About Barcelona
Like many other cities on the Mediterranean, Barcelona was founded by the Romans. The original settlement, called Barcino, was a small port located on the same spot as today’s cathedral. The town was overshadowed by Tarragona, the capital of the province. Both the Visigoths and the Moors invaded Barcelona; however, their influence was not as important to the future of the city as the arrival of the Franks in the late 9th century. It was at that point that Barcelona and Catalonia started shaping their own identity, different from the rest of Spain.
This is most apparent in the language - Spanish, or Castilian, has many Arabic words, while Catalan has many French words instead. So Catalan is not a Spanish dialect, but a language in its own right, related to other Romance languages.
Barcelona’s history is seen everywhere in the city. The oldest areas are located by the sea, including the shopping enclave Barri Gotic. On the other side of the main boulevard, La Rambla, lies the legendary Raval district. Until the 1980’s this was the slum area, home to the city’s own Chinatown (Barrio Chino) and the red light district. Today, designer shops and cafés have moved in. Further north is fashionable Eixample, the area created as a result of the 19th century expansion of the city.
Activities
PortAventura Park + Ferrari Land
PortAventura Park: six worlds where you will enjoy rides, seasonal shows, restaurants and shops. Ferrari Land: rides and a new kids’ area in tribute to the genius Enzo Ferrari and his passion for innovation. PortAventura Park + Ferrari Land + transport from Barcelona €80/adult
Casa Vicens
The more recent of Gaudí's many projects to be opened to the public is the Casa Vicens. Built between 1883 and 1885 and declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, Casa Vicens was the first house designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí. Located in the bohemian district of Gràcia, this bold project, commissioned as a summer house, combines elements of nature into a chaotic and yet peaceful retreat.
Icebarcelona
The only ice bar in the world located directly on the beach, Icebarcelona offers a welcome respite from the oppressive heat of the Barcelona summer. Maintained at a chilled -5ºC, and the cool lighting and interesting ice sculptures complete the bar's unique ambience.
Tips
Good to know
Public Transport
Tickets for the underground and trams can be bought from travel information booths and from stations. They are valid for one trip. Bus tickets are bought from the driver. There are also a selection of different travel cards to purchase if you know that you will be travelling a lot.
Electricity
220 volts (125 volts in some older buildings), 50 Hz
