subject: Discover The Stunning City Of Barcelona! [print this page] If you are in need of a short break to get your mind off the stresses of everyday life, then you may want to consider visiting Barcelona; this vibrant city is only 2 hours away by plane and is home to some amazing architecture and incredible sights.
Once you have arrived in Barcelona you will need to decide what you are going to do during your short break and a great place to start is at the iconic Sagrada Familia. Construction began on this building over 100 years ago and it is still not complete, however this has not stopped this incredible structure becoming the most visited piece of architecture in Barcelona with around 2 million people visiting Sagrada Familia place every year. Inside the church you will find a museum which outlines the history of the building itself, and provides some insights in to the life and creativity of its creator - Antoni Gaudi. When in the museum make sure you look out for a scaled down model of the building, which suggests how it will look once it is complete - in 30 or so year's time!
If you enjoyed the abstract nature of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia, Barcelona is full with many other sights by this famous artist. Marvel at the curves at the beautiful Casa Mila or wander around the incredible Park Guell and take in the spectacular sights over Barcelona; with these buildings designed in Gaudi's unique style, there are plenty of photo opportunities. Other must-see's while on a Barcelona city break include the Picasso Museum, strolling around the cobbled streets in Barri Gotic and sampling some traditional tapas on the popular La Rambla.
Barcelona has several restaurants and bars to choose from and one of the great things about them is that they are quite cheap compared to the prices in other major European cities. The Basque tapas bars are very popular with tourists, however there are several places in Barcelona where you can enjoy some traditional cuisine and get a taste of true Spanish culture.
If you visit Barcelona in the summer, you should take the time to visit one of its beaches; there are several beaches running along its coast to choose from including Sant Sebastia, Barceloneta, Nova Icaria, Port Olimpic, Bogatell, Mar Bella, and Nova Mar Bella. All of them are ideal places for soaking up the sun!
