Facts barcelona: 36 Interesting Facts about Barcelona, Spain (100% true)

36 Interesting Facts about Barcelona, Spain (100% true)

Capital of the region of Catalonia, Barcelona is located in the northeast of Spain, on the Mediterranean Sea. Vibrant, sunny, and rich in culture, it is one of the most attractive and cultural cities in Europe and the most visited city in Spain.

Indeed, Gaudi’s city always attracts more and more tourists every year because of its location, its architecture, its warm temperatures, and its food. But its roots, its history, its heritage, and its traditions are just as fascinating to discover.

Discover everything about this city thanks to these 36 interesting facts about Barcelona, Spain. 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Facts on Barcelona to Learn All About It
  • The Best Barcelona Facts
  • Barcelona Fun Facts
  • Barcelona Cathedral Facts
  • Barcelona Facts for Kids
  • General Facts of Barcelona
  • Barcelona Flag
  • More Facts!
  • The Full List of 36 Barcelona Facts

Facts on Barcelona to Learn All About It

Ready to learn all about Barcelona?

Facts are one of the best ways to learn more about something, and I personally love to read them! I’ve put together for you quite a bit of fact on Barcelona; I’ve split them into 5 categories:

  • The best Barcelona facts
  • Barcelona fun facts
  • Barcelona cathedral facts
  • Barcelona facts for kids
  • General facts of Barcelona

Let’s dive in straight away with our first category!

 

The Best Barcelona Facts

First things first, in this part of the list, you will find general Barcelona facts that you might not know about:

 

1. Barcelona’s beaches are artificial

That’s right! Though Barceloneta beach is the best urban beach in the world (according to National Geographic and Discovery channel), and Barcelona has been voted Best Beach City in the world, there were no beaches before the 1992 Olympic Games.

The seaside was full of local industries until the city decided to create the beautiful Barcelona beaches we now know

 

2. Barcelona is said to be older than Rome

No one really knows the exact origin of many famous cities, and Barcelona is one of them.

However, it is said that Hercules founded the city 400 years before Rome was built. This place, on the coast, was ideal for settlers, and some ruins have been found dating earlier than 5000 BC.

Another theory is that Hamilcar Barca, a historic general, founded the city.

 

3. Barcelona is one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities

This fact is not well-known, but there are 180 kilometers/112 miles of bicycle lanes in Barcelona.

It is ranked 11th in the most bike-friendly cities in the world, and Bicing, one of the most successful bike-sharing programs in the world, helps it a ton.

 

 

4. Barcelona is the only city in the world awarded a royal gold medal for architecture

You probably know Eixample or Sagrada Familia’s unique architecture, mostly due to famous architect Gaudí. The street corners are cut off to let trams turn safer, and the cathedral’s beauty speaks for itself.

Well, while the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture is usually awarded to people, Barcelona is currently the one and only city in the world to be honored with the Royal Institute of British Architects’ medal.

 

 

5. The busiest pedestrian street in Spain is in Barcelona

Portal de l’Àngel, a famous street in Barcelona, is the busiest pedestrian street in the whole country, on top of being one of the most expensive walkways.

If you need some numbers to understand that a little better, hear me out: there are 150,000 people walking it down, on average, daily!

 

6. There are 55 museums in Barcelona

You can find unique and fantastic museums in Barcelona, such as Fundació Joan Miró, Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA) or Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (MNAC).

The city is full of historical surprises and architectural marvels, you will have an amazing time discovering all of this. That’s one of the reasons why Barcelona is a great destination, even in winter. 

 

 

7. Barcelona has the largest metropolitan park in the world

Barcelona’s Parc de Collserola is 84.65 km² / 32.4 sq mi large, making it the world’s largest metropolitan park.

If that does not seem so impressive to you, just remember that it is 22 times larger than Central Park, in New York.

 

8. There are 68 parks in Barcelona

The recent tendency in large cities is to reduce green spaces and to add buildings.

If that makes you sad, you should spend few days in Barcelona. There are 68 parks there and they represent more than 10 percent of the city’s area, and that’s growing from year to year!

 

9. Camp Nou, Barcelona’s football stadium, is the biggest in Europe

FC Barcelona is probably the most famous football club in the whole world. Tons of the best players ever have played at least once there, and it remains to this day one of the most successful organizations.

Its stadium, Camp Nou, is mythical and has a unique atmosphere. On top of that, it is Europe’s biggest stadium, and second in the world, were it not for Rungrado May Day Stadium (in North Korea).

 

 

10. Barcelona is the biggest city on the Mediterranean sea

Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain, behind Madrid of course.

