“What is Barcelona famous for?” is the first question you put on your search engine when you decide to spend your vacation in this marvelous city.
So now that you have landed on this article, be rest assured that you will learn the 7 most crucial points to get a glimpse of what Barcelona is all about.
First, let us give you a few details about Barcelona, Spain. With over 5 million population, this city is claimed to be the second most populous after Marid, the capital of Spain.
It is estimated that Barcelona gets 12 million tourists each year which is enormous than other famous cities in Europe. But what actually makes it famous? Or Why is Barcelona famous?
Let us give you a hint. Barcelona has a fascinating history, culture, fantastic architecture, museums, and beaches, each with exciting facts. So without any adieu, let’s find out about them.
What is Barcelona Famous For?
Architecture
Barcelona is one of the well preserved medieval cities in Europe. So tourists will witness the historical natures of the different architectures here.
Barcelona dates back to the Roman Empire time, solid 2000 years ago, and was initially named Barcino. Today you can witness the original Roman-era building standing tall, although most buildings are built over or refurbished with modernization. The historical sites in Barcelona are sure to awe you.
Apart from this, the medieval street plan, the Gothic churches, and the narrow winding streets with tiles roofs and surrounded by walls at regular intervals speak volumes of the architecture this city holds.
Some of the iconic buildings are Casa Batllo and Casa Amatller, Sagrada Familia, the Arc de Triomf, and Park Guell. This is the only city globally to receive the Royal gold medal for architecture by the Royal Institute of British Architects. Need I say more?
Beaches
Did I not mention that Barcelona is best known for its beaches? Yes, but did you know that there were no beaches until 1992.
There were no natural beaches until the Olympics came to the city. So the government made artificial beaches by importing sand from the Arabian countries. With 4.5 km, Barcelona beaches attract many tourists and hold a place in the list of top 10 beaches globally.
So among the most famous attractions in Barcelona, beaches hold an important space. Some popular beaches include Barceloneta, Nova Icaria, Mar Bella, and Bogatell. The Barceloneta is the most famous beach as it lies closest to the city.
If you are a sun worshipper, you must not miss the beaches. However, the nightlife is also equally fascinating here. One must plan a customized personal itinerary of Barcelona in order to experience a proper night culture.
FC Barcelona
If you are a football fan, we bet you might be waiting for the mention of FC Barcelona in the list.
Founded in 1899, the FC Barcelona is one of the most successful football teams in the world. The club’s motto, “Més que un club,” means more than a club reflects what the team means to the city.
This club stands out because, unlike other FCs, it is owned by more than 1.4 million members, and most of them are ordinary fans. Camp Nou, the largest football stadium in Europe, is located here. Lastly, over the years, the Barcelona team has included some of the most famous players in football like Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Johan Cruyff, Diego Maradona, Gary Lineker, Pep Guardiola, and Andres Iniesta.
Museums
Your vacation to Barcelona will be incomplete without a visit to the city’s brilliant museums. The museums here are also the top attraction in Barcelona.
The Catalan capital has some exciting museums (more than 55) where some are named the best of best in Europe. If you are a tourist who has a profound love for a cultural experience, the museums will quench your thirst. Most museums are built focusing on art, science, football, chocolate, and erotica.
Picasso Museum, FC Barcelona Museum, Fundació Joan Miró, Gaudí House Museum, Museu d’Historia de Barcelona, Museu de la Xocolata, Sagrada Família Musuem are some famous one to name.
Festivals and Street Parties
The next big thing that brings Barcelona to life is its festivals and street parties. The city hosts a wide range of festivals and street carnivals throughout the year, making it one of the most energetic cities globally.
The music events conducted during summer include Cruella, Primavera Sound, Sonar Festival, and Rock Fest Barcelona, which draws 200,000 people to the city.
Apart from this, Barcelona’s seventy-two wards stage their own Festa Major. There will be street parties, parades, fire races, fireworks displays, and human towers competitions which are amazing entertainment segments. Some famous neighborhood festivals include La Festa Major de Gràcia, La Mercè, El Nit de Reis, La Fest de Sant Juan, and La Festa de Santa Eulalia.
Famous Artists and Writers
Since the late 1800s, Barcelona has been known as the center for art as it attracted more artists, writers, and poets from the rest of Spain and Europe.
Let me name the famous people known for their professional work. Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and one of the world’s most influential architects. Antoni Gaudi has designed some of Barcelona’s iconic buildings.
Barcelona city is also known as the capital of Catalan literature during the middle ages. During this period, the Catalan language progressed along with cultural growth. Some famous authors born here are Ausiàs March, Tirant lo Blanch, Miquel Martí i Pol, and Joanot Martorell.
The list will be incomplete if the notable musicians here. Some were born here, whereas others made Barcelona their home after coming here to advance their professions. Some famous Spanish musicians who became permanent residents are Loquillo, Pau Dones, Joan Manuel Serrat, and Manu Chao.
Food and drink
Who doesn’t love food? Barcelona’s cuisine boasts its Catalan cooking style and is one of the best in Spain. This style is famous for its high-quality ingredients, innovative preparation methods, and creative plating.
There are more than 22 Michelin-starred restaurants in this city, and apart from traditional Spanish cuisine, you will find French, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese cuisines. It won’t be hard to find fantastic food even on a tight budget as the city has made food available at all price points. Apart from the beautiful places in Barcelona, food, and drink hold much importance here.
Conclusion
If you are reading this article till now, you know what is Barcelona known for.
Barcelona has an excellent public transport system, and an amazing climate, and always hosts a diverse range of activities throughout the year. So I bet you will love your time here.
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