Barcelona

City of sun, sand, and Spanish – there’s no place like Barcelona. It is the second largest city in Spain and the largest city (not to mention capital) of the region of Catalonia; with art, culture, a bustling economy, and beautiful beaches. There are few places that can compare to the pleasure of a trip to Barcelona. Right on the coast and near the border of France, Barcelona is definitely a mixing pot of cultures, with Spanish, French, Catalan, and Mediterranean influences.

Visiting Barcelona is bound to be an incredible experience, whether you are coming for the art, the music, the language, or just the amazing Tapas. The rich history and cultural diversity of the city have added to expression in many forms, while the location and atmosphere have blossomed into a full economy with rich resources in the business world. It is not a place to be taken in at a glance; Barcelona is a complex and beautiful city, to be savored in every layer as you travel.

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When compiling a “don’t miss” list of attractions for a European city, few lists run longer than that of Barcelona. The interests are multiple and diverse, running from flamenco dancing to modern architecture, not to mention the bars and dance clubs in between. The number one tourist attraction in the city is Sagrada Familia, a fantastic cathedral constructed in honor of Antonio Gaudi. The options for viewing architecture are innumerable, with all styles from ancient to modern architecture being visible as you walk the cobblestone streets; those interested in such things could hardly pick a better city to see the range of expression side by side.

Travelers are also immensely drawn to the Aquarium de Barcelona, a huge aquarium that is perfect for family trips. Located in the Barcelona Port Area, it offers hands-on experiences with shells and wildlife, beautiful tanks of tropical fish, and even an option to swim with the sharks! For family travelers, the Barcelona Zoo is also a popular destination; nearby, there is also a large park with a pond and the option to rent canoes or small boats. Other popular destinations include the Poble Espanol (Spanish Village), the Barcelona FC Museum, and of course, Las Ramblas, the famous street where markets, artists, dancers, and vendors collide in a swirling mass of colors and commerce. The beach is an obvious one, but still worth mentioning; although pollution and changes in the weather have decreased the swimming appeal over the last few years, the beach remains an inescapable tourist attraction. It is difficult to resist the idea of digging your toes into the sand while the golden sun rises over the Spanish sea.

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Perhaps the most famous element of the city is the work of Antonio Gaudi, a world famous and historically magnificent architect who explored wavy organic form and art nouveau concepts within the very structure of his buildings, creating masterpieces that are homes, stores, or cathedrals. Sagrada Familia, although the most famous of Gaudi’s works, is actually not Gaudi’s work – it was constructed over a period of almost forty years in honor of the deceased architect, while artists attempted to stick as closely as possible to what they think he may have wanted. The Casa Mila is another famous one, with windows and walls incorporating bones and vines in their design. Gaudi guides and experts are scattered throughout Barcelona, and it is easy to locate a walking tour that will take you through the city highlighting his work.

Barcelona capitalizes on art and architecture in its culture, as is made clear by the plethora of museums. The Picasso Museum, Erotic Art Museum, Wax Museum, and the largest Football Museum in Europe are just a few of the more interesting attractions. The city also offers a huge number of modern art centers and galleries, as well as the beautiful Museum of Art of Catalunya. Entrance to these museums is generally fairly cheap, running about 8 Euros ($10-$12 US Dollars) per person, and less if you’re a student. You may also want to investigate getting a Barcelona Card, which offers huge discounts on many attractions, as well as covering transportation for the duration of your stay.

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Like many European cities, Barcelona offers a comprehensive transportation system that will take you anywhere in the city for only a few Euros – and generally in only a few minutes. Unlike other European cities, however, Barcelona also offers another option: the feasibility of walking. Because the city is actually relatively small (geographically) and the weather so accommodating (generally), many people choose to walk the sunny streets and enjoy the sights and sounds that go by as you explore the city.

Generally, however, those in a hurry to see what there is to see do like access to quick transportation, and Barcelona makes that easy. The main forms of public transport are the Underground (Metro) and the Bus; both are easily accessible within blocks of anywhere in the city, and both cost only a few Euros to ride. The Underground shuts down at midnight, which could make transport difficult, but night busses run all night long until 4 or 5 am, when the next day bus route starts. The routes can be a bit confusing, so print out a quick list of bus lines and their routes and mark on your map the locations of your hotel as well as any specific destinations. With a little planning, you should easily be able to schedule a smooth ride sailing straight through the city, with everything you want to see on your way. Transport generally costs about 8 Euros a day (includes both bus and metro), less if you are only making a few stops. If you do end up lost or stuck, it is also easy to hail a taxi, and these are generally cheap as well (under 10 Euros anywhere in the city).

