Fun fact about barcelona: 15 Fascinating Barcelona Fun Facts You Didn’t Know |

15 Fascinating Barcelona Fun Facts You Didn’t Know |

Here are 15 Barcelona fun facts I learned about while living in the city for a month, speaking to locals and going on tours. It’s a truly fascinating place, and there’s so much I didn’t know before visiting. 

P.S. Thinking of visiting Barcelona? I have a few other posts that might help plan your vacation. Here are some ways to save money in Barcelona, plan a day visiting Montjuïc, or just a few cafés you should visit!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Plan your Barcelona vacation with these tools!

Digital Travel Planner Printout: Etsy

Book plane tickets: Skyscanner 
Book hotels: Booking.com 
Rent a car: Enterprise
Find A Tour: Viator.com
Buy Tickets To Barcelona Attractions: The Barcelona Pass

Other posts you might be interested in reading…
See How You Can Save Money in Barcelona | How To Visit Montjuic Barcelona: The Ultimate Guide

Top 15 Fun Facts About Barcelona

1.

Barcelona Facts: It’s A Bilingual City

Before even thinking about going to Barcelona, you have to know that it’s a bilingual city! There are two official languages in Barcelona because it’s in the Catalonian region of Spain. So in Barcelona, they speak both Spanish and Catalan. If you want to get in good with the locals, learn some Catalan words instead of Spanish before your trip!

Catalonia is a region in Spain (there are 17 in total), but until 1714 it was its own country. They’ve been fighting to regain their independence since the 1850’s. Any of this sound familiar, Québec…?

Catalonia is really like its own country, I mean they have their own language, flag, and even a national animal (the Catalonian donkey). It’s not uncommon to see the Catalonian flag hanging from most windows in Barcelona.

Read more about the history of Catalonia here

2. Interesting Facts About Barcelona: It Was Built On An Underground City

Before Barcelona was a part of Spain or even Catalonia, it was a part of Rome. Barcelona was in fact a Roman colony known as Barcino that dates to the 1st Century BC.

The craziest part is that you can actually visit ancient Barcino. It’s preserved underneath the Gothic Quarter in the City History Museum of Barcelona. Although the craziest part might actually be that it was only discovered in 1930.

It’s an entire city underground, though you can still see ruined frescoes, old city walls, and even giant basins for wine storage.

P.S. Need A Place To Stay In Barcelona?
Casa Gràcia

Really feel like you’re living the local Barcelona life in an apartment style hotel.

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Hotel Royal Passeig de Gracia

Stay like royalty at Hotel Royal Passeig de Gràcia. This is the nicest street in Barcelona!

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Hotel del Mar

Want to be a bit closer to the city? Stay at Hotel del Ma in El Born.

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3. Barcelona Fun Facts: It’s Home To Oldest Synagogue Europe

Speaking of the oldest city in Europe… and the underground, Barcelona is also home to one of the oldest synagogues Europe… which also happens to be somewhat underground. Dating back all the way to the 3rd and 4th Centuries, it was only discovered in 1990!

It was determined to be a synagogue so many years later because of the odd angle of the building, which was constructed to face Israel. It’s been restored so you can visit this ancient building today. 

I find it a very interesting contrast to the extravagant churches you typically see around the city as well – which sheds light on a dark part of their history.

Few people realize that Barcelona had a large Jewish population; well, it did until the Spanish Inquisition in the 1400’s. Barcelona was home to some 5000 Jews (about 15% of the population). In fact, the infamous Gothic Quarter was where the Jews lived and this why it’s where you’ll find the Ancient Synagogue of Barcelona.

4. The City Changed Forever (For The Better) In 1992

Here’s a Barcelona fun fact you probably didn’t know! Before 1992, Barcelona was a completely different city, and very unlike what it is today. In fact, the city was in such a bad state that tourism offices warned people against vacationing there.

So what happened in 1992? Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympic Games! Tons of money was poured into the city to build infrastructure to properly host the games. Barcelona was very smart about how they spent it though and it changed the city forever for the better!

Instead of using the Olympic money to build a new stadium, they revamped their city. They merely repainted an existing stadium and used the rest of the money elsewhere. The main changes came in the form of a beach (for beach volleyball of course), and an athletes village which was later rented out to locals.

