A few words
Barcelona is one of the world’s top holiday destinations that you should definitely visit, and its charm and unique identity are unrivalled. It is the capital of the self-governing region of Catalonia and the second largest city in Spain, and is one of the largest metropolises in Europe.
It is located in the northeast of Spain and is one of the most important economic, cultural, educational and commercial centres in the Mediterranean. Its architectural richness, stemming mainly from a generation of great 20th century artists such as Antoni Gaudi, its huge range of cultural and social events, its ideal location on the Mediterranean coast, the meeting of different cultures from all corners of the globe, its great gastronomy and its temperate climate, have contributed to making this city truly unique and an attraction for millions of visitors.
History
The greater Catalan region, together with other great cities such as Girona and Valencia, were independent regions of Spain. The region has been under both Castilian and French rule, always trying to maintain its cultural and economic autonomy, a key component of which is the Catalan dialect spoken. After the era of industrialisation, the city began to gain wealth and power, but also to regain its freedoms, which contributed to its international prominence and economic prosperity. During the Franco dictatorship, Catalonia lost its autonomy and the region suffered great damage from bombing. After the fall of the dictatorship, democracy was restored and with it, Catalonia acquired the status of an autonomous state within the Spanish Federal Republic. The catalyst for Barcelona was the 1992 Olympic Games, which enabled it to make major infrastructural changes and brought it to international prominence, making it one of the most famous European destinations to date.
Sightseeing
The city’s landmark attraction is none other than the famous Sangrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi’s most important work, which combines architectural styles of Catalan Modernism, Art Nouveau and Spanish Gothic. Starting from the famous Placa Catalunya you can proceed and walk down the famous Las Ramblas pedestrian street towards Barcelonetta beach. Moving on you will see on your right first, La Boqueria, the huge historic flea market and then the Liceu Theatre. On your left, the Barrio Gotico, the historic side of the city, begins. Arriving at the port, you will see the towering statue of Columbus and you can start walking along Port Vell admiring it and arriving at Barcelonetta. Starting from Placa Catalunya, you can also follow the path to the artistic neighborhood of Gracia in whose pedestrian street, you will find the characteristic architectural creations of Gaudi, Casa Batllo and Casa Mila. Other attractions not to be missed are the Montjuic castle on the homonymous hill, the beautiful Ciutadella Park, the famous Park Guell, and of course, the Camp Nou experience.
Beaches
Although a huge and predominantly, industrial city, more than a few people visit Barcelona in the summer months to seize the opportunity to swim in the sea and sunbathe. The famous Barcelonetta, the beach that covers several kilometres of the city’s seafront, attracts hundreds of tourists and you can find trendy restaurants, shops and outdoor terraces to sit on. To the west of the city, you can find more touristy beaches such as San Sebastian Beach. Walking further and further away from the Olympic Port, you will find more and more space to enjoy the sea and the beach. Finally, just below the city’s large and new shopping centre, in a trendy area, you can find Platja De Llevant.
Food
When it comes to food, you couldn’t be in a better place to try many delicious dishes inspired mainly by Mediterranean diet and flavours. As a port city, Barcelona’s local dishes are mainly influenced by fish. The main and perhaps the most famous dish you can try is none other than the Spanish paella with a variety of shrimps and other shellfish. Also very well known are the various tapas you can order, which are small plates of snacks consisting of either fish, meat, vegetables and whatever else. Among these you can choose the ‘pintxos’, small snacks such as fish croquettes, served on pieces of bread with a toothpick. As the city is deeply multicultural, there are plenty of great restaurants for all tastes to try, and there are no shortage of Michelin-starred restaurants to choose from. For dessert, you should definitely try the famous crema catalana, something like creme brulee or creme caramel, but with the typical Catalan recipe.
Nightlife
If you are a fan of nightlife, then you are in the right place. The city literally never sleeps! Both in the centre and in the surrounding areas, you can find a plethora of options including clubs, beer houses, restaurants, concert venues and laid-back bars with their own unique character. The city’s biggest clubs are concentrated in Barcelonetta. You can find dozens of people, outside of them, but also many who will give you coupons for free entry with a drink or two at a discounted price. For those of you who want something more relaxed and sophisticated, in the streets of the Gothic quarter and Gracia, you will find special bars and beer houses with their own character. Furthermore, the El Raval area, although not of the best reputation, is considered the alternative neighbourhood of the centre, and there you can find several bars and beer houses, each with its own style. Plaza Reial, a small square that you can find on your left, coming down Las Ramblas, is a nice spot where you can find several shops to sit in.
Useful information
The currency of Spain is the Euro. The official languages spoken are Catalan and Spanish. The local time is one hour behind Greece. The country code is +34. The main airport in Barcelona is El Prat de Llobregat Aeropuerto. The distance by public transport is just under an hour and by road it is about half an hour. There are, however, two other airports outside Barcelona, at Girona and Reus, which offer a bus service to Barcelona. The city lends itself to exploring on foot and also by bike, so you can take the opportunity to hire a bike. However, there are other means of transport, including metro and buses that you can use to get around easily.
Access
Barcelona Airport, often known as El Prat (BCN), is Spain’s second busiest and largest airport. If there isn’t much traffic on the streets, a cab trip from Barcelona Airport to the city center takes approximately 20 minutes. The city of Barcelona is around 17 kilometers from the airport. Once you’ve started your journey, take the C-31 exit and then the B-10 exit until you reach Passeig Jose Garnet
Taxi from the airport to the hotel in Barcelona
A Barcelona airport taxi is the best option for getting from Barcelona Airport (BCN) to your accommodation in a safe and fast manner. You will not only save carrying your bags up the railway station’s steps, but you will also arrive at your hotel on time, even if you are traveling late at night.