Getting to know Barcelona | First-time visitors

Getting to Know Barcelona: A Brief Overview

Found on Spain’s northeastern coast, Barcelona is, in addition to being the country’s second-largest city, a deeply historic, characterful, and colorful place to both live and visit. Facing the Mediterranean Sea and surrounded by rugged mountains, Barcelona is renowned globally for its thriving arts scene, incredible nightlife, diverse array of museums, and unique, distinctive architecture. 

With a population shy of 2 million, the city is thought to have been founded in the 3rd century BC; Barcelona, as we know it today, was essentially established by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Now, it’s one of Spain’s most populated and significant metropolitan areas, in addition to being the capital of the autonomous region of Catalunya. 

Barcelona has acquired a status of deep philosophical, political, and historical significance for Catalan and Spanish culture. Home to some of Spain’s most prestigious universities, best-known UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and iconic landmarks and museums, it probably goes without saying that the city has plenty to offer. 

Why Barcelona Is Worth Visiting

One of the main reasons I can confidently recommend visiting Barcelona to just about anybody is because it has so much to offer, no matter what interests you or is passionate about. For instance, history buffs will be at home here, with the Gothic Quarter and castle of Montjuïc being of particular interest. 

If you’re a nature lover, then you’ll have both the beach and the national park of Montserrat on your doorstep. Barcelona’s many landmarks and its eye-catching architecture make the city a great destination for exploring Spanish and Catalan culture; however, if none of the aforementioned appeals, you’ll find that Barcelona happens to be one of Europe’s best destinations for eating out, shopping, nightlife, and entertainment more generally. 

Barcelona’s Architecture: A Unique Charm

As I mentioned above, one of Barcelona’s most distinguishing features is the stunning and highly varied architecture that can be found right across the city. 

The work of the famed architect Antoni Gaudi is of particular significance. He is recognized worldwide for his inspired approach to Modernist building. Gaudi’s major projects, the cathedral of La Sagrada Familia and Park Güell, are two of Barcelona’s best-known landmarks, and both are pretty much a must-see when visiting. 

The historic district of the Gothic Quarter is another of Barcelona’s architectural standouts. At the heart of the city’s old town, the Gothic Quarter is home to several, unsurprisingly, buildings constructed in the neo-Gothic style, including Barcelona Cathedral’s main façade.

The neighborhood also boasts some Roman ruins, such as ancient walls and the remnants of columns that once belonged to a temple.

Exploring History in Barcelona’s Museums

Barcelona has quite a reputation internationally for its selection of museums. At the same time, they vary dramatically in terms of subject matter. There’s a wide variety of world-class exhibitions here, making Barcelona a fantastic destination for culture enthusiasts. 

Art lovers will want to check out the Picasso Museum and the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, the former of which provides a unique snapshot of the life and work of Pablo Picasso, with the latter being especially noteworthy in that it’s dedicated to celebrating Catalan culture and art. 

Meanwhile, those interested in history are well catered to with the Barcelona History Museum, which outlines the city’s history since the Roman era. While perhaps somewhat niche, the Barcelona Maritime Museum focuses on shipbuilding in Barcelona in the 13th and 18th centuries, is fascinating, and is much less dry than you might expect!

Vibrant Nightlife in Barcelona

Barcelona is known for being home to some of the best nightlife in almost all of Europe. Whether you’re a fan of hitting up the clubs or enjoying more laid-back, traditional live entertainment, the city is guaranteed to have something to offer you. 

Natural Wonders: Barcelona’s Beaches, Mountains, and Parks

Regarding cities, Barcelona is pretty much heaven on earth for nature lovers. Not only is it surrounded by gorgeous mountains, many of which are easily accessed from the metropolitan area, but it’s also home to many excellent beaches, which are great for swimming, sunbathing, and exploring. 

On top of that, Barcelona is renowned for being home to an array of fantastic urban parks, the most famous of which, Park Guell, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cultural Experiences in Barcelona: From Football to Festivals

No matter what time of year you visit Barcelona, there’s always something exciting for you to do or see. There are football matches during the season, and the world-famous Primavera Sound Festival generally takes place in May or June each year. If you’re interested in exploring more about the array of sports that captivate the hearts of locals, you might want to check out our guide on the most favored sports in Spain.

Summer is, naturally, perhaps the busiest time of year in Barcelona; there are street parties galore, festivals almost every week, and the Feast of Sant Joan, which falls on the night of the 23-24th of June every year, is plenty of fun; accompanied by fireworks and festivities on the beach, it makes for a great way to celebrate the longest day of the year.

Hidden Gems: A Local’s Guide to Barcelona

While Barcelona does get packed during the warmer months, the city hosts a wealth of lesser-known but fantastic attractions that I strongly suggest you check out if you can find the time. 

The Bunkers del Carmel, for instance, is the perfect place to take in panoramic views of the cityscape without worrying about beating the crowds. If you’re planning a beach day or two for your trip, why not head out to Castelldefels?

It’s easy to reach from downtown Barcelona, and the beach of Platja de Castelldefels tends to be far less crowded than any of Barcelona city’s stretch of coastline. The castle in Castelldefels is also stunning and worth checking out!

If you’d like a similar experience to the shopping street of La Rambla, you can head to the quieter, more refined neighborhood of Poblenou for a similar atmosphere. A bit further afield is the Horta Labyrinth, which features an intricate hedge maze set in stunning garden surroundings and makes for a lovely, relaxed afternoon. 

On the other hand, if you’re keen to explore the darker side of Barcelona’s history, you might want to check out Refugi 307. The space consists of over 400 meters’ worth of tunnels used during the Spanish Civil War as bomb shelters and has since been converted into a museum of sorts and historical site.

The Pros and Cons of Visiting Barcelona

Any travel destination has its own unique set of pros and cons. While Barcelona’s strengths far outshine its darker sides, it’s important to have a balanced conversation about both the positive and negative aspects of visiting the city, so that you can make the most informed decision possible as to whether or not it’s likely to be the right place for you to visit. 

Pros: The Distinct Allures of Barcelona

I don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but I think Barcelona’s allure speaks for itself. It has stunning architecture, world-class restaurants, bars, museums, gorgeous natural landscapes, and a vibrant arts and entertainment scene. 

Moreover, Barcelona is considerably more affordable than many other major European destinations. The cost of living in Spain is well below the mean in Western, Central, and Northern Europe, making Barcelona a far more accessible destination for many people than Paris, London, or Amsterdam. 

Cons: What to Be Prepared for When Visiting Barcelona

While I love Barcelona, I think it’s important to highlight some cons of visiting the city you’ll want to be aware of – no place is perfect. 

Something especially relevant during the summer is just how busy Barcelona can get. The city isn’t massive, and, being one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, it sees a considerable influx of travelers in the warmer months. This can make booking accommodation and visiting the more popular attractions more of a logistical challenge than in a smaller, less popular city. 

Barcelona’s other major con is that it has an issue with pickpockets. This isn’t really significantly worse than what you’d encounter in most major European cities and is unlikely to be a real problem if you exercise common sense, but it’s still worth noting; after all, it’s something you’re far less likely to experience if you chose to travel to, say, Scandinavia or Switzerland instead.