5. The Barcelona Beach Is 100% Man Made

Barcelonetta, the beach that attracts millions of tourists every year, was man made for the 1992 Olympic games. Before the games, the coastline was the industrial part of the city.

The sand was imported from Egypt. Not even the palm trees are native to Barcelona! They imported 12 different species for the games!

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6. Things About Barcelona: They Have Imported Green Birds!

You might also notice some cute green birds flying around Barcelona while you’re visiting. I was so mesmerized by them because I’d never seen a tropical bird in a city centre before.

As it turns out, these are Monk Parakeets and they’re not exactly native to Barcelona either. They’re from South America, but they’ve definitely made Barcelona their new home.

It’s all still a rumour as to how they ended up in the city, but they definitely didn’t fly all the way from South America by themselves. There are a few theories among locals; some say they escaped from the zoo or even right off the boat when they were brought over for the zoo. Another theory is that it all began with an escaped pet. 

7. Barcelona Was Inspired By Paris & New York

The Exiample neighbourhood in Barcelona is just outside the city centre. Exiample literally translates from Catalan to mean expansion.

When the city needed to grow, they looked at other cities to figure out the best way to achieve this. They examined two of the biggest cities for inspiration, Paris and New York.

So how was Barcelona inspired by these two major cities? Well, you may have noticed that the neighbourhood is quite grid-like which was taken from New York. The architecture, on the other hand, was inspired by none other than Paris!

8. The Passeig de Gràcia Homes Used To Be Identical!

As you walk down Passeig de Gràcia, there are some pretty extravagant homes on the street. But this wasn’t always the case…

The homes were originally designed to be all the same, to give a more structured look to the city (hence designing it after the grids of New York!).

It wasn’t taken into account that the aristocrats that moved in wouldn’t want to live in the same house as their neighbour. So as they couldn’t change anything else about the home, they hired architects to give the building a face lift! This led to the facades being redone to better represent the owner.

Now when you walk down Passeig de Gràcia, you’re met with no two buildings that look the same. From Gaudí classics like Casa Batllò and La Pedrera, to Casa Amatler and Casa Mulleras.

9. P.S. You’re Walking On Gaudí’s Work

The tiles all along Passeig de Gràcia are actually Gaudí’s original design! The tiles were originally designed for Casa Batllò (notice the underwater theme of the tiles, can you spot the octopus?).

When they weren’t ready in time for Casa Batllò, they were placed in Casa Mila’s service rooms (the original owner actually hated them!).

Then in 1997, as a tribute to Gaudí, the city molded them out of cement to pave the sidewalks of Passeig de Gràcia.

Extra Barcelona fun fact: there are actually 13 different tile designs throughout the city!

10.Casa Mila Almost Wasn’t Completed

As I mentioned, all the homes on Passeig de Gràcia are all the same size… well all EXCEPT for one: Casa Mila.

Casa Mila, also known as La Pedrera, extends onto the sidewalk. It’s hard not to notice when you walk by, since it’s quite a bit larger and taller than any other home on the street.

As I said, there was a reason why only the facades were renovated. It was illegal to change the size of the home. So how did Gaudí manage to make this home so much larger? 

Gaudí did not change the overall size of the home, he merely built on top of the original facade. But his changes did not come without backlash and a cost… 

There was an official complaint about the size being larger than the allowed volume. This caused the city of Barcelona to pause construction for 3 years from 1907 until 1910 while it went to court.

In the end, the owners had to pay 100 000 pesetas (which is about a whopping €392, 460 today!).

The roof and attic were almost demolished after completion because it was 4,000 cubic meters too big. Thankfully, the city decided at this point that it was a monument in nature so it didn’t have to strictly abide by building codes.

P.S. Here’s an extra Barcelona fun fact, it’s believed that George Lucas visited the rooftop of Casa Mila before the production of Star Wars. It isn’t confirmed, but many believe this is what inspire him for creating the look for his iconic storm troopers. I mean, you can’t lie, the resemblance is uncanny.

11. Park Güell Is A Failed Housing Project

Park Güell was originally intended as a new housing community, and it was never meant to be a park. They started construction, but only ever built two homes. One of the two was the model home in which Gaudí lived in with his sister and nephew (and you can visit it today!).

