With its hot climate, sprawling beaches and impressive architecture, Barcelona has long been a popular destination for tourists from all over the world. If you're unsure whether to add Barcelona to your bucket list or not, these six reasons should make your decision much easier:
It has a fantastic location.
Barcelona is located right by the sea, which makes it ideal for sunbathing and watersports, as well as the activities you would usually do in a city, for example sightseeing. You will find over 4km of sandy beaches in Barcelona – convenient for anyone who wants to work on their tan after a long day of walking around the city. Barceloneta Beach is Barcelona's best beach and it's only a short walking distance from the city centre so there's no need to pay for a taxi or bus.
The architecture is out of this world.
Marvel at the fascinating architecture when you visit Barcelona. Many of the buildings in this city were designed by Antoni Gaudi, a Catalan architect who lived at the beginning of the twentieth century. Examples of Gaudi's unique and unusual work include the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell, Casa Bastlo and Casa Calvet. If you have time, wander to Park de la Ciutadella – Barcelona's most famous park – and visit the Cascada Fountain. The Gothic Quarter is also worth a visit. It's a great place to buy souvenirs.
The cuisine is divine.
Spanish food is rich and delicious. Popular dishes in Barcelona are paella and tapas. While paella is a rich dish that combines Mediterranean flavours with meat and fish, tapas are small snacks or appetisers usually served in bars. Calamares (rings of squid, usually battered), chorizo al vino (chorizo sausages cooked in wine), gambas (sauteed prawns), and tortilla espanola (omelette with potatoes and onion) are some of the most famous tapas you can get in Barcelona.
Barcelona is a great place to party.
If you love partying, Barcelona is definitely a place you should consider visiting. Carnivals are held all year round, and are a fantastic way of experiencing the local culture. It's worth checking out Festes de la Merce, which is celebrated in September. It's Barcelona's largest festival and there are firework displays and men wearing elaborate masks.
There is so much to do.
From walking under the sea in L'Aquarium Barcelona to strolling along Las Ramblas to watching flamenco dancing, you will never run out of things to do when you're in Barcelona. There are plenty of tourist attractions in the city. The Picasso Museum, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, and Placa Reial are to name but a few. If you're into sports, why not visit Camp Nou, which is home to Barcelona FC? You could also ride a bike around the city to try something different.
As you can see, Barcelona pretty much has it all. The weather is perfect, the food is incredible, and there is culture in every corner. Barcelona is also very cheap and if you're lucky, you might pick up some good deals in the rebajas (sales). If you're not sure of where to stay, I'd recommend the Majestic Hotel. With its central location, the Majestic Hotel is in the perfect position for getting around the city – it's only 1.6km from the Sagrada Familia. Head up to the rooftop bar to see spectacular views of Barcelona.
