Barcelona is not only the cultural and administrative capital of Catalonia. It is also the richest part of the region of Spain, whose people are extremely proud of their traditions, which is not considered exactly Spanish but Catalan, even speaking their own language. Here everything is written in both languages. Considered as the rival city of Madrid, it is integrated into the circuit of the great European centres. At the edge of the Mediterranean, modern and well-structured, it preserves traces of all the civilizations that have passed there for 2000 years. From the Roman era to the explosion of the modernist movement, Barcelona is practically an open-air museum.
A Must-See Tour
The best place to get to know Barcelona is La Rambla, a boulevard full of hustle and bustle, which starts at the sea, in the Christopher Columbus Point of View, and continues to Plaza Catalunya, the meeting point and centre of urban communications. Considered as the heart of the city, lively and plural, it is imperative to go through it meticulously: spontaneous musicians, opera singers, mimics, painters, human statues, flower kiosks, bird stands, La Boqueria market, the Gran Teatre del Liceu – which was restored in late 1999 – countless shops and cosy cafes make it a unique and unforgettable stroll.
Designed in 1860 by Ildefons Cerdà, it houses one of the greatest examples of modernist architecture on the European continent. In the famous Passeig de Gràcia, you will find the most representative works of this movement. The creativity of Antoni Gaudí, Puig e Cadafalch and Domènech e Montaner is evident in the houses of the Catalan bourgeoisie of that time. Among others, the houses Batlló, Amatller and Milà – better known as La Pedrera – are some of the buildings that bring together a great number of colours and forms exuberant, almost unheard of.
City of culture
The more than 50 museums and multiple art galleries open their doors to permanent and temporary exhibitions, keeping a calendar full of suggestions for all times of the year. Visit the Picasso Museum, the Joan Miró Foundation, the National Art Museum of Catalonia, with a unique collection
The Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona, the Antoni Tàpies Foundation or the Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, in the famous Monastery of Pedralbes are obligatory visits to contact with the culture of all time.
In Barcelona, music is a party. The city offers all kinds of music, from classical to contemporary, ethnic and jazz. Modern and emblematic musical infrastructures such as L’Auditori, Palau de la Música and Gran Teatre do Liceu offer prestigious programs throughout the year.
The theatre is another great enabler of Barcelona’s cultural life, where there are internationally prestigious halls. The opening of the Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and the Ciutat del Teatre consolidates the offer of Barcelona.
The Largest Shopping Centers
0Shopping in Barcelona is a pleasure that counts, in addition to the best international brands, with a trade that identifies the city, of quality and with very competitive prices. There is the largest outdoor shopping centre in Europe, called the Shopping Line. It is a five-kilometre route that runs from the sea to the upper zone of Diagonal, passing by the Rambla, the historic centre, the Barri Gòtic, the area of influence of Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya. It is a succession of around 35 thousand establishments, which make shopping a pleasant walk.
A Genius Named Gaudí
If there is an artist who was able to invent a new world, of fascinating shapes and colours, through his architecture, was Antoni Gaudí. A unique and universal creator, we challenge you to discover. Admire its most famous works, such as the Sagrada Familia, the Güell Park, Casa Milà or El Capricho.
Everyone who stands before some of Gaudí’s works experiences the same sensation: the structures acquire forms of Nature and the beauty that surrounds them.
Gaudí, one of the great representatives of modernism, revolutionized all the canons of architecture.
Does this piece inspire you to visit Barcelona? If yes, then don’t wait and book your flights now!
You can also read more at Travel Blog
