Culturally, this could be said to be one of the richest cities in Spain. It is the capital of Catalonia and is one of the Mediterranean’s busiest ports. The golden, sandy beaches provide a stunning backdrop to the city, and activities include kayaking, sailing, stand up paddle boarding, kite-surfing and windsurfing. On the opposite side of the city are the rolling Collserola Hills, which are popular for hiking and mountain biking. Barcelona is a cultural treasure-trove, with a vast amount of museums, art galleries, theatres and monuments.
Close to the city centre you will find Montjuic, a splendid hilltop with botanical gardens, sculptures, a castle and unrivalled views across the city below. Explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets in the Gothic quarter, which has some of the oldest remains including a Roman wall, various medieval landmarks and a large cathedral. Other attractions within the city include landmarks such as Sagrada Familia, Casa Mila, Park Guell and Casa Battlo all designed by the famous and celebrated architect Gaudi. With a vast array of different restaurants, cafes and bars to choose from eating out can be inexpensive immensely exciting with Catalan cuisine and tapas featuring prominently.
Shopping in Barcelona is varied with a range of luxury and designer brands to young up and coming designers and bargain brands with an increase in outlet stores such as La Roca Village. Perhaps it is a good idea to arrive with an empty suitcase! The annual and one off festivals are considered to be some of the best in Spain, with music festivals such as The International Jazz Festival and exhibitions such as Barcelona Extreme Sports. These, along with other events, draw in a large amount of visitors from Spain as well as abroad. Travelling to and from Barcelona is easy with Barcelona El-Prat International Airport located approximately 16 km from the city centre and public transport is straightforward with numerous buses, metro lines, trains and trams.
