The first vestiges of the area date back to 2500 BC. and the existence of the first settlement dates from between 2000 and 1500 BC. According to Rufo Festo Avieno, a Latin poet born at the end of the fourth century, Barcelona and its surroundings was home to two Iberian villages: one on Mont Tàber, whose name is unknown. This hamlet has been called Barcilo, Barcinom or Barkeno by various historians and is believed to be the origin of the name Barcelona. The other settlement was called Laye and was founded on Montjüic. It was inhabited by the Laietani.

Count Borrell II

In the year 988, Count Borrell II secured the county of Barcelona's independence from the Carolingian empire. He then expanded the entire region, and it later became known as Catalonia.

When the Industrial Revolution began to gather strength in the 19th century, Barcelona's contributions to the cause once again returned it to its status of a great and powerful city. It only got better from there, and Barcelona was honored with the opportunity to host the World's Fair in 1888. As Barcelona continued to thrive, a huge demand went up for more political freedoms against the Francoist dictatorship that Catalonia had been laboring under for several decades. Following the death of the dictator, Catalonia finally regained its complete political authority in 1977, and Barcelona was free to become one of the most important and elaborate cities in all of Spain.

It continues to attract important events today, which include the hosting of the Olympic Games in 1992 and the Universal Forum of Cultures in 2004.

Designate some time to get to know Barcelona’s unique history on your next vacation. Click on the link below and we can start planning your vacation to Barcelona.

The cultural roots of Barcelona go back centuries. The people of this city love arts and entertainment and so, Barcelona has numerous venues for live music, operas, theatres, orchestras and more. As the capital and chief cultural center of Catalonia, Barcelona is also the ‘literary hub’ of all works created in the Catalan language. The city hosts international conferences and expositions. Sports are another aspect of its rich culture.

Barcelona shot to fame after it successfully hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics. Barcelona celebrates a number of festivals that are both religious and cultural. Some festivals include Epiphany, Formula One Spanish Grand Prix, Primavera Sound Festival and Barcelona Independent Film Festival.

The history of the flamenco dress goes back to when Andalusian women accompanied livestock traders to livestock fairs in Seville. Andalusia is a region in southern Spain where flamencos (gypsies) lived. Flamenco is their traditional song and dance, and the costume represents that culture. The dress evolved when the dance became part of mainstream culture in the early 19th century, but the Andalusian influence remained.

The dress is designed to highlight a woman's figure and conceal the flaws. The original dress had a guitar-shaped body with a low neck. The frills are made to augment the way a woman walks, and different accessories, such as scarves and flowers, complimented the flirty style.

Barcelona is speckled with amazing buildings and stunning architecture. Feast your eyes on Gothic mansions, powerfully graceful churches, buildings of state, and Modernist masterpieces throughout the city. Here are our 10 notable Barcelona buildings to get you started.

1. La Sagrada Família

2. Església de Santa Maria del Mar

3.Torre Agbar

4. Palau de la Música Catalana

5. Hospital de la Santa Creu I de Sant Pau

6. Mercat de Santa Caterina

7. La Pedrera

8. Casa Amatller

9. Casa Batlló

10. Pavelló Mies van der Rohe

La Sagrada Familia is a must-see Roman Catholic Basilica located in Barcelona, Spain. The architect behind this breathtaking gem is none other than Antoni Gaudí. Gaudi has famous masterpieces spread throughout Barcelona, but nothing is quite like La Sagrada Familia. It is considered to be one of Gaudi's most significant accomplishments, and this is likely the reason he is buried there.

Construction began in 1882, and the basilica remains unfinished to this day. It was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 because of its artistic representations and unique architecture. When it is finally completed, there will be 18 towers in total: one for each of the apostles, four for each of the evangelists, one for the Virgin Mary, and one for Jesus Christ.

Back in 1999, artist Joan Vila-Grau was commissioned to create the stained glass panes for the large group of windows on the western façade of the Sagrada Familia, known as the Resurrection Windows. He studied the temple as a whole and also the concept and function of stained glass windows in the works of Antoni Gaudí before beginning the process.

