city: Barcelona
district: Tibidabo

The church Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor can be seen from all over Barcelona. Enric Sagnier built it during 1902 and 1911. From the top of the church the view on Barcelona is stunning.

city: Barcelona
district: Parc Ciutadella

Josep Vilaseca I Casanoves built the triumphal arch for the World Exhibition in Barcelona in 1888. The impressive entrance to the park shows angels with trumpets on the top.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

Barcelona has a more than 4 km long beach – stretching from Barceloneta to the Port Olímpic. Barcelona’s beach was renewed for the Olympic games in 1992 and nowadays is excellently equipped with numerous showers, deck chairs, volleyball fields and ambulance. In summer the beach of Barcelona is rather crowded, both, during day and nighttimes, as there are numerous bars, restaurants and nightclubs around this area.

city: Barcelona
district: Las Ramblas (La Rambla)

This colourful market in the centre of Las Ramblas offers everything a gourmet wishes: fresh fish, fruits, meat, and bread is piled up to the rooftop of the beautiful covered market. It is also a good place to try traditional Barcelona food as many stalls in the middle of the market sell original dishes to take away.

city: Barcelona
district: Montjuic

The exhibition centre of the Fundació La Caixa in Barcelona shows national and international artists and exhibitions.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

The Casa Batlló in Barcelona can be seen as an expression of Gaudí’s national feeling: the building is said to present the legend of Sant Jordi (Holy George), the patron saint of Catalunya, and his killing of a dragon. The roof of Casa Batlló presents the back of the dragon, and the balconies, formed like masks, the sculls of his victims. The colourful facade is also an example of Gaudí’s sense for colours.

city: Barcelona
district: Parc Ciutadella

The enormous Cascade Fountain in the centre of the park clearly shows traces of Gaudí’s work in Barcelona. Dragons, horses with wings and snake tails rear up and spill fountains in the water.

city: Barcelona
district: Montjuic

The fort of Montjüic was built at the beginning of the 18th century. Enjoy the beautiful view of Barcelona and the harbour or visit the Museu Militar.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

The gothic Cathedral is the heart of the Barrí Gòtic (Gothic area). Its construction began 1298 and lasted until the 15th century. The Cathedral is an impressive demonstration of Catalan and Spanish power, as well as an interesting example for gothic architecture.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

The Eglésia de Santa Maria del Mar in El Born is another prime example for Gothic architecture in Barcelona. The stunning, spacious interior of the church was built by the architect Berenguer de Montagut in honour of the Holy Mary of the seas, the patron saint of sailors.
Santa Maria del Mar is in El Born, an area that is part of Barcelona’s La Ribera (waterfront) district, an engaging area of the Barrí Gotic. It was formally known as a poor workers area, but it was rediscovered several years ago. Nowadays, El Born accommodates young artists, students and designers who contribute to the creative and international atmosphere of this area of Barcelona. If you are looking for small, individual stores, alternative music or jazz in Barcelona, this is the place to go. There are also numerous excellent restaurants in El Born; see our restaurant guide to find out more information. The lively Passeig de Born with its numerous bars and cafes is also an attractive place to spend a night out in Barcelona.

city: Barcelona
district: Montjuic

city: Barcelona
district: Tibidabo

The Funicular of Barcelona brings you from the end of the tramline to the very top of the mountain. Each train has two halves, one pointing up and one pointing down. Enjoy the panorama view of Barcelona from the ‘down end’ of the train. Single tickets for Barcelona’s funicular cost 2 Euros, return tickets 3 Euros.

city: Barcelona
district: Las Ramblas (La Rambla)

Barcelona’s most famous opera house half way down Las Ramblas was built in 1847. Even though it burned down twice it was completely restored and reopened in 2000. Unfortunately it is very hard to get tickets for one of the operas.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

La Pedrera – the quarry – is the nickname of Gaudí’s Casa Milà. This apartment house was Gaudí’s final construction in Barcelona before he dedicated his life to Sagrada Familia. It was finished in 1910 and shows impressively Gaudí’s genius imagination and creativity. Especially the rooftop and the facade of the wave-like building are worth examining. In 1996 La Pedrera was completely restored and now inhabits a museum, an exhibition centre of the Fundació Caixa de Catalunya, a furnished exhibition flat and private accommodation.

city: Barcelona
district: Parc Ciutadella

The artificial lake Llac lies right in the middle of the park and invites you to discover the surroundings of Park Ciutadella by boat.

city: Barcelona
district: El Raval

The modern white building forms a shocking contrast to the medieval character of Barcelona’s El Raval district. Since 1995 it hosts the most important contemporary artists as well as international exhibitions of the late 20th century.

city: Barcelona
district: Las Ramblas (La Rambla)

The column of Christopher Columbus at the end of Las Ramblas near the harbour is a reminder of his return to Spain after the discovery of America. You can go up the Column to a visitor platform and enjoy the beautiful view of Barcelona.

city: Barcelona
district: Parc Ciutadella

The Museu d’Art Modern of Barcelona inhabits modern Catalunyan art such as Ramon Casas, Josep Llimona, Gaudí and Gaspar Homar.

city: Barcelona
district: Las Ramblas (La Rambla)

Barcelona’s impressive marine history is shown in the Drassanes Reials (the former  royale shipyard of the 13th century) in El Raval.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

