Barcelona Sights and Landmarks Guide, Spain

Barcelona is Spain’s second most preferred tourist destination after Madrid, and is also the country’s second largest city after the capital. It offers a variety of options for cultural exploration as well as contemporary nightlife.

August is the best time to visit Barcelona, as many of its residents are on holiday at the time and you are likely to get good deals in terms of accommodation as well as restaurants. The Barceloneta district is the best known for cafes and beaches, while Ciutat Vella is the old city, featuring medieval architecture. Although Barcelona has many beautiful beaches, keep in mind that visitors to churches and museums are expected to dress appropriately. The church at Tibidabo is believed to be located at the spot where Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan on the mountain. The spot also offers a magnificent view of the city. Football fans will not want to miss out on NC Barcelona’s home club, Camp Nou.

Barcelona is well known for its many festivals, so try to time your visit to coincide with at least one of them. One of the most interesting ones is Sant Jordi, held on 23rd April, in which men and women traditionally give each other gifts, such as on St Valentine’s Day. Shopping can be a real rampage in Barcelona. You can start your spree right at the international airport, which features duty free and tax free shops that are hard to come by in other areas of the city. Enjoy the Barcelona evenings by visiting the exquisite musical fountains in Plaça d'Espanya. The restaurants and bars in the popular Born area are very pleasant, and there are many places where you can catch a real flamenco show. Born also has the best designer shopping outlets, while Art Monfalcon is the place to go for unusual souvenirs.

Barcelona is also home to Cacao Sampaka, the famous chocolate factory, and also has a chocolate museum. Beware of street vendors and people offering games played on boards, especially in the old city area and on the pedestrian walkways, as they are usually out to hoodwink tourists. Get a Barcelona Card if you plan to visit more than a few museums. Barcelona has a good bus network, and bicycles are also a cheap and fun option to get around in the city. There are numerous bike rental outlets, and even bike tours of the city.