| 1. Sagrada Familia | | | | of over 90,000, it is a vast arena that is |
| If you only get to see one thing whilst in | | | | impressive enough on a simple guided tour. But if |
| Barcelona, the Sagrada Familia is it. This huge | | | | you're lucky enough to catch a game here then it |
| cathedral has been in a state of construction since | | | | will be an experience you won't forget. And should |
| as far back as 1882, and there is at least another | | | | you be really lucky and get a seat to witness the |
| 20 years or so until it is complete. It is the most | | | | visit of Barcelona's arch rivals Real Madrid, you'll be |
| famous building of the most famous Spanish | | | | able to watch one of the most passionate games |
| architect of them all, Antoni Gaudi, who died in | | | | in world football. |
| 1926. It is a project on a vast scale, a truly | | | | Built in 1957, the stadium also hosts a shop, a |
| original monument that seems entirely fitting to | | | | chapel for the players and the most visited |
| such a fantastic city as Barcelona. | | | | museum in the whole of Catalonia, with over a |
| Gaudi worked on the building up until his death, | | | | million people making the journey to this Mecca of |
| focusing on nothing else for the last 12 years of | | | | football to witness the over 400 trophies that |
| his life. Its incredible, original design has made it | | | | Barcelona FC has managed to gather during its |
| instantly recognisable, and it is one of the biggest | | | | reign. Not to be missed. |
| tourist attractions in the city. A guided tour is | | | | 4. Picasso Museum |
| worth taking to find out all about the history of | | | | Barcelona is a city of art, and nowhere do you |
| the building. It's also found right on Metro Line 5 so | | | | realise this more than in the Picasso Museum. This |
| it's easy to reach. | | | | is an absolute must for anyone with even the |
| 2. Parc Guell | | | | slightest interest in Pablo Ruiz Picasso, and for real |
| La Sagrada Familia may be Gaudi's masterpiece, | | | | fans it will be a definite highlight of your trip. |
| but Park Guell is a close second. This huge park is | | | | There are over 3,800 works in the permanent |
| full of a large number of attractions designed by | | | | collection, a hugely impressive wealth of incredible |
| Gaudi, with new wonders appearing around every | | | | artworks that show the development of the |
| corner. It gets its name from Eusebi Guell, who | | | | artist from young experimentalist to modern |
| commissioned it to be a luxury villa for himself, | | | | master. Opening back in 1963, the museum is |
| and was built between 1900 and 1914. At one | | | | rightfully placed in Barcelona, a city which Picasso |
| point it was going to contain luxury houses for | | | | shared a real connection with throughout his life. |
| the rich residents of Barcelona, but luckily it was | | | | Regular exhibitions are always changing, so you |
| converted into a public park that you can walk | | | | never know quite what you're going to get, and |
| around for free. | | | | the building itself, situated right in the heart of the |
| So impressive is the park that it was declared a | | | | old city, helps bring the experience to life. |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it includes La | | | | 5. La Rambla |
| Torre Rosa, Gaudi's old house that has now been | | | | Once you've seen all the main attractions of |
| converted into a museum. There are also | | | | Barcelona, get out in the open air and take a stroll |
| numerous statues and a wonderful viewing area | | | | down La Rambla. This is the large street through |
| with a cafe to admire the city from above. It's a | | | | the centre of the city that is over 1.2 kilometres |
| steep walk to the top, and there are even | | | | in length. Lined by trees and completely |
| outdoor escalators to help along the way, but it's | | | | pedestrian, it stretches from Placa de Catalunya |
| most definitely worth it. | | | | to the Christopher Columbus monument. |
| 3. Camp Nou | | | | It is in reality a number of different streets, all |
| For any fan of the beautiful game, a trip to | | | | given different names for different parts. The |
| Barcelona should not definitely include a visit to | | | | final part, the Rambla de Mar, goes right down to |
| the stadium of one of the best teams in Europe. | | | | the harbour. Lots of shops, restaurants and |
| The Camp Nou is one of the best stadiums on | | | | tourists fill the street, and on a sunny day there is |
| the continent, which is fitting as it is home to one | | | | no better way to see the city by foot. |
| of the best teams in the world. With a capacity | | | | |
