The fantastic creations of Antonio Gaudi combine Islamic art with Gothic and Baroque styles to create colorful and intriguing urban spaces. Experience the playful side of Gaudi with a visit to Parc Guell, on the Carmel hill or see the most famous Gaudi project, La Sagrada Familia, the church of the Holy Family, started in 1882, which remains a work-in-progress. Best kept Gaudi secret: Casa Batllo is a Gaudi creation inside and out.
Casa Batlló
Passeig de Gràcia, 43
+34 (0)93 216 03 06
Parc Guell
Carrer d'Olot, s/n.
Carretera del Carmel
(34) 93 413 24 00.
Church of La Sagrada Familia
C. Mallorca, 401
08013 Barcelona
+34 932 080 414
In the 1990s, Barcelona reclaimed her beaches, and the result is a sandy paradise. The beaches of Sant Sebastià, La Barceloneta, Nova Icària, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella, stretch for nearly two miles and have all the facilities and services necessary to enjoy a pleasant seaside day.
The most charming bits of Barcelona are its small squares, very often hidden away among lanes and alleys that still preserve the charm of ancient times in the very heart of the old city.
The Placeta de Sant Just reveals the character of traditional Barcelona and the city's first Christian martyrs were buried there. Ramon Berenguer Square has a great stretch of the city wall with a concentration of Gothic buildings against it, presided over by Count Ramon Berenguer III, on his marble horse.
Àngel Square is the former entrance gate to the city in the Roman Wall, named for the angel, which was put there in the seventeeth century, now resides in the City Museum.
Montjuic is home to the Font Màgica and the Fundació Joan Miró. The Magic Fountain, created in 1929, is one of the city's oldest traditions: a water, music and light spectacular Thursday through Sunday evenings.
Fundació Joan Miró displays more than 10,000 pieces of art by Joan Miró: paintings, sculptures, graphics and a tapestry created especially for the space. The rooftop sculpture garden provides the perfect setting for Miró's sculpture and stunning views of the city.
Font Màgica (Magic Fountain)
Passeig Maria Cristina,
Barcelona, 08004, Spain
Fundació Joan Miró
Parc de Montjuïc s/n
Barcelona
+34 (0)93-443-94-70
The mountain of Tibidabo (1679 feet) is the highest point of the Collserola hills, and hosts the first amusement park in Spain, recently renovated by the city. Full of fantastic grottoes, a colorful giant Ferris wheel with a commanding view, the Big Dipper roller coaster and the excitement of the Aeromàgic, which dates from 1928, a replica of the first plane to fly between Barcelona and Madrid.
Parc d'Atraccions
Pl Tibidabo, 3*4
Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
08035 Barcelona
+34 (0)93 211 7942
An unusual transparent building and a collection of sealife from around the globe makes the Barcelona Aquarium a very popular tourist destination. There is a display of rare (both in size and type) mollusk shells, and an opportunity for qualified divers to dive with the sharks. The cool undersea atmosphere is especially attractive on a hot summer afternoon, a interactive play/learning area for children is an added attraction.
Moll d'Espanya - Port Vell
Barcelona, Spain
+34 (0)93 221 7474