However, if you look at the bigger picture, it is the biggest city on the whole mediterranean sea, with an area of 101.4 km² / 38.9 sq mi. More than 5.5 million people live in the city and the surrounding areas.

 

11. Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain

Europe’s most visited cities are Paris, London, Istanbul, and… Barcelona.

In Spain, it is the most visited city, with over 8.2 million visitors per year. In the world, it is ranked 12th.

 

 

12. The first name of Barcelona was Barcino

Before the city was founded, the area was called Barcino. It was named after the famous general Hamilcar Barca, which I told you about in fact #2.

If the Hercules theory is true, it is said that Barcelona came up because his only ship surviving wreckage was the 9th one, “Barca Nona”.

 

13. Barcelona used to be a Muslim region

You might know Barcelona as an extremely Catholic city, and that is completely true nowadays: 94% of the locals are Roman Catholics.

However, during the 8th century, the region was seized by the Moors, which were Muslims. It stayed a Muslim city for over a century.

 

14. Catalonia was once separated from Spain

Catalonia is a very unique and separatist region, even to this day.

It was actually separated from Spain along 7 other countries, unified later as the country we now know. That is probably why the people of Catalonia are so proud of their identity.

 

 

Read more: Discover more facts about Catalonia

 

15. Magic in Europe started in Barcelona

The practice of magic has been around for a long while, but Barcelona made it official.

The first magic shop and museum of magic in the world was founded there in 1881, rapidly spreading the art throughout Europe, way faster than before.

 

16. There are 2 official languages in Barcelona

You got it, Barcelona is located in Catalonia and has a unique identity.

So unique that there are actually 2 official languages in the city: Spanish and Catalan. You will see both languages all around the city. But make no mistake, Catalan is not a dialect, it is a completely distinct language from Spanish.

 

17. There are more than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona

If you want to eat well, be ready, because Barcelona has tons of awarded restaurants.

Catalan cuisine, just like all other Mediterranean gastronomy, is mostly made of fresh vegetables, olive oil, fruits, and seafood.

 

 

18. Barcelona used to be Spain’s capital city

While the context is very special and saddening, Barcelona became the Republic of Spain’s capital during the Spanish Civil War, from November 1937 to January 1939.

During that time, both Madrid and Barcelona were still under the rule of the republic.

 

19. La Rambla is actually five streets

You probably already know La Rambla, it is a famous tree-lined pedestrian street in Barcelona. It is both very beautiful and very popular.

However, what most people don’t know, is that it is actually made of 5 sections: Rambla de Canaletes, Rambla dels Estudis, Rambla de Sant Josep, Rambla dels Caputxins, and Rambla de Santa Mònica. That’s why it is sometimes called “Las Ramblas” (plural).

 

 

And there you go, these were the best Barcelona facts!

We’re not done yet though, so let’s dig a little deeper and learn about other ones too:

 

Barcelona Fun Facts

Alright, we’ve gone through the general and informative stuff, now it is time to discover the funny side of Barcelona.

In this second part, you will learn about unusual and surprising facts about Spain Barcelona:

 

20. Smoking cannabis is legal in Barcelona

You might hear people talk about Spain as “Holland of the South”, and the Netherlands is very famous for being a cannabis smokers’ paradise.

Well, you can easily understand why: there are over 700 cannabis clubs in Spain, and more than half of them are located in Barcelona alone!

 

21. The Eiffel Tower could have been built in Barcelona

The Eiffel Tower is Paris’ most famous monument. It draws 7 million visitors every year and is definitely something everyone wants to see at least once.

This marvel was built by Gustave Eiffel during the 1889 Universal Exhibition. His initial plans were actually to build it in Barcelona, but Spain rejected the project because it did not fit the city landscapes.

 

22. There are 12 abandoned underground stations in Barcelona

Under the city, you can find 12 unused metro and train stations. They have been retired because of new additions or changes to the tracks.

Lots of people think they are haunted, feeling and seeing metaphysical activity, especially in Gaudí station.

 

 

23. The most visited museum in the city is actually the FC Barcelona museum

While there are lots of amazing museums in Barcelona, the most visited one is not the most obvious one. Over 1.5 million visitors go to the FC Barcelona museum every year.

The football club is so famous that their museum is a huge success. You can see trophies, jerseys, and the whole history of the club. The museum was founded in 1899.

 

24. Barcelona’s Valentine’s Day is truly unique

You won’t see anyone handing out roses or chocolates on February 14th in Barcelona, just like in any other city in the world.

People actually celebrate it on April 23rd, on Saint George Day. The tradition is to give friends and lovers flowers and gifts. It is an official holiday and shares the date with Día del Libro, the day of the book.

