By Mike DuBose and Debra DuBose, and Blake DuBose
Blending history and Modernism, Barcelona is a clean, beautiful, friendly, and fun city. It draws 32 million visitors each year to marvel at its architecture, art, beaches, and cuisine, or to board one of the many cruise ships that visit its port. After Madrid, it’s the second largest city in Spain, but despite all of the people who pass through its streets each year, Barcelona stays true to its unique spirit—a feeling that one travel writer calls “like wandering through a dream.”
Barcelona’s past contributes greatly to its unique culture. Until the 16th century, the land that now makes up Spain was divided into different kingdoms. Even now, regional differences based on these divisions remain strong. Barcelona is the capital of an area called Catalonia, which is located in the northeast of Spain and is bordered on the top by France. Barcelona lies on Catalonia’s coast and is the biggest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea. You will likely see signs, menu items, and advertisements written in the Catalonian dialect, called Catalan, throughout Barcelona (they will usually also appear in Spanish and English, too).
On our visit, Mike and Debra stayed in Barcelona, while Blake visited the small surrounding towns near Barcelona. Many cruise lines leave out of Barcelona, presenting a great opportunity to enjoy its offerings before you embark on a cruise. If you plan to do this, we recommend that you add a few days onto the beginning of your trip to tour the city before you board the cruise ship.
Getting There
If you’re travelling from the east coast of the United States like we did, the flight to Barcelona takes about nine hours. Many airlines can get you there in only two flights (versus the longer ones with three or four connections). You’ll be flying into the Aeropuerto de Barcelona, which has the airport code “BCN.” The airport is modern, with good security and reasonable lines at Customs. There is a time difference of 6 hours between the Eastern Standard time zone and Barcelona.
The Barcelona airport is about 8 miles from the city center, and the trip takes about 20-30 minutes. Taxi fares from the airport run about 30 euros—make sure you have some euros in cash, as not all taxis take credit cards. Official taxis will be black and yellow. There is also a bus called Aerobus with service from the airport to the city center for about 6 euros one way or 10 euros round-trip.
When to Go
Because of its location on the Mediterranean coast, Barcelona can get very hot in the summertime, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Despite the heat, July and August tend to be its most popular—and crowded—tourist times. Fodor’s travel guide says, “For optimal weather and marginally fewer tourists, the best times to visit Barcelona, Catalonia, and Bilbao are April through June and mid-September through mid-December.” Lonely Planet travel guide recommends visiting late spring, especially in May. We visited in late October 2016, and the temperature averaged a nice 70 degrees during the day but was cool at night. People were still swimming at the beaches during our trip!
Where to Stay
Plaça de Catalunya is central to many of Barcelona’s attractions, so booking a hotel nearby will put you close to popular sites. Many reviewers on TripAdvisor.com and other travel websites recommend staying in the Eixample or Barri Gòtic areas, both of which are near the Plaça de Catalunya. The popular tourist area of La Rambla also features many hotels and vacation rentals (however, it’s a noisy area, so we chose to avoid the craziness).
On our trip to Barcelona, we stayed at a Marriott property called AC Hotel Victoria Suites located atCarrer de Beltrán i Rózpide, 7-9. It was once a condo that has been converted into a hotel, so the rooms are large, and ours included a full kitchen. Staff members spoke English, customer service was good, and the price was reasonable. The hotel is located near Metro lines in a quiet neighborhood called Pedralbes. We enjoyed the peacefulness of the area, but it was a few miles from the town center, so you could not simply walk out of your hotel to see popular sights. (If you also choose to stay in a place that is away from the city center, be sure to write down the hotel’s name, address, and telephone number to give to taxi drivers—sometimes they have difficulties locating off-the-beaten-path hotels.) The AC Hotel Victoria Suites had its own restaurant; others nearby included Rad Cafe, an Italian restaurant, and Starbucks.
