![\"Barcelona](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Barselona-izgara-kent-plani.webp\")
Barcelona reminds us of our own city, Istanbul \u2013 its coastal setting, lively atmosphere and multicultural texture. Also like Istanbul, Barcelona has a rich historical past yet is very much a dynamic living city. Keep reading to discover more about Barcelona!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
Barcelona, Spain\u2019s largest city after Madrid and the capital of the Autonomous Region of Catalonia, is certainly one of the most beautiful cities we\u2019ve ever seen. If you have a window seat (you can select your seat here\u263a<\/a>), you\u2019ll see Barcelona\u2019s lovely beaches as the aircraft lands! <\/p><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Essentially, modern Barcelona was planned by the pioneering Catalan engineer, Ildefons Cerda. According to a 2016 article in The Guardian, a UK newspaper, by the early 19th century, the city of Barcelona had grown too small for its growing population. Ildefons Cerd\u00e0 came up with a plan for a \u201clarge, grid-like district outside the old walls, called Eixample (literally, \u2018expansion\u2019). In the process, Cerd\u00e0 also invented the word, and the study of, \u2018urbanization\u2019.\u201d*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Best times to visit Barcelona<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It is always a good time to visit Barcelona: The milder temperatures of spring and autumn are ideal for walking around the city and visiting historical and cultural sites, while the hot, dry summer months are prime time for sea, sand, sun and urban beach parties \u2013 and tourism. The weather is colder and wetter in the winter season, but still relatively mild, with low temperatures rarely exceeding 9 \u00b0C. The advantage of a winter visit is that the city may be less crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nPlaces to visit in Barcelona<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"park](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/park-guel-barselona.webp\")
Park G\u00fcell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Historical sites in Barcelona<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sagrada Fam\u00edlia<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Much has been written about the Sagrada Fam\u00edlia (known as Bas\u00edlica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Fam\u00edlia in Catalan). Designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaud\u00ed, the cornerstone of this majestic, expansive and truly unique structure was laid in 1882; its construction is expected to be completed by 2030. La Sagrada Fam\u00edlia features Gothic, Catalan modernism and art nouveau elements integrated with Gaud\u00ed\u2019s signature curved lines and mosaics. In 2005, the Basilica\u2019s Nativity fa\u00e7ade and the crypt of the Expiatory Temple of the Sagrada Fam\u00edlia were declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/sagradafamilia.org\/en\/home<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Park G\u00fcell<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1984, Park G\u00fcell was also designed by Gaud\u00ed. In addition to being one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona, the Park offers hiking and bicycling paths, playgrounds and relaxation areas. The Monumental Area of Park G\u00fcell includes various Gaud\u00ed-designed structures, including the Serpentine Bench, and the Gaud\u00ed House Museum. At this time, tickets are required for entrance into the Park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/parkguell.barcelona\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Casa Batll\u00f3<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In 1904, textile industrialist Josep Batll\u00f3 y Casanovas hired Antoni Gaud\u00ed to renovate his mansion. Set on Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia, the fabulous Casa Batll\u00f3 is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. The house serves as a museum as well as an exhibition and event space. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.casabatllo.es\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barri G\u00f2tic<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Originally founded around 133 BC as a Roman settlement, Barri G\u00f2tic \u2013 the Gothic Quarter \u2013 is where most of Barcelona\u2019s museums and medieval-era structures can be found, including the Gothic-style Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as the Barcelona Cathedral. The Gothic Quarter also encompasses El Call (the Jewish District). Barri G\u00f2tic is known today for its narrow streets, as well as its boutiques, cafes and lively nightlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barcelona museums<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
In Barcelona\u2019s Ravel neighborhood, this strikingly designed museum focuses on contemporary art from the second half of the 20th century to the present. Works from the 1920s avant-garde movement are also exhibited. The Museum\u2019s permanent collection includes works by Catalan, Spanish and international artists. There\u2019s also a Library and a Special Collections room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.macba.cat\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fundaci\u00f3 Joan Mir\u00f3 <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Set amid landscaped gardens, the Fundaci\u00f3 Joan Mir\u00f3 has a vast collection of the works of Joan Mir\u00f3, as well as works by other contemporary artists. The museum building was designed by a friend of Mir\u00f3\u2019s, architect and city planner Josep Llu\u00eds Sert, and it is considered one of Barcelona\u2019s finest examples of rationalist-style architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.fmirobcn.org\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Museu Picasso<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Set in Barcelona\u2019s La Ribera district, the Picasso Museum was opened in 1963. The museum itself is set in five palaces dating from the 13th to 15th centuries; now restored and refurbished, the structures are considered stellar examples of the Catalan civic gothic style. More than four thousand works by Picasso and his contemporaries are on display at the Museum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.museupicasso.bcn.cat\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Museu Nacional d\u2019Art de Catalunya (MNAC) <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"Marcelo](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/katalan-ulusal-muzesi.webp\")