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Barcelona offers a huge range of lodging options, from ten dollar hostels to five-star hotels. When traveling on business, the Hotel Montecarlo is highly recommended, with four and a half stars and an incredible location right on Las Ramblas. Prices can run a bit, well, pricey – in the $300 range – but there are all levels of options for cheaper lodging if you so choose. Hostels may also offer an excellent option – the line between an expensive hostel and a cheap hotel is rather thin, but you may have a better experience with the former. When staying in the city, Las Ramblas (or close to it) is the place to be – close to the city center, the museums, the food, and of course, the ocean.

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There are two theories about Barcelona’s earliest origins; one perpetuates the idea that Barcelona was founded by Hercules 400 years before Rome was built, while the other lays claim to Hamilcar Barca, the father of Hannibal. There is little doubt that Hamilcar Barca was actually involved in the building of the city – he named it after his family, Barcino – but the timing is generally unconfirmed. From there the city grew quickly, due to its excellent location, pristine climate, and abundance of natural resources (notably the frutas del mar, or the fruits of the sea). Commerce moved through Barcelona both between Catalan and Spanish cultures and between Spain and France, making it a key point in Mediterranean trafficking.

The city was taken over by Rome in about 15 BC, which were both an advantage and a disadvantage to the country. The Roman Empire was in many ways destructive and oppressive, but it also added a degree of importance as the Romans created a military camp complete with an economic market. Spain changed hands several more times over the course of history, becoming an acquisition of several countries including France, but finally gaining its independence in 1931. Barcelona continues to be a key point in the development of southern Europe, offering a bustling center of commerce, art, and culture. It is one of the most visited destinations in Europe, offering appeal to everyone from broke backpacking students to well-off prospective businessmen – and everyone in between.

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Barcelona has an interesting cultural mix, being simultaneously Spanish and Catalan. These cultures are certainly intermixed, but they are not the same – Catalania has its own language, its own people, and customs that differ entirely from the rest of Spain. For some period of time, the Catalan people fought for an independent state (research Basques for more information), but they are now living in cordial harmony with other Spanish citizens. Most people living in Barcelona do speak both Spanish and Catalan, and the latter language may be something of a shock to those who are prepared to visit Spain with a crash course from Mexico. However, most Catalan speakers understand Spanish remarkably well, and they are able to converse easily in the language that is easiest for you.

Like most modern European cities, English is also growing in popularity and very widely spoken; it would be an unusual experience to be in Barcelona and have difficulty finding a translator. If your Spanish needs a little brushing up (or more than a little), feel comforted in the fact that the more multi-lingual European’s English will make it up to you. It is always a good idea, however, to at least learn the most basic phrases in any foreign country you choose to visit. SpyMaps, a hostel-based company, produces excellent maps of European cities, complete with a language guide detailing the most essential words and sentences, from “where is the bathroom?” (donde esta el bano?) to “you have beautiful eyes!” (Tienes los ojos bonitos!)

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Finding a quick bite in Barcelona is as easy as it is surprising; the city offers a vast array of culinary options, from fresh and salty mussels and sweet strawberries from the Las Ramblas Market to fine dining in 5-star restaurants, not to mention the classic poor man’s food of sandwich shops and Paella. American influence has found its way there as well; if you ask for a mocha, you are likely to get a quizzical look and then an understanding finger pointing in the direction of the local Starbucks, right across the street from Subway.

When in Spain, however, you may want to do as the Spanish do, and stay far away from those places in favor of local cuisine. The food in Spain tends to be rich and salty, and on the coast is generally packed with seafood – shrimp, fish, mussels, clams, crawfish, and even octopus may be piled onto your plate. Paella, perhaps the most famous dish of the Spanish Mediterranean, is a delicious blend of rice, seafood, and spices concocted with salty relish. All meals are served with watered-down wine, which for breakfast and lunch is treated more like juice; for dinner, you may enjoy a classier glass of red with your Tapas.

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There is no culture in the world quite like Barcelona. It is a city full of experiences – colors, sights, and smells. Strange and beautiful architecture rises – and in some cases twists, winds, or juts – from the streets, and museums and galleries are tucked in every corner. On Las Ramblas, flamenco dancers whip their skirts and sing to the rhythm of Spanish guitars, while enthusiastic painters daub on red, black, and orange, capturing the swishing skirts on their canvas. You may come to the city merely on business, but the culture of Catalania and Spain seeps in when you’re not looking, through your eyes, your ears, your mouth, and your nose.

Don’t miss a cup of hot Spanish coffee in the morning as you watch the waves, or the view of the cranes that still arch over the as-yet incomplete Sagrada Familia. Take in the sights and sounds; visit the Picasso Museum, the Las Ramblas Market, and the City Park. It is an experience that will never leave you, and a city you will return to again and again.

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