You can read all about Barcelona in history books since this city has been around since Roam times. No, we are not going to give you a history of Barcelona, but rather tell you about the best ways into and around the city, as well as all the wonderful sites to see in this vibrant city. Guell Park, the Water Parks and more will tempt you but there is so much more to see in Barcelona that you will need to come back time and again.
For a truly emotional experience, visit the Picasso Museum. This museum is situated in five medieval palaces, each of them crammed with the works of this prolific artist, in his various stages. By viewing the exhibits in the Picasso museum, you will follow his career from his birthplace of Malaga to his years in Paris, to his Moscow period, in which he portrayed the Russian Ballet in all of its beauty, and back to Barcelona, where he settled once again in Spain. The Picasso Museum has everything to recommend it, from reasonable entrance fees to convenient visiting hours, to easy access by public transportation, and finally a central location in the Ciutat Vella (Beautiful City).
The Ciutat Vella is the original Barcelona and remained little changed until the 14th Century. The original neighborhoods of the Ciutat Vella are the Gothic area, La Ribera, Las Ramblas (a promenade filled with flowers), and the Raval. Finding your way around Ciutat Vella is very easy since there are four famous landmarks that lead you into this area. Using Catalunya Square as a starting point, head straight down Las Ramblas to the Christopher Columbus Monument. This towering edifice is at the end of the city, at the port. If you head north, toward Olympic Port, you will enter Ciutat Park. Look to your left and you will see the majestic Arc of Triumph, a few blocks away. You are now enclosed in a small section of antique cobblestone streets and charming shops, like a medieval time warp.
Whether you are an avid football (soccer) fan or not, you will want to take in one of the exciting games played by the Barcelona home team, Barça. Just stop at the Nou Camp football stadium and you can get your tickets, if you are visiting Barcelona during the football season, between September and May. In a winning season like this year’s in which Fran Rikard brought his team to a Spanish football league championship, there will be non-stop celebrating and souvenirs to commemorate.
The beaches of the Costa Brava and the Costa Dorada in this area are beautifully maintained and cater to the tourists they draw. Whether closer to the city, or on the outskirts, you can find wonderful accommodations for every taste and pocketbook. Hotel choices range from youth hostels to five-star hotels. In between, you have a choice of bed and breakfasts, and more modest hotels such as two, three, and four-star hotels. In addition, you could also choose to stay in a vacation chalet, or a rented apartment or home.
Whether you choose a quick weekend to relax, a romantic honeymoon destination, an extended family holiday, or a business trip, you will find many ways to enjoy yourself in Barcelona.