Traveling within the City
Whatever area you decide to make your temporary home, try to select a hotel or rental unit within walking distance to a Metro stop. Barcelona’s subway system is good, clean, and will make traveling from place to place much easier! A single ticket costs about 2 euros; if you’ll be using the Metro a lot, however, it’s more cost-effective to buy a multi-use card such as a T-10 card (10 trips on the Metro for 10 euros) or the Barcelona Card (45 euros; covers unlimited transportation for 72 hours and access to many museums).
Since the city center is relatively small, you could also opt to use taxis to get around. They are abundant in the city and are seen frequently on the streets, especially in the tourist areas. Look for those with the green lights on top (that means they are accepting fares), or your hotel’s front desk staff can order you one that will arrive within about ten minutes. While the driving was a little scary at times, the taxis in Barcelona were modern, reputable, and reasonably priced.
Another good option is to purchase tickets for a hop-on, hop-off bus. These buses are usually large and red, and they are found in many major cities. They stop at all of the popular tourist attractions, and you can listen to an audio tour on headphones in between stops. We always utilize these buses when we travel because they’re convenient, less crowded than public transportation, and more cost-effective than taking taxis everywhere. A two-day Big Bus tour costs about 35 euros, and you can receive discounts at local attractions by presenting your ticket.
When walking through the city, beware that crossing the streets in Barcelona can be dangerous. Stay alert at all times, and watch out for cars and bikes (avoid standing in bike lanes—you may get hit!). Don’t even think about crossing the street when the pedestrian light turns yellow…that means you only have a few seconds to get out of the road!
Many tourists come to Barcelona from the United Kingdom and America, so most restaurant and shop staff speak English fairly well (at least in the areas of town popular with international visitors). We did experience some language barriers at some off-the-beaten-path shops and restaurants, however. It’s always a good idea to learn a few phrases in the language of the country you are visiting (i.e. how to ask where the bathroom is, request your bill at a restaurant, say “please” and “thank you,” etc.). Many guidebooks have lists of helpful terms with pronunciations, or you can install a language translator app on your smartphone for extra help!
Money
Like most of Europe, Spain uses the euro as its currency. You can order euros at your bank in advance of your trip, or change some cash into euros at the airport (rates will not be as good as at your bank, however). ATMs will be available throughout the city—especially in the area near La Rambla—if you’d like to withdraw some cash while there. As always, try to use cards that don’t have foreign ATM fees; check with your bank ahead of time to determine what fees (if any) may be applicable. You’ll also want to ensure that you bring an updated model ATM card with a security chip whenever you travel to locations outside of the United States, including Barcelona. (See https://www.mikedubose.com/blog/international-travel-for-beginners-pros-and-everyone-in-between for an article with more international travel tips.)
Barcelona is a major city, and you should have few problems using credit cards. However, Lonely Planet travel guide says that some restaurants won’t take American Express, so be sure to bring other options (like Visa) with you. A smaller number of places won’t take cards at all, so ensure you have some euros on hand.
Unlike the US, tipping is not common in Spain. Lonely Planet says that locals generally tip about 5% or less in restaurants, but you can always leave more if you receive exceptional service. Tipping in bars is rare, and in taxis, you can do as the locals do and just round up to the next euro.
Dining
Food is a huge part of life in Barcelona, and it’s also a main attraction to its visitors. Because of Barcelona’s location on the coast, the diet is very Mediterranean, with fresh seafood (especially fish, like cod, sardines, anchovies, and tuna), vegetables (eggplant, artichokes, tomatoes, garlic, and peppers, in particular), olive oil, beans, and wine playing significant roles. The area’s fried squid (calamari) is some of the best we have ever eaten! Barcelona’s region also ensures that many pork products are in the mix—Catalonia is the one of the top producers of swine products in all of Spain.
