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Barcelona has something to offer across all age groups and interests. Be it nightlife, food, sightseeing, warm sunny beaches or shopping, the city provides plenty on a platter. The Mediterranean climate makes it comfortable to visit even in winter months (January-February), at which time you often find blue sunny skies. Home to eight heritage world sites, Barcelona is a cultural hub as well.
Stretching from Placa de Catalunya (Barcelona’s busiest square) to the Columbus Monument, La Rambla in central Barcelona is an attractive promenade, with trees bordering on sides. Small cafes and shops are dotted across either side of the pedestrian area. La Rambla is bursting with activity at all times of the year — street dancers, mime artists, kiosks, flower stalls, market places keep it alive and colourful. La Boqueria is the most popular food market on one of the La Rambla streets (Rambla de Sant Josep). There is all kinds of fresh food to please every palette —meat eaters or vegetarians! At the centre of the old city of Barcelona lies the Gothic Quarters. The area’s medieval style buildings, cobbled paths and ancient ruins transport the visitor to a bygone era. The Gothic Cathedral and the ruins of the over-2000-year-old Augustus temple are fascinating. Numerous cafes and bars can be found in the alleyways of the Gothic Quarters.
Barcelona is home to many of architect Antoni Gaudi’s Gems. Casa Batll`F3 on Passeig de Gr`E0cia was originally built between 1875 and 1877; Josep Batll`F3 bought the house in 1900 and appointed Gaudi for its ‘refurbishment’. The spectacular building was completed in 1906. Now a museum, it reflects the modernist movement of the time. This structure almost appears as a living being, with a skeleton-like shape, aesthetic-motifs, coloured mosaics and asymmetry add to its charm. Casa Mila/La Pedrera, another of Gaudi’s creations, is also housed on Passeig de Gr`E0cia .It was built between 1906 and 1912, when Gaudi was at the height of his career and had established a reputed style of his own, free from any previously followed norms. It is a symbol of architectural transgression. Its interiors transport the visitor into a fantasy world. The painted ceilings are aesthetic. There are a number of pieces of furniture, displayed in the house, which were possibly owned or created by Gaudi. Passeig de Gr`E0cia, is also the shopping and business hub of the city. International luxury brands like Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Manolo Blahnik, Chanel, Chopard, and Cartier have stores here, along with top Spanish designers like Adolfo Dom`EDnguez and Caramelo; high street brands are also found here. A stroll down Passeid de Gracia is highly recommended, just to take in the bustling atmosphere. It is also the most expensive street in Barcelona.
Barcelona is the city that doesn’t sleep. The nightlife here is spectacular, with bars and clubs all over the city. World famous DJs (different genres of music) frequent the city’s clubs. Port Olimpic, next to the beach, has some popular clubs and bars. Shoko, Opium Mar, Icebarcelona are some of the clubs located there. Opium Mar opens out right onto the beachfront. La Sagrada Familia, the grandest of Gaudi’s masterpieces, is the basilica in Barcelona, which attracts millions of visitors every year. Originally built on neo-gothic lines in 1882, Antoni Gaud`ED took over its construction a year later. Instead of going with the original plans, he gave the building its modernist style. The architecture has heavy influences of elements from nature. The interiors of La Sagrada Familia are mind-blowing. The roof is held up by pillars, which resemble tree branches and give the effect of a forest. The shape of the windows as well as their placing is such that there is the intentional effect of sunlight streaming into a dense forest. If one’s stay in the city is short, an itinerary should be planned well in advance, in order of priority of interests. Because interesting places and spaces are what Barcelona has in abundance.
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