The City
Barcelona, the second largest and most cosmopolitan city in Spain, has a population of around two million people. The city’s tourism got a massive uptick in 1992 by hosting the Olympic games that translated the city into a very modern, yet very old city, celebrating the ancient.
Tourism
Barcelona is filled with outdoor markets, shops, museums, restaurants and churches. This beautiful city is fantastic for long walks and days spent on the beach, providing sun and relaxation for the long periods of warm weather.
Airport
Coordinates: 41° 17′ 49″ N, 2° 4′ 42″ E
The Barcelona International Airport is the busiest airport in Spain. In 2010 over 29.2 million passengers used the Barcelona Airport (also known as El Prat Airport).
Airlines
The following airlines offer flights to Barcelona from Johannesburg or Cape Town, connecting through another European city:
What to see
- Sagrada Familia – A modernist church, most famous Barcelona landmark.
- Casa Mila – Antoni Gaudi’s unconventional buildings
- La Rambla – The most famous street in the city, always crowded
- Guell Park – A UNESCO world heritage site, also by Gaudi
- La Seu Cathedral – Built between 1298 and 1460, completed at the end of 19th century.
- Casa Batllo - Another Gaudi masterpiece with unique modernist interior and surreal exterior
- Parc de la Ciutadella – Home to a zoo, museums and the Catalan Parliament
- Montjuic – A hill that boasts many attractions, such as Poble Espanyol and the Calatrava Tower
- Magic Fountain - Animated with coloured lights during summer evenings
- Arc de Triomf - A triumphal arch built in mudejar style brickwork, originally built as the entrance gate of the Universal Exposition in 1888.
- Torre Agbar - One of the city’s tallest buildings with colourful cladding and an unorthodox shape.
Events
- Sonar Festival - A three-day music festival
- Festes de la Merce – A festival with human towers, fireworks and live music
- Festes de Gracia – Most important fiestas, filled with fun, excitement, colours, fireworks and music.
- Revetla de Sant Joan – A midsummer solstice celebration
- La Merce - A holiday filled with fun and activities, fountains and fireworks.
Accommodation
Search over 600 hotels in Barcelona, Spain
General Info
The busiest time in Barcelona is in August. The main reason for this is probably because about 10% of shops and hotels close for the Spanish holiday and the rest of the hotels tend to lower their prices and offer special prices, attracting plenty of tourists.
Weather
The best time to visit the city is between April and June and September and November, when temperatures are between 19-23°C. Winter months in Barcelona enjoy lovely weather with very slight chances of rain.
