Located in the heart of Barcelona, the National Library of Catalonia is a historic landmark of the city and one of the largest libraries in Spain with more than three million documents. Founded in 1907, the library is an architectural wonder with its large arches decorating the interiors giving the sweeping rows of bookshelves an other worldly charm. A number of activities, events and exhibitions are organized here throughout the year and are very popular among the locals. Guided tours of the library are available for tourists and can be booked via the website.
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.
If you're in Barcelona for a vacation, don't miss out on a visit to the Bunkers del Carmel, a place known as a romantic tourist destination. Housed on the Hill of the Rovira, this heritage site offers outstanding panoramic views of the Catalonian city and is the perfect place to watch the sun rise and set. Take a look at impressive Spanish Civil War bunkers where anti-aircraft guns were assembled during the 1930's. There are numerous guided tours available at different levels where you can learn about the war period and how the place was used to defend the city. This is a must-see tourist attraction for any visiting traveler.
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.
An unfinished religious icon that is steeped in profound cultural value and features an incomparable aesthetic, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia is an astounding marvel. Gaudí began working on this utterly surreal temple, now a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site, in 1882. Originally intended to be a modest, neo-Gothic church, the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia has since become arguably the most iconic building in all of Barcelona. Gaudí broke away from the reigning neo-Gothic style in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, imbuing his architecture with symbolic meaning and pioneering the Catalan Modernism movement. Intricate details like palm-tree pillars whose bases take the shapes of turtles, eye-catching colors, Baroque-style influences, and materials ranging from mosaic tiles to an array of stones converge to create an absolute masterpiece.