A wide variety of very good Spanish wines are served in Barcelona, and we had some of the best sangria we’ve ever tasted there! One spirit that is unique to the region is Catalan vermut, a fortified wine with notes of herbs and spices. It comes in white (blanc), red (negre), and rose (rosat) varieties, and it is often enjoyed as an aperitif before lunch or in late afternoon.
When you visit Barcelona, you won’t want to miss the unique Spanish tradition of sampling tapas—small dishes often eaten as a snack between meals or as a light dinner. Most Barcelonans eat dinner at around 10 PM, so it’s no wonder that many enjoy tapas and a drink around 6 or 7 PM! (Their main meal of the day tends to be lunch rather than dinner.) In some other parts of Spain, you get tapas for free when you buy a drink, but in Barcelona, patrons must pay. Of course, at a few euros apiece, it’s still a cost-effective way to enjoy Spanish cuisine and culture!
Tapas are traditionally eaten standing up at a bar, but you can ask your waiter for a table if you’d prefer to be seated. Keep in mind that (as in many large cities popular with tourists) it may be slightly more expensive to eat at a table versus standing. Likewise, dining at a table outside may cost more than dining indoors.
Different regions of Spain specialize in different types of tapas (depending on the foods popular in that area; for example, seafood in coastal areas), but you should be able to get a wide variety in Barcelona. Dishes may be listed either in Catalan, standard Spanish, or English. Note that restaurants without menus in English are often the most authentic, but can present problems if you don’t know Spanish. Many places will bring you a menu in English or have an English-speaking staff member explain items to you if you ask.
If making a meal out of tapas, you will want to order several different types. Sometimes, you can order larger portions, called raciones, if you are particularly hungry. You may also be able to get a “plato combinado,” or combination plate, that will allow you to try many different types of tapas at once! Pintxos (also called pinchos or montaditos) are Basque-style tapas served on bread. If you go to a pintxos restaurant, you won’t even have to order—you just grab a plate and choose what you’d like. (Be sure to save the toothpicks from your dishes, as that is how your bill will be calculated!)
Olives, cheeses, and different types of cured meats (called embotits) are simple tapas that you will see on many menus. Some other popular tapas that you will find in Barcelona (with names in Spanish and in Catalan, if applicable) are:
- Pan con tomate/pa amb tomàquet: This literally means “bread with tomato,” and that’s what it is—white bread that has been rubbed with tomato, drizzled with oil, and sprinkled with salt. It sounds very simple, but don’t let that fool you—it’s one of the most popular snacks in Barcelona, and it’s considered a classic example of Catalan tapas!
- Croquetas: Croquetas (croquettes) are usually made of a creamy sauce combined with meat, seafood, or vegetables, then breaded and fried. Some popular versions you may want to try include croquetas de pollo/pollastre (chicken croquettes), croquetas de jamón/pernil (ham croquettes), and croquetas de espinaca (spinach croquettes).
- Patatas bravas/patates braves: Consisting of fried potato chunks or cubes, patatas bravas are like the Spanish version of French fries. They are often served with aioli, a delicious garlicky mayonnaise-based sauce, or covered in a spicy tomato sauce.
- Calçots: These are long-stemmed green onions, usually grilled and served with Romesco sauce (a red sauce made from almonds, garlic, and tomatoes). They are seasonal, and are typically only served in January, February, and March.
- Pimientos de padrón: These small, green peppers are blistered in a hot pan and dressed with olive oil and salt. Most are mild, like a bell pepper, but about one in ten will be very spicy!
- Escalivada: This grilled vegetable dish usually contains eggplant and bell peppers, and can contain onions and tomatoes. It is seasoned with garlic, salt, and olive oil.
In addition to tapas, a popular Barcelonian meal is paella, a rice dish that often contains seafood, chicken, and vegetables. Fideuà is like paella, but uses noodles instead of rice. The paella we had was delicious, and it was served in a large pan that the wait staff delivered to our table! For dessert, try crema catalana, a custard dish with a caramelized sugar top that is very similar to crème brulee.
