Barcelona : Escape to Europe’s Vibrant Center of Art and Culture

The city of Barcelona is one of Spain's most attractive tourist destinations, and for good reason. Located on the Mediterranean coast, the city is a short ride from pristine beaches and sparkling ocean along with offering some of the Europe's greatest feats of architecture and works of art.

1. Sagrada Familia Church

The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona's predominant structures with the unique church towering over the center of the city. No visit to Spain is complete without paying respects to one of Europe's most fascinating feats of architecture. While work started on the building in 1882, designed mostly by renowned architect Antoni Gaudi, the church is still unfinished to date and many years away from completion. One of the largest cathedrals in Spain, the towering structure is an architectural masterpiece consisting of three main facades. The eastern façade is called "birth", which was completed in 1930 and is known for its complex architectural towers. The southern façade is called "glory" and the western façade is known as the "Passion".

2. Barcelona's Las Ramblas Street

Barcelona's Las Ramblas is the main artery of the city and this bustling area attracts countless tourists each day. From early in the morning to the late hours of the night, Las Ramblas is always thriving with things to do and see. This kilometer long section of the city is full of restaurants, cafes, street vendors and performers. It's perfect for those wanting to dive into the vibrant side of the city. At the end of the street you'll arrive at the port area with views of the Mediterranean and picturesque walks along the promenade.

3. Park Güell

The Park Güell is a public park and historic place in the north of the city. Located in the La Salut district of Gracia, this pretty, colorful work of art is one of the most popular attractions in the city. The Park Güell is dotted with extensive expanses of green space, as well as its unique architectural creations covered in mosaics. Built between 1900 and 1914, the park was officially opened to the public in 1926, and in 1984 it was declared a World Heritage Site, visited by thousands each year from every place. The park also has a large number of animals and wild birds, in particular different species of parrot that were brought from around the world.

4. Barcelona Zoo

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A great attraction for family's visiting the city, Barcelona Zoo offers a fun escape from the bustling crowds of the lively city. Apart from hosting a huge variety of rare animals, the zoo is also home to fantastic diversity of flora and dotted with interesting architecture. One of its most famous residents was the worlds only white gorilla, known as Snowflake, who unfortunately died in 2003. One of the zoo's most popular areas is the "Land of Dragons" which houses the popular Komodo dragons.

5. Botanical Garden of Barcelona

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The Botanical Garden of Barcelona is a beautiful tourist attraction of Barcelona, situated on the Montjuic Plateau in the city . The garden is located in the center of a number of old stadiums that were used in the Summer Olympics until 1992. The Barcelona Botanical Garden is characterized by plants and plant communities from all around the world such as Australia, Chile, California, South Africa, the Western Mediterranean and the Eastern Mediterranean.

6. Parc del Laberint d'Horta

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The Parc del Laberint d'Horta is a famous garden in the city's Horta Guinardo district. It is the oldest garden of its kind in Barcelona. The park is located near the Queserola Bridge and covers an area of 9.1 hectares. The area features an 18th century neo-classical garden along with a 19th century romantic garden. This park has become an important attraction in Spain and limits visitors to 750 people at a time in order to preserve the historic and natural environment of the park, A number of scenes in movies and television series have been shot inside the gardens here due to its charming and classic environment.

7. Camp Nou

Photo by Iakov Filimonov/shutterstock.com

The Camp Nou is a well-known football stadium in Barcelona, being the stronghold of famous Spanish football team Barcelona FC since 1957. This stadium is one of the most famous landmarks of Barcelona and attracts countless visitors and football fanatics. The stadium is the largest in Spain and third largest in the world, being able to host almost 100,000 fans at a time. Camp Nou has been home to many of the most important football matches in history, such as the 1982 World Cup semi-final and the 1992 Champions League final. It's a must-visit for anyone with an interest in the popular sport.

8. Catalunya Square

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Catalunya Square or Plaça de Catalunya is located in the heart of Barcelona. The square has a huge open space with an area of about 50,000 square meters, or five hectares and a charming fountain in its center with numerous statues dotted around. The area is known for its proximity to the most important tourist attractions in the city and offers transport links to most of all other well known places and areas in Barcelona.

9. Palau Güell

Photo by Mihai-Bogdan Lazar/shutterstock.com

Palau Güell is yet another of famous architect Gaudi's creations built for one of the most famous families of Spain in the past two centuries, the Goyle family. The palace is one of the prominent faces of Barcelona and a must-see for anyone interested in Spanish architecture. Located in the Carrière-des-la-Rambla area, Palau Güell is a blend of ancient Spanish culture and European Gothic art.

10. History Museum of Barcelona

Photo by Kris Arnold

The History Museum of Barcelona, is one of the famous museums in Spain and shows the history of the city of Barcelona from Roman times to the present day. It is located within a Gothic-style palace consisting of 3 floors in the Gothic Bari area near the Lasso Church. The museum includes monuments and excavations dating back to the Roman settlements that inhabited the area. It also presents the history of Catalonia and the city's various stages of development.

◎ Closing

If you love visiting places where relaxation and wonderful natures take place, Barcelona will be the best choice to enjoy seeing its wonderful tourist destinations. Moreover, Barcelona is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Spain and Europe.

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