Barcelona is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re going to get. There are so many attractions to see in this beautiful Mediterranean metropolis that it’s hard to pick just five. However, we’ve done our best to compile a fair list of the most popular tourist sites of the city so you don’t have to. Barcelona is ready to wow you with its wide variety of parks, squares and historical sites. Keep reading to learn more!
But first, let’s take a quick look at Barcelona’s rich history.
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Foundation of the City
Barcelona is well-known around the world as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. A few of its most famous landmarks are Barceloneta beach, Las Ramblas, La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell. The legend says that it was founded by Hamilcar Barca, a Carthaginian commander, although this is not known for sure. There are other more fantastical accounts that claim Hercules was the one to found the city. The myth has been so widely spread that since 1550, a statue of this mythological hero has adorned the façade of Barcelona City Hall.
What we do know is that the Romans inhabited the city as far back as the first century BC. Even nowadays, you can still see the remains of its rich history. In this article, we will discover a few of the hidden gems of Barcelona.
Camp Nou
Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Europe, particularly in Spain. In fact, the passion for this sport is so great, that it’s quite easy to find a person in the most remote corner of the planet whose biggest dream is to witness an FC Barcelona match live. After all, the Barça club has fans all over the world, and every year many of them come to Spain just to buy some FC Barcelona tickets and see them play. Because of this, Camp Nou has become a very popular touristic site. This phenomenon is well-documented and it’s been called by some sports tourism.
Believe it or not, the Camp Nou is almost as high as the Sagrada Familia in the ranking of most visited tourist sites in all of Spain. At the present time, however, it’s undergoing construction works. It’s expected that it will be re-opened to the public in 2025. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona is playing at Estadi Olimpic.
Casa Mila
Casa Mila is a modernist-style building commissioned by Pete Mila and designed by Antoni Gaudí. It was built between 1906 and 1912. It features dreamlike attics with catenary arches; a roof full of chimneys that resemble the silhouettes of warriors among desert dunes, and finally a period apartment. Called La Pedrera by the locals, It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1984.
Park Güell
Park Güell is named in honor of Eusebi Güell, a wealthy business man, and it’s located in the Gracia district. It’s a beautiful park full of bright colors, intricate design and lush forests. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of the largest green areas in the city, it stands out among other parks in Barcelona because of its unique style, which pays tribute to Catalan modernism. Its most popular areas were designed by Antoni Gaudí, the famous Spanish architect.
As soon as you enter the park, a colorful Dragon mosaic will greet you. The Austrian Gardens, the Guard House, the Plaza de la Naturaleza and the Portico de la Lavandera are other popular areas. If you want to spend a romantic afternoon with your significant other, you may want to take a walk through the large terraces, where you will enjoy wonderful views of the city.
Basilica of the Sagrada Familia
The Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Familia is a unique touristic site. It’s the last design by Gaudí and it will become the tallest Basilica in the world once it is completed. It’s been in construction for over a century. It also offers marvelous views of the city. The Tower on the Nativity façade was built in Gaudí’s time, and although it’s very beautiful that also means that there’s no elevator. If you want to reach the top you must climb long spiral stairs. If you are not in good physical condition or are scared of small spaces, you may want to visit the Torre de La Pasión instead.
Palau de la Música
The Palau de la Música is not only a representative of Barcelona and Spain as a whole, but also a landmark of modernism and universal music. It was built in 1908 by Lluís Doménech I Montaner and it’s one of the most famous auditoriums in the world. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, its design incorporates sculptures, mosaics, stained glass and forging. Nowadays, it continues to regularly host classical and modern music concerts.
It’s ornamented with Wagner’s Valkyries, which emerge from the ceiling, and with muses which surround the stage, as well as the busts of Anselm Clavé and Beethoven. You will also find elements of nature in its design, such as flowers, fruits and palm trees. The Palau de la Música is considered a symbol of Catalonia and one of the most representative works of Catalan modernism.
