12 Best Things to Do in Barcelona

[Terresa Nitz]

10. Camp Nou [SEE MAP] Camp Nouflickr/Oh-Barcelona. com.

One for the sports fans, yet still among Barcelona's most popular destinations. This arena is home to powerful European football champions F.C. Barcelona.

With a capacity of 99,000 people, this breathtaking sporting arena is Europe's largest. A tour of the ground is absolutely beneficial and you never ever know, you might be lucky adequate to catch a video game!

9. Montjuïc [SEE MAP] Montjuïcflickr/ Picture Kamil.

Montjuïc is a broad shallow hill with a relatively flat top to the southwest of the city. The eastern side of the hill is practically a sheer cliff, providing it a commanding view over the city's harbor instantly listed below. The top of the hill was the website of numerous fortifications, the most recent of which remains today.

Another interesting sight is the Palau Nacional (National Palace), originally developed as the main structure for the International Exhibition. The magnificent building in neo-Baroque design is house to the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC). Montjuïc is likewise house to a number of sports centers developed for the 1992 Olympics.

8. Casa Milà [SEE MAP] Casa Milàflickr/ Rob Shenk.

Developed in between the years 1906 and 1910, Casa Milà (La Pedrera) was the last civil work developed by Catalan designer Antoni Gaudi. The colorful structure is considered among the artist's most eccentric and attracting architectural developments with not one straight edge on the exterior.

Trips of the interior and the unbelievable roof structures are readily available. It also hosts a big exposition of Gaudi works, covering Sagrada Familia and Casa Batlio, not just La Pedrera itself.

7. Gothic Quarter [SEE MAP] Gothic Quarterdreamstime/ © 88and84.

Old is excellent, especially when it's the Gothic Quarter, located in the earliest part of Old Town Barcelona. Some say the quarter goes back 2,000 years, but what travelers will see today isn't that old: a maze of narrow streets flanked by structures from middle ages times to the 19th century.

Travelers will see the Jewish Quarter, considered the Gothic Quarter's most beautiful area; stroll the paths where a young Picasso went to school; consume at Can Culleretes, the oldest dining establishment in Barcelona, dating to 1796, and shop at the colorful Boqueria market.

6. Barceloneta [SEE MAP] Barceloneta.

Out of Barcelona's 7 different beaches, stretching over 4.5 km (2.8 miles) of coastline, Barceloneta most likely tops them all. It is among the most popular and is closest to the city center. Along the 1,100 meter (3,600 feet) sandy beach runs a walkway popular with joggers and cyclist.

Not remarkably this place can get crowded, particularly throughout the summer months when the beach bars open and the beach rapidly fills with locals and tourist.

5. Font Màgica [SEE MAP] Font style Màgicaflickr/ jeroen_bennink.

Font Màgica is a fountain located below the Palau Nacional on the Montjuïc hill and near the Plaça d'Espanya and Poble Espanyol de Barcelona. The fountain, like the majority of the surrounding advancements, was constructed for the 1929 Barcelona International Exposition.

On selected evenings, when the water fountain is activated, it attracts numerous visitors who see the amazing display screen of light, water and music. At the exact same time, the Palau National is brightened, offering a stunning background.

4. Casa Batllo [SEE MAP] Casa Batlloflickr/marimbajlamesa.

It's difficult to find the words to describe Casa Batllo, possibly because it appears like a carnival gone outrageous. Among designer Antoni Gaudi's most famous buildings, Casa Batllo is a mish-mash of colors, constructing materials and what-have-you styles.

There's a big onion-like dome that's reminiscent of a mosque; a colorful wavy tiled roofing system line and great deals of sculptures. Gaudi turned a nineteenth century building into Casa Batllo, sometimes called the "home of bones" since of the many jaws on one sculpture. It was a home without equal, however not one the majority of people would feel comfy living in.

3. Parc Guëll [SEE MAP] Parc Guëll.

With other significant works in the city including La Casa Batlló and La Pedrera, this needs to be among Antoni Gaudí's most popular and it is certainly among the most emblematic of Barcelona.

The location was originally implied to be a residential property development with Gaudi doing much of the preparation and landscape design. Only two homes were constructed and the land was later offered to the city of Barcelona and became a park. It is home to the famous Salamander sculpture, as well as other structures and structures designed by the designer. With sensational views of the city, this is a magical experience.

2. La Rambla [SEE MAP] La Rambla.

This is probably the city's most popular street and is a dynamic hive of activity. It is typically called Las Ramblas, since it is actually a series of a number of different streets that all have an unique feel.

Located just off Plaza Catalunya and leading right down towards the port and beach, visitors will find street entertainers, lots of bars and dining establishments and the fabulous Boquería Market, a real feast for the eyes.

1. Sagrada Familia [SEE MAP] # 1 of Traveler Attractions In Barcelona.

La Sagrada Familia is the most popular tourist attractions in Barcelona, drawing in almost 2.8 million visitors each year. The structure is predicted to be completed within the next 30 years.

Work on La Sagrada Familia started in March vacation to go of 1882 by Francisco de Pala del Villar, the diocesan designer. Gaudi was commissioned to take over the work at completion of 1883. He continued with the developing and building of this unique task until his death on June 7, 1926 at the age of 74.

Following his death, a series of gifted designers continued the building according to Gaudi's plans. Unfortunately, during the Spanish Civil War in 1936, a fire damaged much of these strategies. Trying to follow the remains of the initial designs has actually been a difficulty for contemporary designers dealing with the building.

The design of La Sagrada Familia incorporates analyses of lots of architectural designs, such as Arat Nouveau, Gothic and Catalan Modernism. Gaudi's initial plans called for a temple big enough to seat 13,000 individuals. Since he disliked straight lines, his towers were inspired by the peaks of Montserrat Mountain outside Barcelona, and had similar unequal lines.

Anyone interested in architecture will discover this structure interesting to study. The plans include 18 spires, which represent Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, the 4 Evangelists and the Twelve Apostles. Work is still taking place on some of these spires, while others are open to the general public.

The style likewise requires 3 facades on the building. These include the Nativity Exterior facing east, the Passion Exterior dealing with west and the Glory Façade facing south. The Nativity Facade was finished in 1930. The Passion Façade and the Splendor Façade are still under building and construction.

Visitors will be mesmerized by the complex design components and the religious significance built into all the spaces of the church. The finished area of the church is open to all who wish to see it, as are the finished towers. In addition, a little museum exists within the building where one can find scale models and illustrations revealing the plans for the building of the structure.

La Sagrada Familia has been offering worship opportunities because the fall of 2010 for those who might wish to participate. In Addition, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and announced it a basilica in November 2010 during his visit there.

In his plans, Gaudi understood that his work of art would not be completed during his lifetime. He prepared for it to be integrated in parts, thus guaranteeing that each generation might be able to focus on among the sections. This beautiful basilica is almost ended up, and when it is, Gaudi's vision will lastly be fulfilled.