 

25. There are tons of air raid shelters in Barcelona

The Spanish Civil War wreaked havoc on the country.

In Barcelona, 1400 air raid shelters were built, and even more in the surroundings. You can visit the shelters nowadays by going to the Museum of History of Barcelona.

 

26. Picasso studied in Barcelona

Pablo Picasso, a very famous artist, introduced cubism to the world.

He studied a lot in Barcelona, at the School of Fine Arts. You can even find a museum dedicated to this man’s art in the Born neighborhood.

 

 

That’s it for the fun facts about Barcelona, but there is still lots of other interesting information I wanted to share with you.

Next up is Barcelona’s famous basilica, the Sagrada Familia:

 

Barcelona Cathedral Facts

The Sagrada Familia is probably Barcelona’s Eiffel Tower, the most famous landmark in Barcelona. It is an architectural marvel, unique and extravagant.

I feel like you don’t know everything about it, and some facts might surprise you, so here are 6 facts about the Sagrada Familia:

 

27. It has taken longer to build the Sagrada Familia than the great pyramids

The Sagrada Familia remains incomplete to this day, and it is famous to compare it to the Great Pyramids, which took 20 years to be built.

Its construction began in 1882, which means it has been going on for almost a century and a half!

 

 

28. The original architect of the Sagrada Familia was not Gaudí!

Everyone knows that the Sagrada Familia is Antoni Gaudí’s most famous work of art.

However, originally, it was architect Francesco de Paula del Villar who was appointed for the project. The construction started in 1882 according to his designs, but Gaudí took over the project a year later when Villar retired from the project and changed it radically.

 

29. Computers are very helpful for the Sagrada Familia construction

Obviously, in 1882, at the beginning of the construction of the Sagrada Familia, there were no computers or any digital help whatsoever.

With their invention in the middle of the 20th century, the progress of construction sped up extremely rapidly.

 

30. The Sagrada Familia is no longer a cathedral

It used to be a regular church when it was first built. Later on, it became a cathedral, and that is how most people call it.

Well, the correct way to name the Sagrada Familia is actually a “basilica” since Pope Benedict XVI’s declaration in 2010.

 

 

31. Gaudí is buried in the Sagrada Familia

Antoni Gaudí was unfortunately hit by a tram and died a few days later, on June 10th, 1926.

He is buried in the underground level of the building, which you can visit.

 

32. A group of people tried to burn the Sagrada Familia

As part of the Spanish Civil War, a group of anarchists tried to take down the Sagrada Familia.

They broke into it, set fire to the crypt, and many important materials were destroyed. Fortunately, some were saved, and the construction could carry on.

 

You probably immediately think of the Sagrada Familia whenever you are thinking of Barcelona, and for good reasons. I hope that you now know a little more about it and that you enjoyed those facts!

But don’t go too far, there are even more Barcelona Spain facts below.

 

Barcelona Facts for Kids

All the facts listed above are obviously meant for everybody to read, but I wanted to write a specific part dedicated to the young ones, in which they can satisfy their curiosity.

 

33. Barcelona is known for its tapas food

Tapas are lovely Spanish mezzes, which are appetizers served before the meal. Usually, you can find seafood, potatoes, meats, and vegetables in the average tapas.

If you love those, you will be pleased to go to Barcelona, as it is very well known for its tapas food.

 

 

Read more: Discover more facts about Spanish food

 

34. Barcelona’s airport is the second largest in Spain

Barcelona-El Prat Airport is the airport of Barcelona. It is 17 kilometers / 11 miles away from the city center and handles more than 45 million travelers.

It is the largest airport on the Mediterranean coast, but only the second biggest in Spain.

 

35. Barcelona is twinned with a lot of cities

There are lots of cities Barcelona is twinned with.

Among them, the most famous are San Francisco, Dubai, Shanghai, Athens, Istanbul, Dublin, Boston, and São Paulo.

 

36. French astronomers determined the official measurement of the meter in Barcelona

During the 18th century, French astronomer Pierre François André Méchain determined the official measurement of the meter.

For that, he used Montjuïc’s fortress, which overlooks Barcelona’s harbor, for observation purposes. He later presented the official meter bar, made in platinum, to the French legislative assembly.

 

 

Here you go, these were my facts about Barcelona for kids, I hope you enjoyed them!

 

So, these were the 36 interesting Barcelona facts. If you want to learn more about the city and the region as a whole, keep reading for more info.

