Barcelona is one of Europe’s most visited cities, with millions of tourists visiting each year to enjoy the food, culture and architecture. It’s population of just under 5 million people is behind only Paris, Ruhr, Madrid and Milan in terms of urban areas in the European Union. The city is most famous for the 1992 Summer Olympic Games, which were a huge success and led to numerous upgrades to the city that locals and tourists can enjoy today. There is plenty to do in the Catalan capital, from eating the finest local cuisine at award-winning restaurants, to watching elaborate productions at the cities renowned theatres.
Go to the Beach
The city has over four kilometres of sandy beach for visitors to enjoy from April to early October in some years. The metropolitan coastal area is divided into 10 beaches where tourists and locals can enjoy sunbathing, volleyball, swimming and exercise. In addition to the sun, sea and sand, there are several restaurants and bars offering tasty local cuisine like fresh seafood paella and patatas bravas, as well as bars with refreshing cocktails to cool you down.
Even once the sun goes down, there is still plenty to do on Barcelona’s sandy coast, the Port Olimpic area, situated between the beaches of Somorrostro and Nova Icária, is an entertainment hub with a number of nighttime entertainment venues. From it’s world-famous casino, where you can play popular games like blackjack and its many variations, to nightclubs like Opium where you can enjoy the latest pop, dance and reggaeton hits. Of course, the beach is best enjoyed in the summertime, however, Barcelona’s winters are traditionally mild, so it can also be enjoyable to visit the beach if you happen to be in the city during the colder months. If you prefer quieter, less populated beaches there are also many options just a short train ride away in towns like Sitges, Castelldefels and Mataro.
Enjoy the culture
Barcelona is home to over 50 theatres and concert venues including Gran Teatre del Liceu, Europe’s biggest opera house. It was opened in 1847 on the city’s world famous La Rambla, a 1.2-kilometre pedestrianised street in the centre of the city. It seats nearly 3000 people and has hosted thousands of productions, featuring music from revered composers such as Mozart and Tchaikovsky. Other famous venues in the city include Teatre Lliure, Teatre Nacional de Catalunya and Palau de la Música Catalana.
If the theatre isn’t your thing but you enjoy live music, Palau Sant Jordi is an unmissable venue. Situated in the Olympic Park in the city’s Montjuic region, it regularly hosts live music concerts from some of the world’s biggest artists. The likes of Justin Bieber, The Weeknd and Elton John have all graced the 17,960-seater venue in recent years, so be sure to check the schedule for the time you’re visiting the city, as there’s usually a major event happening. Barcelona also boasts a rich film culture, with a number of independent cinema-related events held in and around the city. The Filmoteca de Catalunya, the regions central film archive is a must-see for movie buffs as it contains a specialised library for people interested in researching films.
Watch some sport
Sports tourism has really taken off in recent years and whether you’re into sport or not, enjoying a sporting event is something everyone must experience in Barcelona. The city is home to a number of world class sporting venues and elite athletes across different disciplines. Football fans can enjoy a match at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou, Europe’s largest stadium with a capacity of just under 100,000.
If football’s not your thing, the club also has basketball, handball and roller hockey teams that are all among the most successful in Europe. Just outside the city you can find Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a racetrack in the municipality of Montmeló, which holds Moto GP and Formula 1 events. Palau Sant Jordi also regularly hosts major sporting events, such as the World Handball Championships and the Basketball World Cup.