Joan Vila-Grau aimed to develop a genuinely reminiscent balance of color and light to create an atmosphere that surrounds the entire temple. His work is infused with his signature style but at the same time, fulfills Gaudi's original vision: "The Sagrada Familia will be bright. It will be the temple of harmonious light."

The Sagrada Familia is an iconic structure in Barcelona. It is something that I will make sure to fit into your itinerary.

Antoni Gaudi could pass as a patron saint of Barcelona, which is likely part of the reason why he is being considered for sainthood. While a lot of people are familiar with his work using colorful mosaics, natural elements, and skeleton balconies, the man behind the work remained somewhat mysterious. Here are some interesting facts about the Gaudi that you probably didn’t know.

● He struggled with poor health, and as a result, he adhered to a strict vegetarian diet.

● He was not afraid to make his feelings known and worked hard to fight for Catalonia in the political arena.

● His fantastic career had humble beginnings. He started out designing lampposts.

● He never had any children, and he was a bachelor throughout his life.

● Park Guell was initially supposed to be an English-style residential estate until Gaudi gets a hold of the project.

● He was a student at the Barcelona Architectural School and not a very good one at all.

Fun Facts about Arenas de Barcelona

It's the most historic shopping mall in the city. It was not originally built as a shopping area, it was intended to be a bullring, and it became one of the most famous bullrings in Spain. The last bullfight took place in 1977, and then eventually it was left abandoned until the early 1990s. It’s seen decades of glory and has been subjected to various uses such as headquarters for the Republican Army during the Spanish Civil War, as well as other sports events.

After many years, the London based firm of Richard Rogers + Partners was chosen to renovate it into a shopping and entertainment center. This renovation brought La Arena back to prominence in Barcelona in a whole new way. The renovation maintained the history and brought it into the present.

I'd love to assist you in planning your vacation to Barcelona, so be sure to click on the button below when you're ready to start planning!

Helpful Information

The climate of Barcelona is the Mediterranean, with mild, relatively rainy winters and hot, sunny summers. The monthly average temperature ranges from 9 °C (48 °F) in January to 24.5 °C (76 °F) in August.

The best time to visit Barcelona is spring, from mid-April to mid-June. September, too, is a good month, but it is quite rainy. Summer, from mid-June to August, can be hot and muggy, though it is the best time for a beach holiday. Winter is usually mild, but sometimes it can get a bit cold and it can rain.

Famed for its architectural treasures, Barcelona has striking Gothic cathedrals, fantastical Modernista creations and avant-garde works from more recent days. The most developed part of Spain's infrastructure is the train system, which is one of the best in Western Europe. With regard to roads, Spain's 343,389 kilometers (213,382 miles, 1999) of a paved highway are similarly radial in design and 9,063 kilometers (5,632 miles) of it is expressway (1997).

Due to its long coastline, Spain depends heavily on maritime transport for the import and export of goods to both European states as well as those at the outside of Western Europe. Its merchant marine and fishing fleet is among the largest and most important in the world. Traffic is heavily concentrated in the ports of Bilbao, Algeciras, Tarragona, and Barcelona. Although Spain's infrastructure is similar to the rest of Western Europe, there is nevertheless an ongoing process of upgrading roads, airports, seaports, and railroads through public, private, and joint investment.

Plane

Barcelona airport, with several terminals, is located 16 kilometers south of the city and is also known as Barcelona-El Prat.

Train

Barcelona has direct railway links including important cities likeParis, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, and the high-speed train runs to Madrid, southern and eastern Spain.

Car

Barcelona is well connected and has a large number of car parks.

Bus

The bus station in Barcelona that has the most national and international connections is Barcelona Nord Bus Station. Buses also depart from Barcelona Sants station and other areas of the city.

Boat

Barcelona has become the Mediterranean's foremost cruise ship harbor. It has nine passenger terminals, seven for cruise liners and four for ferries.

