Barcelona overview
TravelSavvy travel guide to short break holidays in Barcelona
Barcelona has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations for a city break holiday. Once a run-down backwater, avoided by the crowds flocking to the Costa Brava, Barcelona got a seismic shot in the arm when it hosted the 1992 Olympic Games.
The event transformed the Catalan capital. Modern-day Barcelona oozes traditional atmosphere while accentuating the avant-garde - even the bizarre. Old and new architectural styles combine and contrast right across the city.
Barcelona's most famous son, architect Antoni Gaudi, made his mark here, not just with his incredible, if unfinished, Sagrada Familia, but with an array of magnificent buildings - even lampposts and fountains. Today Barcelona is bursting with examples of outstanding modern architecture.
Thousands of people go to Barcelona every year and choose to experience the city like a local. This can be done in many ways, but staying in Barcelona apartments in some of the city's better known areas is probably the best way to get to know Barcelona.
Ever-improving transport links have pulled in the holiday visitors to help make Barcelona a major commercial centre, with tourism a driving force of the economy. Nearly a third of all tourist trips to Spain now take in a Barcelona holiday break. For car hire Barcelona, check out Rhino Car Hire.
Barcelona is a stronghold for the Catalan movement and visitors will hear Catalan spoken as much as Castillian Spanish. Local pride is never higher than when a capacity crowd at FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium cheers a victory over arch soccer rivals Real Madrid - and Barcelona celebrates in style.
Walking the famous Ramblas thoroughfare is a delight, but keep your wits about you for pickpockets. The ancient heart of Barcelona is hugely atmospheric and holiday visitors can't ignore the city's vibrant cafe and bar scene. The revamp of the old port and nearby Barcelona holiday beaches add to the appeal.
Art fans will find much to admire in Barcelona's range of museums. They include the Picasso Museum, for many 'the' Barcelona museum, housed in five medieval palaces in the Barri Gotic. Visitors can delight at the thousands of paintings in the collection. Rock music fans will enjoy the new Rock Museum.
For many, Barcelona is something of a party city with its variety of hip bars, tapas restaurants and late-night clubs.
With a pleasant climate all year round, Barcelona is worth a holiday break in any season and with cheap-flight budget airlines offering increasingly tempting deals there are few reasons not to take a Barcelona holiday break.
Make sure you include Booked.net if searching for Barcelona hotels. They list a good number of quality hotels, available at competitive prices. If you’re on a budget, you can also check out AnyTrip.com for a great selection of cheap Barcelona hotels.
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