Barcelona (map) is Spain’s second largest city, and the capital of Catalonia.
The many faces of Barcelona include the medieval Old Town (map), and the unique street grid resulting from 19th-century urban planning. The city has long sandy beaches and green parks on the hills, pretty much side-by-side. It is also famous for a number of prominent buildings, of which the most-known are by the architect Antoni Gaudí, including his Sagrada Família (map), which became Barcelona’s symbol to many.
Barcelona as internationally renowned a tourist destination, with numerous recreational areas, one of the best beaches in the world, mild and warm climate, historical monuments, including eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites,
+ More information > Wikipedia • Wikivoyage • UNESCO

A May 2017 article in England’s The Telegraph newspaper included Barcelona among the Eight Places That Hate Tourists the Most and included a comment from Mayor Ada Colau, “We don’t want the city to become a cheap souvenir shop [like Venice]”. To moderate the problem, the city has stopped issuing licenses for new hotels and holiday apartments.
August is probably the busiest time for tourists in Barcelona. However, many shops and restaurants are closed from early-August to early September. During this time, you will find the most expensive hotel rates.
Ciutat Vella (Catalan for Old city, map) is, as its name suggests, the oldest part of Barcelona. Centred along the Las Ramblas boulevard, including the medieval Barri Gòtic, Raval, and El Born (also known as La Ribera). Ciutat Vella is where the nightlife, as well as the tourist traffic in Barcelona is centred.
The Barri Gòtic (Catalan for “Gothic Quarter”, map) is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. Many of the buildings date from medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona.
Festes de la Mercè
Barcelona’s main annual festival around 24 September, encompassing many events such as human towers (castellers), free live music events on the streets, firework displays, and processions of wooden giants. It is a holiday and the city offers a lot of activities to have fun. Enjoy a fountains and fireworks show at the base of the Montjuïc hill.
Barcelona beach was listed as number one in a list of the top ten city beaches in the world according to National Geographic and Discovery Channel. Sant Sebastià (map), Barceloneta (map) and Somorrostro (map) beaches, both 1,100 m (3,610 ft) in length, are the largest, oldest and the most-frequented beaches in Barcelona.
La Boqueria (Mercat Sant Josep, map) Large public market with a diverse range of goods and produce. Enjoy freshly squeezed organic fruit juices for €1.5 per cup. If you go near closing time (20:00) sellers will make you a special price (2 or 3 for €2). Closed Sundays.

Getting around by car makes sense if you plan to spend much more time driving outside the city borders than inside it – and ideally if you don’t plan to park overnight at all. Otherwise, for purely in-city transportation, consider renting a scooter, or using public transportation instead.
The public transport in the city and the surrounding area managed by Autoritat del Transport Metropolità (ATM)
TMB • FGC • Tram + Night Bus Service
CityMapper – Barcelona | The ultimate transport app and technology for mobility in cities.
+ Getting around the city (barcelonaturisme.com) • Getting around Spain (spain.info)
Always check whether the bus or the train is more convenient. The least expensive way to get around most parts of Spain is by bus.
BUS > Virtually all companies operating Intercity buses in France including Ouibus and even German players Flixbus offer buses to/from Spanish destinations. ALSA • Grupo Avanza • Socibus and Secorbus. You can also see what is all available on Movelia.es.
RAIL > The city’s main Inter-city rail station is Barcelona Sants railway station (map). The main train operator is RENFE, including AVE (Spanish high speed train) or Talgo intercity services. (*Rail travel in Europe)
AIRPORTS > Barcelona is served by Barcelona–El Prat Airport, about 17 km (11 mi) from the centre of Barcelona. Information about Spanish airports > aena.es.
WATERWAYS > Some of the largest shipping companies includes Baleària • Grimaldi Lines • Trasmediterranea. +Spain’s main sea connections (spain.info)