Barcelona: A One-Stop Travel Destination

Whatever it is you look for in a travel destination, Barcelona has got it all. Beaches, history, architecture, shopping, gastronomy: all packed within one city. Backpackers love wandering through its old quarters, art lovers admire world-class masterpieces in awe while beach bummers lounge around on the gorgeous city beach. So if you’re looking to get away this summer – be it a short weekend or a month-long sojourn – Barcelona is going to feed your craving.

Art and Architecture

Barcelona tops the list of cities with great architecture, with works of world-renown artist Antonin Gaudi displayed all over the city. To see his masterpieces, head up to Parc Güell, a  municipal park that offers lovely views over the city. Gaudi literally sculpted the park with colorful mosaics and emblematic figures of animals. The towering Sagrada Familia cathedral is also a product of Gaudi’s blood and tears, having been a work in progress since 1882; incomplete till this day. Other renown works of art include Casa Batllo, an attractive apartment building with wavy lines on its stone facade and irregularly shaped windows.

History

The Barri Gótic (Gothic Quarter) is Barcelona’s historic quarters, providing the history buffs a chance to explore the older side of Barcelona. This area surrounding Sagrada Familia is a collection of courtyards, antique shops, boutiques, and flea markets. Although not as energetic as La Rambla, this quarter is the place to take a break at one of the outdoor cafés and soak up the Catalonian atmosphere. There are also numerous Barcelona hotels in this area, highly recommended for its nightlife.

Beach

Barcelona’s city beach has often been voted as one of the most beautiful city beaches in Spain. Easily accessibly by metro to the city’s old quarters, the Barceloneta beach boulevard is also within a 10-minute walk from the city’s main attractions. Along the trendy beachfront, you’ll find stylish cafés, boutiques and shops.
This one-stop destination is easy to get to with cheap flights to Barcelona departing from Madrid and most major European cities several times a day. If you are flying from the UK, there are also numerous budget airlines that serve Barcelona regularly. For pre-departure information, head to the Spanish Embassy in London.