You can learn about the history of Park Güell in the second house at the main entrance (not the gift shop). This house is most famous for being blue inside. There’s usually a very long line to get in (heads up, it’s not worth the wait). It’s only worth visiting if there’s no line. So if you get there early in the morning, go there first before the line starts to build up.

12.Gaudí Was 30 When He Started Working on the Sagrada Familia

Talk about an impressive! I’m almost 30 and what have I done? By the time he took over the design of the Sagrada, he had already designed furniture and lamp posts. Not to mention he also assisted on the fountain in Ciutadella Park.

In fact, he took over the project from his old mentor, Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano (who was the lead on the Ciutadella fountain).

It’s even said that when Gaudí started the project, he knew that he’d never live to see it completed.

Since Gaudí and Fransisco worked on the Sagrada, there have been 8 other architects on the project. That’s a total of 10 architects working on one church!

13. Free Picasso Art In The Heart of Barcelona

Before I visited Barcelona, I had no idea that Picasso had any ties to Barcelona. 

But there’s actually an entire Picasso Museum in the center of town. It showcases some of his lesser known pieces too! Many don’t realize that Picasso moved to Barcelona when he was a child and spent quite a bit of time in the city.

You can also see some of his work for free right in the centre of town. Yup! That childish drawing you walk by in Plaça Nova (across the Cathedral) is none other than Picasso’s.

This is the School of Architecture, funnily enough, and the building is thought of as one of the ugliest in Barcelona! He also designed two other frescoes inside the school.

14. A 13 Year Old Girl Is Their Saint

Eulalia, a 13 year old girl, is the co-patron Saint of Barcelona (along with Merce). She is remembered for her martyrdom during the persecution of the Christians in the 3rd Century AD, during the reign of Diocleciano. She was sentenced to death, but it took 13 different tries before she was finally killed by decapitation.  

Her story is also why you will find 13 white geese in the Barcelona Cathedral. I think it’s safe to assume that this is the only Cathedral in the world where you’ll see that!

15. The Catalonian Castellers!

The castellers are a 200 year old Catalonian tradition. This is one of the best and most dangerous neighbourhood traditions I’ve ever heard of!

The different towns and cities take part in this tradition by building castells, a.k.a a human tower. There’s even castell season where you can see them perform at different festivals throughout the region. The season goes from April to November.

There’s actually a sculpture next to Plaça Nova that shows the tallest tower ever made ( in 1981). It had 9 levels of people stacked upon one another, which came to a total of 39 feet tall.

The icing on the cake is actually a child. To complete your castell, a child has to climb to the top! It was only recently that they made it a regulation for the (usually) young girl to wear a helmet. But no one else gets any protection.

Related Posts

  • Souvenirs To Bring Back From Barcelona
  • Where To Stay in Barcelona: Gràcia
  • The Complete Guide To Gaudí’s Work In Barcelona
  • The Best Cafés To Visit In Barcelona
  • Should You Visit Casa Batlló?

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Facts About Barcelona – 25 Fun & Fascinating Facts on this Beautiful City

If you know Lionel Messi, you know Barcelona. It is home to one of the most popular football clubs in the world, FC Barcelona, lovingly known as Barça. If you are not a fan of this sport, you would still know Barcelona as the capital of the Catalonia community. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain.

Barcelona is well advanced technologically. It became a leading Smart City in Europe in 2011. Apart from world-class technology, the city has a rich heritage and a unique culture.

While the best way to discover insights into any place is to actually visit, it’s fun to know a few facts beforehand. It helps you plan your trip better and decide on what you would want to explore. Or maybe you’ve already been, and just want to know some facts about Barcelona.

Where in Spain is Barcelona?

Barcelona is situated along the North-Eastern Mediterranean coast of mainland Spain. It is the largest city in the Catalonia region, the Northern part of Spain. The Catalans have their own traditions and customs, different from the rest of the country.

How Big is Barcelona?

Barcelona spans an area of 101.4 square kilometers(63.01 miles ). Its population is around 1.6 million within the city limits. Its greater urban area houses around 4.8 million people, stretching into the neighboring Province of Barcelona municipalities.

