Barcelona's oldest residential district is a maze of narrow streets housing some fantastic examples of Gothic architecture. Lots of trendy young designers have opened up outlets here over the last few years, along with some classy but not too flashy restaurants, including tapas bars that fill up with the city's youth most nights. Alongside Gothic buildings like the imposing Cathedral of Barcelona, you can see the most concentrated remains of the Roman period here, between Plaça de la Catedral and Plaça Sant Jaume. The old Roman walls still demarcate the boundary between this and its adjacent districts. This spirited neighborhood, known locally as Barri Gòtic, is one of the city's most atmospheric and enchanting explorations serving up style in spades.
Enjoy stunning views of Barcelona at the top of this 512 meters (1,680 feet) tall mountain. Located near the city, Tibidabo is a beautiful mountain that has the tallest submit in the Serra de Collserola Mountain Range. You can ride the Funicular cable car to reach the top of the mountain and there you'll find great views and great attractions, including the Tibidabo Amusement Park.
An impressive sight and the crowning glory of the football community in Spain, Camp Nou is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Home ground of the beloved FC Barcelona, known simply as Barça to locals, this spectacular stadium was constructed in 1957 on a separate piece of land when the expansion of the Camp de Les Corts stadium was deemed impossible due to lack of space. The stadium is sometimes referred to as the 'house that Kubala built', in reference to the great Slovak-Hungarian goal scorer who played for Barça through the 1950s. Kubala was so popular with spectators that the stadium was even unable to accommodate the extraordinary masses that flocked to watch him play on more than one occasion. Camp Nou can accommodate more than a whopping 99,000 spectators at a time, and is profoundly iconic for its vibrant bleachers, painted in the club's royal blue and red colors.
Established by surrealist artist Joan Miró, this institute was founded to support the study of contemporary art. It was built by architect Josep Lluís Sert who was also a close friend to Miró and member of the Catalan art scene. Its outstanding octagonal tower houses a concert hall that puts on classical music performances, and the striking building also houses a permanent collection of Miró's art. Large canvases mingle with tapestries while engravings complement photographs. Given the eclectic stylings of its honored artist, the institute showcases a number of disciplines and aesthetics. There are also a café-restaurant and souvenir shop onsite, promising plenty of comfort for visitors to the Joan Miró Foundation.
Towering over the city at 173 meters (570 feet) is this scenic hill overlooking the sea. Montjuïc remained uninhabited until after the Middle Ages despite the fact that the Jewish quarter in Barcelona had already extended to the nearby Miramar area. The first path to the summit opened in 1607, and in 1640, a fortress was built to resist Spanish invasions during the Catalan Revolt. For centuries now, the Montjuïc park area has been a popular place for locals to pick wild herbs during leisure time, as well as an enjoyable attraction for visitors. Please note that while the park is free to visit, Montjuïc Castle charges an admission fee.
Featuring an air of striking regality that can be attributed to its historic dull rose facade, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is a longstanding symbol of Barcelona's prized culture. Perhaps the most important theater in Barcelona, the Gran Teatre del Liceu was built in 1847 as a venue for opera performances. The original building showcased a modern aesthetic designed by architects Miquel Garriga i Roca and Josep Oriol Mestres, and while the theater was rebuilt after a fire in 1994, a handful of cherished artifacts from the first structure remain. The main façade, the Hall of Mirrors, and staircase notably represent the historic Gran Teatre del Liceu as it was originally conceived. As important as ever, the new theater stays true to its roots by staging an exciting program of operas, concerts, and ballets performed by some of the most reputable companies in the world. It even houses a symphony orchestra and choir that perform throughout the year. With 2,292 seats, the Gran Teatre del Liceu is certainly grand, and it has one of the largest opera auditoriums in Europe.
Dating back to the 17th Century, Jujol Centre - Can Negre is a beautiful farmhouse redesigned by Joseph Maria Jujol, a renowned Art Nouveau artist between the years 1915 and 1930. The decor is a blend of various techniques and materials including plaster, iron, wood, mosaic, and sgraffito. Inside the farmhouse, ornate decor and lovely colors adorn the staircase taking you to the first level. A tiny baroque chapel is also found adjoining this enchanting structure.
1+1=3 (U Mes U Fan Tres) is a gorgeous winery known for their elaborate selection of wines and caves. The vineyard of this quintessential Spanish winery is home to over five varieties of grapes which yield wines of distinctive characters. Caves are prepared using separate selection of grapes. Owners Carles, Josep and Josep Anton, personally supervise the the entire process that goes into the creation of their wines, from selection of grapes to bottling every step is scrutinized by the team. A tour of the winery and the vineyard gives patrons a peek into the Catalonian wine-making traditions and cultures, and one can also pick up a few souvenirs after the intriguing tour and tasting session. Wines and caves from 1+1=3 (U Mes U Fan Tres) are exported all across Europe, North America and even Asia, a visit to the place is enough to give a testimony of their popularity.
Named after the gallery director, Galeria Toni Tàpies was opened in 1994. The gallery presents works by internationally known contemporary artists like Jeff Brouws, Sasha Weidner and Ann Veronica Janssens. The gallery regularly participates in a number of international and prestigious art fairs all over the world.
Barcelona's landscape is filled with hidden artistic gems, and the Barcelona Street Style Tours help appreciate the city as a canvas in the most unique way possible. These tours take you through the city's prime graffiti spots, mainly in the El Borne/Gothic Quarter Street neighborhood and the Raval Street area. Not at all didactic, this walking tour promises a fun learning experience,with intermittent stops at art-centric bars and galleries. These tours are free of charge, although donations are appreciated.
Alta Alella is a family owned winery, which takes visitors through the process of the creation of wines. The winery provides tours of various kinds for visitors, such as Epicurean picnics, helicopter rides, gourmet cooking workshops, wine art workshops and more. There are several tasting tours are available, and the venue can be booked for private events as well.
The Parc de Collserola is on Collserola Mountain on the fringes of Barcelona. It spans 8000 hectares (19,770 acres), including large areas of white pine and oaks with squirrels, rabbits, foxes and other wild creatures running around. It is one of the biggest urban parks in Europe. In addition to the different flora and fauna, there are Masies: traditional Catalan houses and archaeological remains, and lots of trails for hikers and cyclists. The best way to tour around the park is to join one of the themed tours organized by the management.