2,000 years ago Barcelona became a truly formidable city within the Roman Empire. Nestling on the Mediterranean coast, surrounded by mountains and fortified by a great wall, it ruled a kingdom, even before Spain was born. This Roman city then expanded, with grand medieval buildings and a network of alleyways, many of which still exist today in the Gothic Quarter of the city.

Enjoy street entertainers in the Barri Gotic

Tempting pastries for sale in the Barri Gotic

Discover the heartbreaking story of Eulàlia and enjoy the magnificent views in the Cathedral and cloister.

But Barcelona is not just a dusty old history lesson. It is also a cosmopolitan and modern city. It hosted the Olympic Games in 1992 which rejuvenated many parts of it. For example, run down neighbourhoods and industrial areas have been reborn with modern facilities, sculpture and open green spaces. All this has brought about Barcelona’s biggest change in recent times – it has turned it back towards the sea.

Visit the site of the 1992 Olympic games.

Wander the pretty streets of a mock Spanish village at the Pobble Espanyol

The sea has always been important to Barcelona. Christopher Columbus sailed from here in his first trip to the new world of discovery. Barcelona’s shipyards built some of the most powerful Galleys of all time and it is here that the world’s first submarine was tested. The old port has been totally rejuvenated and it is now one of the busiest cruise-ship stops in Europe. The clean beaches and renewed seafront neighbourhoods have successfully brought together the pleasures of the Mediterranean with the sophistication of a modern European city.

Continue the journey over the Rambla de Mar to the Maremagnum shopping centre.

Learn about Barcelona's historic sea faring past in Port Vell, such as the 3 masted schooner Santa Eulàlia.

The people of Barcelona are very proud of their home. They are proud of their architecture and the man that was responsible for most of it – Antoni Gaudi, one of the greatest creators of modernism. Famous for his unique style and highly individual designs, the unfinished La Sagrada Familia is his best known work, but there are many more examples around the city. He even designed a city within a city, now a permanent park, before his untimely death.

Hear the story of Barcelona's greatest architect and visit some of his weird creations.

Marvel at the unfinished Barcelona icon, the Sagrada Familia

The people of Barcelona are also proud to be Catalan, which for many years, was suppressed by the Spanish rulers, based in rival Madrid. The most brutal aggression came under the dictator Franco during the Spanish Civil War, when even the cannons of the cities castle, high on MontJuic, were fired on the citizens below!  Today, the local Catalan government vigorously promote Catalan music, arts, literature and language.

Take a cable car ride to the summit of MontJuic for superb views over the city

Discover the Castell de Montjuïc and its gruesome past.

Escape the crowds and meet animals of all kinds in the Parc de la Ciutadella.

Stroll along the Ramblas and discover plenty of interesting buildings, each with a unique story.

View the extrodinary collection of art in the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya, a museum housed in a magnificent building overlooking the Font Magica and the city below.

No visit to Barcelona is complete without a visit to its famous soccer stadium, the Nou Camp, home to Barcelona FC.

Visiting Barcelona today, you will find a fascinating mix of sights and experiences to suit all. It is full of historic buildings, museums, modern shops, corner bars and pavement cafes. It is a city that never seems to sleep, with locals and visitors alike, packing its narrow streets and tree lined boulevards from lunch-time well into the night. Street entertainers from mime artists to musicians attract the crowds and pose for pictures, while spectators like you and me can take a seat, eat Tapas and with a glass of wine relax, laugh and be enchanted.

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