Barcelona (Spain): what to see in the capital of Catalonia


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What to see in Barcelona in 3 days, itinerary including the main attractions and places of interest, including Sagrada Familia Basilica and Casa Milà.


Tourist information

Capital of the Catalonia region and one of the most important cities in Spain, Barcelona is famous for hosting numerous international events, including the summer Olympic games and the universal forum of cultures.

Geographically located south of the Pyrenees mountain range, Barcelona is located near the border with France, along the Mediterranean coast, in a plain located between the Sierra de Collserola and the sea, at the foot of the promontory of Montjuic castle Barcelona, ​​bordering on north and south with the Besós and Llobregat rivers.


The key to Barcelona's success as an important port in the fifteenth century was its geographical location.

The role of Barcelona as a city along an important coastal trade route was very important because, together with the ports of Mallorca and Valencia, it controlled the western part of the Mediterranean.

The city was built as a Roman fort built on a knoll, a place that has remained the religious and political center of the city.


In the late Middle Ages the city was expanded to the sea and numerous religious and civil monuments were built in the center of Barcelona, ​​including the political seat of Catalonia, the palaces of the kings and the treasury.

The city was governed by the Council of One Hundred, a group of five leaders and a jury of one hundred citizens of honor.

The medieval prosperity of Barcelona was abruptly interrupted by the civil war of 1462, which lasted ten years, during which the political, social and economic fabric of the city was destroyed, with serious losses concerning international trade.


The loss of Barcelona's Mediterranean markets was not compensated by the exploration of the Americas, as this new market was dominated by Castile.

After an unfortunate revolt against the Habsburgs, in the period from 1640 to 1652, Barcelona still proved to have its traditional political privileges intact, which however lost by fighting against the Bourbon dynasty in the Spanish war of secession from 1701 to 1714.

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At the end of the eighteenth century, a flourishing textile industry specialized in the cotton sector developed in the city and there was a significant increase in trade with Latin America.

What see

The main places of interest in Barcelona are concentrated in the Gothic Quarter area, around the Cathedral and in the Eixample neighborhoods.

In the Gothic Quarter, the oldest in the city, there are the Casa de l'Ardiaca, the Bishop's Palace, the Casa de la Pia Almoina, the Palau de la Generalitat, the Residence of the Counts of Barcelona and the Kings of Aragon, and the Cathedral, built in honor of Santa Eulalia, patron saint of the city.

In the Eixample neighborhoods the genius of Gaudì stands out, a great architect of modernism, of which you can admire various works, including the Casa Vicens, the Guell pavilions, the Palau Guell, the Convent de las Teresianes, the Calvet house, the Casa Bellesguard, Park Guell, Casa Batlò and finally Casa Milà, known as la Pedrera.

But Gaudi's greatest work ever is the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia, which the architect had agreed to build in 1883.

The work on his death was unfinished and was later completed by the Japanese architect Etsuro Sotoo.

Moving towards the sea you reach the Ribeira district, where you can admire the Palazzo dei Marchesi di Llio ', the Aguilar palace, home of the Picasso museum, and the Palazzo della Musica Catalana.


From Montjuic you can enjoy a beautiful panorama of Barcelona, ​​there are also museums and gardens, as well as the castle, an ancient military fortress, and the city of theater.

It is worth visiting the huge and very popular historical market of Boqueria, in the park of the citadel there is a zoo, the Guell park, the Casa Batlò, a house with a roof made of majolica tiles, and the Pedrera.

In the Royal square, which is among the most frequented by tourists, very well decorated wrought iron fountains and lampposts stand out, which give the whole complex a beautiful appearance.

Not far away is the Barrio Gotico, a medieval Gothic-style neighborhood composed of alleys arranged around the cathedral and characterized by typical houses.

For lovers of dancing and drinking, the Gracia district is recommended, located in the upper part of the city and in the Poble Nou district, located in the old industrial area of ​​Barcelona, ​​which is located north of the Olympic area.

A typical place is the historic café Els Quatre Gats, in the past frequented by the young Pablo Picasso.


The district of the old city represents the first district of the ten in which this fascinating city is divided, in which the historic center is entirely included.

At the center of the Ciutat Vella is the Gothic Barrio, separated to the east by the Via Laietana from the Born district, while the Porto Vecchio is located to the south.

To the west Las Ramblas divide it from the El Raval district, while proceeding northwards you will arrive in Plaça Catalunya.

The Gothic Barrio has always represented, throughout history, the political as well as religious center of the city, as evidenced by the presence of the Barcino, which is the original Roman nucleus, where the ancient wall is preserved almost perfectly.

The oldest buildings in the city rise here, including the Cathedral and the Bishop's Palace.

The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, dating from the thirteenth century, is built in the Gothic style.

Santa Eulàlia, patroness of Barcelona martyred in Roman times, is celebrated on February 12 of each year.

There is a legend about Santa Eutalia that tells how it was exposed naked waiting for the snow to fall covering its body, then rolling it, closed inside a barrel equipped with nails, for a small road that today has the name of Baixada de Santa Eulàlia.

Las Ramblas are a series of avenues located in the center, used as a pedestrian mall and a walking area, where street actors and stalls can be seen, they also combine the central Plaça Catalunya with the Old Port, where the monument to Christopher Columbus is located .

In the market of La Boqueria, located in a secondary road that leads to the Ramblas and among the oldest in Europe, there are several stalls with all kinds of merchandise, especially food.

The Gran Teatre del Liceu is the oldest opera house in Barcelona, ​​located in the Rambla dels Caputxins, where prestigious works are held with the help of the best opera singers in the world.

The recommended period for a visit to Barcelona is the month of September, in which the patron saint of the city is celebrated with musical performances, bullfights, balls and fireworks for the duration of four days.

Visit Barcelona, Spain: Things to do in Barcelona - The Capital of Catalonia (February 2024)


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