When was Barcelona founded?

Barcelona was founded towards the end of the 1st century, BC, during the Neolithic times. It was founded by the Romans as an Iberian village named Barkeno.

The city was ruled by Muslims for over 200 years. It eventually became a Catholic nation under the Crown of Aragon, after the Christian reconquest, or reconquista.

What Languages are Spoken in Barcelona?

Barcelona has two official languages:

  • Catalan
  • Spanish

Since it is the capital of Catalonia, Catalan is widely spoken in the city. Due to migration and inter-city interaction with the rest of Spain, people also speak Spanish interchangeably. While few people speak only one of the two languages, most of the locals are fluent in English, especially in the tourist areas.

Climate in Barcelona

Barcelona is protected by a semi-circular shield of mountains, that stops the cold, harsh winds from the west and the north. Despite this, the weather can get windy sometimes.

The coldest month in the region is January, with temperatures of about 49°F(9°C), while the hottest month is August, with the temperature rising to 76°F(24°C). The average annual temperature of Barcelona is around 61°F(16°C).

What is Barcelona Famous For?

Barcelona is known for a lot of things. It has blessed us with spectacular writers like George Orwell, Ernest Hemmingway, and Emma Goldman.

Apart from this intellectual aspect, Barcelona is popular in other areas like football, architecture, and political philosophy. It found its name in the list of the most popular destinations in the world after it hosted the Olympics in 1992.

Football

Barcelona is known for its football club, FC Barcelona, which was founded in 1899. It is also famous for the team’s home ground stadium, Camp Nou, which is the largest football stadium in the world.

Architecture

Barcelona is famous for its incredibly elegant architecture. It is the only city in the world to have received a ‘Royal Gold Medal for Architecture’. Some of the most prominent buildings of interest are:

  • The unfinished Sagrada Familia church by Antoni Gaudi, which is the second most visited church in the world
  • Montjuic Olympic Center
  • Poble Espanyol Museum, a museum depicting architectural works from different regions in Spain
  • Antoni Gaudi park, dedicated to the talented architect with the same name, with access to his house-museum

Modern Art

Barcelona has hosted various famous and well-known artists and painters at different points in time. They used to work here, the influence of which is still evident today. The works of artists like Miro and Picasso have found a home in museums dedicated especially to them.

In addition, there are various other art galleries displaying the works of other famous artists. There is certainly no dearth of cultural places of interest for art connoisseurs in Barcelona.

Political Philosophy

Barcelona is known for its political philosophy and the significance that it holds. The city had the first trade union in Europe. It is home to the first school ever to offer free education to children, irrespective of their gender or religion.

Traditional Food in Barcelona

Barcelona is a foodie’s paradise with great vegan cafes and restaurants. The food here is different from the rest of the country. You haven’t tried it all unless you have tried the food in the Catalonian capital.

Some of the most popular and traditional dishes, dating back hundreds of years are:

  • Paella – a seafood dish from Valencia
  • Bombas – potato croquettes served with different sauces
  • Esqueixada – a raw salted cod salad, served with olives, tomatoes, onions, and sauces
  • Escalivada – a dish made with eggplant and red peppers, served with toasted bread
  • Crema Catalana – similar to a creme brûlée, a creamy vanilla custard, blow torched to form a glassy crust.

Fun Facts About Barcelona

Fun stories are the essence of the identity of a city. Knowing the facts about places of interest makes them even more interesting to explore. Barcelona is full of such fun facts, which make it an enthralling city to visit.

Barcelona has an alternate origin story

In contrast to the theory that Barcelona was founded by the Romans, there is another theory in circulation. Some believe that Hercules founded the city of Barcelona, 400 years before Rome was even built.

There is no evidence to prove or disprove any of the two theories. It is up to an individual as to what theory he or she chooses to believe.

The best beaches in the world are found in Barcelona

People often wonder, “Is there a beach in Barcelona?” There were no beaches in the city until the Olympics in 1992. Ahead of the major sporting event, artificial beaches were created from Barceloneta to Poblenou. Until then, there was only a rocky shore in the name of a Barcelona seaside waterfront.

Today, Barcelona has been voted as one of the best beach cities in the world by National Geographic.

