Barcelona Attractions

Cataloniaโ€™s vibrant capital, Barcelona is a stunning seaside city that flaunts her beauty and sunny lifestyle. Gorgeous scenery, breathtaking architecture, and superb cultural attractions make for an alluring destination. Of course, the balmy Mediterranean climate adds to the charm. Barcelona has an atmospheric medieval quarter, the Barri Gรฒtic, with an almost magical old-world ambience, but itโ€™s even more famous for its Modernist architecture. Antoni Gaudรญ left a lasting mark on Barcelona with his avant-garde Surrealist buildings; several are UNESCO listed

Basilica de la Sagrada Familia

One of Europeโ€™s most unconventional churches, this spectacular basilica is the most famous sight in Barcelona. Theย UNESCO-listedย Basilica de la Sagrada Familia stands in the northern part of the city, dominating its surroundings with its 18 spindly towers soaring high above all other monuments. The Basilica of the Sacred Family is also known in Spanish by its official name: Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Famรญlia. Antoni Gaudรญย was commissioned in 1883 to design this basilica as a neo-Gothic church. But instead of following the plans, he created a signature example of his famous surrealistic Art Nouveau architecture. He had no firm ideas in mind, preferring to alter and add to the plans as work progressed. Although Gaudรญ had originally forecast between ten and fifteen years, the church was never completed. As a result, the main work by the most important Catalan architect of modern times remains just a shell, and nobody knows whether or when it will ever be completed. Visitors are first struck by the lavish exterior with its expressive Nativity facade depicting the birth of Jesus, and the evocative Passion facade that illustrates the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Equally stunning, the interior is an immense space of 90 meters long by 60 meters high. The ceiling sparkles with opulent decorative details, and colorful stained-glass windows allow ethereal light to flow in. The apse features an unusual Crucifix rendered as a canopy with lanterns. The overall effect is jaw-dropping. Gaudรญ best captured the essence of his architectural masterpiece when he described it as โ€œa work that is in the hands of God and the will of the people.โ€

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Barri Gรฒtic (Gothic Quarter)

For 2,000 years, the Gothic Quarter has been the spiritual and secular center of the city. Relics of ancient Roman buildings are still found here, but the Middle Ages are best represented by the historic monuments packed into this quarter. A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, the medievalย cathedralย stands on Monte Tabor, the highest point in the town center. The Gothic Quarter is where Christopher Columbus was received by the Catholic Monarchs after his first voyage to the New World, and since the 14th and 15th centuries, the city administrations have had their seat here. Wander through this delightful maze of narrow cobblestone streets and atmospheric alleyways to discover this magical traffic-free medieval world. Discover picturesque quiet squares, enlivened by the sounds of people chatting and laughing or the strumming of Spanish classical guitar. Children often play a pickup game of soccer in the Gothic Quarterโ€™s hidden corners, and little cafรฉs with sidewalk terraces are found in its courtyards. Along with its inviting little boutiques and restaurants, look in the Gothic Quarter for theย Picasso Museumย and theย Plaรงa del Rei,ย a square where outdoor concerts are sometimes held.

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Casa Mila (La Pedrera)

In the Eixample district of the elegant boulevard of Passeig de Grร cia, theย UNESCO-listedย Casa Milร  is Antoni Gaudรญโ€™s most famous secular building. Casa Mila is also affectionately known as โ€œLa Pedrera,โ€ which translates toย โ€œThe Stone Quarryโ€ย because the building resembles an open quarry. Built between 1906 and 1912, this flamboyant avant-garde dwelling looks more like a sculpture than a functional building. Every line of the natural stone facade is curved, with rounded windows and metal balcony railings twining around in plant-like shapes. Even the roof has an undulating shape complemented by the decorative chimneys. The entrance to the building is on the Carrer de Provenรงa, through a remarkable wrought-iron gate that leads to an inner courtyard. The building is supported by ribbed arches that were designed for load-bearing purposes, a feature that reveals Gaudรญโ€™s genius as a structural engineer. Visitors may walk around the roof terrace for an up-close look at the strangely shaped mosaic-adorned chimneys. The roof area also rewards visitors with sensational views across the city, with the outlook extending to theย Basilica de Sagrada Famรญliaย in the distance. Casa Mila houses theย Fundaciรณ Catalunyaย cultural center that organizes events throughout the year. The monument is open to the public daily for visits, and audio guides are available. A welcome stop for tourists, theย Cafรจ La Pedreraย offers a relaxing place for a snack in a setting worthy of the venue.

