Visiting the City

When coming to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, it is best to know what to expect of its diverse cultural legacy.

Ciutat Vella is the heart of the city both literally and not. Tiny neighbourhoods, full of old-world character, reside by narrow winding streets. Mostly occupied by students, foreigners and artists, the area shows a sense of history and cosmopolitan feel, along with trendy bars, concert halls and great restaurants.

Unmissable places to visit are Plaça Catalunya, Las Ramblas, the famous Pedrera and the new Olympic village.

Close by is the Raval district with everything connected with art and history, also a red-light area.

Barri Xines
This area hosts the medieval Barri Gòtic, Plaça del Pi i Plaça Sant Josep Oriol and lots of cafes serving delicious hot chocolate.

The trendy neighbourhood, a home to the graceful Santa Maria del Mar Church and the impressive Museu Picasso.

This area boasts Art Nouveau buildings around Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla Catalunya. Also the city's most visited monument Sagrada Familia is here.

Montjüic, a hill in the southwest of the city hosts the Olympic stadium and other facilities used for the 1992 Olympic Games, also Fundació Joan Miró.

Tibidabo hill to the northwest offers panoramic views of the city, amusement park on the summit and Torre de Collserola.

Port Olímpic offers little boats (golondrinas) for sightseeing tours of the city's waterfront and nearby coastline. The fishing district of Barceloneta offers excellent seafood restaurants. Ultra-modern Maremagnum has busy bars with outdoor terraces, discos, shops and cinemas. Sitges has great beaches. North of this are the Costa Brava's deserted coves.