The region of Catalonia has two official languages. Spanish and Catalan, of which are both spoken. In offices and schools, Catalan is the dominant language. Similarly, many lectures at the University are held in Catalan. Road signs and labels e.g. in museums are usually bilingual.

Visitors to Barcelona come off well with Spanish, although the locals are happy about a greeting in Catalan.

• See a Flamenco show
• Take a tour at the Museu De La Xocolata
• Hop on the magical carousel at the Tibidabo Amusement Park
• Watch a movie under the stars
• Watch talented young skaters in front of MACBA
• Play beach volleyball at Barceloneta
• Join a free walking tour

One of the best things to do in and around Barcelona in the summer is to hit the beach. All of the beaches are artificial and were built to accommodate and celebrate the Olympic Games of 1992. Here are some of the best beaches to hit up while you are staying in Barcelona.

● La Barceloneta beach sits on the coast of a touristy neighborhood. It is a great place to spend some time exploring the coast of the area.

● Nova Icaria takes up about 1300 feet of the city’s waterfront. It is tagged as one of the most tranquil beaches in Barcelona, making it a perfect destination for a family getaway or just a little relaxation.

● Ocata Beach is a pristine white sand beach, and it is located just north of Barcelona. A simple half-hour train ride will get you there.

● Mar Bella beach was created as part of the restoration of the seafront during urban development for the Olympic Games. The Summer Games were held in Barcelona in 1992.

Would you rather surf than get a tan on the beach? Then you'll be thrilled to know that there are various aquatic activities to try in Barcelona. Whether you're looking to try something out for the first time, or you want to do it like a pro, there are quite a handful of great clubs and schools that can help you out with just what you need in the Catalan capital. Here's a list of water activities you can enjoy in Barcelona:

● Windsurfing

● Paddle Boarding

● Surfing

● Renting a Boat

● Renting Jet Skis

● Parasailing

● Hoverboarding & Flyboarding

One of the great things to do while in Barcelona is to catch a football game and see FC Barcelona. Here is a list of some things you may want to know before you go and see them play.

• They invented their style of play
• The club is owned by its club members
• There is a long history of affiliation with the Catalan nationalist movement
• The club was founded by a Swiss man, Hans Max Gamper-Haessig (aka Joan Gamper)
• Local supporters rarely attend the home games
• This club has the most Ballon d’Or winners worldwide
• Franco made the club change their name and official language
• Their supporters are nicknamed ‘the arses’
• Any football fan will want to catch a game and say that they have seen them play.

Barcelona seems to be under a special kind of magic spell as soon as the sun sets. It is something you have to experience with your own eyes. There is a breathtaking twilight that settles over Barcelona that evokes wonder and appreciation. If you're coming to visit, make sure to squeeze some time to watch the sunset in Barcelona. Here, we've listed a few of our favorite spots.

1. Castillo de Montjuic

2. W Barcelona

3. Carmel Bunkers

4. Park Güell

5. Tibidabo

6. Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)

7. Las Arenas

• Sagrada Familia
• Casa Batlló
• The Magic Fountain
• Mercado de la Boqueria
• La Barceloneta
• The Gothic Quarter
• Arc de Triomf
• Palau de la Música Catalana

Barcelona is a shopaholic’s haven, and it is, arguably, the shopping capital of Spain. Passeig de Gràcia is the top choice for shopping in Barcelona. It’s probably the most visually stunning avenue in Barcelona as some of the city’s most stunning architecture lines this avenue. There are artisan shops and boutiques located within centuries-old gothic buildings.

Plaça de Sant Josep Oriol is an excellent choice for shopping in Barcelona. It's home to beautiful boutiques, artisan shops, and some designer stores. Avinguda Diagonal is the place if you're scouting for high-end, big-name designer items.

• Bombas
• Blistered Peppers
• Spanish Omelet
• Manchego Cheese
• Pa amb tomàquet
• Croquettas
• Bocadillos
• Paella
• Gazpacho