Barcelona is the Catalunya’s capital, though the economical, hystoric and artistic importance of the other cities in the region, like Lérida, Gerona or Tarragona, is not to be underestimated either. Walking through the Gothic Quarter will take you back to the medieval period, especially the area around the cathedral, the Plaza Reial and some of the buildings that are still the headquarters of the governamental institutions: the City Hall of Barcelona and the Palau de la Generalitat of Catalunya. From there you can reach the quarter of La Ribera, where you can find the Picasso Museum and the outstanding gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar, the Ciutadella park with the Catalunya Parliament, the Zoo and some more museums. Right next to it, on the sea shore, there is Barceloneta, a fishermens’ quarter from the 17th centruy, famous for its good restaurants where you can taste delicious sea food specialties. Walking down the famous Ramblas you can admire the Liceu Theatre, the flower selling points and the newsstands with newspapers, books and souvenirs. Day and night, La Rambla has a geniune and unique atmosphere that makes it one of the most famous streets in the world. In its lower part and in the side streets there are many restaurants and bars with “tapas”, where you can enjoy your culinary experience of Barcelona. And if you don’t want to lose a second of all this charm, you can rent an apartment per days right in the heart of the city centre! In the 19th centry, the city has lived through a period of fast growth. The surrounding villages became part of the city itself, united to the centre through the urbanistic plan of the architect Ildefons Cerdá, giving life to the Eixample area, full of shops, restaurants and art galleries. The commercial and business artery of Eixample is Passeig de Gracia, where you can admire some of the most amazing examples of the modern architecture, like the houses of the Aragón street crossing or La Pedrera, a work of art designed by Gaudí. In the Eixample area you will also find the Sagrada Familia, a magnificent and unusual temple of the same architect, and the Park Güell, a must for any tourist visitor. The more upclass quarters like Pedralbes, with a gothic monastery, are situated on the hill sides of Collserola and Tibidabo, famous for its amusement park. It can be reached with the Tramvia Blau, an ancient railway still in function. 
On Montjuic, the other city mountain, situated on the sea shore, among the many beautiful gardens and parks you can find interesting museums like the Fundació Joan Miró and the National Art Museum of Catalunya, the olympic area with its famous stadium and the outstanding Palau de Sant Jordi and the amusing Poble Espanyol. The hotel and apartment short term rental offer isn’t limited to the old town, so you can stay in the surroundings of this quarter too, with a privilege of some of the most beautiful walks and views of the city. The old harbour has been renovated and has become one of the open space leisure areas, that follows after the Barceloneta beach with new installations and the Olympic Village. Barcelona is a world famous touristic highlight, filled with life, sounds and colors, with the growing comercial and cultural activity, where big international fairs, expositions, concerts and major sports events are taking place. You will just keep on coming back! |
