature lots of restaurants, cafes and bars.  If you wish to stay along the beach and enjoy seaside activities, Barcelonita is an excellent Ciutat Vella choice.  La Ribera is another popular place to stay if you’d like to be close to the sea:  La Ribera means “the shore” in Catalan.  La Ribera is a trendy Ciutat Vella district with many cafes, bars and shops.

One of the nicest things about visiting Barcelona is how easy it is to get around the city by using public transportation.  Whether you choose to stay in one of Barcelona’s Ciutat Vella neighborhoods, in the modernist quarter Eixample, in Gracia or another location, you will be within easy reach of other areas and popular tourist attractions. Barcelona’s metro system is clean, convenient, safe and affordable to use to travel throughout the city day or night.  You can also take advantage of buses, taxis and the funicular railway at Montjuic to get around, as well.

Activities and Attractions in Barcelona

There are many diverse, unique and exciting attractions in Barcelona and they are all within easy reach.  Fortunately, many of Barcelona’s attractions are just as stunning at night as they are during the day.  After a morning touring Las Ramblas or your favorite museum, you can head out for an evening of sightseeing, too after your siesta.  

Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas is an attraction you will enjoy more than once during your visit to Barcelona, especially if you stay in the Barri Gotic and El Raval neighborhoods.  It is an almost entirely pedestrianized boulevard just over 1 kilometer long that stretches through city centre from Port Vell to the South to Placa Catalunya at the North. 

Along Las Ramblas, you will find cafes and restaurants, newsstands and bars and tons of shops selling everything from souvenirs to live pets.  Las Ramblas is full of activity both day and night, and if you choose to stay in one of the many hotels bordering Las Ramblas, be prepared for loud, late nights.  Although the atmosphere is fun and Las Ramblas is highly entertaining, it is also very touristy.  Dining and shopping there is convenient, but as with tourist areas everywhere, prices may be elevated while better quality and service may be available elsewhere.

Art, Architecture and More

The Picasso Museum is Barcelona’s most popular museum and is well worth a visit.  If you choose to visit the Joan Miro Museum in Parc de Montjuic, Barcelona’s Museu National d' Art Catalunya (MNAC) is right at hand.  This art museum features a tremendous variety of painting, sculptures, metalwork and artifacts from a variety of periods.  You can also explore and learn about Catalan artwork and see a large collection of Catalan art from the 19th to early 20th centuries.

You can visit many exciting architectural masterpieces in Barcelona, as well.  The gigantic Gothic cathedral La Sagrada Familia is an enormous example of an incredibly unique work by Gaudi.  There are many other examples of Gaudi’s architecture located throughout the city and you can see his sculptures and colorful tile mosaics on a visit to Park Guell.

Families as well as individuals or couples visiting Barcelona will enjoy a trip to the beautiful water fountain at Monjuic and its dazzling nighttime display.  The Zoo in Parc Ciutadella and an afternoon at the seaside are two more family-oriented activities both children and adults will enjoy.

Tapas and Catalan Cuisine

Catalan cuisine is yet another of Barcelona’s unique and distinctive pleasures. You can enjoy Catalan tapas or raciones (full meals), exceptional wine, delicious pastries and rich coffee throughout the city.  Catalan cooking involves combinations of ingredients, herbs and spices you probably never imagined.  The results are unique, flavorful and delicious sauces and dishes you will enjoy discovering throughout your stay.

Tapas are the popular local fare served throughout bars and restaurants in Barcelona.  These are small servings of a variety of assorted foods enjoyed in courses with drinks.  Tapas are small, but they are carefully prepared, very flavorful and delicious.  

As you plan your days and nights in Barcelona, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to sit back, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.  Barcelona’s atmosphere is an attraction in itself that is not to be missed.