Why Barcelona?
Barcelona, between the sea and the mountains
What is the soul of Barcelona? Is it a maritime city that gazes upon the serene horizon of water, or is it a mountainous city that knows sacrifice and industriousness, constantly striving for evolution? Is it industry or tourism? Is it local, national, or international? Barcelona is a port of sea and land where everyone passes through, many stay, and just as many leave. It is art and pragmatism, innovation and tradition. The infinite vortex of lives passing through leaves indelible marks on the Ciutat Condal, which moves and transforms, regenerating with each turn. In Barcelona, you can get lost in the narrow and ancient streets of Raval, Born, or the Gothic Quarter. You can feel the vibrant life in the streets of Barceloneta, along with the salty breeze coming from the nearby sea. But you can also wander through the wide and grid-like streets of Eixample and almost accidentally stumble upon the Sagrada Familia. And let's not forget the charm of Gràcia or the local life in Sants, Poble Sec, and Sant Antoni. The grandeur of Montjuic, gazing towards the greatness of Tibidabo; or the climb to Carmel, making you feel, even if just for a second, the master of the city.
Spots you can't miss
Some of my favourite spots in Barcelona
MNAC
The Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunyaa, abbreviated as MNAC, is a museum of Catalan visual art located in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Situated on Montjuïc hill at the end of Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, the museum is especially notable for its outstanding collection of romanesque church paintings, and for Catalan art and design from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including modernisme and noucentisme. The museum is housed in the Palau Nacional.
Address
Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc, s/n, Sants-Montjuïc, 08038 Barcelona
What I like about it
One of my favourite spots in the city, MNAC hosts a big collection of paintings and other pieces of art that we can visit for free every first Sunday of each month. Apart from the incredible interiors, I love spending time around it while looking at the city. From MNAC, you can see Tibidabo, Sagrada Familia, the sea and everything in between.
Sagrada Familia
The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família, otherwise known as Sagrada Família, is a church under construction in the Eixample district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on Sagrada Família is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica.
Address
C/ de Mallorca, 401, L'Eixample, 08013 Barcelona
What I like about it
Sagrada Familia is a fascinating building which construction never ends, or so it seems. An architectural gem like no other, the building always gives me the chill and makes me wonder about the beauty of the human operosity, and how unimaginable things can become reality if only we put our strengths together.
Arc de Triompf
The Arc de Triomf is a memorial arch in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
It was
built by architect Josep Vilaseca i Casanovas as the main access gate for the 1888
Barcelona World Fair.
The arch
crosses over the wide central promenade of the Passeig de Lluís Companys, leading to the
Ciutadella Park that now
occupies the site of the world fair. It is located at the northern end of the
promenade,
facing the Passeig de Sant
Joan.
Address
Passeig de Lluís Companys, Ciutat Vella, 08003 Barcelona
What I like about it
Situated in one of the busiest points of the city, the Arc is one of my favorite spots of Barcelona. It is often part of my long walks around the city, and I like to go there in spring and summer, ending up at the Ciutadella Park. Once per year, you can also get in the Arc and get a completely different view of the city...if you don't suffer from vertigo.