Since he was 14 the famous artist lived and worked in Barcelona. Discover some of the most important and significant pictures of Pablo Picasso, beginning with his early youth up to his famous blue and red period.

city: Barcelona
district: Parc Ciutadella

Palau de la Ciutadella is a beautiful palace that inhabits the Parliament of Catalunya in Barcelona.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

The famous concert hall of the architect Lluís Domènechi I Montaner is an impressive example for Modernism architecture in Barcelona.

city: Barcelona
district: El Raval

In 1886 the rich count Güell instructs the young architect Gaudí to build an extraordinary mansion that should differ from the ones of his neighbours in Barcelona. Resulting was Palau Güell, one of Gaudí’s earliest masterpieces in Barcelona.

city: Barcelona
district: Montjuic

The impressive palace Palau Nacional was built for the World Exhibition in 1929 and accommodates Barcelona’s National Museum of Catalunyan Art (MNAC) with an impressive collection of historical Catalan treasures.

city: Barcelona
district: Tibidabo

On top of Tibidabo you will find a nostalgic amusement park with antique merry-go-rounds. It was opened in Barcelona in 1908 and some of the merry-go-rounds are still from this time. Also the Museu dels Autòmates can be found here, a museum that exhibits all kinds of robots and machines.

city: Barcelona
district: Parc Ciutadella

“Floquet de Neu” (Snowflake) was for a long time the star of Ciutadella’s zoo: he was the only albino gorilla in the world living in the zoo. He died in the second half in 2004.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

The rich duke Eusebi Güell was a strong admirer of the young architect Gaudí. In 1895 Güell bought a territory overlooking Barcelona and planned to build an English garden city with more than 60 mansions there. Gaudí was to design the public areas and the basic structure; other architects were to design the houses. Güell’s plan remained a vision and only three of the 60 houses were built. Instead, the city of Barcelona bought the area and declared it a park in 1923. The park is very magical, with winding small paths and platforms overlooking Barcelona. In its centre the famous benches designed by Gaudí invite to rest and enjoy the beautiful view of Barcelona. Gaudí himself lived for several years in one of the two houses built at the entrance of the park (not designed by Gaudí), which now is the Casa-Museu Gaudí.

city: Barcelona
district: Montjuic

Germany’s contribution to the World Exhibition in Barcelona of 1929 was a surprise for contemporary architects. The Bauhaus architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe impressed with clear forms and elegance.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

The medieval square and its palace convey an excellent impression of the antique Barcelona. Discover Roman ruins and fragments of the former Barcino and inform yourself about the history of Barcelona in the Museu d`Història de la Ciutat.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

The beautiful Plaça Reial with its palm arcades in the centre of Barcelona is a very lively place. The impressive Modernist buildings and the lanterns designed by Gaudí are the perfect surrounding to sit down for a coffee or have dinner in one of the numerous restaurants. During the night Plaça Reial is also known as an interesting place to spend a night out in Barcelona.

city: Barcelona
district: Ciutat Vella

Plaça Sant Jaume was the political centre of the Roman Barcino. Today its political significance for Barcelona is just as strong as in former times. Plaça Sant Jaume accommodates Barcelona’s most important government buildings: the Palau de la Generalitat (domicile of the Catalan government) and the Ajuntament of Barcelona (town hall).

city: Barcelona
district: Montjuic

The Poble Espanyol (Spanish village) was designed for the World Exhibition in 1929 and shows miniature copies of significant Spanish buildings.

city: Barcelona
district: El Raval

Not as exciting as its big sister Las Ramblas – but still worth a stroll. The pedestrian area Rambla del Raval is the latest attempt of Barcelona’s city engineers to change the former dark and unfriendly atmosphere of the street.

city: Barcelona
district: Gaudì's Barcelona

address: Plaza Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is probably Barcelona’s most famous and most controversial work of Gaudí. The ambitious young architect started building the church when he was only 31, during the last years of his life he even slept in the crypt. In his vision the Sagrada Familia should become a memorial of remorse for modern materialism in Barcelona: 18 majestic towers shall be crowned by another one in the centre with a total height of 170 metres. If ever concluded, this would be the highest building in Barcelona. Gaudí knew that his vision was too gigantic to conclude it during his lifetime. Until his death in Barcelona in 1926 (he was killed by a tram in front of Sagrada Familia), he finished the crypt, one of the towers and most of the Christmas facade. Since then several architects and sculptors have contributed to the fulfilment of Gaudí’s vision. Constantly under controversial discussion Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia shall be finished 2030 – if there is enough financial support.

city: Barcelona
district: Tibidabo

Norman Foster, a British architect, designed the 560-meter high communication tower that overlooks Barcelona like a giant needle. From the observation deck for visitors you are able to see as far as Montserrat or the Pyrenees on clear days.

city: Barcelona
district: Tibidabo

Luckily you do not have to climb up Tibidabo by foot. The nostalgic Tramvia Blau (Blue tram) is the last remaining tram of Barcelona. Starting at the stop FGC every 15 minutes, the Tramvia Blau goes up the Avenguda de Tibidabo, passing impressive Modernist mansions. Arriving at Plaça Doctor Andreu, change to the Funicular of Tibidabo that brings you directly to the top of Tibidabo.