A city of wondrous architecture, breath-taking viewpoints and finger-licking food, Barcelona is a must-visit, says intrepid traveller Jamie Neben.
A city on the coast of northeastern Spain, Barcelona is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia. The city was founded as a Roman military camp in the Middle Ages. Barcelona was home to the 1992 summer Olympics and is a major transport hub with one of the busiest airports and seaports in Europe.
The jaw-droppingly beautiful architecture makes Barcelona special. The most notable and popular tourist attraction is the Sagrada Familia, a holy cathedral designed by Antoni Gaudi. Interestingly, the cathedral which is a good starting point for any sightseeing is still undergoing construction despite the work starting almost 150 years ago.
My favourite place for sunset was a place called Bunkers del Carmel. Offering the best viewpoint of Barcelona, was once a military base where anti-aircraft guns were installed during the Spanish Civil War.
From the city you will notice the iconic Sacred Heart Church on Mount Tibidabo. Perched on the church is a giant statue of sacred heart of Jesus that looks over Barcelona. With exceptional views, it’s a must-visit!
If you like the outdoors, head northwest about 50km into the mountain Montserrat. It’s a beautiful place for hiking and rock climbing and is home to the Benedictine Montserrat monastery. A perfect day trip, I recommend going early to miss the crowds. It’s a fantastic place to watch the sun rise.
Food in Barcelona is out of this world. It’s home to 19 Michelin star restaurants but you don’t even need to go to any of them to get fantastic food. I recommend avoiding the tourist areas to try the paella and croquettes. Make it a point to check out the market on La Rambla – it’s an explosion of colour and offers great options for wine and tapas. One of my favourites was a converted car park called El Nacional, a true gastronomic experience.
Until next time adéu!
