Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s independent state of Catalonia is a city of unique charm. From its 2000-year old heritage of Roman walls to its modern art of Gaudi, Picasso and Miro and its contemporary Olympic architecture, Barcelona blends tradition with modernity to create one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural centers. Catalonia culture pervades this city – in food, music, architecture and in the local Catalan language of its citizens, who proudly consider themselves Catalonian first.

Barcelona serves up a feast for the eyes as artists and designers, past and present, have thrived on making the ordinary extraordinary – every building, park and street corner are stand-alone masterpieces. Gaudi’s distinctive creations and the Catalan modernism architecture movement which was founded here have both left an indelible mark on this city. A visual treasure trove of unique art, architecture and museums, Barcelona is a spectacular city for travelers.

Wander through the Barri Gotic, Barcelona’s oldest district and a former fortified Roman settlement crammed with medieval churches and a never-ending labyrinth of pedestrianized narrow cobblestoned streets and alleys. Each turn through this often confusing maze will satisfy the most adventurous traveler’s sense of exploration with its spectacular Gothic buildings and cathedrals dating to the 14th and 15th centuries. Most illustrious is the immense Gothic Cathedral La Seu, with its breathtaking fa?ade and serene cloister.

The funicular up to Tibidabo and the cable car up to Montjuic, two of Barcelona’s highest hills, provide breathtaking panoramas of the city. Montjuic houses some of the city’s show pieces, including the main sites of the 1992 Olympics, the Joan Miro museum, the Poble Espanyol, a replicated traditional Spanish village, and the magical fountains with their displays of light, color and music. Tibidabo, home to the amusement park, Parc d’Atraccions, is especially popular with locals.

Unique to Barcelona are Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces. Casa Mila, commonly known as La Pedrera, a public building designed with elaborate patterns, rounded shapes, colorful tiles and intricate detail, and is a signature Gaudi creation. La Sagrada Familia, the bizarre unfinished Church of the Holy Family and one of Catalonia’s most intriguing landmarks, is permeated with Gaudi’s characteristic fantastic art nouveau styling. Sitting in the center of the city, it is considered Gaudi’s masterpiece as well as an object of controversy. Perched on Camel Hill and offering splendid views of the city, the recreational Parc Guell is enveloped with Gaudi’s works – flights of stairs, columns and a mosaic plaza adorn the surroundings. The pink fairytale house at the park’s entrance, once home to the artist, is now a museum commemorating his works.

Among Barcelona’s many museums, the Picasso museum pays homage to the artist’s youth and formative years, and is one of the city’s highlights. Housed in 2 palaces dating from the 15th century, the collection includes paintings and art from Picasso’s blue and rose periods.

Beyond art and architecture, Barcelona offers families more than meet the eye. Children will especially enjoy the city’s beaches and its waterfront, where the cross-harbor cable car offers a grand ride with great views. Cycling around this bike-friendly city is a great way to get acquainted with Barcelona’s diverse neighborhoods and the constantly changing scenery along the way. The Barcelona aquarium houses the largest Oceanarium of its kind in Europe and features many unusual ocean species. Among its multitude of parks, Parc de Ciutadella is the ideal place to relax after a day packed with adventure, and features a lovely lake and rowboats, as well as the city’s zoo.

With a passion for art, architecture, music and great seafood, Barcelona is a city like no other. It thrives as a cultural, commercial and political center and provides a magnificent introduction to autonomous Catalonia.

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