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Sightseeing in Barcelona

La Sagrada Família. The Basilica of the Holy Family is the symbol of Barcelona. The work and obsession of Antoni Gaudí – it remains uncompleted because of his sudden death after being hit by a tram – inspires awe. Catalan art nouveau revived Gothic aesthetic motifs in a dreamlike way: note the façades of the Nativity, the Passion and Glory. Construction of the Sagrada Família began in 1882 and since then the Barcelonan authorities have attempted on many occasions to continue the work. According to the latest announcements, work on the church will be completed in 2026, a hundred years after Gaudí’s death. He is buried in the crypt of the church.

L’Eixample. This Modernist paradise is located in the district of Eixample. Antoni Gaudí and his contemporaries created 100 blocks around the central Passeig de Gràcia avenue, which are also known as the Quadrat d’Or. This district, which in the 19th century attracted the bourgeoisie, is today the centre of Barcelona’s food scene. Here you will also find the Sagrada Familia as well as the Casa Milà (or La Pedrera) and the Casa Batlló, other masterworks by Gaudí.

Museu Picasso (Picasso Museum). Five medieval mansions have been conjoined to create the museum that houses over 4000 works by the great artist. From this perspective, it is worth standing in the queues (although buying your ticket online is best), as this is the largest single collection of Picasso’s work, containing paintings, ceramic masterpieces as well as prints from his Blue and Rose Periods and rare pieces from his youth, providing a fuller picture of his creative genius.

Montjuïc. You will need to spend at least a day – possibly two – here to explore this green hill, which is filled with a sense of excitement, much to see and a perfect view of Barcelona. The castle and wonderful botanical gardens dominate and the area is strewn with must-see cultural institutions: first is the Fundació Joan Miró. This bright building complex, designed by the architect Josep Lluís Sert, is a temple to Miró, housing the largest collection of his works (with 8,000 paintings alone).

Continue with the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (National Art Museum of Catalonia), abbreviated as MNAC, housed in a pompous but impressive neoclassical building of 1929. The permanent exhibition is comprised of an important collection of Catalan art from the Middle Ages to the late 20th century. The Museu Etnològic (Ethnological Museum) is interesting but what will really impress you is the CosmoCaixa, a renovated jewel of Modernist industrial architecture, in which the Science Museum is housed.

A visit to the Poble Espanyol, the ‘Spanish Village’, offers a very interesting overview of the architecture of the Iberian Peninsula.

Barcelona Cathedral. The expression of the Mediterranean baroque, in a Cathedral dating to the 13th century with 28 side chapels. Medieval Catalan plaques, the crypt with the alabaster tomb of Saint Eulalia, the carved wooden pews with the coats-of-arms of European kings and the peristyle with the statue of Saint George.

Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar (Basilica of Saint Mary of the Sea). In the former bourgeoise neighbourhood of Ribera there stands a wonderful example of Catalan Gothic ecclesiastical architecture. Built in the 14th century, it impresses with its harmony and simplicity.

Museu d’Història de Barcelona (Museum of the History of Barcelona). One of the finest museums in the city, which follows the thread of the history of Barcelona from its Roman origins. The museum is itself a historical monument, as it is housed in a section of the Grand Royal Palace.

Museu Marítim. The city’s Maritime Museum is situated in the decommissioned shipyards, where Barcelona flourished as a maritime power. This is where the Real was built, the flagship of John of Austria, who led the Christian fleet to victory over the Ottomans in the Battle of Lepanto in 1571. The life-size copy of the Real is one of the museum’s most important exhibits.

Park Güell. Or when Gaudí turned to landscape architecture. This, more-or-less, is how the most unusual park in the world came about, in the neighbourhood of Gràcia. A utopian fairy-tale park, with labyrinthine lanes, strange mosaics, a giant mosaic salamander, a grove with stone columns and houses that look as though they sprung out of mythology and fairy tales.

La Rambla. The most famous street in Barcelona throws you in at the deep end of Catalan culture. Historic buildings, major cultural attractions and large crowds sum up this huge pedestrian street, which has been the city’s centre since the Middle Ages. At the end stands the Columbus Monument, topped by the statue of Columbus which also serves as an observation deck with panoramic view.

Palau Güell (Güell Palace). Yet another example of the fevered imagination of Antoni Gaudí. A marvellous neo-Gothic mansion constructed during his final creative period. This is one of the few to have been built in the Old Town in this period, which suffered greatly during the Civil War.

Palau de la Música Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music). A landmark of Modernist architecture in Barcelona, the house of music was built (from glass, brick and carved stone) by Domènech i Montaner at the beginning of the 20th century. Book your tickets for a concert or at least go on a tour of its interior. The décor will – literally – captivate you.

Camp Nou. The stadium of the legendary Barca is a must-see for all football fans. With a capacity of 99,000, it is the largest football stadium in the whole of Europe. Start at the Barça's museum, where you can buy team memorabilia.

