Barcelona

placed in the category: Cities

Is there any city more sunshine and color-filled than Barcelona? This city of Spain is such a fascinating city that there's no wonder it's one of the top-visited cities not just in Spain and Europe but all over the world. Standing on a fortunate position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, which is one of the seventeen autonomous communities in Spain. It is also the country's second largest city and is known for the wide diversity and splendor of its history and culture that is apparent even in the modern day. Such a fusion of historical Gothic past and a modern bustling city life can is always a pleasing surprise to any tourist visiting the city for the first time.

One of the preserved remnants of Barcelona's rich history is the Gothic center that is still very much intact. The narrow streets and grid-like layout of Barcelona also serves as great examples, as well as the magnificent architecture of buildings and houses old and new. Is it really a surprise why Barcelona is so popular? Aside from its culture preserved, it's also a city where you can do so many things that staying there for a few days is most likely not enough to really immerse yourself in the heart and soul of the city. Shopping addicts will love the plethora of street markets where you can buy a lot of clothes, paintings, and other local goods. Nature lovers will find Barcelona's sparkling beaches and sand hard to resist. Cuisine is another attraction as good food is offered and can be consumed at reasonable prices. The selection of seafood in Barcelona is particularly great.

One of the things you just can't miss doing in Barcelona is to watch a real Flamenco Show in a real tablao. For fantastic flamenco shows, you can go to Tablao de Carmen in Poble Espanyol or in any of the jazz clubs in the Raval neighborhood. La Plaça Catalunya is another great tourist area famous for its fountains and statues.