Most restaurants in Barcelona will take reservations, so if you know of a particular place you’d like to eat, ask your hotel’s concierge to help you reserve a table, or book online. Note that many restaurants are closed on Sundays and Mondays, and few open before 10 AM. However, hotel restaurants and those in tourist areas are usually open all week long. Many restaurants also provide complimentary Wi-Fi if you ask for the password. Here are some restaurants recommended by travel experts and individuals who have visited Barcelona recently, including us:
|
Name |
Cuisine |
Location |
Notes |
|
Quimet i Quimet |
Tapas |
Carrer del Poeta Cabanyes, 25 |
Quimet i Quimet may be the most famous and most-loved tapas restaurant in Barcelona. Food guides say to try their montaditos (little sandwiches) and their seafood—especially the razor clams, mussels, and chipirones (stuffed baby squid). |
|
La Cova Fumada |
Tapas |
Baluard, 56 |
If you go to this small but very highly rated spot, try “La Bomba,” a spicy potato croquette with aioli. Lonely Planet also recommends the pulpo (octopus) and grilled carxofes (artichokes). |
|
El Xampanyet |
Tapas |
Calle Montcada, 22 |
Located within walking distance to the Picasso museum, El Xampanyet is named after the homemade sparkling wine it serves. Be sure to try this cava alongside some tapas, especially the squid and the pimientos de padrón. This restaurant is a little off the beaten path, so servers may not speak as much English, but reviewers said the service was still excellent! |
|
Bodega Biarritz |
Tapas |
Calle Vidre, 8 |
This restaurant, which was highly ranked by TripAdvisor reviewers, offers a tasting menu for two that allows you to sample several different types of tapas. That they only accept cash, so be sure to bring some euros! |
|
Cal Pep |
Tapas |
Plaça de les Olles, 8 |
Reviewers noted that Cal Pep is somewhat more expensive than other tapas joints, but worth it for the pimientos de padrón and tartare de atun (tuna tartare). Lonely Planet also suggested trying the cloïsses amb pernil (clams and ham), trifàsic (combo of calamari, whitebait and prawns), and tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette). |
|
La Tasqueta de Blai
|
Pinxtos |
Carrer Blai, 17 |
Devour Barcelona, a food tour company, says on its blog that “if you’re looking for dinner on the cheap, la Tasqueta de Blai is perfect for one euro pinchos and house-made vermouth. Serve yourself at the bar, that’s how pinchos work, and they will give you a numbered glass to toss the toothpicks until it’s time for the check. Repeat as often as desired!” |
|
Can Cullertes |
Catalan |
Carrer de Quintana, 5 |
This is Barcelona’s oldest restaurant. Travel + Leisure writer Toni Garcia says, “Ask for the pica-pica, a set of three dishes that includes mussels, prawns, squid, and all kinds of seafood. If you don’t feel like fish, go straight for the stewed wild boar or the mushroom mousse. They also have an incredible cellar stocked with the most outstanding Catalan wines: ask for a Montsant or Conca de Barberà.” Other reviewers praised the escudella de l’olla (Catalan stew). |
|
7 Portes |
Catalan Fine Dining |
Passeig Isabel II, 14 |
Devour Barcelona also recommends 7 Portes, noting, “Though their specialty is rice (cue: paella or fideuà), the susquet de rape (monkfish stew) is to die for. Live piano music and a truly lovely setting, 7 Portes is perfect for any special occasion, even if that occasion is just discovering traditional Catalan cuisine.” |
|
Barraca |
Mediterranean/Seafood |
Passeig Maritim, 1 |
Fodor’s travel guide lauds this restaurants “superior seafood.” Many reviewers recommended getting paella here. |
|
Xup, Xup |
Seafood |
Paseo Marítimo de la Barceloneta |
One of our favorite restaurants in Barcelona, Xup, Xup is located right on the beach! We visited it twice to enjoy seafood, drinks, and people-watching. They specialize in paella. |
|
Can Sole |
Seafood |
Sant Carles, 4
|
Every morning, Can Sole buys seafood from local fishermen who dock nearby, making it a great option for those who prize freshness. Fodor’s says, “Whether it's a local specialty of baked cuttlefish in a rich tomato sauce or the exquisite arròs negre amb sepia en su tinta (black rice with squid in its ink), everything here comes loaded with taste.” |
What to See
La Rambla and the Gothic Quarter: Taking the form of two one-way streets, La Rambla runs about three-quarters of a mile from the Plaça de Catalunya (a plaza considered to be Barcelona’s city center; it is also near the cruise port terminal) to the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell. It is lined by trees, cafes, and side streets that feature hundreds of shops. The city restricts traffic in the area, so it is safe for pedestrians. La Rambla is also noted for its artists (and a mosaic by Surrealist artist Joan Miró, which is set into the pathway), street performers, and musicians. It is one of the most popular and crowded parts of Barcelona, so watch out for pickpockets!
