Best of Barcelona:
Barcelona is Catalunya’s capital. Catalunya is an autonomous region inside Spain, with its own language, culture and history. Catalunya has been the first nation in the world to get a parliament (it was called Consell de Cent) which made the laws that even the king had to follow.
For hundreds of years Barcelona has been the most dynamic and modern city of Spain. Its commercial port and its proximity with France and the rest of Europe made it the perfect set for many different people to exchange ideas.
In all these years Barcelona used this cultural richness and now, also tanks to the international projection and to town planning works done for the Olympics games in 1992, is one of the most modern and dynamic cities of the world.
The city is set apart from others by being on the Mediterranean coast, with more than 4 kilometers of beach. Ciutat Vella quarter is constantly being renovated and is made of 4 very different districts, each one of them with its own character and where you can find from the most modern and fashionable shops and restaurants to the quietest and hidden little squares. The Eixample quarter is a wonderful example of town planning and it is the area where you can find the most amazing modernist buildings (headed by the ones built by the greatest architect ever: Antonio Gaudí).
Concerning the city social life, Barcelona has a pretty much homogeneous population, but with cultural, economics and scientific movement. However this society has changed a lot because of the recent arrival of thousands of people with very different origins; some of them have been attracted by the economic level of the last few years and some others by the city quality of life.
In the last few years this important migratory flux helped to change Barcelona into a real cosmopolitan and thriving city.”
Modernism:
There are many examples of modernist architecture in town… walk around the city with your eyes well opened, you camera and an extra memory card with you. Among the things you surely can’t miss: La Pedrera, La Casa Batlló, El Park Güell and La Sagrada Familia.
Ciutat Vella:
Narrow streets, medieval buildings, the most fashionable shops; the perfect set to get lost walking during the day time and to enjoy the amazing night life.
Las Ramblas:
Ciutat Vella central avenue, popular for human statues and the unique mix of every sort of people.
Camp Nou:
World biggest Football Club stadium: the FC Barcelona.
Boqueria Market:
Amazing example of 20th century market, where you can buy every sort of very fresh food.
Night Life:
Here there are thousands of possibilities.
Ciutadella Park:
20th century park visited by Barcelona inhabitants when they need a break from cement.
La Barceloneta and the beach:
The old fishermen’s old quarter under transformation but still keeps its ancient atmosphere. The beaches created in conjunction with the 1992 Olympic Games are perfect to get tanned, jogging or simply walk, drink or eat something in one of the numerous bars and restaurants on the avenue.
Santa Maria del Mar Church:
One of the best example of “Catalan Gothic”. The church was built for the population without the help neither of the nobility nor of the king. A wonder of elegance and austerity.