Aside from its beaches and club scenes, Barcelona is a city seeped in culture and arts. This city that graces the Mediterranean is a great place to visit.
Barcelona is the capital city of the autonomous region of Catalonia. Lying between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountain range of Collserola, the city is a typically busy port that has been so since Roman times. Its beaches, restaurants, clubs, bars and hotels are always jam packed more so during the summer.
It could be said that Barcelona is currently more known for its pristine beaches. The rich and famous (and the not so rich and famous) are drawn to the famous Catalonian beaches. The beaches near the Olympic village are almost always crowded. It would be best to take a short trip either to the north or south of Barcelona to enjoy the beaches of Caseldefells, El Garaff, Sitges, Caldetes and more.
Barcelona has been the center of European Gothic architecture. Its most famous architect is Antonio Gaudi whose architectural genius is exemplified by the still unfinished Sagrada Familia Church. You should not miss a trip to Parc Guell, Gaudi's Fantasy Park where Modernism, Surrealism and Expressionism merged into one. Since the Age of Enlightenment, Barcelona has been a driving force in Modernism or Art Nouveau. The city is not all about a hedonistic approach to life but rather a more laid back yet serious and hard working approach to life's many facets.
Do not miss a trip to the I'Eixample, a district in the heart of Barcelona where you will be awed by the capricious and unusual designs of its Modernist buildings. You should particularly note Antonio Gaudi's Casa Batllo and La Pedrera. The walls of the buildings are probably the only part of the design that are straight as all other parts are undulating, wavy or asymmetrical. Book a room at Gran Catalonia to be centrally located in I'Eixample.
Agbar Tower, located at Avignuda Diagonal is probably the latest edifice that exemplifies the ultimate essence of Barcelona - that of a pioneering spirit in the pursuit of art and architecture. The bullet-shape building is a sight to behold and its symbolism could very well relate to the progressive spirit and unwavering optimism of Catalonians.
For the more sporty and outdoorsy type, climb the Montserrat and view the cityscape from above this pinnacle of limestone. Perched on top of this limestone is a monastery built in the 12th B.C. to enshrine the statue of the Black Virgin (La Moreneta). The monastery built and rebuilt since its initial construction is home to some 80 monks today.
Montjuic is home to fantastic exotic gardens, museums, sculptures, Greek theaters and the 1992 Olympic stadium. The Magic Fountains built for the 1929 World Exposition could also be found here.
The clubs of Barcelona are legendary for its international scene of entertainers and clienteles. Be one with the crowd and feel the pulse of Barcelona's night life. Savor the many cuisines offered by different restaurants. To have a "taste" of the real Barcelona, seek for those small family restaurants for some real Catalonian home-cooked meals.
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