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La Rambla: Barcelonaโ€™s Social Hub

The heart of Barcelonaโ€™s social life is found on La Rambla, a broad, tree-shaded avenue that divides the Old Town into two parts. La Rambla stretches from theย Plaรงa de Catalunya,ย where the beautiful Romanesque 12th-centuryย Convent of Santa Annaย stands, all the way down to the port. This wide street, featuring expansive pedestrian sidewalks, is lined with shops, restaurants, and outdoor cafรฉs, making it one of the most popular hangouts in the city. During the day, many locals are found here doing their everyday shopping at theย Mercat de la Boqueria,ย and at night, groups of friends and families take their eveningย paseoย (stroll) on La Rambla to enjoy the fresh air and lively ambience Depending on the day, onlookers might be treated to live music, a mime show, or other impromptu street performances. On its northeast side, La Rambla borders theย Barri Gรฒtic, and halfway down the avenue is theย Plaรงa Reial, a lovely palm-fringed square enclosed by historic houses. These elegant buildings have arcades filled with shops, cafรฉs, and restaurants. At the center is theย Fountain of the Three Gracesย with a candelabra designed by Antoni Gaudรญ. Another important monument on La Rambla (number 3-5) is theย Palau Gรผell, an ostentatious mansion designed in 1886 by Antoni Gaudรญ. The owner, Eusebi Gรผell, was a great patron of the arts, and the building was constructed with a large domed hall intended for poetry readings and private concerts. The entire building reflects Gรผellโ€™s enormous wealth, with sumptuous dรฉcor, valuable textiles, and handcrafted furniture created by Gaudรญ.

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Palau de la Mรบsica Catalana (Palace of Catalan Music)

Built between 1905 and 1908 as a concert hall for the choral society Orfeรณ Catalร , The Palau de la Mรบsica Catalana was designed by the architect Lluรญs Domรจnech i Montaner, in the Catalan Modernista style. But although the building is characterized by the styleโ€™s curving lines and colorful palette, unlike Gaudiโ€™s works, this design puts function ahead of form. Although the interior dรฉcor is just as colorful and fanciful as the outside, its shape and decoration are dedicated to choral and other musical performances. The concert hall of the Palau, which seats about 2,200 people, is the only auditorium in Europe illuminated during daylight hours entirely by natural light. The walls on two sides consist primarily of stained-glass panes set in magnificent arches, and overhead is an enormous skylight of stained glass designed by Antoni Rigalt whose centerpiece is an inverted dome in shades of gold surrounded by blue that suggests the sun and the sky. Elaborate sculptures frame the concert stage.

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Parc Gรผell: Gaudรญโ€™s Surrealist Park

Colorful, cheerful, and full of whimsy, this splendid surrealistic park is anotherย UNESCO World Heritage Siteย designed by Antoni Gaudรญ. Created between 1900 and 1914, the Park Gรผell is beautifully landscaped and features architectural elements in Gaudรญโ€™s signature style. Viaducts, grottoes, a colonnaded hall, winding staircases, and semi-closed conversation seats are scattered throughout the space. These creative structures are decorated in multicolored ceramic fragments. A spectacular terrace offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. Gaudรญ himself loved this area of the city, and his home was located here. Surrounded by a pleasant garden, theย Casa Museu Gaudรญย occupies the house where Gaudi lived; the collection displays works of art, mostly decorative objects and furniture, designed by Gaudรญ.

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Casa Batllรณ

Yet another amazing Gaudรญ creation, theย UNESCO-listedย Casa Batllรณ is one of the most characteristic Modernist buildings in Barcelona. The fantastical mansion was designed as a private residence for the textile manufacturer Josep Batllรณ i Casanovas. With its freely swinging shapes and ornamental facade, this dreamlike building looks like a castle from a surreal fairy tale. Most of the design details depart completely from any architectural precedent. The window frame on the first floor is bordered by swinging shapes that suggest plants, others resemble entrances to caves. On the facade, decorative glazed ceramic tiles in green, blue, and ochre colors add to the flamboyance. The wave-shaped roof, like that of Casa Milร , has numerous richly adorned chimneys. Gaudรญ also created the interior decorations, which can be seen in theย Casa Museu Gaudรญย in the Gรผell Park. For those seeking a superb gourmet meal, the elegantย Moments Restaurant, with two Michelin stars, is just a few steps away at 38 Passeig de Grร cia.

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The Magic Fountain

One of the favorite things to do in Barcelona at night is to watch the Magic Fountain of Montjuรฏc, at the beginning of Avinguda Maria Cristina in the Montjuรฏc neighborhood. The large Art Deco fountain, erected in 1929, delights all ages with its light and water shows choreographed to music. It was designed by Carles Buigas for the 1929 International Exhibition, which took place in Montjuรฏc. The show lasts for about an hour.

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