The city dates back to a Roman colony on its shores in approximately the second century. It has had its ups and downs over the years, but since the onset of industrialization around the mid 1800s it has been enjoying renewed growth in both its economic and its industrial sector. The highlight of this could be seen as the 1888 World's Fair.
Before you visit Barcelona it is worth your while to take a brief look into the history of the area so that you fully understand the blending of it old and new areas and its rich traditions. It has a medieval Gothic center that is well worth a visit in terms of its interesting history and beautiful medieval architecture. It also contains a large square that houses a bustling market and weekly dances that are enjoyable to watch.
One of the aspects that are most fascinating about Barcelona is the above-mentioned juxtaposition of old and new. A hop away from the old narrow winding alleys of olden Barcelona, is the grid layout of the busy streets of the Eixample (Barcelona's enlargement and urban planning project). Almost side by side with the medieval Gothic buildings of Barcelona's history, you will find some of the most modern buildings in the world. In fact, Barcelona is at the forefront of modernism.
Barcelona is home to a number of fabulous museums and art galleries. The museums are rich in Barcelona's history and heritage with many modern hands-on activities for visitors to enjoy. The art galleries house unique masterpieces, including the Picasso Museum which houses some of the artist's works.
Barcelona boasts a number of beaches with over four kilometers of coastline. The city underwent a seafront recovery recently and the beaches are now well worth a visit if you want to relax a bit on your trip. There are a number of restaurants and bars around the city and if you are interested in some gastronomical treats, Barcelona is the place to be. Here, you will find traditional Mediterranean cuisine, as well as authentic food from all over the world.
Another plus about visiting Barcelona is the variety and abundance of holiday accommodation that can be found for all types of people, with all types of budgets. Options for accommodation range from hotels of varying levels to holiday apartments, to aparthotels and hostels or pensions. Holiday rental apartments are one of the most worthwhile accommodations options. They are not widely taken advantage of and there are therefore many to be found. They are significantly cheaper than hotel options and they can be found in areas where hotels are often booked up, such as along the coast. Aparthotels are a recent addition to the Barcelona holiday accommodation scene. They are essentially self-contained apartments within a hotel complex. These are also significantly cheaper than the hotels themselves. Hostels or pensions are even cheaper still. Look for accommodation within your budget and in the area you'd like to stay in and you should find what you are after.
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