 

General Facts of Barcelona

You’ll find below a few general facts of Barcelona, to learn more about this Spanish city:

  • Name: Barcelona (English/Spanish/Catalan)
  • Province: Barcelona
  • Region: Catalonia
  • Land area: 100. 4 km² / 38.6 sq mi
  • Population: 1.66 million
  • Name of inhabitants: Barcelonan/Barcelonian
  • Website: Barcelona

 

Barcelona Flag

 

More Facts!

Do you want even more facts about Spain?

Well, I have more facts about Spain, I’m sure you’ll love reading them! 

Here’s the main guide of the best Spain facts 👉 All the Facts about Spain 

Check out these facts by city/region:

  • Facts about Madrid
  • Facts about Catalonia
  • Facts about Bilbao 
  • Facts about Malaga
  • Facts about Seville
  • Facts about Granada
  • Facts about Valencia
  • Facts about Castilla la Mancha

Or these Spain facts by topic: 

  • Facts about Christmas in Spain
  • Facts about la Semana Santa in Spain
  • Facts about religion in Spain
  • Facts about schools in Spain
  • Facts about Spainish food
  • Facts about the Spanish language
  • Facts about bullfighting in Spain
  • Facts about sports in Spain
  • Facts about music in Spain

Or click here to see ALL the facts up on the blog! Spoiler alert: there’s A LOT of them.

 

The Full List of 36 Barcelona Facts

  1. Barcelona’s beaches are artificial
  2. Barcelona is said to be older than Rome
  3. Barcelona is one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities
  4. Barcelona is the only city in the world awarded a royal gold medal for architecture
  5. The busiest pedestrian street in Spain is in Barcelona
  6. There are 55 museums in Barcelona
  7. Barcelona has the largest metropolitan park in the world
  8. There are 68 parks in Barcelona
  9. Camp Nou, Barcelona’s football stadium, is the biggest in Europe
  10. Barcelona is the biggest city on the Mediterranean sea
  11. Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain
  12. The first name of Barcelona was Barcino
  13. Barcelona used to be a Muslim region
  14. Catalonia was once separated from Spain
  15. Magic in Europe started in Barcelona
  16. There are 2 official languages in Barcelona
  17. There are more than 20 Michelin-starred restaurants in Barcelona
  18. Barcelona used to be Spain’s capital city
  19. La Rambla is actually five streets
  20. Smoking cannabis is legal in Barcelona
  21. The Eiffel Tower could have been built in Barcelona
  22. There are 12 abandoned underground stations in Barcelona
  23. The most visited museum in the city is actually the FC Barcelona museum
  24. Barcelona’s Valentine’s Day is truly unique
  25. There are tons of air raid shelters in Barcelona
  26. Picasso studied in Barcelona
  27. It has taken longer to build the Sagrada Familia than the great pyramids
  28. The original architect of the Sagrada Familia was not Gaudí!
  29. Computers are very helpful for the Sagrada Familia construction
  30. The Sagrada Familia is no longer a cathedral
  31. Gaudí is buried in the Sagrada Familia
  32. A group of people tried to burn the Sagrada Familia
  33. Barcelona is known for its tapas food
  34. Barcelona’s airport is the second largest in Spain
  35. Barcelona is twinned with a lot of cities
  36. French astronomers determined the official measurement of the meter in Barcelona

 

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Interesting and Fun Facts about Barcelona

Jale

Updated on Feb 28 • 5 minute read

Living

Barcelona is one of the best cities in the world– it’s the city of famous artists like Picasso and Gaudí, the silicon valley of Europe, the alternative to Berlin’s nightlife, and home to lover 180 nationalities. But it doesn’t just end there.

Did you know Barcelona has the 3rd richest football club in the world and could have been home to the Eiffel Tower? There’re just so many interesting quirks and facts about Barcelona that the more you know, the more impressed you’ll be! So we decided to sum up some of the most interesting ones for you!

6 Barcelona Fun Facts

  1. Barcelona’s beaches are artificial.

National Geographic’s travelers voted Barcelona as the top beach city. But until the 1992 Olympics, there were no beaches in Barcelona. Barcelona’s coastline transformed into Barceloneta beach with the sand brought from Egypt.

  1. Barcelona has the 3rd richest football team in the world.

FC Barcelona is mega-famous and is the world’s third-richest football team. Its home stadium, Camp Nou, is the largest in Europe. To compare, London’s Wembley Stadium is the second one. In fact, out of 55 museums in Barcelona, FC Barcelona museum is the most visited one. Each year, more than 1.5 million people visit the FC Barcelona museum.

  1. Gaudí’s work inspired the design of Star War’s famous Stormtroopers.

Fan or not, everyone has seen the soldiers from Star Wars– Stormtroopers. But did you know that the rows of chimneys on Gaudí’s Casa Milà are the inspiration behind their design?

