Barcelona

Casa Batlló stands at number 43 on Passeig de Gracia. It was a construction project for the textile businessman, Josep Batlló, who hired Antoni Gaudi in 1904 to fully remodel a building and convert it into his new residence in Barcelona. Although Batlló's first idea was to demolish the existing building, Gaudi convinced him to keep the original structure from 1875 and remodel both the facade and its interior. It was a coincidence that the original building was the work of Emili Sala i Cortés, a teacher of Gaudi's at the Escola Tècnica Superior d'Arquitectura de Barcelona.

To show and convey his ideas, Gaudi soon understood that simple plans and drawings would be impossible and he started to work on scale models made from plaster. He created them until they obtained the desired volumes and figures. This methodology, and the innovative nature of his proposals, made the administrative processes highly complex, resulting in the paradox of the construction licence failing to be granted until 1912, six years after renovations were completed.

Known as La Pedrera due to its rustic, rocky appearance, Casa Milá is an amazing modernist building created by Antoni Gaudi between the years 1906 and 1912. This peculiar building, which is situated on the Passeig de Gracia, reflects the artistic peak of Gaudi when he was working on different projects in the city. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.

Like other Gaudi creations, La Pedrera is a stunning building that will amaze visitors, especially with its roof terrace.

Tibidabo Theme Park, which was opened in 1899, is the oldest in Spain and one of the first to be constructed in Europe. Some of its old attractions still work today, such as the Avión, one of the first flights simulators with its own propellor, the Museu dels Autòmats (which has more than 40 pieces from the 19th and 20th centuries), and the Talaia, a structure more than 90 years old that lifts visitors over 50 metres in the air.

Between the old glories of the park, you can also enjoy some more modern attractions, such as a roller coaster. Tibidabo is a magical, symbolic place in the city of Barcelona. It is the highest peak in the Serra de Collserola. At a height of 512 metres, and known as the Magic Mountain, it is one of the best viewpoints overlooking the city.

In addition to spectacular views of Barcelona, the park offers visitors attractions, shows and entertainment to suit all ages.

Barcelona Aquarium is home to more than 11,000 fish and sea creatures from 450 different species. It is one of the most important aquariums in the world. This is an entertaining place for children, who can even sleep next to fish, while adults have the chance to dive with sharks.

Barcelona Aquarium is located by the sea, making it the ideal place to discover the marine depths. It's a fantastic place for a different experience, especially if you are travelling with children, due to its great variety of animals.

The Picasso Museum in Barcelona is the leading centre on Pablo Picasso's formative years. The history of the museum is a chronical of the firm desire of the artist to leave his mark on Barcelona.

With a collection of over 3500 pieces by the Malaga artist, the Picasso Museum in Barcelona contains the most complete collection in the world of work from Picasso's youth, which constitutes the best period of artistic expression that enables a greater understanding of the artist.

The museum is comprised of five large, Catalan Gothic-style palaces over which Picasso's works are displayed in chronological order. These palaces have been largely refurbished but you can still find some original spaces where you can view the style of the elite in the city during the 19th century.

The Sagrada Familia is the most famous and symbolic monument in Barcelona. As the prime example of modernist architecture created by Gaudi, thousands of tourists visit it every day despite the fact it remains unfinished.

Extravagant, ambitious and controversial, this modern church has been undergoing construction since 1882 with a neo-Gothic style. A year after the project was placed in Gaudi's hands, he completed redesigned it. He designed an exceptional, innovative temple that would be comprised of 18 towers, although he only had time to create one of them before his death.

When he died in 1926, Gaudi left the project that occupied the last years of his life unfinished. However, thanks to the plans he had kept, his dream has been made a reality, little by little, thanks to the work of other artists and the money obtained from donations and visits.

It is hoped construction will be completed in 2030.

The Poble Espanyol was built for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition. It is currently one of the main tourist attractions in the city and in the mountain of Montjuïc.

It is the replica of a real Iberian town with streets, squares, council, monastery, artisan shops and restaurants. With the aim of reflecting all the Peninsula’s architectural richness, each of the Town’s 117 buildings is a replica of a monument and unique building from all over the Spanish territory. The idea came from Josep Puig i Cadafalch and was brought to life by Francesc Folguera and Ramon Reventós, with the involvement of the painter Xavier Nogués and the art critic Miquel Utrillo. They wanted to offer a mix between the architecture and way of life in the country's towns. It was due to be demolished at the end of the Exposition, but in the end it was decided that it would be preserved as many were in favour it.

Nowadays, a definitive step has been taken to turn the town into a space for discovering traditions with the incorporation of new audio-visual equipment, among which the Fiesta space stands out, a 150 square metre installation that recreates, through a 7-metre high mapping, the most emblematic popular celebrations from all over Spain grouped together by concepts such as euphoria, courage, fire, spirituality and colour. A spectacular space where the emotion of the Patum de Berga, la Tomatina de Buñol (Valencia), los Castells (Catalonia), Andalusian Holy Week, the festival of San Fermín (Navarre) or The Jaleo (Balearic Islands) can be experienced first-hand. In addition, the so-called Feelings have been incorporated, five immersive audio-visual spaces that allow visitors to discover the landscapes, gastronomy and traditions of five emblematic areas: the Mediterranean, the North, the Camino de Santiago (the Way of Saint James), the South and the Quixote landscapes (central area). They are equipped with high definition screens which are combined with other sensory experiences such as the sense of smell.

