Barcelona – southernmost capital of the north
According to Abbreviationfinder, Barcelona is considered to be the southernmost of all capitals of the north and the northernmost of all capitals of the south (Manuel Vázquez Montalbán).
The city is an experience for lovers of extravagant architecture, avant-garde designs and high-ranking museums, and at the same time a shoppers’ paradise.
The capital of Catalonia is in constant battle with Madrid for the status of “First City” in Spain, it is still there, but well on the way to becoming a metropolis like Paris, London or New York.
The 1992 Olympic Games marked the beginning of Barcelona’s new development process: in less than a decade, Barcelona caught up with everything that other European cities had taken half a century to achieve. Numerous new buildings have been designed by prominent international architects, the long-neglected port has been redesigned and Barcelona is also otherwise European, chic and future-oriented – Barcelona is booming. Nevertheless, the city was able to retain its traditional charms throughout the entire period: the Gothic quarter around the cathedral still has a medieval flair and there is a cosmopolitan atmosphere on the Ramblas.
There are excellent restaurants and hotels, although in these areas Barcelona can certainly pay off its good reputation. Enjoy a few tapas, Spanish appetizers in the so-called “living room of the city”, the Plaza Reial under arcades and palm trees, a visit to the hustle and bustle of the beautifully decorated market hall “La Boquería”, a look into the shop windows of the noble designers on the splendid boulevard Passeig de Throw Gracia – Barcelona stands out in all areas and impresses with its joy of color and Mediterranean flair.
In Barcelona there is now a mass tourism, as in some other European metropolises.
The view from Monjuïc over the city and the harbor is breathtaking and the Parc Güell and the Sagrada Familia by the architect Gaudí also inspire “cultural monsters”.
Note
Information that applies to the entire country, e.g. currency, entry requirements, health issues, etc., can be found under Spain.
| Name in Spanish | Barcelona |
| Name in German | Barcelona |
| Country | Spain |
| Location | Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean Sea, 160 km south of the Pyrenees and near the border with France. |
| Landmark of the city | Spain Sagrada Familia |
| Function of the city | Capital of the Autonomous Region of Catalonia (Comunidad Autónoma de Cataluña) |
| Area | 100 km² |
| Population | Approx. 1.6 million (actual city) Approx. 3 million (agglomeration) |
| Ethnicities | Europeans, Latin Americans, Americans, British, and Africans |
| Languages | Spanish (castellano) and Catalan (catalán) are the official languages. |
| Religions | Especially Roman Catholic Christians . Smaller and larger communities of Buddhists, Protestants, Hindus, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Orthodox, Sikhs and Jews also live in the city. |
| National currency | Euro (1 € = 100 cents) |
| Rivers | The Río Llobregat runs in the south of Barcelona and the Río Besós in the north. |
| Elevations or mountains | Montjuïc and Tibidabo In addition, Barcelona is 160 km south of the Pyrenees on a plain bordered by the sea to the east and by a coastal mountain range, the Sierra de Collserola, to the west. |
| Official website | www.bcn.cat |
| Tourist center | Turisme de Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya 17 08002 Barcelona Tel: 0034 – (0) 93 – 30 43 135 Fax: 0034 – (0) 93 – 30 43 155 Email: [email protected] Web: www.barcelonaturisme.com |
| Telephone code with country code | 0034 – (0) 93 – subscriber number |
| Time | CET or CEST (Central European Summer Time) applies in summer |
| License plate of Spain | E. |
City highlights
Las Ramblas (La Rambla)
The most famous boulevard in Barcelona.
Plaça de Catalunya
The important transport hub of Barcelona.
La Sagrada Familia
This cathedral, built by Gaudi, is the most famous symbol of Barcelona.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC)
The MNAC has the world’s largest collection of Roman and medieval art.
Camp Nou Stadium
The Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe.
Special streets and neighborhoods
Las Ramblas (La Rambla)
Las Ramblas: the most famous boulevard in Barcelona; one speaks without exaggeration of the “most famous kilometer in Spain”. The street is 1.2 km long and runs through the old town of Barcelona, from Plaça Catalunya to the port. Rambla originally referred to a river bed that dried out in summer and was used as a path, and that is exactly what the Ramblas once were. On the wide pedestrian area in the middle, you can watch the traders and street performers or admire the flower stands and cages with birds. There are numerous sights along the Ramblas, for example the Mercat de La Boqueria, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Monoment a Colom and the Museu Maritím.
Barri Gòtic
The location of the heart of Barcelona largely corresponds to the Roman origins of the city. Not only the numerous medieval monuments are attractive, but also the quarter itself with its maze of narrow streets and numerous small pubs.
Rambla del Raval
El Raval, Barcelona
Not quite as exciting as its big sister – but still worth a visit: the pedestrian zone Rambla del Raval
Calle Ferran
Calle Ferran is one of the more famous streets of Barcelona. It is lined with restaurants, bars and shops. It connects the Ramblas with Plaça Sant Jaume and Via Laietana- Metro: Liceu (L3) Jaume I (L4)
Barri Xinés
On the right side of the Ramblas in the direction of the port is the Chinese Quarter, which is actually called El Raval. Formerly a red light district was located here, today the quarter captivates with its originality: there are quaint pubs, tiny craft shops and Islamic butcher shops. This area is worth a visit during the day, but it is better to avoid the streets of the area at night or during the deserted siesta time.