  1. Barcelona has 12 ghost metro stations.

Barcelona has 12 abandoned metro stations because of incomplete work and changes in planning. Since 2011, there’ve been ghost tours to these abandoned metro stations for adventure lovers. Those who went to Gaudí station swear they’ve seen the ghosts and shadows.

  1. Eiffel was first pitched to Barcelona.

Paris might be known for the Eiffel Tower, but originally the tower was supposed to be in Barcelona. Gustave Eiffel pitched the landmark to Spain first. But Spain thought it didn’t fit the city’s aesthetic and declined the plan.

  1. Barcelona is home to one of the oldest theme parks in the world.

Tibidabo is the highest mountain in Barcelona and has a vintage Tibidabo amusement park. The history of the park goes back to 1899. This amusement park is a one-of-a-kind experience with old-fashioned rides and new, modernized attractions.

8 Barcelona Architecture Facts

  1. Antoni Gaudí designed 7 buildings for Barceolona.

You can see the unique buildings of one of the greatest architects, Antoni Gaudí, all over Barcelona. One of his most renowned works, Casa Milà got its name Alive House because it resembled living organisms. His other masterpiece Casa Batlló is known as House of Bones because it has a skeletal surface.

  1. More than a century later, Sagrada Família is still not completed.

    Sagrada Família might take 2,000 years to complete, like The Great Wall of China.

Well, not literally, but Antony Gaudí died before he could finish this impressive church.
Since then Sagrada Família has been under construction for almost 150 years. They say it’ll be completed in 2026, but who knows.

  1. Barcelona has the world’s greatest architect award.

Royal Institute of British Architects gives the Royal Gold Medal for architecture to people who’ve made a distinguishable contribution to architecture. But they made an exception by giving the award to the city of Barcelona in 1999. Up until today, Barcelona has been the only city to receive this award.

  1. Antoni Gaudí got mixed up with a beggar.

The exceptional architect died when the tram hit him. Instead of receiving immediate aid, he lay unattended and unconscious for 30 minutes as people thought he was a beggar.

  1. Barcelona is home to 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Out of the nine Barcelona UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Antoni Gaudí designed 7 of them.

  • Sagrada Família
  • Park Güell
  • Casa Batlló
  • Casa Milà
  • Palau Güell
  • The Crypt of Colonia Güell
  • Casa Vicens

Lluís Domènech i Montaner designed the remaining 2, Palau de la Música Catalana and the Hospital de Sant Pau.

  1. Park Güell was initially supposed to be a housing complex.

Eusebi Güell had commissioned Gaudí to design a housing project called Park Güell. But it soon became a public park when only 2 of the 60 houses were built due to a lack of buyers.

Gaudí himself lived in Park Güell upon Güell’s suggestion. Today, his house serves as a museum.

  1. Barcelona aced urban planning before it even became a thing.

Nowadays, most new cities (e.g., New York) are planned with urban planning in mind. So it’s revolutionary for an ancient city like Barcelona to showcase such grid-like patterns. While its older districts, like the Gothic Quarter, still have maze-like streets, the rest of Barcelona was built with a grid pattern with the edges of the buildings cut off to ease the traffic and help air circulation.

  1. Barcelona will be the World’s Capital of Architecture in 2026

Since 2020, UNESCO and the UIA elect the World’s Capital of Architecture. In 2020, Rio de Janeiro was the first city to receive this title. Barcelona won against Beijing and became the titleholder for 2026.

8 Barcelona Culture Facts

  1. Barcelona inspired World Book Day.

Every year on the 23rd of April, lovers and friends in Barcelona exchange books and roses to celebrate Saint George’s day. The day became so big that it inspired UNESCO to declare the 23rd of April as World Book Day. Nowadays, most people in Barcelona celebrate Valentine’s day on Saint George’s day.

  1. Barcelona banned bullfighting.

Bullfighting (corrida de toros) is one of the oldest traditions in Spain. From March to September, there’re many bullfighting shows in Spain. But the Catalan Parliament banned bullfights when more than 180,000 people signed against it.

  1. Barcelona is the muse of Pablo Picasso.

Picasso considered Barcelona his muse even though he was born in Málaga and spent most of his time in Paris. Father of Cubism, Picasso studied in Barcelona and spent his developing years there. Today, Picasso Museum in Barcelona is home to more than 3,500 of his artworks.

  1. Barcelona’s crowned for its openness to the LGBTQ+ community.

Gay Travel agency elected Barcelona as the best LGBTQ+ destination to travel to. Spain’s first LGBTQ+ organization was founded in 1970 in Barcelona. And in 2014, Barcelona passed a law against homophobia.

