More than 12 million people visited Barcelona in 2017, becoming one of the most popular cities in the world.


Barcelona is one of the most touristic cities in Europe. Up to 12.7 million visitors were welcomed in 2017. There is no doubt that it has a special charm. Not only for Gaudí, but also for the large amount of artists and stories that have taken place here. There are thousands of reasons to visit Barcelona and we have summarized them in this list. Are we missing something?

1. It has a special Tarannà: this word in Catalan means personality. And Barcelona has a lot of that. Rumba singer Peret said that she is powerful. He couldn’t be more accurate.

2. Weather: temperatures are mild in summer and winter. Humidity, not so much. Although the hottest months are from June to August, the best time to know the city like a local  is the rest of the year.

3. Gastronomy: there is a wide range of restaurants and food styles. . Among our recommendations are Rambla Café, which works with local fresh products, Vi Negre (50% discount), Japanese awesome restaurant Matsuri (book here) or Antigua (50% discount)

visit barcelona
Rambla Café in La Rambla.


4. Beaches: buy a Rodalies (Barcelona train system) ticket and go all over the Maresme seaside. You’d better avoid Barceloneta and its poisoned mojitos. If not, there are many destinations an hour away from the city center that are wonderful, such as Cadaqués, Empùries, Tossa de Mar or Sitges.

5, Also mountain: because you can also get away from the pollution and stress of the city center without wasting your time. The easiest option getting lost in Montjuïc mountain and visit its parks until you reach the Castle, with the best 360º view over the city.

6. Very close to the city center here are other unknown gems that worth the while; such as Colònia Güell and the Gaudí Crypt-World Heritage Site; Cardona-with its medieval castle and the great salt mine; Montserrat Monastery or the lavender fields of L’Empordá.

getaways near barcelona.
Gaudi’s crypt in Colonia Güell, a World Heritage Site.


7. Popular Culture, which you can enjoy every time a major festival is celebrated (next one is Roser, La Rambla’ s party). During these celebrations the streets are filled with parades commanded by naughty devils, giants and beasts. Fire plays an important role, whether in the shape of fireworks or correfocs.

8. Hundreds of cultural events: there is always something happening in Barcelona: shows, concerts, festivals, artistic and / or literary meetings … Just go out to the street and discover them all. If you can.

9. Good music, because it is a good way to get into a culture and understand its way of seeing the world. Try listening to artists from Barcelona and / or singing in Catalan. Some of the most famous are Love of Lesbian, Ojos de brujo, Els Amics de les Arts or Dr. Calypso have come out.

primavera al raval

10. Modernism: well, there is La Pedrera, Casa Batlló, Park Güell … But Gaudi is not the only renowned architect. There are José Puig i Cadafalch (Casa Amatller, House of the Punxes, Palau del Barón de Cuadras), Juan Rubió, disciple of Gaudí (bridge of carrer del Bisbe, Ca l’Espinal and Ca l’Ordal in Colònia Güell) or Lluís Domènech i Montaner (Hospital of San Pau, Palau de la Música, Castell dels Tres Dragons).

11. You can move  by bike, and scooter, skateboard, unicycle … Even walking, since the distances are not very long. If you use any of the vehicles mentioned, remember to comply with traffic regulations and respect pedestrians.

12. It is a city for everyone: skaters, hipsters, hippies, rapers, foodies, foodies, culturetas, lovers of reading and theater, artists, families, people of all ages … It is undoubtedly a welcoming city.

El Raval