Barcelona Experiences

Completely redesigned for the 1992 Olympic Games, it is a favourite place for locals to stroll. It stretches from the Columbus monument at the end of La Rambla to the Barceloneta neighbourhood. At the start of the route, it is worth visiting the Drassanes Reials (the former Royal Barcelona Shipyard), which now houses Barcelona's Maritime Museum under its impressive arches. Walking along the Moll de la Fusta (Wooden Wharf), you can see the eye-catching sculpture by American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and Mariscal's famous 'Gamba' (Shrimp). Today, this area of the port is mainly home to private yachts and, in its central part, the Barcelona Aquarium and the Maremàgnum shopping and leisure centre.

It was created to provide housing for the inhabitants of the Ribera neighbourhood, who were evicted in the 18th century during the building of the Citadel. Today, La Barceloneta is a popular place to eat, try tapas, sunbathe and enjoy the beach.

It is also one of the longest, stretching for a total of 422 metres. It was remodelled before the 1992 Olympic Games and now offers various services such as volleyball courts, children's playgrounds and beach bars.

Set within its 17 hectares is the zoo, the Parlament de Catalunya (Parliament of Catalonia), a church, a school, and even a lake. Ciutadella Park also hosts a variety of fairs, open-air markets and sporting events.

Its shape and proportions are classical, but its finishes are full of symbolic motifs. It is the symbol of Barcelona's entry into modernity.

It is a pleasant 1.3 km long promenade that connects Plaça de Catalunya with Port Vell. Flowers, music, performances, mimes and terraces define Barcelona's most famous street.

Located on Las Ramblas, the Gran Teatre del Liceu has been graced by the world's greatest opera singers since 1847. It is considered one of the most prestigious opera houses in the world. A guided tour is a fantastic way to gain an in-depth understanding of the theatre and see all its beauty in detail. And, of course, catching one of the performances is a must.

Located midway along Las Ramblas, its gastronomic offerings are so tempting that you won't be able to resist trying some of the "gourmet" delicacies from its many stalls.

The Gothic Quarter is one of the most charming areas to stroll around and enjoy the city. Be sure to visit Plaça de la Catedral, Carrer del Bisbe and Plaça Reial and sit on one of the bustling terraces.

The old El Born market (1876) was the first major iron structure in the city. An exceptional archaeological site is preserved underneath it. Through the remains of the 42 streets and 60 houses that made up the Ribera district, you can trace the history of Barcelona from Roman times to the beginning of the 18th century. Inaugurated in 2014, it also serves as a centre for the interpretation of the War of the Spanish Succession and has a varied programme of literary, theatrical and musical activities.

It was built between 1905 and 1908. The building is located in the Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera district, one of the most beautiful areas of Barcelona. It is an architectural masterpiece of Catalan Modernism and the only concert hall to have the UNESCO World Heritage designation. With the organ overlooking the stage and an impressive central skylight representing the sun, the hall enjoys wonderful natural light and is decorated with a series of figures and representations such as the Muses surrounding the stage, Wagner's Valkyries rising from the ceiling, a bust of Anselm Clavé on one side and one of Beethoven on the other, and other natural elements such as flowers, palm trees and fruit. It is one of the most unique concert halls in the world and has hosted many world premieres, setting the standard for symphonic and choral music in the country.

This large circular space is dotted with fountains, a multitude of pigeons and sculptures by famous artists such as Josep Clarà, Josep Llimona and Josep Maria Subirachs. It was inaugurated in 1927 by King Alfonso XIII, and during the preparations for the 1929 International Exhibition, some of the most luxurious hotels, bars and theatres of the time were built around this new square. Today it is bordered by some of the city's most important shopping centres.

Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it has achieved the perfect combination of architectural heritage and high-end shopping.

It is home to some of the most iconic buildings by architects Antoni Gaudí and Lluís Domènech i Montaner, such as Casa Batlló, La Pedrera-Casa Milà, Casa Lleó i Morera and the Casa Amatller Digital Museum, a landmark space dedicated to Modernism in Barcelona.

It is one of the busiest and liveliest squares in Barcelona. Under its arcades you will find many restaurants, bars and some of the city's most popular night spots.

In the centre of the square is the Font de les Tres Gràcies (Fountain of the Three Graces), along with two lampposts designed by a young Antoni Gaudí, crowned by a winged helmet and a dragon. A number of royal palms decorate the area around them, giving it an exotic touch. The square is surrounded by a series of stately buildings, all of them uniform, with porticoes and terracotta decorations. In the past they housed important families from Barcelona, although today the luxurious character of the square has been replaced by a more bohemian atmosphere.

Plaça de Sant Felip Neri is one of those hidden gems that rewards those who are lucky enough to find it. Presided over by an enchanting fountain and dominated by a Baroque church, it is a fascinating place where the stones themselves tell the story.

During the Civil War, several bombs were dropped on the city of Barcelona. One of them landed where the square stands today, killing 42 people, most of them children who had taken refuge in the church's basement. The surrounding houses were also completely destroyed. Adolf Florensa i Ferrer, the municipal architect in charge of the reconstruction project, decided to rebuild a square. The scars left by the bomb can still be seen on the façade of the church.

It has been declared an Asset of Cultural Interest and a National Historic Monument.

Eight centuries of history are hidden within its stones, with an interior full of secrets to be discovered. Here you will find the relics of Saint Eulalia, patron saint of the city, as well as one of the most beautiful Gothic cloisters in Catalonia. Its interior is filled with tombs, altars and Marian invocations of more than 140 saints.

From its terraces you can enjoy a very special view of the historic centre of Barcelona. These are now open to the public and are suitable for everyone, as they can be reached by means of a lift.

Dedicated to the imperial cult of Caesar Augustus, built in Barcino, a Roman colony that would eventually become the city of Barcelona.

In the late 19th century, three of its columns were found during the construction of the current headquarters of the Centre Excursionista de Catalunya. A fourth was on display in the Plaça del Rei and was later incorporated into the original ensemble.

While the neighbouring Cathedral district was the ecclesiastical and political heart of the city, the Ribera district - so called because of its proximity to the sea - was home to the population linked to the port's activity, whose guilds we can still remember today through the many surrounding streets named after them.

Construction began in 1329. King Peter III the Ceremonious and other leading figures of the district made large donations, while guilds and workers contributed their labour to erect one of the most important symbols of the city. It is worth noting that this temple inspired Idelfonso Falcones' famous novel 'Cathedral of the Sea'.

Is set in the former private residence of the aristocratic Cervelló family, where they lived from the Middle Ages until the 20th century. This new museum houses the most vibrant and contemporary art of the moment. Works by artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Salvador Dalí, Takashi Murakami, David LaChapelle and Keith Haring, to name a few, are on display in this Gothic building with a palatial spirit, highlighting the timeline that links art across the centuries.

A close bond forged in his adolescence and youth and which lasted until his death. With more than 4,000 items, it houses the most complete collection in existence from the artist's formative period.

All this avant-garde art is housed inside five large medieval palaces on Montcada Street, dating from the 13th-14th centuries, all of which are excellent examples of Catalan civil Gothic architecture.