chantal de bruijne/Shutterstock.com

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Overview

Barcelona offers a balance of rich history with a hearty celebration of the modern in its culture, art, and architecture. History lovers will want to stroll the avenues and backstreets of the Ciutat Vella (Old Town), taking in rustic subtleties along with such famous sites as the Catedral and Museo de Picasso. Once visiting the Arc de Triomf, tourists can travel southwest along the border of the old town to Placa Catalunya, the city's main Plaza. Here, at the center of the city, visitors find Las Ramblas with all its excitement and curiosities. This famous street leads to the shorefront home of the aquarium, World Trade Center, Olympic Site, ...

Barcelona offers a balance of rich history with a hearty celebration of the modern in its culture, art, and architecture. History lovers will want to stroll the avenues and backstreets of the Ciutat Vella (Old Town), taking in rustic subtleties along with such famous sites as the Catedral and Museo de Picasso. Once visiting the Arc de Triomf, tourists can travel southwest along the border of the old town to Placa Catalunya, the city's main Plaza. Here, at the center of the city, visitors find Las Ramblas with all its excitement and curiosities. This famous street leads to the shorefront home of the aquarium, World Trade Center, Olympic Site, and many museums. This area is also home to many of the city's well attended nightclubs. Opposite Las Ramblas, in the northern section of the city, sits one of Barcelona's most famous sites' La Sagrada Familia perhaps most easily reached by metro. Even the non-religious will feel the presence of greatness when witnessing this combined creation of Gaudí and Joesp Subirachs. Admirers of culture, history, and people should leave themselves plenty of time to soak up the multitude of experiences waiting in Barcelona.

Lura Seavey
About the Expert

Lura Seavey is the author of Fun with the Family in Vermont and New Hampshire and she has contributed to several Thomas Cook guidebooks, including Drive Around Catalonia, Travellers Mallorca, and Travellers Barcelona.

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— Lura Seavey for Triporati

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Facts at a Glance

Climate

  • Best Time to Visit:

    Autumn and spring offer smaller crowds and moderate weather, summer if planning beach trips out of city.