Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia as well as Spain’s second largest city. Dominated by Montjuic, Vallvidrera and the Tibidabo Hills, sophisticated Barcelona is rich in ancient and modern architectural and artistic treasures. Many talented artists, sculptors and architects lived here, including Picasso, Miro, Mares and Barcelona’s best-known architect, Antonio Gaudн.
Barcelona’s beginnings as a major port can be found already in Roman times. But the most significant period was during the Middle Ages when the city’s wealth equaled that of the whole Catalonia province. Splendid buildings from the Middle Ages and a unique ambiance still make Barcelona one of the most attractive cities in Europe, drawing scores of visitors to see and enjoy the sights. In addition to its medieval setting and narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter, there are magnificent avenues through the modern part of the city, which are particularly noted for their landmark buildings of Gaudн’s design.
No visit to Barcelona would be complete without seeing its most popular tourist attraction, the Church of the Holy Family – La Sagrada Familia. Every year some 1.5 million visitors come to see a building without equivalent elsewhere. Gaudн’s most ingenious design is a mixture of art, sculpture and architecture, blending in some religion. Only a small part of the building was finished in his lifetime. It’s a work in progress, still waiting to serve its intended purpose as a house of prayer. Gaudн began this fantastic creation in 1883; when he died in 1926, work was suspended until 1940. Today, work continues on the site, but does not keep visitors away. Barcelona offers endless sights and many things to do – too many for a short stay. It needs careful planning to make the most of your visit to this gracious city.
View all the cruises that call at Barcelona, Mediterranean cruise destination
Hapag Lloyd Cruises,
Silversea Cruises,
Cunard Line,
Residensea,
Hebridean Island Cruises,
Peter Deilmann Cruises ,
Regent Seven Seas Cruises,
Crystal Cruises,
Seadream,
P & O Cruises,
Princess Cruises,
Seabourn Cruise Line,
Swan Hellenic,
Holland America Line,
Carnival Cruise Line,
Celebrity Cruises,
Costa Cruises,
Fred.Olsen Cruise Line,
MSC Cruises,
Norwegian Cruise Line,
Oceania Cruises,
Ocean Village,
Orient Lines,
Royal Caribbean International,
Windstar Cruises,
