In its lifetime, Barcelona has been ruled over by many different people, ranging from the Romans, Arabs, Visigoths as well as those native to Spain. The city has not only emerged as one of the biggest and most impressive in Spain, but also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe.
The reason for this popularity is patently obvious. Barcelona is a city that is almost unmatched in beauty. Not only does the city possess the infrastructure that every modern major metropolis needs, such as great restaurants, nightlife, cafes; but also the hotels in Barcelona are exquisite and situated around the city, thus making staying in the perfect place for your particular interest, easy. There are plenty of attractions to visit, too. The work of the brilliant Antoni Gaudi has transformed the city and his indelible genius can be found all over the city, most notably in the Gothic Quarter and around Gaudi’s masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, the incredible church that has been in the process of being constructed since 1882 and is set for completion in 2026.
About
Barcelona
Barcelona also possesses one huge attraction in the form of its football club. FC Barcelona are not just a soccer team, but an entire sporting club and its importance in the psyche of modern Catalonia, as a symbol of defiance against the perceived ruling elite of Madrid, is clearly demonstrated in the outstanding club museum and tour. To summarise, Barcelona is an outstanding city with a long and frequently troubled past. From that has emerged a city that is rightly regarded as one of the most beautiful, important and attractive in the world. With golden beaches close by and a climate to match the beauty of the surroundings, it is not difficult to ascertain why so many people flock to the city every year. Barcelona hosts some of the most famous attractions in the whole of Europe. Whether you are enjoying a little shopping and a drink in a cafe in La Ramblas, or you are taking in the magnificence of some of the outstanding religious edifices in the city, such as the Catedral de Barcelona or the Sant Maria del Pi, any number of the vastly different Barcelona holidays available has something to suit everybody.
The city is home to a large number of outstanding museums, CosmoCaixa is a fantastic science museum that brings science to life through a host of interactive and imaginative displays. Art lovers are well served with a host of outstanding galleries, including the Fundacio Joan Miro, Fundacio Antoni Tapies and the Pablo Picasso Museum all hosted in the city.
One name synonymous with Barcelona is Antoni Gaudi and his influence can be seen most spectacularly in the famous symbol of the city and his masterpiece La Sagrada Familia, though his work can also be seen in the beautiful Parc Guell, Casa Batllo, Casa Mila and Casa Vicens.
Another popular attraction in the city is the ‘cathedral’ of football, the Camp Nou, home to FC Barcelona. The tour of the iconic stadium, club museum and even tickets for soccer games being another huge draw for visitors to the city.
When to go to Barcelona?
Barcelona city breaks have become increasingly popular with the advent of budget flights into the city. As such, weekends tend to be popular times to visit the city, as are the traditional summer months. It is worth noting however that in Spain, August is also their month for holidays and because of this many businesses can be closed during this period.
The warm climate makes Barcelona an attractive proposition throughout the year. The weather seldom reaches cooler temperatures experienced in northern Europe and it may be advisable to book your trip during the spring, autumn or even winter months to enjoy the city’s many attractions, without being inundated by tourists.