Gaudí's Playground on the Mediterranean
Barcelona is a city of unapologetic beauty and exuberant energy, where world-class architecture, a legendary food scene, Mediterranean beaches, and an infectious joie de vivre combine into something truly irresistible. Gaudí's surreal masterpieces rise at every turn, the Ramblas buzz day and night, and the Gothic Quarter's labyrinthine lanes hide the city's most atmospheric bars and restaurants. Barcelona manages the enviable trick of being simultaneously a world-famous tourist destination and an intensely local city that Barcelonans genuinely love.
Best time to visit: May, June, September, and October offer warm but comfortable weather and less congestion than peak summer. July and August are extremely hot and crowded but festive. Spring also means Barcelona's famous festival season including Sant Jordi (April 23).
Currency: Euro (€) · Language: Catalan / Spanish · Average daily budget: $90–
60/day