Barcelona is the second largest city of Spain, after Madrid. The city is located on the Mediterranean Sea and so-called Costa del Maresme, between the mouths of the rivers Llobregat and Besos. It has a population of around 4.9 million people in the metropolitan area. Barcelona is important in finance, commerce, media, entertainment and arts.
Barcelona is a busy and popular city for tourists. It is a compact city with sightseeing all over the place. The city is constantly reinventing itself and doesn’t seem to sleep when it comes to its development. Barcelona has a lot of museums, galleries, cathedrals and palaces, but is mostly famous for its architectural features. Everybody knows architect Gaudí and his buildings. Barcelona is also known for its football club, FC Barcelona or Barca. Tourists should always walk over Las Ramblas, a pedestrian street with dozens of restaurants and outdoor cafes as well as flower stands, book kiosks and small market stands.
In Barcelona these are the Gaudí sites to see: Sagrada Familia, Parc Güell and the houses La Pedrera/Casa Milà and La Casa Batlló. The church Sagrada Familia is still unfinished. It is a masterpiece which has been under construction since 1882. Private donors finance the continuing building of the church. The completion is planned for 2026. Parc Güell has its gingerbread houses, ceramic-clad lizard, curvy mosaic bench and panoramic views of the city. In this Parc you will also find Casa Musea Gaudí, the house where he spent many of his last years. The two houses Casa Milà and La Casa Batlló will show you the specific features that made Gaudí famous.
Travelers to Barcelona need at least a valid passport. Traveling through Barcelona is easy with its underground metro system. Don’t forget to take care of your bags and hand-luggage as there are so many pick-pockets active in the city. There can also be African men active doing ‘magical tricks’. Always be aware and don’t get too distracted.