Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second city, with about 1.7 million inhabitants in the municipality and over five million in the metropolitan area. Facing the Mediterranean between the hills of Montjuïc and Tibidabo, it is one of Europe's most visited cities and a major economic, cultural and technology hub. Both Catalan and Castilian are spoken.
A little history
Founded by the Romans as Barcino, of which stretches of wall and the Temple of Augustus remain, Barcelona was in the Middle Ages the capital of a Mediterranean power, the Crown of Aragon, which ruled the Balearics, Sicily, Sardinia and Naples. After defeat in 1714 in the War of the Spanish Succession, remembered every 11 September on the Diada, it lost its institutions. In the nineteenth century it became Spain's most industrial city: the walls came down, Ildefons Cerdà's Eixample grid of chamfered blocks was laid out, and the modernisme of Gaudí and Domènech i Montaner flourished. The 1992 Olympics transformed it, giving it back the sea.
What to see
- The Sagrada Família and Gaudí's other works: Casa Batlló, La Pedrera, Park Güell, Palau Güell and Casa Vicens.
- The Gothic Quarter, with the cathedral, Plaça del Rei and Plaça de Sant Jaume, seat of the Catalan government and City Hall.
- The Rambla, the most famous promenade, with La Boqueria market and the Liceu opera house.
- El Born, with the Gothic basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, the Museu Picasso and the Born market.
- Passeig de Gràcia and the Eixample, with the "block of discord" where the great modernista architects compete.
- The Palau de la Música Catalana and Hospital de Sant Pau, Domènech i Montaner's masterpieces.
- Montjuïc, with the MNAC, the Miró Foundation, Poble Espanyol, the Olympic stadium and the Magic Fountain.
- Barceloneta and the beaches, Port Vell and the Olympic port.
- Tibidabo, with its historic amusement park and views over the whole city.
- FC Barcelona's renovated Spotify Camp Nou.
See the 10 things to see, the museums and the Raval district.
Living the city
Barcelona is best enjoyed strolling its neighbourhoods: Gràcia, with its squares; Poble Sec and Sant Antoni, with tapas bars; Poblenou, a former industrial area turned tech district. See lifestyle, shopping, festivals and events, such as Primavera Sound and Sónar. For students see Erasmus in Barcelona.
Food
Catalan cooking offers pa amb tomàquet, rice and fish dishes, fideuà, escalivada, crema catalana, winter calçots and cava. Markets such as La Boqueria and Santa Caterina and the tapas bars of El Born and Barceloneta are essential stops (see Spanish cuisine).
Practical information
El Prat airport is linked to the centre by Aerobus, metro line 9 and train; Girona and Reus are used by low-cost flights. The main station is Sants, with high-speed trains to Madrid (see Madrid-Barcelona train) and France. There are also ferries from Italy. The city charges regional and municipal tourist taxes. Watch out for pickpockets on the Rambla and the metro. Many attractions require tickets booked online.