Excursions around Barcelona

Montserrat. Take the train from Barcelona to the mountain of Montserrat, which is home to the holiest pilgrimage site in Catalonia. After visiting the monastery, with the statue of La Moreneta (Black Virgin), patron saint of Catalonia, take a wander around the area (in comfortable shoes). The view will make up for it.

Girona. The old town of Girona is a compact ancient construction with little paved roads, large churches and a striking church at its highest point. Until the 15th century, it was the seat of the Jewish community of Catalonia, the history of which you can learn about in the Jewish Museum. Another aspect of the town’s history can be seen in a visit to the Arab Baths. If your budget stretches that far, dine at the El Celler de Can Roca, one of the world’s most famous restaurants. Girona is approximately 1.5 hours from Barcelona by train.

Tarragona. Small in scale, just like Girona, Tarragona is known for its Roman ruins. Start at the town museum, visit the impressive Roman amphitheatre, Forum and excellent archaeological museum. There are some lovely restaurants along its coast where you can have a fish meal.

Figueres. Yet another centre of the Modernists, with a huge 18th-century castle, the Castell de Sant Ferran. Which is known for the work of Salvador Dalí, who was born here and where he transformed an old theatre into a surrealist park, protected by very high walls. Inside, you will find many works by Dalí – from paintings to jewellery and installations.

Food and entertainment in Barcelona

In the last few years Barcelona has been competing on the international scene as the new capital of experimental gastronomy. This has translated into the evolution of local recipes with simple ingredients that everyone loves: from the tapas bars and fish places to the elegant avant-garde restaurants. Using seafood, meat and pork as well as crops grown outdoors, such as pulses, mushrooms and rice, and with influences from both the Moors and their neighbours the French, the Catalans have not hesitated to expand their taste palettes by combining contrasting ingredients. For example, fruits that find themselves on the plate next to meat and fish and – why not? - chocolate!

If you want to stick with a more traditional cuisine, then look for those places with a Catalan name and in which you can try the famous paella, canelones a la Barcelonesa (cannelloni with pork and chicken liver), Amanida Catalana (salad with vegetables and smoked meat, cheese or seafood), pollastre amb llagosta (chicken with lobster, tomatoes and hazelnuts), Graellada de Marisc (shellfish grilled on coal with a garlic mayonnaise), escudella amb carn d’olla (meat broth made with sausages, pork cheeks, chicken with chickpeas and vegetables) and xai rostit amb 12 cabeçes d’all (lamb cooked with garlic).

Barcelona is also the homeland of the famous tapas, of which there is also a wide variety: Truita espanyola (traditional omelette with potatoes and onions); pernil (pork shoulder with spices); pan con tomate (warm bread with tomatoes, olive oil and garlic); fried squid; oysters; spinach pie; and pescaditos fritos (fried fish).

The basis for many of these traditional dishes are the special sauces, such as allioli (garlic and olive oil sauce) and romesco (with garlic, almonds, hazelnuts and peppers).

Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the Crema Catalana (crème brûlée) and the turrones (nougat with caramel, honey or chocolate).

You can try just a few of these dishes in Barcelona’s most picturesque food market of La Boqueria, in the neighbourhood of El Raval, one of the most youthful neighbourhoods in the city, as well as in Ribera.

Food and entertainment in Barcelona

As soon as night falls, Barcelona takes on an even more vibrant colour. Start with a refreshing cocktail on the cool rooftops. Continue with a live performance, which can alternate from flamenco to jazz to indie rock. The bars in all the hip hangouts of L’Eixample, El Raval and Ribera are bursting with life until the early morning hours. For the more hardcore partygoers, clubbing takes over from 3am onwards, making Barcelona a top clubbers’ destination.

Shopping in Barcelona

Shopping in Barcelona begins at the statue of Columbus. This is where the Maremagnum shopping centre is located, a monument to the lifestyle of the post-Olympic era and the starting point for a large series of shops that extends for almost five kilometres. Many of the shops have the characteristic BC sign, meaning that they offer excellent quality at good prices.

If department stores serve your needs then you must head for the other side of town, to the northern district of Eixample, where the Barcelona Glòries, with 200 shops. In the Passeig de Gràcia you will find Spanish haute couture labels and clothes and jewellery designed by Spanish and Catalan designers, which use original designs and material. For vintage items head towards Barri Gòtic.

Getting from the airport to Barcelona

El Prat Airport is located 14 kilometres from of the city and can be reached in a several different ways. Recently, the new metro line that connects directly to the airport was opened. The L9 Sud connects directly with the Fira Gran Via metro station. Alternatively, the Aerobus, even though it makes several stops, is the quickest way to reach the centre of Barcelona. The ticket price is 6 euros. The train departs from Terminal 2 every 30 minutes. You can also go by taxi for a fare of around 25-30 euros, but this runs the risk of you getting stuck in traffic.

Bohemian, cosmopolitan, with a special architecture and great food! Barcelona is a city that has it all. Book your tickets for Barcelona through the Olympic Air site and land in a city that will steal your heart!