  1. Parc de Collserola is the world’s biggest metropolitan park.

Barcelona is one of the “Greenest” cities in Europe. Green Spaces make up 11% of Barcelona, with 68 parks and other green areas. Barcelona’s Parc de Collserola is 22 times larger than New York’s Central Park, making it the world’s largest metropolitan park.

  1. Flamenco isn’t so popular in Barcelona.

Spain is famous for its Flamenco dance all over the world. But Barcelona and the wider Catalan region have their own traditional dance– the Sardana. But don’t worry, you can still see magnificent Flamenco shows in the city.

  1. Barcelona is home to 22 Michelin-star restaurants.

With 22 Michelin-star restaurants under its belt, Barcelona is a foodies’ paradise. If you’re ever in Barcelona, you might want to check rising chef Jordi Cruz’s delicious traditional Spanish dessert, The Pink Panther (cream-filled biscuit with pink icing), at restaurant ABaC.

  1. Barcelona has two official languages.

Barcelona is the capital of the Catalonia region and has 2 official languages, Spanish and Catalan. Although most speak Catalan, you can still use Spanish to talk to others.

Now that you know so many interesting facts about Barcelona impress your friends or use them as conversation starters!

Please reach out to [email protected] if you have any suggestions or inquiries about the content on this page.

25 interesting and little-known facts about Barcelona

Did you know that Barcelona…

It’s true that Barcelona is famous for its sunny blue skies, stylish Mediterranean vibe and quirky architecture… But did you know that it’s home to the world’s largest urban park?

And that Barcelona is the only city in the world to have been awarded the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture? The list below takes a look at 25 interesting yet little-known facts about Barcelona.

#1 Royal Gold Medal for Architecture

Barcelona is the only city in the world to have been awarded the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture by the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Although the medal is usually awarded to one or a group of architects, Barcelona is the first and only city in the world to receive this honor.

#2 Barcelona boasts 9 UNESCO listed buildings

Two of them, the Palau de la Murica Catalana and the Sant Pau Hospital, were designed by the modernist architect Lluis Domènech y Montaner. And seven of them belong to Antoni Gaudi, the most famous son of Barcelona.

7 monuments of architecture are included in the “Works of Antoni Gaudí” list and include:

  • Parc Güell
  • Palau Güell
  • Casa Mila
  • Casa Vicens
  • Sagrada Familia
  • Casa Batlló
  • Crypt of the church in Colonia Güell.

#3 Barcelona had no beaches before the 1992 Olympics

Today, there are 7 beaches marked with a blue flag on 4.5 km of the city’s coastline. Not to mention that National Geographic recognized it as the “Best Beach City”.

#4 This is the busiest pedestrian street in Spain

Located in Barcelona’s Old Town (Ciutat Vella), the shopping mecca Portal de l’Àngel is not only one of the most expensive streets in Spain, but also the busiest pedestrian street in the country, with an average of 150,000 people passing through it every day!

#5 City has 68 parks

More than 10 per cent of the territory of the city of Barcelona is occupied by urban parks, and each year their area is increased by about 10 hectares, which, in terms of one inhabitant, is 18. 1 square meters of parkland.

#6 The city doesn’t like flamenco or bullfighting

While world-famous flamenco performers can regularly be seen in Barcelona’s concert venues, this traditional Spanish art form is not as appreciated by the Catalans, who have their own dance, the Sardana. As for bullfighting, it was banned in Catalonia in 2010.

#7 Barcelona boasts the largest city park in the world

Barcelona’s Collserola Park, at 84.65 km², is the largest urban park in the world – 22 times the size of Central Park in New York, in case you were wondering.

#8 Barcelona is home to the largest football stadium in Europe

Covering an area of ​​55,000 square meters, Camp Nou, the home stadium of FC Barcelona, ​​with a capacity of 99,354 people, is not only the largest football stadium in Europe, but also the 2nd largest in the world after the May Day Rungrado Stadium in Pyongyang, North Korea.

#9 Barcelona is one of the most visited cities in Spain and Europe

Experts named the ten most popular cities for tourists in 2019- 2021 who prefer independent travel. Such data is provided by the Skyscanner travel service.

The rating includes Istanbul, Barcelona, ​​Bangkok, Prague, Paris, Rome, Milan, Antalya, Tivat and Tel Aviv. Compared to 2018, the rating has not changed much.

Barcelona is the 4th most visited city in Europe, after London, Paris and Istanbul, but ahead of Rome, Milan and Amsterdam. With over 8.20 million foreign visitors a year, the Catalan capital is also the 12th most visited city in the world, ahead of Taipei (15) and Shanghai (19).).

