Fill your first trip with the flamboyant architecture of La Sagrada Família cathedral, tapas snacks in La Ribera and seaside fun at La Barceloneta. If you're back for more, discover the mosaic gardens at Gaudí-designed Parc Güell and Barcelona's captivating museums. The cutting-edge bar scene of El Born and shopper's paradise along Passeig de Gràcia also make good stops on your return visit to Barcelona.
Broad, tree-lined La Rambla leads down to the port, flanked by once working-class El Raval and the winding medieval streets of the Ciutat Vella (Old City). Leave La Rambla to delve into Barri Gòtic's intriguing alleyways surrounding the Gothic Barcelona Cathedral, then dip into La Ribera further north. Barcelona's wealthy merchants lived here in medieval times and nowadays it's home to the unmissable Picasso Museum. Stroll east to trend-setting El Born, the seafront promenades at La Barceloneta and Port Olímpic, packed with lively bars and restaurants. North of Plaça Catalunya discover the astonishing moderniste (Catalan form of Art Nouveau) architecture of L'Eixample, and Gràcia's neighbourhood bars and squares.
Make an early start at Gaudí's unfinished cathedral of La Sagrada Família then lose yourself in the Ciutat Vella's labyrinth of winding streets. Use the Gothic Cathedral as your guide, with its lovely chapels and cloister inhabited by friendly geese. Stroll down La Rambla to the port, then saunter over to the marina at La Barceloneta and admire the yachts. When night falls, make your way to La Ribera for Spanish specialities tapas and cava in a romantic candle-lit bar.
Immerse yourself in Barcelona's rich medieval and maritime history at museums in the Ciutat Vella - and brush up on Pablo at the Picasso Museum. Indulge your love of Antoní Gaudí's sensuously tactile architecture with the dragon-like Casa Batlló and undulating La Pedrera building in L'Eixample. Wander through mosaic-lined grottoes in Parc Güell and visit hilltop Montjuïc or Tibidabo at dusk for twinkling views over Barcelona.
Barcelona Airport is one of Spain's busiest, transporting around 33 million passengers a year from two terminals. Just 16 km (10 miles) from the city centre, the cheap and convenient Aerobús takes you there in a speedy 15-25 minutes.
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