The city of Barcelona is a jewel located in the northeastern region of Catalonia in Spain. The city is known for its architectural landmarks, its markets and its urban beaches.

Explore the city’s architectural landmarks

There are many architectural landmarks around the city center. The Sagrada Familia is one of the city’s most recognized symbols. This unfinished cathedral was designed by Gaudí and is yet to be completed. There are several carved facades decorated with figures and statues representing scenes, and two of the towers have been completed. Visitors can climb up the towers in order to enjoy views towards the city center.

In the Eixample district visitors will find two other buildings designed by Gaudí. Casa Batlló has a colourful facade decorated with pieces of mosaic, trencadis, that can be seen in many other buildings around the city. The ancient mansion has iron balconies in the shape of skulls and narrow windows. The nearby Casa Milá is a larger building. This building has a wavy, stone facade. Visitors can enjoy guided tours around the building, which was built with no straight lines. The top floor has a gallery dedicated to Gaudí and some of his designs. The rooftops, decorated with chimneys in the shape of stone warrior statues, are known for their views towards the city.

If you want to live in the heart of the city, do not miss the Gothic Quarter. This ancient neighbourhood is located close to the city center and is famous for its grand Gothic cathedral and the cloisters, filled with geese. This area has plenty of affordable accommodation, which is ideal if you are planning to visit Barcelona, including youth hostels for the backpackers and boutique hotels who want to enjoy a city break.

Eat your way through the city.

Barcelona is a city known for its variety of food. Do not miss the chance to taste authentic Catalan dishes, which are surf and turf dishes, mar i muntanya. Squid and rabbit, a variety of vegetables and the local version of crème brulée make for a filling meal.

If you are interested in cooking yourself, then the Boquería market is the place you should visit. This traditional market, located off La Rambla, has been transformed into a trendy space filled with colourful stalls. There are many other markets in the city, including the famous Sant Antoni market which is filled with Spanish culture.

Relax on the beach.

Barcelona has many natural landmarks. The Montserrat mountain makes for an interesting day trip and is an ideal chance to visit one of the region’s oldest monasteries. The Tibidabo mountain is a fun destination and has a large museum representing traditional Spanish villages from all over the country and a large theme park filled with roller coasters.
The are many nearby coastal towns and resorts known for their sandy beaches and terraces with seaside views. Do not miss the city’s largest urban beach, Barceloneta, and explore the beach promenade, filled with cafés and seafood restaurants. Walk around the Port Vell area, where you will be able to enjoy views towards the ship and visit the aquarium.

The city of Seville is one of the largest cities in Andalusia, a southern region in Spain. The ancient cities has many cultural attractions, an ancient cathedral next to a Moorish fortress and a Jewish Quarter. Below you will find a guide to the sights of Seville and areas to visit on your holiday.

The Cathedral and the Giralda.

Two of the city’s most famous landmarks are the Cathedral and its bell tower, the Giralda. The cathedral was built on the ruins of an ancient mosque, and the Giralda tower used to be the mosque’s minaret, which was later transformed into the bell tower. The cathedral is known for its architecture, with several chapels decorated with gilded decorations and galleries filled with relics. The Retablo Mayor altarpiece is one of the cathedral’s attractions, a large altarpiece with hand carved sculptures covered in gold. Visitors can climb up the Giralda tower, from where the city and the Guadalquivir river can be seen.

The cathedral is located on the main square, where there are many horse-drawn carriages for those visitors who want to explore the city in a traditional horse-drawn carriage. There are more carriages in the María Luisa Park, located a short walk away.

The Alcazar Palace.

This ancient fortress was built by the Moors and later rebuilt by the Christians. Each hall is a piece of history, decorated with ancient paintings, sculptures and tapestries. The fortress was later transformed into a palace. Visitors can walk around the palace gardens and patios, with have many fountains.

The centric Barrio de Santa Cruz.

This centric, historical quarter is where most of the city’s landmarks, including the Alcazar and the Cathedral, are located. Part of the quarter’s ancient cobblestone streets used to be the city’s Jewish Quarter, an area filled with stores. Visitors can walk around this area, which has many tapas bars where visitors will be able to try many varieties of local wine and shops. Many of the traditional white washed houses have been transformed into hostels and hotels with pools and patios. There are many squares, including the main Doña Elvira square, where visitors will be able to enjoy a beer with some fried tapas. A short walk away are the Murillo Gardens, which have several fountains and statues.

María Luisa Park and the banks of the Guadalquivir.

Seville’s most visited park is the María Luisa Park, located on the banks of the Guadalquivir river. The park has many paths lined with exotic plants. In the center of the park there is a square, the Plaza de España square, which was built for an expo. The buildings around the square are mostly museums, and there is a canal with bridges in the center of the square. The perimeter of this semicircular plaza is decorated with niches covered in colourful tiles. Each niche has a bench and a mural, and each niche represents a Spanish province. A short walk away is the river, where visitors can enjoy a cruise. Most cruises are guided cruises that tell the city’s history. The riverside Torre de Oro tower can be seen from the boat.

Triana district.
The district of Triana is another popular neighbourhood. Triana is located on the other side of the Guadalquivir river. The traditional gypsy district is known for its flamenco culture, and some of the most famous flamenco bars are located in the area. Many traditional tile shops can be seen in the neighbourhood, and most of the tiles that decorate the Plaza de España and other landmarks were made here. After enjoying some stuffed olives in a terrace on the banks of the Guadalquivir, visitors can explore this side of the city, where many building related to the Inquisition are locates. In the afternoon, enjoy an authentic flamenco guitar show accompanied by a variety of tapas.