#10 Barcelona – the largest city on the Mediterranean

With an area of ​​101.4 km2 and a population of 1.602 million, Barcelona is the largest city in the Mediterranean and the second largest in Spain after Madrid.

#11 The capital of Catalonia gave the world an international book festival

Every year, on 23 April, Barcelona celebrates the patron saint of Catalonia with roses and books. The international holiday of the book is also known as Valentine’s Day (El Día de los Amantes) and Saint George’s Day (La Diada de Sant Jordi).

These days coincide with the deaths of Cervantes and Shakespeare, which inspired UNESCO to create World Book and Copyright Day in 1995.

#12 Barcelona was supposed to be home to the Eiffel Tower

If everything had gone according to Gustave Eiffel’s original plan, the most famous landmark in Paris would now be in Barcelona.

Unfortunately, Spain rejected the architect’s project, deciding that it was too “radical” and did not match the aesthetics of the city. If not for the decision of the Spanish rulers – Barcelona could become home to the Eiffel Tower

#13 Barcelona has the largest and busiest cruise port in Europe

Barcelona’s 7-terminal cruise port, Port Vell, handles approximately 3 million cruise ships every year, making it the 6th busiest in the world and 1st in Europe.

#14 The city has 55 museums

Surprisingly, the most visited is the unimpressive Joan Miro Foundation, not filled with MNAC art, and not even the ultra-modern Barcelona Museum of Modern Art (MACBA)…

The most visited museum in the city is the favorite museum of FC Barcelona, ​​which is visited by more than 1. 5 million people a year.

#15 Barcelona has over 20 Michelin starred restaurants

Insanely creative chefs, gourmet tapas and the best of old and new Catalan cuisine await you.

#16 This is where the world’s first beach ice bar was located

Opened in 2007 on Barcelona’s El Somorrostro Beach, the Ice Bar (Icebarcelona) is the world’s first ice bar located on the beach.

#17 Barcelona is one of the largest cities in the world where smoking cannabis is legal

With over 700 cannabis clubs located in Spain, it’s no surprise that Spain is often referred to as the “Holland of the South”. More than half of these clubs are located in Barcelona, ​​making this city a smoker’s paradise.

However, the “Asociaciones Cannabicos” clubs are only for residents of Spain and it is not easy to get a membership.

#18 Is Barcelona older than Rome?

One of the theories about the origin of Barcelona is that the city may have been founded by Hercules 400 years before Rome was built. There is a lot of controversy about this, but no one really knows it.

#19 Here is one of the world’s oldest shops and museums specializing in magic

Founded in 1881 at Carrer de la Princesa 11 in the Born district of Barcelona, ​​the Magic Shop (El Rei de la Màgia) is one of the world’s oldest magic shops and museums.

#20 This is one of the most LGBT-friendly cities in Europe

Perhaps Madrid has the largest gay community in Spain and the most gay neighborhood on the planet (Chueca). But Barcelona, ​​with its 2014 anti-homophobia law, sunny Mediterranean climate, vibrant club scene and LGBT festivals, is without a doubt Europe’s gay summer party hotspot.

In addition, the city is only 35 km northeast of Sitges, one of the best LGBTQ destinations in the world.

#21 Spain’s cultural capital played an important role in defining the meter

In 1792, the French astronomers Jean Baptiste Joseph Delambre and Pierre François André Méchain were able to calculate the distance between the North Pole and the equator by measuring the distance along the meridian arc between Dunkirk and Montjuïc in Barcelona, ​​as well as the latitude of the two cities. This is how the first prototype of the meter was defined.

#22 The Catalan capital is one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the world

Barcelona’s 180 km of cycle paths and one of the world’s most successful bike-sharing programs, Bicing, make the Catalan capital one of the world’s most cyclist-friendly cities. It is currently ranked 11th in the Copenhagenize 2015 index.

#23 Barcelona is home to one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe

MareNostrum is the largest supercomputer in Southern Europe and the 93rd fastest in the world, housed in a former 19th-century chapel that now functions as the Barcelona Supercomputing Center.

#24 The only city in Europe where you can admire the public exhibition of funeral carriages

The Funeral Carriage Museum, located in the Montjuïc Cemetery, is the only public exhibit in Europe that confirms that the dark side of Barcelona is as interesting as its sunlit façades.

#25 Barcelona became the first city in the world to receive the World Class Biosphere Destination certification

This recognition is a testament to Barcelona’s commitment to sustainability in many areas, including transport, accommodation, and food and drink.

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13 interesting facts about Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the most unusual cities, combining architectural styles from different eras, phantasmagoria of tastes and entertainment for every taste. The city is often referred to as an “open-air museum” where each exhibit is an interesting fact about Barcelona.

