Traveling to Barcelona? Barcelona never sleeps, so plan now for the time of your life! Don’t miss anything: immerse yourself in the wide range of cultural excursions, the nightlife, year ‘round pleasant temperatures, and the unique beauty, flair, and ambience of this special city by the sea. Discover why Barcelona is renowned for its distinctive character and incredible mix of modern and historic architecture. Let yourself join the millions of tourists who fall in love with Barcelona each year! You absolutely must visit the architectural works of Antoni Gaudí:

The Sagrada Familia: Gaudí spent ten years working on the designs for his masterpiece, the Sagrada Familia, which is in the heart of the city. To find it, take the Metro L2 or L5 and leave at the Sagrada Familia station. You’ll find yourself standing right in front of the cathedral! You can gaze at this masterpiece from either of two parks. Although the cathedral was Gaudí’s life’s dream, he died in a tragic traffic accident in 1926 and was not able to see his project finished. Optimists expect that the construction will finally be completed in 2026, the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s passing.

Parc Güell: This lovely garden in the north of the city was also created by Gaudí. Take the metro and disembark at Vallcarca. From there you can ride the escalators up the steep hill! At Parc Güell you will enjoy a panoramic view of all of Barcelona and the sea, and can relax on the Sala Hipóstila, the large terrace that made the park famous. Gaudí wanted the park to be a marketplace, a central gathering place. He decorated the inner and outer walls of the seating with many thousands of mosaics. When you visit Parc Güell, be sure to see the Gaudí museum (in a house where the architect once lived), and photograph the famed salamander that welcomes visitors at the main entrance, just at the bottom of the stairs.

If you’re a Gaudí enthusiast now and want to see more of his work, visit Casa Mila and Casa Batlló at the Passeig de Gracia in the city center. They might remind you of the houses of Hundertwasser. Paying the entrance fee allows you to learn far more about the details of the architecture. Gaudí used no right angles in these buildings; he liked to use shapes from nature.

When you’re ready to buy a souvenir and see the sights:
Travel down the Passeig de Gracia, where you will find Spanish shops and all the important designers. Heading south, you will discover Placa Catalunya, a huge square and the center of the city. Then continue with the Rambla, the most famous street in Barcelona until you reach the 197-foot-tall Columbus Monument. It marks the spot where Christoffel Columbus arrived in 1493 after his discovery of America. You might also enjoy exploring the Maremagnum, a shopping center that is especially good for rainy days, and the neighboring Aquarium (one of Europe’s largest), which contains 8,000 fish and 11 sharks! Then when you’re ready to relax, enjoy Barcelona’s 4 km of downtown beaches!

You‘ll be in good company when you fall in love with Barcelona, a city like no other. Progressive, innovative, and intriguing, this international jewel set by the Mediterranean Sea has earned its standing as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Whatever the experience you seek, you’re sure to find it in Barcelona!