Barcelona Apartment Types

As one of the most popular spots in Europe, Barcelona is a diverse and extremely cosmopolitan city. The capital of Catalunya and the second largest city in Spain, Barcelona with its iconic architecture, world-class museums and vibrant culture is a truly fascinating destination attracting over 15 million visitors each year.


History

The actual foundation of Barcelona is the subject of two differing legends. The first sees the city being founded by Hercules, the mythical Greek demigod and son of Zues, some 400 years before the building of Rome. The second legend believes Barcelona was named Barcino by Carthaginian Hamilcar Barca after his family in the third century B.C. In 15 B.C the Romans made the town a castrum (Roman military camp) and then a Roman colony - Colonia Faventia Julia Augustia Pia Barcino. Visitors can Roman ruins exposed in parts of the city notably under the Plaça dek Rei entrance for the City Museum (Museu d’Historia de la Ciutat). After a varied and lengthy history, Barcelona today is a modern, cosmopolitan metropolis and a cultural and economic hub.

Getting In & Getting Around

Barcelona Airport is the second largest in Spain and the largest on the Mediterranean coast serving mainly domestic, European and some American and Asian destinations. The airport is linked to the city by highway, commuter trains and scheduled bus services. Budget airlines tend to use the Girona Costa Brava Airport which is 90km (56 miles) to the north of Barcelona and Reus Airport, 77km (48 miles) to the south. There are a number of transport options when in the city – Metro, bus, tram and aerial cable cars. The two main train stations Estació Sants and França are located in the city centre and provide services to a number of domestic and international destinations. Driving is not advised as the city can get quite congested and parking hard to find. A novel way of getting around the city is by bicycle – there are a number of places where you can hire a bike – efficient, healthy and eco-friendly. 


Culture, Sights & Attractions

A very cultural city, Barcelona is a fantastic tourist destination and has much to offer in the way of museums, galleries, sights and attractions. As a mecca for top architects, Barcelona is home to some of the finest examples of architecture in the world ranging from the Gothic era to unique modernist styles. Antoni Gaudi, possibly Barcelona’s most famous architect, has prized examples of his work located throughout the city from the unfinished Sagrada Familia to the Casa Batlló. Just go for a wander around and you are bound to stumble across one of his iconic creations. Barcelona is home to a wide range of world-class museums including the Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso), Museum of Chocolate (Museu de la Xocolata) and the Museum of the History of Catalunya (Museu d’Historia de Catalunya). Sports enthusiasts will love Barcelona with the Nou Camp (home of Barcelona FC) and Vila Olímpica (created for the 1992 Olympic Games) located in the city. Shoppers rejoice as Barcelona is filled with excellent shopping opportunities – La Ramblas, Gràcia and Maremagnum are just a few of the destinations where you can find quaint, quirky shops, exclusive boutiques and places to find those souvenirs to take home.


Eating Out

As a hugely cosmopolitan city, there isn’t much you can’t find in Barcelona. The Barceloneta area is popular with local residents. Here be sure to sample some fish based dishes such as Paella and Arròs Negre (Black Rice) or, alternatively, sample some authentic Tapas. La Ramblas – sample some local gastronomic delights at the market or at a pavement café. Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) – enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in the area.


Outside The City

Staying in Barcelona doesn’t mean you have to remain in the city centre. There are a number of day trips and excursions you can take for example – visit the immensely impressive Salvador Dalí Museum, which was incidentally designed by the man himself, in the nearby town of Figueres, admire the beauty of the Pyrenees mountain range which is approximately 150km north of the city or bask in the sunshine on one of the sundrenched beaches in the nearby city of Sitges.

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