Barcelona

The city of Gaudí, with the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Barceloneta Beach, plus Mediterranean cuisine and football culture.

Barcelona is Spain's second-largest city and the capital of Catalonia. Backed by the Collserola hills and facing the Mediterranean, it is a city of Gaudí and Modernisme architecture, and a seaside resort that rose to prominence after the 1992 Olympics. The layout is easy to grasp. The old town (Ciutat Vella) comprises the Gothic Quarter, El Born and El Raval, with La Rambla as its central axis, and Plaça de Catalunya marks the border between old and new. To the north, the Eixample is a 19th-century grid of blocks, where Passeig de Gràcia is lined with Modernista masterpieces such as Casa Batlló and Casa Milà, and the Sagrada Família stands at its northeastern corner. Further north are the Gràcia district and the hillside that holds Park Güell. To the southwest, Montjuïc has the Olympic venues, the National Art Museum of Catalonia and the Magic Fountain. To the east, Barceloneta and Port Olímpic form the beach area, and Camp Nou stadium is in the Les Corts district in the west. The climate is Mediterranean: May–June and September–October are the best seasons, with plenty of sunshine, temperatures of 20–27°C and swimmable seawater. July–August is muggy and the most crowded, while winter is mild (10–15°C) and dry, ideal for architecture and museums. Getting there: El Prat Airport (BCN) is 15 km from the city; the Aerobús takes about 35 minutes to Plaça de Catalunya, or you can take Metro L9 Sud or the R2 Nord train. The Metro network is extensive; we recommend a T-casual 10-trip card or the Hola Barcelona pass. The old town is best explored on foot. We suggest 3–4 days. Day 1: Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, La Boqueria market and the beach. Day 2: Sagrada Família and Gaudí's buildings along Passeig de Gràcia. Day 3: Park Güell, Montjuïc and the Magic Fountain. With extra days, visit Montserrat or Girona. Good to know: popular sights such as the Sagrada Família, Park Güell and Casa Batlló require timed tickets booked in advance on the official websites, and in peak season they sell out 1–2 weeks ahead. La Rambla, the Metro and the beaches are pickpocket hotspots, so wear your backpack on your front and keep your phone out of outer pockets. Dinner usually starts after 21:00, and lunch runs from 14:00 to 16:00. Since 2024, locals have protested against overtourism, so please respect the community and avoid making noise in residential areas.

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Where to eat

Itineraries