The Most Beautiful Spots in Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital city of Catalunya and the second highest population in Spain is both a city and a province. The area surrounding Barcelona City, with over three hundred small towns and cities including Manresa, Villafranca del Penedés and Vic, is considered the province of Barcelona.

Because of the ancient Roman origins of Barcelona City, there are many museums, historical exhibitions and famous sculptures from the Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods. The city is proud to display a selection of the finest examples of Modernism and Vanguard Art. Furthermore, in 1997 UNESCO named The Palau de la Musica Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau, two buildings by the famed architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, as World Heritage Sites. The other famous architect who is known for his work in Barcelona is Antoni Gaudi. Seven of his buildings are classified as World Heritage Sites as well. These include:

• Casa Vicens
• Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade and Crypt of La Sagrada Familia
• Casa Batlló
• Crypt in Colonia Güell
• Parque Güell
• Palacio Güell
• Casa Mila

Undoubtedly, any of the World Heritage Sites would be beautiful spots to visit while in Barcelona.

Moving on from the architectural importance of Barcelona, the Province of Barcelona is noted for its magnificent wine regions. Villafranca del Penedés is a major wine production and exportation area while Sant Sadurni d’Anoia is the main producer of cava wine (sparkling wine). What a treat it would be to see this historic wine making area complete with one of the oldest cellars in the world, the Freixenet cellars, built in 1889.

For the nature lovers, Barcelona is home to four natural parks of stupendous beauty:

• Montserrat Mountain National Park, which is home to the most famous Monastery in Catalunya, is found where the Llobregat and Noya Rivers meet.
• Montseny National Park consists of several protected regions in the Montseny Mountains between l’Osona, la Selva and El Vallès oriental.
• Sant Liorenç del Munt i l’Obac is found near Terrasa and is home to over two hundred species of vertebrates.
• Cadí-Moixeró National Park is known for the flowers and trees that have adapted to living at high altitudes rather then in their natural habitat.

And of course, what would a trip to Barcelona be without the beautiful coast line beaches? A few minutes away from the center of town is Barceloneta where one will find the beaches with many water sports and on-land facilities.

The Pyrenees Mountains are beautiful at any time but being able to snow ski makes them even that more spectacular. And the tall cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea with the little coves and virgin beaches would be like having one’s own private area to explore.

Whether one travels to Barcelona City or throughout the province of Barcelona, there will be many pretty sites to see.