We spent a good two days in this location, which was a lot of fun! The area is very touristy, so you’ll probably want to avoid dining or shopping directly on La Rambla if you want authentic food and goods. However, although the prices, food quality, and service are not the best in the city, it’s still fun to park yourself for an hour or so at a restaurant table in the middle of the street, enjoy an appetizer and glass of wine or sangria, and watch people from many different cultures walk by.
The best shopping is located off the main path. In fact, there were so many great shops and side streets, we had to develop a strategy for zig-zagging from the main street to cover all of them! It can be easy to get lost, so carry a map with you. While venturing off the main drag, we saw Roman walls, great architecture, and lots of churches.
To reach La Rambla in the Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) via the Metro, get off at the Liceu stop on the Green Line. There are two other stops on La Rambla: Catalunya (near Plaça del Catalunya) and Drassanes (close to Port Vell). Both are on the Green Line (also known as L3).
Port Vell: This waterfront harbor features a very tall monument with a statue of Christopher Columbus on top, pointing toward America. It’s somewhat eerie to think of the explorer setting off hundreds of years ago, not knowing where he was going or how to get there! The Port Vell area has a small mall and some good eateries.
The beaches: Barcelona is an ocean port city with many beaches. We enjoyed visiting the main Barceloneta Beach, which is close to the city center. The Westin Hotel there is a huge, very interesting sail-like building. You will see street artists, musicians, and vendors along the walk.
Other popular beaches include Nova Icaria, which is near the Olympic Port, and Bogatell Beach, which is popular with locals. Stephanie Wu of Travel + Leisure also recommends taking a short 20-minute trip by train out to Castelldefels, which is less crowded than many in-town beaches. Note: unless you’re feeling very adventurous, you’ll probably want to avoid Nova Mar Bella, which is a nude beach!
Museu Picasso: Spanning five medieval palaces in Barcelona’s La Ribera neighborhood, this museum houses one of the largest collections of Pablo Picasso’s art in the world. Many of the more than 4,000 Picasso works inside date to his early period, including a portrait of his aunt that he painted when he was only 15! Woman with Bonnet, from his Blue Period, was donated by his widow to the Museu Picasso and resides in Room 8. You can chart the development of his style over time as you move from room to room. See www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/en for more information. Be sure to buy tickets in advance, as the lines are long.
La Sagrada Família: Barcelona is famous for being home to many works of Modernist artist Antonio Gaudi…and none more so than the church of La Sagrada Família. It’s considered his “magnum opus,” although it was not yet complete when he died in 1926. In fact, despite being started in 1882, the towering cathedral is still under construction, with an estimated completion date of 2026!
The fanciful architectural style of La Sagrada Família blends Gothic and Art Nouveau elements with inspiration from nature, forming a building unlike any you’ve ever seen. The inside is full of bright colors, unexpected shapes, and both curving and jagged lines. It’s a prime example of Gaudi’s style, and along with six other buildings of his throughout Barcelona, has been recognized as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site.