Barcelona has a Museum of Funeral Carriages

Funeral Carriages are not something that is extensively seen in museums. Barcelona is home to the only Museum of Funeral Carriages in Europe, located in the Montjuïc cemetery. The historic collection contains 13 vehicles, some of them belonging to the 19th century.

The two most popular vehicles are ‘The Stove’, that was designed for the most illustrious residents of the city, and ‘The Black Widow’, that was meant to carry the family members of the deceased.

You can find 12 abandoned Metro Stations in Barcelona

If you are the adventurous kind and like to visit spooky destinations, you will love Barcelona. The city has 12 abandoned metro stations that are believed to be haunted. A modification in the city’s layout led to these metro stations losing importance, leading to their abandonment.

Some of these stations are:

  • Gaudí station
  • Ferran Station
  • Bank Station
  • Post Office Station
  • Travessera Station
  • Banco Station
  • Correos Station

There are 9 UNESCO Heritage Sites in Barcelona

Out of the 9 UNESCO heritage sites in the city, 7 are the work of the Catalan architect Gaudi. They are:

  • Parc Güell
  • Casa Milà (aka La Pedrera)
  • Palau Güell
  • Casa Vicens (the first building ever designed by Gaudi)
  • La Sagrada Familia
  • Cryst of the Church at Colonia Güell
  • Casa Batlló

The other two in the list, both designed by Lluis Domenech I Montaner are:

  • Palau de la Música Catalana
  • Hospital de Sant Pau

Barcelona locals do not like flamenco and bullfighting

Flamenco and bullfighting are essential art forms in Spanish culture. In order to cater to the tourists, renowned Flamenco artists from all over Spain often perform on the streets of Barcelona. But the locals prefer performances of their own traditional dance, the Sardana.

Bullfighting, known as Corrida De Toros, is practiced widely across Spain from March to September. It has entire festivals dedicated to it. But the Catalans are not particularly fond of this violent and cruel sport. Bullfighting was banned in Barcelona in 2010.

World Book Day originated in Barcelona

April 23rd is celebrated as World Book Day. The tradition was started by the Catalans as a tribute to the patron Saint of the region, Saint George. On this day, couples and friends exchange roses and books.

UNESCO was so impressed by this idea of exchanging books that they named 23rd April as World Book Day.

Barcelona could have been home to the Eiffel Tower

Gustave Eiffel, the architect behind the famous Eiffel Tower, had initially proposed the design of the wondrous monument to Barcelona. He wanted the majestic structure to be displayed at the World Exposition of Barcelona in 1888.

The city was reluctant and feared that its residents would not approve. They saw it as an obstacle in the beautiful view of the city’s skyline. Barcelona’s loss was Paris’ gain, and the French ain’t complaining.

La Rambla is a combination of five streets in Barcelona

La Rambla is the most famous street in Barcelona, full of shops and cultural activities. It is a long promenade, perfect for evening strolls. But, this 2-kilometer long stretch is not one single street, but a combination of five shorter streets:

  • Rambla De Canaletes, where you can find the fountain, Font De Canaletes
  • Rambla De Sant Josep, where you can find a flower market on the street
  • Rambla Dels Estudis, which was the location of the former Jesuit University, and now has the church of Bethlehem
  • Rambla De Santa Monica, named after the arts center, St. Monica
  • Rambla Dels Caputxins, which is the location of the grand Opera-house, Liceu

One of the worst traffic jams in the world is found in Barcelona

According to some, Barcelona has some of the worst drivers in the world. People are rash and love breaking traffic rules. There is an estimate of around 1 accident every nineteen seconds on the streets of this crowded city.

A lot of locals prefer to ditch their cars and walk instead, fearing the high accident rates. A large number of people can be seen going about their day on foot.

Barcelona has Spain’s most walked street

Portal de l’Àngel is the most walked street in Spain. It is situated in the Ciutat Vella district of Barcelona. Close to 3500 people pass through this street every hour, making it the perfect place for a glimpse of the city crowds.

The street is flanked by hotels and shops on both sides. It lies adjacent to the beach Plaça Catalunya. This is the reason it is always crowded with tourists.

