A sun-filled seaside paradise, Barcelona has struck a chord with locals and tourists alike. A city full of charm, sparkling scenery, sandy beaches, stunning architecture, buzzing nightlife and rich cultural heritage. As one of the top five most visited cities in Europe, it’s easy to see why tourists flock to Catalonia’s vivacious capital. Older than Rome and the only city to win the Royal Gold Medal for architecture, Barcelona is a smart city at the forefront of change, always investing in ways to improve efficiency and enhance the quality of life of its inhabitants. This is evident by its incredible melange of various architectural brilliance, artificial beaches, dedication to cultural traditions and investment in local infrastructure.
Come for the weather, stay for the scenery. Whether you are here to relax, explore the stunning cityscape, soak up the sunshine, or rock till you drop, one thing is for certain, you will leave holding a special place in your heart for this wondrous city.
Explore Barcelona’s Array of Architectural Brilliance
A city littered with Gothic and Modernist marvels; the architectural expression that encapsulates this remarkable city solidifies Barcelona as one of the most popular cities to visit in the world, none more spectacular than the soaring towers of the Basilica de la Sagrada. Impossible to ignore due to its unconventional style and towering frame, the Basilica de la Sagrada was designed by Barcelona’s most famous architect Antoni Gaudi in 1883. Currently the world’s largest unfinished church, Gaudi put his unique spin on things by combining elements of Spanish Late Gothic, Art Nouveau and Catalan Modernism design to depict his heretical vision. Witness the Basilica’s lavish exterior and dramatic illustrations, wander through its hallowed hallways and bathe in its heavenly ambience as rays of sunshine cascade through its beautiful opulent stained-glass windows.
Other awe-inspiring attractions worth exploring to in your rental car include the Casa Mila; an early 20th-century exponent of Antoni Gaudi’s most renowned quirky ‘Stone Quarry” secular building, Palau de la Música Catalana; Barcelona’s eye-catching Concert Auditorium, draped in Art Nouveau style ornamental décor, the Picasso Museum, showcasing over 4000 artworks by one of the most famous artists of all time Pablo Picasso, or the Magic Fountain of Montjuic; a glorious fountain built for the 1929 International Exhibition that illuminates the night sky with a sea of colour choreographed to traditional Spanish classical music.
The 2,000-year-old Gothic Quarter, Barcelona’s spiritual centre and oldest part of town, is one of the most mysterious and enchanting neighbourhoods in the city. A labyrinth of enigmatic alleyways and ancient buildings, this archaic neighbourhood will have you transcending back to the Middle Ages as you aspire to unearth the secrets of this truly fascinating place. Some of our favourite spots to check out include the Barcelona Cathedral; a mediaeval masterpiece of 13th century Catalan Gothic architecture, or Can Culleretes; Barcelona’s oldest restaurant dating back to 1786, still serving up classic traditional Spanish and Catalan cuisine. All four of Gothic Quarter’s atmospheric squares are worth a visit, in particular the lively Placa Reial, or you could also pay a visit to El Call: Barcelona’s old Jewish Quarter dating back to mediaeval times.
Bathe in the Sunshine at one of Barcelona’s Iconic Sandy Beaches
Barcelona has one of the most gorgeous seascapes in the entire world. Dubbed the ‘best beach city’ on the planet by National Geographic, it is a little underwhelming to discover that before the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, the city had no real beaches. Created artificially to service the influx of tourists and reposition the city as an ocean paradise, Barcelona’s hierarchy imported hundreds of metric tonnes of sand from Egypt to surface the waterfront. Now a haven for overzealous beachgoers and one of Barcelona’s major draw cards, the hardest part is deciding which beach to attend. Although they are all amazing in their own right, Bogatell Beach would have to be up there as one of the best beaches in Spain. With lifeguards on site, volleyball courts, ping pong tables and a little less crowded than the others, this is one beach worth jumping in your rental car to get to. Other prime beach locations worth dropping by are Barceloneta Beach, Sant Sebestià, or Nova Icaria Beach; a peaceful family friendly beach perfect for taking the kids.
