About Barcelona
The city
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is one of the world’s most
vibrant and diverse cities. Its coastal location and cultural heritage
make it a unique meeting place: history meets high technology, Gaudí
meets gastronomy and the city meets the sea.
During the day, shoppers can drift between the luxury retail stores
along Passeig de Gràcia and the small boutiques dotted around the
Gothic Quarter. For culture connoisseurs, Barcelona boasts a rich
history and an internationally recognised architectural tradition. The
city has no fewer than nine UNESCO world heritage sites, including
Gaudí’s breathtaking unfinished cathedral Sagrada Família and the
iconic Hospital Sant Pau.
Barcelona is also home to one of the world’s greatest football teams,
FC Barcelona, and one of the sport’s most incredible stadiums, Camp
Nou. Nearby is Circuit de Catalunya, which hosts the Barcelona Formula
1 Grand Prix.
The vibrant Catalonian lifestyle means that locals and visitors alike
can enjoy a vast range of entertainment options available both day and
night. Food lovers can choose from traditional Spanish tapas in local
neighbourhoods to modern fusion in some of the city’s Michelin-starred
restaurants, of which there are over 20. Barcelona is also recognised
as an international nightlife hotspot-there are countless different
bars and nightclubs around to keep even the wildest partygoers
entertained.
The surroundings
There is also the opportunity to explore outside Barcelona’s city
limits. Spending time on one of Barceloneta’s beaches and visiting one
of its bustling beach bars, it’s easy to see why National Geographic
voted Barcelona the world’s best beach city. Or, if you prefer your
coastlines a little more quiet and relaxed, the secluded coves and
dramatic cliffs of the Costa Brava, beginning just 60km north of the
city, offer the perfect sanctuary for a day’s rest and relaxation.
While beachgoers enjoy Catalonia’s annual 320 days of sunshine, winter
sports enthusiasts can travel to the nearby Spanish Pyrenees. The
exclusive ski resort of Baqueira-Beret offers 110km of marked pistes
and great snow throughout winter. The resort’s credentials have even
gained it a famous following, with the royal family of Spain, as well
as celebrities and their families returning year after year.
However, it is not just skiers that benefit from a trip out of the
city. Real Club de Golf El Prat, Catalonia’s top golf destination is
just 30 minutes from Barcelona and its 45 holes designed by Greg
Norman will keep even the most experienced golfer busy for hours.
For a more relaxing trip, the quaint historic towns nestled in the
Catalonian countryside are a joy to discover and explore. So too are
the vineyards of the Penedès region, where you can get an insight into
traditional winemaking methods and, of course, sample the local wine
and cava.