It is worth highlighting that there are around twenty craftsmen and women working every day in the Poble Espanyol, creating pieces made from leather, glass, jewellery, among many other materials. This has led to it being named an Area of Artisanal Interest by the Government of Catalonia. In addition, workshops, family activities, guided tours among others are organized. Within the area - which is closed to traffic - there are numerous restaurants and bars with charming terraces, a children's area with large slides, a picnic area, and cultural activities throughout the year organized for locals and tourists alike. In summer the outdoors activities stand out. It also has a valuable private contemporary art collection in the Fran Daurel Museum where universal works of art by the likes of Picasso, Dalí or Miró can be admired.

Web: https://www.poble-espanyol.com

Opening hours: Monday from 9:00 to 20:00; Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 9:00 to 14:00; Friday from 9:00 to 16:00; Saturday from 9:00 to 17:00; Sundays from 9:00 to 12:00 a.m. 24th December from 09:00 to 20:00, 25th December from 09:00 to 14:00.

Located in the impressive Palau Nacional, the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya is a complete museum known for its excellent collection of Romanesque art, which is considered one of the best in the world. The museum houses all kinds of art and addresses an extensive stretch of history, from the Romanesque to the middle of the 20th century.

Located on Montjüic Mountain, this stunning building was created for the World Exposition of 1929. This amazing classical-style palace was inspired by the Renaissance. Covering 32,000 square metres, it is beautifully decorated with murals and lovely architectural elements. Its most interesting areas include the Salón Oval, Salón del Trono and main dome.

Although up to the end of the 20th century the beaches in Barcelona could barely be called beaches, the 90s saw the water and sand cleaned to give them a healthier and more attractive appearance. Today, despite the fact Barcelona can't really be considered a beach destination, millions of people head to the beach to sunbathe and swim in its waters.

The Barcelona coast has a seafront promenade that runs the length of all its beaches, from Llevant in the north to Sant Sebastià in the south.

Barcelona's beaches are centrally located and they have excellent transport links, meaning they can be reached in just a few minutes from any point in the city.

Barcelona is a city that has made the most of the infrastructure derived from one of the greatest moments in its sporting history, forging the future of sport: the facilities that hosted the Olympic Games of 1992 are today quality and versatile sports complexes where professionals and the general public can practice all kinds of sports.

Furthermore, you can enjoy all kinds of sports facilities in Barcelona: football stadiums, athletics tracks, a cycling velodrome, riding tracks, ice rinks, marinas...

Barcelona, a multicultural and cosmopolitan city, has many theatres where all kinds of shows are held. If you are fan of the performing arts, make sure you visit one of the city's most important theatres to catch a show. Theatre enjoys great prominence in this city.

La Ciutat del Teatre and Barcelona Teatre Musical have contributed greatly to increasing theatre options available in Barcelona throughout the year. In summer, Teatre Grec is the stage for one of the most important cultural events in Europe: Grec Festival.

Barcelona is also known for a highly varied range of music options that include all genres (classical, opera, ballet and modern music). Notable auditoriums include Gran Teatre del Liceu in the heart of Las Ramblas, Palau de la Música Catalana, which is a modernist wonder, and L’Auditori, which is the seat of the Orquestra Sinfónica de Barcelona i Nacional de Catalunya (OBC), which offers a musical programme encompassing different styles.

Barcelona is one of the world's biggest fashion capitals. Fans of shopping can purchase clothing and accessories as well as specialised products, souvenirs and regional items.

Passeig de Gracia: Along this street you will find numerous stores of luxury brands that see this area often compared to the Champs Élysées in Paris and Fifth Avenue in New York.

Portal de l'Àngel: This charming pedestrian street is one of the busiest in Spain, as well as one of the main shopping streets in Barcelona. It starts at Plaça de Catalunya.

In Barcelona you can buy quality products as well as those of different denominations of origin, including wines, spirits, cold meats, honey and sweets. There are specialised shops for each product, resulting in a varied selection of places where you can buy a tasty souvenir from the city.

Fira de Barcelona is one of the most important trade fair institutions in Europe due to its activity, space, experience and leadership.

Founded in 1932, it organises events and conferences that address the economy's main sectors, as well as numerous business, social and cultural events. It has two large areas and it offers exhibitors, organisers and visitors all the resources necessary of a modern and efficient entity.

Today, Fira is renowned internationally and it is closely linked to the Barcelona brand, which is a city boasting more than a century of fair traditions. With more than 70 function rooms that gather approximately 35,000 companies (direct and represented), Fira de Barcelona welcomes more than 3 million visitors a year.