Barcelona Travel Guide
What is so attractive about Barcelona?
Barcelona is a destination that attracts tourists from all over the world all year round, largely due to its special climate and natural environment. The climate in Barcelona is mild and very pleasant, with the average temperature in the city being 13 degrees, and around 19 degrees in the summer. However, it gets colder as winter approaches because of the cooling influences of the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains.
Barcelona is a city steeped in culture, and home to the largest number of historic buildings in Europe, but tourists are also drawn to its beautiful beaches and landmarks.
What tourist attractions to visit in Barcelona?
The city has a lot to offer visitors and locals alike, ranging from beaches to mountains, forests and lakes. However, Barcelona is also home to many tourist attractions, as it boasts a rich culture and architecture, which is reflected in its streets, squares and monumental buildings.
Furthermore, the Catalan capital is home to over 45 museums that showcase the city’s cultural diversity, with some of these museums focusing on medieval art. So it’s safe to say that Barcelona will never leave you short of things to do or places to explore!
Park Güell
Park Guell is a municipal park in the Poble-Sec district, the site was once an orchard “La Vall d'Hebrón”, which belonged to the Terné family estate and later became known as L'Ametlla de Mar, until it was purchased by Eusebi Güell in 1894.
Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia is a Roman Catholic cathedral that has been under construction since 1882, and will be completed around 2050, according to estimates from the original plan by architect Antoni Gaudí.
Barceloneta Beach
Barceloneta Beach is one of the few beaches in Barcelona that has a great atmosphere, both during the day and at night. Furthermore, Barceloneta is an urban beach, which makes it very popular with tourists who don’t have much time to spare away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Picasso Museum
The Picasso Museum is a must-see in Barcelona, as the site offers many special offers that are not advertised to the public. For example, admission to the museum is free on Saturdays and Sundays, but this promotion is only mentioned on the museum's exterior notice board and not on social media.
Montjuïc
Montjuïc is a hill in Barcelona, located west of the city center, and was historically a fortified site. Today, it is home to a variety of attractions, including the Olympic Stadium, the Military Museum, and several other landmarks. If you are visiting Barcelona, you should definitely check out Montjuïc.
Where to stay in Barcelona?
There are plenty of options to choose from when deciding where to stay in Barcelona, as the city is home to a number of hostels, hotels and apartments located close to attractions such as the Sagrada Familia and Parc Guell. The hotel industry has always been one of Barcelona’s economic pillars.
Barceloneta is an example of how Barcelona has managed to preserve its identity, as it is one of the most populated neighborhoods in the city and has always been exclusively residential, with no tourist infrastructure. The area has suffered severe urban decay over time, and its population has fallen from 40.000 inhabitants in 1970 to just 5.000 today. However, despite these challenges, Barceloneta has endured and is now one of the most sought-after places in Barcelona for art galleries, restaurants and shops.
Grace
Gràcia was one of the first neighborhoods in Barcelona and still retains its old charm. The area is known for its colorful buildings and narrow streets, typical of old neighborhoods, and its main street is La Rambla de Gràcia, which is full of shops, cafes and bars.
However, there are plenty of things to do in the area, such as strolling along La Rambla de Gràcia, enjoying some tapas at one of the dozens of restaurants, and visiting the Centro Cultural Princesa Sofia, which has an auditorium that seats 400 people. Gràcia offers plenty to tourists, and is well-known for its market and its famous restaurant La Clandestina.
Eixample
Barcelona’s Eixample neighborhood is a prime example of how an urban environment can contribute to its own history. The neighborhood was once small and confined, but as the city expanded, it became a model for the future. The modernist planning principles used in this area are still in use today to create livable and attractive neighborhoods.
Eixample was one of the first examples of urban planning for sustainability. Barcelona’s original plan was created by Ildefons Cerdà in 1859, but as the city grew, Cerdà’s plan was no longer sufficient. Neighborhoods that followed his design included more space for living, and less for shopping or industry. These principles are still applied when designing new neighborhoods today.
Gothic Quarter
The Gothic Quarter is the old, medieval part of the city, full of history and different from other parts of Barcelona. It has narrow streets and beautiful buildings that are still surrounded by their original 13th-century walls.
The neighborhood is an interesting place for many different types of tourists, as it has something to offer everyone. The area has a nightlife that ranges from typical bars with live music to small jazz clubs in some corners. However, the area also offers shops that cater to all types of tourists, such as souvenir shops, clothing boutiques and restaurants with typical Catalan dishes.
The Raval
El Raval is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Barcelona, and a very special, historic and lively part of the city. The neighborhood has a long and tumultuous history, as four hundred years ago it was a densely populated neighborhood with many workshops where artisans produced their products. In the second half of the 19th century, this neighborhood became one of the largest slums in Europe because it had no sewage system and there were almost no sources of drinking water.
Over the past few decades, the neighborhood has been restored and renovated to become what it is today, one of the most sought-after areas of Barcelona. The area was once a working-class neighborhood dominated by small industries, but has become famous for its artistic vibe, strong Catalan identity and vibrant nightlife.
Sant Antoni
Sant Antoni is a neighborhood known for its architecture, nightlife and many cultural venues. In addition, the area offers many options for tourists who want to visit Barcelona, with more than 50 restaurants, 20 bars and 12 wine tasting rooms.
Looking at the history of Sant Antoni, it is clear that the area was once an important neighborhood in the industrial zone of Barcelona. The city wanted to transform the area into a more residential area, but due to its industrial past and the presence of old factories, the area remained a working-class neighborhood with a lot of history.