Overview
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and Spain's second-largest city, set between the Collserola hills and the Mediterranean Sea. It pairs a dense medieval core with the airy grid of the 19th-century Eixample, and is world-famous for the Modernista architecture of Antoni Gaudi.
A Short History
Founded as the Roman colony of Barcino around the 1st century BC, Barcelona grew into a powerful medieval maritime trading port. The industrial boom of the 1800s funded the Eixample expansion and the Modernista movement, and the 1992 Olympic Games transformed its waterfront into the lively seafront the city enjoys today.
What to See
La Sagrada Familia
Gaudi's still-unfinished basilica of soaring, organic stone spires.
Park Guell
A hillside park of mosaic-tiled terraces with sweeping city views.
Gothic Quarter
A labyrinth of medieval streets, hidden squares, and a grand cathedral.
La Boqueria
A cavernous market off La Rambla bursting with produce, jamon, and juice.
Plan your visit
Short on time? Follow our ready-made route through the best of Barcelona in a single day.