Christopher Columbus is honored for his first voyage

The Columbus monument in Barcelona was built in honor of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to America. It was built as part of the World Exposition in 1888. The monument was a reminder of the fact that Christopher Columbus reported to King Ferdinand V and Queen Isabella I when he returned.

The top of the monument consists of a statue of the explorer pointing in a certain direction. The popular belief is that he is pointing towards America, but according to the compass, he is pointing towards Constantine in Algeria. Another theory is that he is simply pointing in the direction of the sea.

Barcelona Facts for Kids

Kids are not always enthused by the same things as adults. While there are so many interesting facts about Barcelona, some of them are especially fun for kids.

Magic is Barcelona’s gift to the world

Magic had always been in existence through the ages. The practice of witchcraft was prevalent across many ancient towns and cities. In fact, Barcelona was the first city to make it official as an art form.

In 1881, the city launched the world’s first Museum of Magic, as well as a magic shop. They generated curiosity and interest among people and helped the art gain popularity throughout the world.

Barcelona has the largest supercomputer in Southern Europe

Barcelona boasts one of the most powerful computers in Southern Europe. This supercomputer is located at the Barcelona Supercomputer Center, in the Polytechnic University Of Barcelona. It has been around since 2005.

The main machine is called MareNostrum and it weighs around 40,000 kilograms. Its space requirement equals half a basketball court.

In Conclusion

Barcelona is a leading city in the fields of tourism, commerce, trade, and culture. It is one of the most successful cities in Europe. Tourism has also increased significantly over the years in this historic city.

The fun and interesting lesser-known facts make it extremely intriguing and a must-visit on the list of places to see.

The charming city has an identity of its own. With its own language and its own traditions, it is wonderfully unique. An insight into Barcelona’s culture and facts of the city is incomplete without first-hand experience of ‘Barça’. With a plethora of places to see and activities to engage in, this town has something in store for everyone.

Interesting facts about Barcelona that you did not know

Barcelona is the capital of the Spanish Autonomous Region of Catalonia. The place annually attracts many tourists from all over the world. Before visiting it, study information about the sights of Barcelona and interesting facts associated with it. The information you receive will help you get to know the city better, feel its individuality, plan your trip, and visit places of interest to you.

Contents

  • Medal for Architecture
  • Long absence of beaches
  • Old age of the city
  • Interesting laws
  • Tourist popularity
  • Barcelona ice bar
  • Animals
  • Catalan symbols –

    ii

  • Predictive fountain
  • Natural monuments
  • Art restoration
  • Picasso’s choice
  • City of cyclists

Architecture Medal

Barcelona is the only city in the world to have received a medal of excellence from the Royal Institute of British Architects. This award is given to an individual or group of architects for merit in the field of architecture.

House of Mila.

Sagrada Familia.

Oceanarium.

The long absence of beaches

Despite the fact that Barcelona is located on the Mediterranean coast, the beaches here have been developed not so long ago. Even 30 years ago, tourists and local residents did not have the opportunity to visit an organized place to relax on the sea. Until that time, the coastline was used only for industrial purposes.

There are more than a dozen golden beaches in Barcelona.

Now the capital of Catalonia has a dozen golden beaches equipped with the necessary infrastructure for vacationers: sunbeds and umbrellas for rent, cafes and bars, playgrounds, etc.

The longest and cleanest beach is Sant Sebastia. It is located in the historical center, so there are a lot of people here during the season.

There are also beaches in Barcelona:

  • Barceloneta;
  • Sommorostro;
  • San Miguel;
  • Rich;
  • Marbella and others

Old age of the city

There are 2 legends associated with the formation of Barcelona. According to the first, it was founded by the hero of ancient Greek myths – Hercules.

This event happened 400 years before Rome was built. According to the second version, the Catalan capital in the III century. BC. founded by Hamilcar Barca – Carthaginian commander, father of Hannibal. Whichever version is correct, this place has an ancient history.

The old quarters and cathedrals of Barcelona attract tourists like a magnet.

Interesting laws

In the capital of Catalonia there are laws that are unusual for foreigners:

  • you can not walk the streets with a naked torso;
  • it is forbidden to name children Lenin, Stalin, Cain, Judas;
  • you can’t watch bullfighting.

Tourist popularity

Barcelona is very interesting for tourists from all over the world.

