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If ever the disinterested-in-sports among us had a reason to love the Olympics it must surely be the spotlight thrust upon Barcelona during the 1992 games. Prior to that event, one of Europe’s most undeniably striking places had long been maligned as a ‘smokestack city’, and largely ignored by tour operators and travel writers alike. The joy of seeing a cultural underdog come of age and reap the richly-deserved rewards of tourism hotspot status is part of the Barcelona experience. And what an experience.
Nestling along the northern coast of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is Spain’s second biggest metropolis, but it arguably bests Madrid on every tourism front, with a reputation for spawning some of the world’s best artistic, architectural and design delights. In an afternoon you can go from the original Roman settlement – one of the most well-preserved in Europe – to the churches and palaces of the city’s medieval golden age, before hitting the 19th Century avenues of the L’Eixample neighbourhood and its audacious architectural flourishes of wrought iron, ceramic tiling and ornamental brickwork. There’s no shortage of art galleries and museums, but Barcelona is one of those rare cities that feels like a living, breathing – and free-of-charge – cultural centre. The patchwork of styles includes dark, Gothic facades sitting beneath the looming constructions of Herzog and Novel. Then there’s Gaudi, Barcelona’s most famous son. His indomitable influence colours every corner of the city, and very brightly at that. The Nou Camp is a must-see even for the aforementioned sports-averse. Like the Olympic Stadium nearby, the show is stolen by sheer design brilliance. Stand in the empty grounds of Barcelona FC’s home turf and you can’t fail to be impressed by this different - but no less influential - type of church. Despite bearing all the hallmarks of a great northern European cultural hub, Barcelona is still a Mediterranean beach city, with the attendant months-long sunshine, relaxed pace and unbeatable cuisine. Michelin-starred restaurants abound, as do family-run tapas bars. Sample both ends of the gastronomic spectrum and you may come to know something of the real Barcelona. Nevertheless, to the outsider, Barcelona remains unknowable in many ways. Its strong sense of identity and irrefutably gorgeous architecture should make it the jewel in the Spanish crown. But how can it be when many of the Catalan locals don’t recognize that crown in the first place? Local language, culture and traditions are fiercely protected, here, and it’s easy to see why. Browse our collection of Barcelona hotels to find the prefect hotel for your trip including central Barcelona hotels and 4 & 5 star hotels in Barcelona. |
