Barcelona Basics

Why Travel to Barcelona?

Blend of Old and New - Only in Barcelona, can you:

• Spend an afternoon walking through the ages amongst Roman ruins, Modernist masterpieces and cutting-edge, futuristic architecture.
• Feast on a traditional meal of paella for lunch, then dine on creative cuisine by chefs that practice molecular gastronomy - the art of blending science and cooking.
• Toss off your shoes in a sun-soaked plaza and join in the Sardana, the ancient dance of Catalonia, then spend the evening dancing under the stars in one of Barcelona's numerous outdoor nightclubs.

Beautiful Beaches - Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is home to white, sand beaches, and lively water-side cafes. Since the beaches are within walking distance to many of Barcelona's tourist attractions, you can easily combine a day at the beach with touring museums and monuments in the evening.

Amazing Architecture - Barcelona is home to Antoni Gaudi's Modernist masterpieces, such as the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, the Casa Mila (La Pedrera), and the Parc Guell. Gaudi was inspired by the curves and colors found in nature.

• View the unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral that was built with the inside altar elements on the outside.
• Walk through the Dr. Seuss-like Parc Guell.
• Touch the sculpted chimneys that inspired George Lucas' "Star Wars" Storm Troopers in the luxurious Casa Mila.
• Marvel that Gaudi created these modernist buildings over 100 years ago and you'll understand why we use the word "gaudy" means over-the-top and extravagant.

Famous Museums - Barcelona is home to many world famous museums. Visit the Picasso Museum housed in a medieval palace to view Picasso's early masterpieces, tour Joan Miro's glass-walled museum highlighting his famous works of abstract art, or stroll through over 1,000 years of art and history at the National Museum of Catalan Art (MNAC) perched overlooking the city skyline.

Catalan Cuisine - Barcelona offers a unique dining experience for all travel types. If your on a budget or not a big eater, nimble on tapas or pinxtos. For hard-core foodies, dine at one of the many restaurants run by El Bulli-trained apprentices for an evening of molecular gastronomic delights.

When to Visit?

Visit Barcelona in the off-peak months of June and September.

In June, the mass of beach loving tourists and students have not yet descended on Barcelona. The weather is perfect for sun bathing and swimming, and the major attractions are not overwhelmed with tourists.

In September, the weather is warm and mild and the August tourist rush is over. The largest Barcelona festival, Festes de la Merce, takes place in September and features concerts, parades, nightly fireworks, artisan crafts, and food and wine tastings.