Beautiful Barcelona, the pulsating Catalonian capital, is more than a football mecca. Its overflowing markets, wide boulevards, ancient cathedrals, and gracious architecture make it one of the most gorgeous tourist spots in the world.

People visit this dazzling Mediterranean ciudad for different reasons. Historians soak in its rich past: Barcelona is said to have been founded during the 2nd century B.C as a Roman Colony. While strolling across the city it is possible, even today, to run into ancient Roman walls and turrets.

Cultural pundits love visiting its museums including the Museu de Ceramica and Gaudi architecture while the more musically inclined simply dig the Barcelonian musical festivals and fiestas like Sonàr and Festes de la Mercé.

And how can one forget football fans all over the world for whom Barcelona has almost become synonymous with the great game?

Whatever your reason for travelling to this glistening pearl on the Iberian peninsula the best time to go is January or February. The weather is chilly but you still get a fair bit of sunshine. What is more, the place remains unclogged with touristic traffic making it easy to mingle with the local populace and learn Spanish with an exotic Catalan edge!

If you are one for vast, gold-flecked beaches you would love the Nova Icaria beach which is practically cheek-by-jowl to the Olympic marina. Its sparkling bars and restaurants, not to mention its vast promenades make it a highly popular tourist sport.

But if you are seeking something on the more tranquil side do check out the Mar Bella, the city’s single ‘naturist beach’ pleated away at the rear of a bamboo hillock. Not too far is a park, also hailed as a great picnic spot.

As far as parks go, a visit to the Guell Park is an absolute must. Known for its ‘outrageous modernism’ it has been designated by UNESCO as a World heritage Site. Going through the entrance and past the Hundred Columns’ Room is a surreal experience in itself.

Photograph by Ken Kochey, National Geographic

Situated between the Mediterranean and the Serra de Collserola hills, Barcelona—Spain’s second largest city—may also be its best loved. It’s rich in history but full of cutting-edge design. You can stroll through the medieval Barri Gòtic’s narrow streets, then head over to the 19th-century neighborhood of L’Eixample to admire its architectural gems. For guidance in exploring off-the-beaten-path Barcelona, book a tour with Jordan Susselman’s “Hi. This is Barcelona,” a tour company the American created after falling in love with the city. A visit to Barcelona must include some of its famous attractions, though, including Antoni Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral, the Sagrada Familia. Parc Güell, another popular Gaudí creation, offers visitors panoramic views of the city. Speaking of views, book your room early at the Hotel Colón for impressive views of the Cathedral of Barcelona. Or, opt for a suite at Banys Orientals near the Picasso Museum.

Where to Play

Get a feel for the city by browsing the Boqueria market. Vendors sell fruits, veggies, fish, pastries, and other goodies. Even if you don’t buy a thing, simply soak up the culture. For a bird’s-eye view of Barcelona’s harbor, hop aboard a cable car at Montjuïc, the hill southwest of Barcelona.

To experience water from a different perspective, head to the Oceanarium at L’Aquàrium de Barcelona, where you can view manta rays and sharks from the 262-foot-long (80-meter-long) underground tunnel.

At Day’s End

The Montjuïc Magic Fountain should not be missed. On Thursday through Sunday during spring and summer and Friday and Saturday during autumn and winter, a music and lights show takes place at the fountain. Before or after the show make your way to Granja La Palleresa in the Gothic Quarter for a traditional Barcelona treat—Spanish hot chocolate and churros.

source: nationalgeographic

Barcelona
Capital of Spain’s northern Mediterranean holiday coast, the city of Barcelona is chic and sophisticated, where holiday-makers come to shop until they drop and revel in the festive nightlife. Barcelona is also a mecca for art-lovers, galleries sporting the works of Miro and Picasso, and the buildings reflecting the eccentric designs of Gaudi and hismore contemporaries. The ambience see-saws between medieval and modern, depending on which part of the city one visits.

Source:tripreport.com