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Spain is a country of both geographical and cultural varieties. It has a lot of things to offer.

The sun lovers will enjoy a great vacation on the Mediterranean beaches located in the south of the country as well as in the northwest. Spain includes a great number of landscapes, including forests, salt marshes, rocky bays, mountains, as well as cities from the medieval era, rivers and mountain ranges. It also includes various castles, palaces and other marks of the early richness of Spain. 

Catalonia has a different feel than the rest of Spain and Barcelona is unique in Catalonia.  Perhaps it is the uplifting contribution of Gaudi's architecture or the Catalonian people; whatever it is, Barcelona is one of the best places to visit in Spain.  Start your visit with a walk down La Rambla, then, see the Sagrada Familia, and the Barcelona Cathedral.  Take in as much of the city and as many of  Gaudi's monuments as possible.

Our choices for the  Best places to Visit in Barcelona capture the most popular tourist attractions in the Catalonian capital.   Barcelona is located near the Spain's border with France and is, also,  a good jumping off place for a vacation in the Balearic Islands or Costa Brava.  However, we think you will find Barcelona so refreshing and attractive on its own that you may not want to leave it for other destinations.  It is a place unlike any other in Spain or Europe.

If you are looking for fun, the whimsical, or a delightful change of pace, Barcelona is a good place to spend a few days.  Be prepared to change your pace, as Barcelona is a city that comes alive only at night.  Dinner is commonly taken at 10 PM or later and nightlife extends for hours after that.

The Barcelona area of Catalonia has served as a crossroads throughout history and the city has taken on the flavors of the invading cultures.  Carthage, Rome, the Visigoths, the Moors and France (under Charlemagne) at one time claimed this area and each of these cultures left lasting impressions on the city.  Under Spanish rule, Barcelona was not always been a good place to be, but since the end of the Franco dictatorship, the city has revitalized and taken a leading role in Spain's growth and modernization.

The city has a population of 1.5 million, although the surrounding built-up area is closer to 4.5 million in population. The attractions we describe are located in tourist Barcelona, in or near the Old Town.  Barcelona, as other cities in Spain, has a crime problem and tourists should be careful in the southern section of La Rambla and the Barri Gotic, especially late at night.

La Rambla 

Walking La Rambla, a tree lined grand avenue, is a great way to get into the spirit of Barcelona, as La Rambla and its neighborhoods offer a view into the history and culture of Barcelona.

"The Ramble" extends less than a mile  from the Plaça de Catalunya  to the Columbus Monument.   Its length is segmented into several areas whose "flavors" are distinctly different.  You will find streets vendors and numerous  kiosks offering a wide variety of items including flowers, books, magazines, birds and touristy trinkets. In addition, the large number of tourists make this a popular place with street performers. 

In order to explore  La Rambla's neighborhoods you will need to  stray into some of the side streets.  One of the best jaunts will take you to the Placa Reial, one of Barcelona's famous squares. 

If you have a chance, visit la Boqueria  (Mercat St. Joseph/Mercado de la Boqueria), a market specializing in Catalonian foods that is one of the great central markets of Europe. See this site run by the  merchants of the Boqueria for more information on visiting. 

Barcelona Cathedral and Barri Gotic  

The Cathedral in Barcelona  is an amalgam of recent and ancient architecture.  The west entrance is relatively recent while other sections of the cathedral date from the Thirteenth and Fourteenth centuries. 

Be sure to take time to see the cloisters.

The Barri Gotic (barrio is a district or quarter in Spanish, so this is the Gothic Quarter) surrounds the cathedral and  is the historic heart of the original city.  Some sections of the city's  Roman walls still exist.

The cobbled streets in the Barri Gotic are fronted by medieval buildings and the area exudes an exotic, historic atmosphere that seems to portray life in Barcelona at an earlier time. This unique neighborhood starts near the Cathedral Seu at the Plaça Nova and continues south to the Plaça de san Just.

Picasso Museum 

Picasso spent his youth in Barcelona and was said to have fond memories of his time in city.  After initially resisting the founding of a Picasso Museum in Barcelona, he warmed to the idea and the museum benefited from his patronage.  If you are a Picasso fan, this museum has many works from his early years and is vital to an understanding of his art and person.

Museu Picasso is located on Montcada Street, 15-23 08003 in Barcelona.

Palau de la Musica Catalunya

Another of Barcelona's classic buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Palau is undergoing renovation and expansion.  The interior of the building is delightful and if you have a chance to attend a concert, do so. The building was designed by the Catalan art nouveau architect Lluís Domènechi Montaner and is extremely attractive, inside and out.

Montjuïc 

The Montjuïc Hill, called a mountain by Barcelonians, is the site of many interesting attractions.  There are more places to see on Montjuïc than we have mentioned here, but these are the best:

Palau Nacional D'Art de Catalunya

If you are in the dark about Catalonia and Catalonian art, the National Palace is a wonderful place for a quick introduction. The museum has a fine collection of medieval art and Romanesque Frescoes.

Fundació Joan Miró

Miró, the famous Spanish surrealist painter, endowed the Fundació with many examples of his work including paintings, sketches and sculptures.  If you are a fan of Miró, this is a required stop.

Montserrat

If you have a yearning to see the countryside surrounding Barcelona, consider a day trip to the mountains and the Benedictine Montserrat Monastery, to see the famous Black Virgin.

In addition, the site houses the oldest boys' choir in Europe and daily concerts are offered.

Finally, the Museu de Montserrat has a highly regarded art collection with paintings by Miro, Picasso, Dali, El Greco and others.

Travel to the Monastery, about 30 miles from Barcelona, by car, tour or train (train is the preferred mode and offers the most scenic trip).