S P A I N | C A T A L O N I A

B A R C E L O N A
O V E R V I E W
With Roman ruins beneath Gothic cathedrals, and Modernist masterpieces alongside golden beaches, Barcelona is a landscape that bridges the flavors—both culinary and otherwise—of Catalonia and the broader Spanish world.
As the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona carries a fiercely independent spirit, reflected in its language, traditions, and artistic legacy. It is a place of invention, reinvention, and cultural identity, where Gaudí’s surrealist visions meet the grit and charm of local markets, and where the scent of the Mediterranean mingles with the aroma of sizzling seafood and aged jamón.
It is also an ideal gateway to Catalonia & broader Spain, a place that offers a taste of the country’s diverse traditions.
Whether you’re indulging in the city’s pioneering culinary scene, exploring the works of Picasso & Miró, or venturing beyond the urban sprawl into wine country or the Pyrenees, Barcelona is where your journey through Spain begins.
Here's what we think should form the core of your experience:
Art & Architecture: A City Shaped by Genius
Barcelona’s cityscape is a living museum of design and innovation.
The Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s never-finished masterpiece, looms like an organic cathedral from another world. His other works, from Park Güell to Casa Batlló, give Barcelona its distinctive surrealist touch.
Beyond Gaudí, the city has nurtured artists like Joan Miró and Pablo Picasso, whose works can be explored in their dedicated museums.
The Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) offers a different kind of aesthetic experience—a medieval labyrinth of winding alleys, shadowed plazas, and centuries-old basilicas, where Barcelona’s history as a Roman and medieval powerhouse is still visible beneath layers of stone and time.
Culinary Capital: Catalonia’s Gift to the World
Barcelona is one of Europe’s great food cities, not simply for its own traditions but for its role in pioneering modern gastronomy.
Classic Catalan dishes like pa amb tomàquet (tomato bread) and fideuà (a seafood-rich noodle dish, often compared to paella) sit alongside Michelin-starred dining experiences that push the boundaries of culinary art.
The Boqueria Market, an explosion of color and flavor, is the ideal introduction to Catalan ingredients—fresh seafood, Iberian ham, seasonal produce, and the all-important olive oil that defines so much of the region’s cuisine.
Tapas culture thrives in Poble-sec & El Born, where visitors can indulge in everything from creamy croquetas to smoky grilled octopus.
But Barcelona is only the beginning of Spain’s culinary adventure. The city is the ideal jumping-off point for exploring the vineyards of Penedès, or the rich flavors of Basque, Andalusian, and Valencian cooking, all of which have outposts in the city.
Coastal Beauty & Mediterranean Rhythm
Framed by both mountains and sea, Barcelona is as much about its natural setting as its urban appeal.
The city’s waterfront has been revitalized since the 1992 Olympics, offering both relaxed beach life and vibrant nightlife along the promenades.
Beyond the city, the rugged cliffs and crystal-clear waters of the Costa Brava are within reach, making for an easy escape to charming fishing villages, hidden coves, and spectacular coastal walks.