Barcelona

This vibrant, cosmopolitan city is a perfect combination of beautiful beaches, an impressive mountainous backdrop and striking architecture. The mixture of good food, lively entertainment and a laid back atmosphere attracts millions of tourists every year.

Just a short drive from the city centre, Montjuïc is the hill that overlooks the city centre. It was transformed for the Olympic Games in 1992 and is home to many of the Olympic sites. It has stunning views of the city as well as beautiful gardens and numerous leisure attractions. The National Art Museum of Catalonia (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) hosts an impressive collection of Romanesque art and the building is complemented by a succession of terraces with fountains that come alive on summer evenings with a free light show.

The Picasso Museum (Museu Picasso) in Montjuïc is very popular with visitors; however, the unfinished Sagrada Familia Cathedral by Antonio Gaudi is perhaps favoured even more so. Together with La Pedrera apartment block, they are two of the architectural highlights of the city.

Güell Park is situated on the outskirts of the city and is another of Gaudi masterpieces. At the park you can enjoy striking stone structures including a giant lizard and colourful ceramic mosaics as well as a spectacular view of Barcelona. Gaudi spent his last years in a house in the park, which is now the Gaudi House Museum (Casa Museu Gaudi).

Outside the city, you will find beautiful beaches, spectacular mountains and quaint towns, all of which are worth a visit. Fifty kilometres northwest of Barcelona is the Monestir de Montserrat, a monastery dating back to the 11^th century that was built to commemorate visions of the Virgin Mary. Situated among hermitage cave ruins and rocky cliffs, the monastery is home to a community of 80 monks and is visited by pilgrims who come to visit the The Black Virgin (La Lorenta).

Port Vell is where to visit for entertainment. It is full of pavement cafés, buskers and street artists. The old town of Barri Gotic is where you will find excellent paella restaurants and tapas bars.