Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is up there with the most visited urban destinations in the world – and it really is worlds apart. But what makes this city special? According to so many glossy tourist magazines and travel guides, visitors should dwell enthusiastically on outrageous and otherworldly architecture, hip bars and designer boutiques – and they're right; but Barcelona is more than the in-thing. Far exceeding the flavor of the moment, Barcelona nurtures its artistic refinement, strength of culture and long line of ancient history with pride, whilst taking a sure-footed step into a future of self-renewal and progressive attitudes. Barcelona does all the important bits that make up the world's most visited metropolises, and does them with flair, and with soul.
Think Barcelona, and one particular name might spring to mind. Gaudi's fantastic architecture further seduces visitors and solidifies the city's image as an eccentric, energetic, creative, and stylish hub, simultaneously telling the tales of the past and reinventing itself. The Güell Palace is one of the main bucket list items to be ticked off during a visit here, and Barcelona's pièce de résistance, the Sagrada Familia, is an enduring symbol of the city – its Modernista legacy.