Here the great Antonio Gaudí went into his dreams and created, Salvador Dali lived in his dreams and left a bright trace and, of course, the most colorful people in all of Spain live here. Welcome to Catalonia, where the air is like wine and welcoming smiles are sweeter than honey.

1. Donkey and cat

These two animals are considered unofficial symbols of the Catalans and Barcelona. The donkey was loved by the inhabitants for its diligence, and the cat, if you read in English (cat), is the first three letters of the name of the province of Catalonia.

A fad? Maybe. But these facts always appeal to the guests of the city and give the adventure a special touch. Which animal do you personally like best?

2. Fortune Fountain

Canaletes Square was loved by fans of local football teams. According to tradition, the gathering place is a fountain, near which it is easy to find a sign with an encouraging saying: “Those who drink water from this fountain will definitely fall in love with Barcelona and come back here again.”

Believe me, it works, because it’s impossible not to fall in love with this city! And you can take a bottle of water with you.

  • Holidays with children in Barcelona

3. Be careful, pedestrian!

Catalan drivers are considered among the most inept in the world. This is confirmed by disappointing statistics, because due to the negligence of local Schumachers, accidents involving cars and people occur three times a minute, and on weekends this figure increases even more! You should not be scared, but turning on the “caution” mode will not hurt.

4. Immortalized Columbus

Very close to the port, at the very end of the central Las Ramblas, any tourist can take a good picture against the backdrop of the monument to Christopher Columbus. It will be difficult not to notice the monument, since its height is 60 meters, and what is most interesting is that the length of the index finger is a whole meter!

In addition, the Columbus monument in Barcelona is so impressive that an elevator runs inside it, taking visitors to the observation deck, from where a breathtaking view of Barcelona opens up.

There are still legends about where Christopher’s finger is pointing. There are several versions, one of which says that it is directed towards the New World, which was discovered by the famous navigator. Another version, no less plausible: the finger points to the East, towards its homeland – the city of Genoa.

  • Find out more about Las Ramblas

5. Come on?

Surprisingly, the first official beach in the city appeared only in 1992, after the Olympic Games. But now their number has not only increased, but also pleases vacationers with amazing cleanliness and well-being.

For example, every year the sand on all beaches is sieved to a depth of 50 cm, and this cannot but please tourists who prefer a quality beach holiday in Barcelona.

  • Barcelona hotel collection for families with children
  • Barcelona Children’s Route

6. Great Freddie

Do you remember the song of F. Mercury and opera singer Montserrat Caballe “Barcelona”? It was this hit that became the anthem of the 1992 Olympics. Its sound is so popular with the Catalans that many consider it the anthem of Barcelona. It is noteworthy that the song was written by Freddie himself and was included in the album called “Barcelona” in 1988.

7. An unprecedented park area

In Barcelona, ​​tourists can relax and enjoy a walk in the most beautiful and largest park in Spain, “Montjuic”, whose area is more than 200 hectares!

This giant park is listed as the largest artificial plantation in Europe. On its territory, entertainment is provided for children and adults, so ideally, when going to the park, devote the whole day to relaxation.

  • Best kids and family fun in Barcelona

8. Art does not burn!

After a fire in 1994 that destroyed Europe’s most luxurious opera house, the Liceu, the building was completely restored. It is noteworthy that the opera was rebuilt with donations from caring local residents, as well as thanks to charity concerts by Domingo, Caballe and Carreras.

In any case, today the building has been rebuilt and restored and appears before the guests of the city in its original appearance.

9. Great Picasso

The greatest artist Pablo Picasso insisted on building a museum dedicated to his work in Barcelona. This decision was made in view of the close emotional connection with the Catalan capital.

In gratitude, Picasso made a contribution to the museum in the form of 3. 5 thousand paintings, most of which belong to the period of the artist’s work, which was little known to the general public.

  • More about the Picasso Museum

10. A little bit of fly in the ointment

Despite the many advantages, interesting facts about Barcelona also contain negative aspects. For example, Barcelona was among the 20 cities in Europe with the worst environmental indicators.

Almost half of all emissions are made by cars, which is why the city authorities introduced a limit on the use of vehicles. Nowadays, on the roadway, you can increasingly meet eco-cars, as well as cyclists, for whom more than 400 bike stands are provided in the city.

11. Be vigilant

A tourist visiting Barcelona for the first time should not lose vigilance, as the city, or rather its irresponsible part of the population, has created the fame of a leader in the number of pickpockets.

The most frequent “dangerous” places flashing in the protocols of the police are Plaza Catalunya and Las Ramblas.