The enchanting city of Barcelona is a visual delight, and has an
atmosphere that combines elegance and sophistication with
provincial charm. In exploring its streets you'll discover medieval
romance in its Gothic quarter and the awe-inspiring delights of the
fantastic and sometimes outrageous Art Nouveau architecture of
Gaudi and his contemporaries.
The funicular up to Tibidabo, or the cable car up Montjuic both
offer breathtaking views over this city. Its skyline is perhaps
most famous for Antoni Gaudi's masterwork, the still incomplete
church of the Sagrada Familia, as well as the city's huge Gothic
cathedral. The artistic legacy of Barcelona is one of the city's
most appealing offerings, with museums containing extensive
collections of the works of Miro and Picasso.
Barcelona is also a shopping Mecca, with the city's flair for
style reflected in its numerous boutiques and markets, open late
into the afternoons. As the sun sets, and the city's many bars and
restaurants open, the night comes alive. Dinner is served at any
time between nine o'clock and midnight, and the festivities around
the bars and nightclubs carry on well into the early hours of the
morning.
Barcelona is the commercial centre of the popular holiday region
known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront
in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south. The coast is
dotted with popular resort towns, many retaining their age-old
charm, which can be easily reached from the city.
Getting around: Barcelona's excellent transport system includes the
metro, buses, trains, funiculars and cablecars; tickets for all
(except night buses) are transferable across the system. There are
a number of more economical multi-ride tickets available, including
the targeta valid for 10 journeys, as well as three to five-day
passes, or the Barcelona Card that combines transport tickets with
discounts on selected tourist sights, shops, entertainment and
restaurants. The Metro is the fastest and most efficient way to get
around the city, except during the rush hour when it becomes very
crowded. The bus network is extensive and is easy to master with a
transport map. Night buses take over from about 10pm to 4am. During
summer the hop-on hop-off Bus Turistic links all main sights and
tourist destinations. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive and are a
good option especially late at night, but charge extra for a number
of things - ask for a receipt. Hiring a car is unnecessary and
frustrating within the city, but can be essential if planning day
trips outside the city.