La Sagrada Família is located in the Eixample district of Barcelona. It is a Catholic church, so be sure to wear appropriate clothing (no short shorts or spaghetti strap tank tops!). Visit www.sagradafamilia.org for more information.
Park Güell: This area is another Gaudi masterpiece, this time, in the form of a public park system. Gaudi designed the landscapes and sculptural elements (including a mosaic salamander that “guards” the entrance) at the request of wealthy entrepreneur Eusebi Güell, for whom the park is named. Notable elements include a serpentine bench curving around the main terrace, many colorful mosaics, and columns created to mimic the appearance of trees. There is also a museum in the Casa-Museu Gaudi, a spired house where Gaudi lived for the last 20 years of his life.
Park Güell is located on Carmel Hill in La Salut, a neighborhood in the Gràcia district of Barcelona. In the interest of preservation, the park only allows 400 visitors to enter per half hour, so be sure to buy tickets in advance if you plan to go. See its website at www.parkguell.cat/en/.
Casa Batlló: “One of the strangest residential buildings in Europe, this is Gaudí at his hallucinatory best,” says Lonely Planet of Casa Batlló, which Gaudi redesigned for wealthy industrialist Josep Batlló in 1904. The outside of the building is covered with colorful tiles and undulating balconies. Its roof is multicolored, arched, and appears to have scales like a dragon or lizard (some say that it represents the dragon slain by St. George, the patron saint of Catalonia). Casa Batlló is located on the Passeig de Gràcia. Visit www.casabatllo.es/en.
La Catedral: Most of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia (often shortened to La Catedral) was built in the 14th century in the Gothic style, although a neo-Gothic façade was added in the late 1800s. It contains the even older tombs of the founders of an 11th-century cathedral on the site, as well as the tomb of Saint Eulalia, one of the patron saints of Barcelona. (There is also a cloister that is home to 13 geese; their number is said to represent Eulalia’s age when she was martyred.)
Museu Nacional d’Art de Cataluyna: You’ll probably be able to see this museum, located on a hill called Montjuïc, from many places throughout the city.Inside the building, known as the Palau Nacional, its pieces span numerous time periods, from Romanesque religious art dating back to the 11th century up to modern sculptures. The museum’s Renaissance and Baroque collection features paintings from famous artists like Titian, Goya, and el Greco, and in the Modern section, you can see an early work by Salvador Dalí. You can buy advance tickets at www.museunacional.cat/en, the museum’s website.
Nearby Attractions
If you have the time and the inclination to travel outside of Barcelona, there are many interesting sights nearby. Blake enjoyed visiting nearby small towns and seeing their Roman ruins, fountains, bridges, and aqueducts. The Barcelona area has a good train system, so it’s possible to stay in the city and make day trips out to local attractions. You may also want to consider joining a group tour or hiring a private guide if you don’t want to have to arrange your own transportation.
Parc de Collserola: At 32 square miles, the Parc De Collserola is the largest metropolitan park in the world. It’s 22 times the size of New York City’s Central Park! This area is popular for picnics, bike riding, and bird watching, and it’s a great place to take a break from the crowded tourist areas. It’s about 15 minutes away from the city; if you take the train, get off at the Baixador de Vallvidrera stop and there will be an information kiosk nearby when you arrive. More information about the park is available on its website, www.parcnaturalcollserola.cat/en.
Montserrat: Perched on a mountain about 30 miles away from Barcelona is Montserrat, home to the Benedictine abbey Santa Maria de Montserrat. The standout feature of the abbey, which started out as a monastery in 1025, is its 12th-century carving of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. Because of its dark skin, it is also known as La Moreneta (“the dark one”), and some people make pilgrimages to see it!