In this place you can see unique architectural monuments.

Try the local cuisine.

Admire the singing fountains.

Walk along the famous streets.

Enjoy a beach holiday.

Go shopping.

In addition, thanks to the developed transport system of Spain, from Barcelona by train, bus or car you can go to other interesting Catalan cities: Calafell, Calella, Cambrils, Tossa de Mar, Salou, etc. Some are attractive for their sights, others attract travelers long picturesque beaches.

The streets of Barcelona are always full of tourists.

Barcelona Ice Bar

Ice Bar is an unusual establishment for the Catalan capital warmed by the sun. It is located on the Sommorostro beach. The air temperature here is such that even the most powerful air conditioner will not provide more cooling.

The interior of the bar consists of ice structures: sculptures, a copy of the Sagrada Familia, figures of polar bears. Even the bar counters, chairs and dishes are made from frozen water. When visiting an institution, gloves are a must, because the air temperature here is -5 … -10 ° C.

Barcelona’s unique ice bar.

Dislike of traditional Spanish entertainment

Although Catalonia is part of Spain, it is one state within another. Local residents have always considered themselves to be representatives of a separate region, spoke their own language, and established internal laws and regulations.

Catalans do not recognize such true Spanish entertainment as bullfighting and flamenco.

Bullfights were officially canceled in 2012 after protests from local residents and animal advocates. And instead of flamenco, people prefer to dance the national group dance – the sardana.

National group dance – sardana.

Animals are symbols of Catalonia

The main symbol of the region is the Catalan donkey, a symbol of diligence, diligence, patience. It flaunts on car stickers, postcards, T-shirts, and other souvenirs.

Individuals are distinguished by their large build and wide “scissor” ears. The breed was bred about 1000 years ago, but now the number of donkeys is decreasing.

Another symbol of the city, beloved by the locals, is the cat. The statue of this animal is located in the very center of Barcelona. People say that if you rub a bronze pet, you will gain success in business, fulfill your dream and will certainly return to the beautiful capital of Catalonia again.

Animals are symbols of Catalonia.

Predictive Fountain

Canaletes Magic Fountain will not surprise you with its size, scope and singing shows. This is a small building, shaped like a samovar.

Legend has it that everyone who drinks water from it will fall in love with Barcelona with all their heart and will definitely return here. Water can be drunk without fear for health: it is clean, harmless.

Canaletes Magic Fountain.

Natural monuments

The most famous park in the city is Güell. Here you can see the buildings of the famous architect Gaudí and admire the panoramic view of Barcelona from the highest point of the city – Mount Tibidabo. In addition, while in the Catalan capital, you can visit the zoo, aquarium, as well as the Citadel and Labyrinth d’Orta parks.

Barcelona Zoo and Aquarium.

In the vicinity of the city, one of the most interesting natural objects is Mount Montserrat. Here you will see unique landscapes, because. the landscape is very unusual.

Rocks cut space like giant idols, protecting these places from the coming of enemies. There is a monastery here, where there is a shrine – the image of the “Black Madonna”, which annually attracts pilgrims from all over the world.

Mount Montserrat and the image of the Black Madonna.

Art Restoration

Barcelona is a city of art and creativity. More than 50 museums operate here, and architectural monuments are known all over the world: the Sagrada Familia, the Cathedral, the Palace of Catalan Music, the monument to Christopher Columbus, ancient monasteries, etc.

The Gothic Quarter is located in the center of the old city.

Despite the fact that medieval buildings have survived, most of the buildings were erected in the 19th-20th centuries. Restoration and creation of new buildings continued until 1960s

Gothic Quarter.

Picasso’s choice

The brilliant artist first came to the Catalan capital when he was 14 years old. Here he graduated from the School of Fine Arts, his first public exhibition was held in this city.

Picasso’s period in Barcelona is called “Blue”. It is associated with the loss of his close friend Carlos Casagemos, trials of poverty, lack of recognition, depression. The Picasso Museum in Barcelona presents a large number of works from the master’s “Blue” period.

Picasso Museum.

City of cyclists

Barcelona is a city of cyclists. There are 180 km of tracks for lovers of this vehicle. Rent a bike and take a trip along the Carril bici road that circles almost the entire city. You will not interfere with cars or pedestrians.

