It's a fun, sexy city with great architecture and art, fabulous food, shopping and nightlife. And there's even a beach. What more could you want?
Barcelona is so hip right now that you should be here, like yesterday. It's on everyone's must do list. And it's not hard to see why.
The surreal and magical architecture of Gaudi makes this city a big hit with everyone. But it doesn't just start or end there. There is a medieval 'Gothic' quarter, a modernist square of amazing buildings, and most recently the avante garde additions of Hotel Arts and Torre Agbar. This city makes you smile just looking at it. And there's alot to smile at, from superb art galleries, the dancing 'Olympic' fountains, the nearby Universal theme park - Port Aventura, the designer boutiques and the antics of the buskers and street artistes on La Rambla.
Barcelona was home to many of the world's most famous painters, particularly those from the Modernist period. It has 50 museums with permanent collections of works by Picasso, Joan Miró and Antoni Tàpies. Wander around the narrow streets, sit outside in one of the many trendy café bars, try a Cortado (the local term for a short, sharp coffee) or cold beer, whilst people watching. There are many plazas and small parks to relax in and for animal lovers, the Barcelona Zoo and Park is well worth a visit. Near the Zoo, you could possibly think you are in Paris, since there is a monument that doubles for the Arc de Triomph, in fact, it shares the same name.
For a different sort of artistry, footie fans should try and get tickets for a home game at the incredible Nou Camp stadium, home to the world famous FC Barcelona, where the likes of Messi, Henry and Ronaldiho ply their trade. For sports afficianados, the Olympic stadium, situated high above the city no Montjuic, is a magical place. Remember the 1992 Olympic games, this event really transformed the city and put it on the world map. Who could forget the Olympic anthem 'Barcelona', beautifully performed by Freddie Mercury and Spanish soprano Monserrat Caballe.
The Olympic stadium is also the home to RCD Espanyol, Barcelona's lesser well known other professional football team.
For those that are looking to get a nice tan and have some fun, the local beach, Barceloneta is about 15 minutes walk through the city and has a great choice of bars, nightlife and restaurants. If you're a boat fan, have a stroll around the marina and admire some of the fabulous yachts moored up.
If you're planning to get married and stuck for a location for your stag or hen party, then Barcelona is THE place. Every week-end, you will see hoards of young males and females from the UK, trawling around the city streets and bars, wearing all sorts of colourful hats and clothing. The local people often look at them with disgust, but they add to the colour of this great city.
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