Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Welcome to Barcelona
Barcelona is an enchanting seaside city with boundless culture,
fabled architecture, and a world-class drinking and dining
scene.
Architecture of the Ages
Barcelona's architectural treasures span 2000-plus years. Towering temple columns, ancient
city walls and subterranean stone corridors provide a window into Roman-era Barcino. Fast
forward a thousand years to the Middle Ages by taking a stroll through the shadowy lanes of
the Gothic quarter, past tranquil plazas and soaring 14th-century cathedrals. In other parts of
town bloom the sculptural masterpieces of Modernisme, a mix of ingenious and whimsical
creations by Gaudí and his Catalan architectural contemporaries, for which this city is so well
known. Barcelona has also long inspired artists, including the likes of Salvador Dalí, Pablo
Picasso and Joan Miró, whose works are on bold display in the city's myriad museums.
A Moveable Feast
Barcelona's great artistic traditions don't end at the canvas. The masters of molecular gastro-
nomy - Albert Adrià, Carles Abellan et al - are part of the long and celebrated tradition of
Catalan cooking. Simple, flavourful ingredients - seafood,
jamón
(cured ham), market-fresh
produce - are transformed into remarkable delicacies and then served up in captivating set-
tings. You can feast on hearty, rich paella at an outdoor table overlooking the sea or step back
to the 1920s at an elegant art nouveau-filled dining room. Barcelona's wide-ranging palate
adds further complexity: Basque-style tapas bars, Galician seafood taverns, avant-garde
Japanese restaurants and sinful chocolate shops are all essential parts of the culinary land-
scape.
Under the Iberian Sun
The deep blue Mediterranean beckons. Sun-drenched beaches make a fine backdrop to a jog,
bike ride or long leisurely stroll along the seaside - followed by a refreshing dip, of course.
You can also enjoy the view from out on the water while kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding
or taking it easy on a sunset cruise. Looming behind the city, the rolling forest-covered Coll-
serola Hills provide a scenic setting for hiking, mountain biking or just admiring the view.