National Art Museum of Catalonia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Set in the Neo-Baroque Palau Nacional atop Montju\u00efc Mountain, the National Art Museum of Catalonia has the world\u2019s largest collection of Romanesque frescoes as well as important collections of Catalan art, Gothic frescoes and ancient coins. The Museum also exhibits works from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. We should note that the dining facilities at the Museum include a restaurant set in the palace\u2019s former throne room, and caf\u00e9 with a terrace that overlooks the city. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.museunacional.cat\/en<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Popular areas and activities in Barcelona<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"la](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/la-rambla-barselona.webp\")
La Rambla Street<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The Camp Nou Experience<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
FC Barcelona is one of the world\u2019s most famous football teams and Camp Nou is the team\u2019s home stadium. The Camp Nou experience offers football fans an opportunity to take a tour of the Stadium \u2013 which includes the FC Chapel and the FC Barcelona Museum, along with the pitch, lockers and other areas. Tickets should be purchased in advance, as the tour is quite popular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/www.fcbarcelona.com\/en\/tickets\/camp-nou-experience<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
La Rambla<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
More than a kilometer long, La Rambla is a lively, tree-lined pedestrian street in the center of Barcelona with Port Vell at the southern end and Pla\u00e7a de Catalunya at the northern end. Thousands of locals and tourists stroll along La Rambla daily \u2013 there are hotels, restaurants and bars, museums and shops, and even a sidewalk mosaic by Joan Mir\u00f3. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
La Boqueria<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Set on La Rambla, the vast La Boqueria is the city\u2019s most famous market, with around two hundred stalls offering all sorts of edible and drinkable products, from fresh produce, eggs, meat and seafood to local specialties and alcoholic drinks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
http:\/\/www.boqueria.barcelona\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"la](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/la-rambla-barselona-detay.webp\")
Barcelona, Spain\u2019s largest city after Madrid and the capital of the Autonomous Region of Catalonia, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n This stately boulevard has existed in various forms since the 14th century but came into its present state in the mid-1800s, when Cerd\u00e0\u2019s urban plan was implemented. The upscale Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia is now home to luxury brand boutique, high-end hotels and upscale restaurants, along with historic structures such as the Gaud\u00ed-designed Casa Batll\u00f3 and Casa Mil\u00e0. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/barcelonapaseodegracia.com\/en\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
El Born<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Also in La Ribera district is el Born, an artsy area featuring a number of museums, including the Picasso Museum and the Museu de la Xocolata (Chocolate Museum), along with Parc Ciutadella and the Barcelona Zoo. The narrow streets of el Born, particularly the neighborhood\u2019s main arty, Passeig del Born, are lined with boutiques, cafes and pubs \u2013 the area is known for its vibrant nightlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barceloneta<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
This dynamic seafront neighborhood gets even livelier in the summer, when residents and visitors flock to the beach for sunbathing and beach parties; the beachfront boardwalk is lined with seafood restaurants, tapas bars and nightclubs. The upscale Port Ol\u00edmpic complex is adjacent to Barceloneta Beach. There\u2019s also a small museum and cultural center, Casa de la Barceloneta 1761, with exhibits on the history of the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
https:\/\/casadelabarceloneta1761.barcelona.cat\/ca<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tibidabo<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
As one of the highest points in the city, Tibidabo Hill offers panoramic views of Barcelona and the coastline. Other points of interest include the neo-Gothic Temple Expiatori del Sagrat Cor (Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), a majestic Catholic church. The basilica\u2019s first stone was laid in 1902 and the structure was completed in 1961. It is administered by the Society of Saint Francis de Sales (Salesians of Don Bosco). In addition, the Tibidabo amusement park, built in the late 19th century, features rides such as a Ferris wheel. A tram provides transportation halfway up the Hill, where there is a plaza, viewing platform and cafes; a funicular provides transport to the top of the Hill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhere to stay in Barcelona?<\/h4>
For a historic atmosphere and nightlife, Barri G\u00f2tic and El Born are ideal. Passeig de Gr\u00e0cia and Eixample offer luxury accommodation, while Barceloneta is perfect for those who want to be close to the beach.<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat to eat in Barcelona?<\/h4>
Famous Paella (seafood and rice), Patatas bravas (spicy potatoes), and diverse Tapas (small plates). You can also explore fresh local flavors at the historic La Boqueria market.<\/p><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n- Essentially, modern Barcelona was planned by the pioneering Catalan engineer, Ildefons Cerda. According to a 2016 article in The Guardian, a UK newspaper, by the early 19th century, the city of Barcelona had grown too small for its growing population. Ildefons Cerd\u00e0 came up with a plan for a \u201clarge, grid-like district outside the old walls, called Eixample (literally, \u2018expansion\u2019). In the process, Cerd\u00e0 also invented the word, and the study of, \u2018urbanization\u2019.\u201d*<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"Spain](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/ispanya-en-unlu-yemegi-paell.webp\")
![\"Barcelona](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Barselona-otelleri.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blog.turkishairlines.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/barselona-tabela.webp\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n