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Barcelona: tips for tourists

Barcelona is very interesting for tourists from all over the world. People come here to see the unique architectural monuments, walk along the famous streets, try local delicacies or enjoy a beach holiday. To make your visit to Barcelona an unforgettable experience, you should take advantage of our tourist tips.

Some more facts

Barcelona is the largest city on the entire Mediterranean coast;
Barcelona is the largest cruise port in Europe;
This is the most visited city in Spain by tourists;
The world’s only albino gorilla lived in the Barcelona Zoo;
The city was founded by the famous “Hercules”:
The stadium in Barcelona is the largest in Europe.

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The most interesting and informative facts about Barcelona

Barcelona is a legendary city full of myths and legends. Of course, it does not do without curiosities, sad facts and its fly in the ointment in barrels of honey.

Nevertheless, going on vacation to Catalonia, it will be useful for any tourist to get acquainted with some interesting facts about its capital.

  • The population density in the city is very high: 16,000 people per square kilometer. According to this indicator, the city ranks 48th in the world.
  • 75% of the city’s population actively uses the regional Catalan language.
  • Unofficial symbols of the Catalans – a donkey or a cat. Moreover, the first animal deserved people’s love for its diligence, and the second – because in the English version the word (cat) coincides with the first three letters of the name of this province (Catalonia).
  • Las Ramblas Central Boulevard consists of 5 blocks, its total length is 1.2 km.
  • There is a fountain in Canaletes Square, which is a favorite gathering place for football fans. Nearby is a sign with the inscription: “Anyone who drinks water from this fountain will fall in love with Barcelona and return here again.” Works!
  • At the beginning of the Rambla (next to the port) there is a monument to Columbus. The height of the monument is 60 meters. An elevator is installed inside it, which takes visitors to the observation deck. By the way, the length of the index finger of Columbus is almost one meter, and it stands in the back to the capital of Spain – Madrid.
  • Every year, before the start of the beach season, sand (up to 50 cm deep) is sieved on the local beaches.
  • Another fact that any tourist will have to face is the six transport zones around Barcelona. The further you go, the more expensive the ticket.
  • The Liceu Opera House is the most luxurious in all of Europe. In 1994, the building was completely destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt with donations from the townspeople. Monsserrat Caballe, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo held charity concerts, and the proceeds were donated to the restoration of the opera house.
  • The song “Barcelona”, performed by Montserrat Caballe and Fredi Mercury, became the official anthem of the city. He donated 3,500 of his works to the museum. These include canvases from the early period of the master’s work.
  • The Camp Nou stadium is the largest in Europe and can accommodate up to 100,000 people. The height of this giant is 48 meters, and the area is 55,000 square meters. m. It is located in the very center of the city, near it all transport routes are closed. The evacuation of all people in case of danger is provided for in 5 minutes.
  • Another sacramental fact concerns the city zoo. Until 2003, the only white gorilla in the world lived in it: a male named Snowball. He had offspring more than once, but albinos were no longer found.
  • Catalan Christmas symbols are a log in a red cap – Tio Nadal, as well as “kanaghers” – not quite decent sculptures of peasants. The presence of these attributes in the house is the key to prosperity and good luck in the coming year.

Facts about Gaudí’s creations

  • Casa Mila does not require air conditioning: it has an impeccably thought out ventilation system. No less interesting is that this building was built without partitions and load-bearing walls.
  • One of the saddest facts – the history of the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi failed to complete during his lifetime. From 1926 years it was transferred into the hands of other architects. Construction did not stop during all this time, but the work turned out to be protracted, since each stone requires a special sharpening in order to match the idea of ​​​​the great architect. And all work is paid for by donations from tourists. The project is planned to be finally completed in 2026.

Unflattering facts

And now about the fly in the ointment. There are some unpleasant facts about Barcelona, ​​but they are not hidden, because this city cannot be deprived of its striving for excellence.

  • The capital of Catalonia is among the 11 European cities with the worst environment. It is believed that 40% of air emissions are produced by cars. Therefore, the city has created a limited schedule of vehicles. There are more and more “green” cars on the streets, and there are also 420 bicycle stands, where, on average, 6,000 bicycles are parked.