Montserrat also has several trails and footpaths for those who enjoy walking in the mountains. It’s a multi-hour hike to get to the highest point, Sant Jeroni, but there are 360-degree views of Barcelona at the top, and you may be able to see as far as Mallorca if the weather is clear! If you’re not afraid of heights, you can also take a 7-minute ride on the Saint Joan funicular—the steepest in Spain—to the mountains above the monastery. There’s also a Santa Cova funicular that takes you down to the sacred cove where La Moreneta was supposedly discovered.
Montserrat is about an hour’s train ride from downtown Barcelona. Many companies also run day tours to it on charter buses. Get more information on Montserrat at the site’s official webpage, www.montserratvisita.com/en/index.html.
Nearby towns: There are several towns located within an hour or so of Barcelona that are fun to visit. Many feature ruins dating back hundreds or even thousands of years! Here are several you might consider visiting:
- Tarragona: In Roman times, Tarragona was known as “Tarraco” and was the most important Roman port in Spain. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring, among other ruins, a circus once used for chariot races and a second-century amphitheater that sat 15,000 people. The National Archeological Museum of Tarragona houses sculptures, mosaics, and other Roman artifacts. Tarragona is about 60 miles south of Barcelona. There are two trains that run to Tarragona from Barcelona: a fast train (the Avant), which takes 36 minutes, and the Regional Express train, which takes 80 minutes.
- Girona: Girona is the largest city in northern Catalonia, situated about 65 miles northeast of Barcelona. One of its most popular sites to visit is its cathedral, with a foundation dating to about 400 AD, a Romanesque portion from around 1100 AD, and a Gothic exterior added on in the 1300s. Visitors also enjoy the history offered by its well-preserved Jewish quarter (Call Jeue) and several museums. As with Tarragona, you have the option of taking either a fast train (travel time: about 37 minutes) or a regular train (about 70 minutes) to get here from Barcelona.
- Besalú: This small town (population: 2,400) is about 80 miles northeast of Barcelona. It’s a good idea to combine your trip here with one to Girona, as you’ll only need an hour or two in Besalú to see the sights. The quaint village’s standout feature is a long 12th-century bridge winding over the river Fluvià. It also has a church that was consecrated in the year 1003, as well as ruins of a Jewish bath—one of only three left in Europe—and a synagogue dating back to medieval times.
The bottom line: Barcelona is a truly unique place—you won’t find anywhere like it in the world! Its internationally-renowned dining delights the taste buds (especially those of seafood lovers), and its whimsical Modernist architecture enchants the eyes. We hope that our recommendations help you enjoy your trip to this magical destination!
About the Authors: Together, we have logged more than 2 million flight miles over the world in the last 40 years. Our corporate and personal purpose is to “create opportunities to improve lives” by sharing our knowledge, research, experiences, successes, and mistakes. You can e-mail us at [email protected].
Mike DuBose received his graduate degree from the University of South Carolina and is the author of The Art of Building a Great Business. He has been in business since 1981 and is the owner of Research Associates, The Evaluation Group, Columbia Conference Center, and DuBose Fitness Center. Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com for a free copy of his book and additional business, travel, and personal articles, as well as health articles written with Dr. Surb Guram, MD.
Debra DuBose has been married to Mike for 45 years and co-writes articles with him. She holds bachelors and graduate degrees from Winthrop University and Francis Marion University.
Blake DuBose graduated from Newberry College’s Schools of Business and Psychology and is president of DuBose Web Group (www.duboseweb.com).
Katie Beck serves as Director of Communications for the DuBose Family of Companies. She graduated from the USC School of Journalism and Honors College.
© Copyright 2018 by Mike DuBose—All Rights Reserved. You have permission and we encourage you to forward the full article to friends or colleagues and/or distribute it as part of personal or professional use, providing that the authors are credited. However, no part of this article may be altered or published in any other manner without the written consent of the authors. If you would like written approval to post this information on an appropriate website or to publish this information, please contact Katie Beck at [email protected].
