Spotlight On Barcelona
Barcelona has a rich cultural heritage and is today an important cultural centre and a major tourist destination. The city, the cosmopolitan capital of Spain’s Catalonia region is known for its art and architecture and rich history. From magnificent creations and buildings designed by the famous Antonio Gaudí to lovely clean urban beaches, Barcelona has much to offer any visitor.
As the Spanish city is an extremely popular holiday choice for many of I Love meet and greet’s customers we thought we would look at just a few of the many things there is to do when visiting this beautiful city.
Sagrada Família
The Sagrada Família is the most iconic structure in Barcelona and is an absolute must see for every visitor. This minor basilica is one of Gaudi’s most famous piece of architecture. Construction began in 1882 and it is still a working piece of art as it is only around three quarters complete. It is hoped to be completed by 2026, a century after the architect’s death. When its spires are eventually finished, it will be tallest church building in the world.
Casa Milà
Casa Milà, was completed in 1912 and is another building designed by Antoni Gaudi. It is also known as La Pedrera (stone quarry), as the front of the building resembles an open quarry in appearance. It is one of several Catalan modernists works to be ENESCO listed. It was designed and commissioned by Pere Milà to be his family home, with apartments for rent on the upper floors. The roof terrace is one of the most spectacular parts of Casa Mila for its imposing chimneys which look like twisted standing soldiers.
Santa Maria Del Mar
Another great tip for your trip to Barcelona is Santa Maria Del Mar or Saint Mary of the Sea which is an imposing church in the Ribera district of Barcelona. It was built between 1329 and 1383 and is known as the ‘cathedral of La Riera’. It is a fine example of Catalan Gothic style architecture and features stunning stained-glass windows including the famous window of Ascension.
Park Güell
For a bit of green space visit the Park Güell, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most impressive public parks in the world. Turning his hand to landscape gardening, the park was designed again, by the famous architect Antonio Gaudí, and boasts some of his best pieces of work. The park features stone structures, peaceful greens, grand viewing terraces, winding paths, landscaped gardens with tropical plants and is home to Barcelona’s most famous mosaic lizard, known as ‘El Drac’.
La Barceloneta
La Barceloneta is one of the most famous neighbourhoods in Barcelona. It is shaped like a triangle and is bordered by the Port Vell marina and the Mediterranean Sea. One of the main attractions in La Barceloneta is its sandy beaches and a must see when you are visiting Barcelona. Visitors to the beach can not only swim and take part in a variety of water sports but it is also a great place to enjoy some fresh seafood in one of the many seaside restaurants.
La Boquería
La Boquería is a huge public market and is another one of the city’s famous tourist landmarks. The market itself dates back to 1217 and is now one of Europe’s largest and most famous food markets selling everything from fruit and vegetables, fish and seafood to preserves and cheeses. The explosion of colours and aromas are a must for any food lover.
Montjuïc Mountain
Montjuïc mountain, meaning Jewish mountain, is a prominent hill overlooking Barcelona’s harbour. With breathtaking views over the city, the hill has so much to offer as it is home to several of Barcelona’s museums including the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC), the Miro Foundation and Poble Espayol. It is also the home of the Olympic Stadium and Montjuic castle. You can get there by taking the cable car or the funicular railway to the top.
Camp Nou
The FC Barcelona stadium is a must visit for any football fan. The large-scale stadium covers a surface area of 55,000 square metres, has a seating capacity of 99,354 and is the biggest stadium in Europe. Take a visit to admire the scale of this stadium as the atmosphere is incredible.
Las Ramblas
Take a stroll down one of Barcelona’s most famous streets where you will find an array of bars, street performers, living statues and souvenir shops. This central boulevard cuts through the city centre stretching from Port Vell to Plaça de Catalunya and is also worth a visit.
Remember, if you are jetting off for a cultural weekend to take in the sights of Barcelona, make sure you book your airport parking with I Love meet and greet.
By Sarah Anglim at 30 Apr 2019