Disclaimer: Before you continue please note that the following is my own review of the city, i am not responsible for the amazing culture, excellent transport system, warm sunny beaches or delightful people and food.
Located along the Eastern coastline of Spain, facing the Mediterranean and serving as the autonomous capital of Catalonia. Barcelona is one of the most visited locations in Europe after London, Paris and Rome, welcoming over 7 million international visitors in 2012, but with less than 2 million residents living in the city, Barcelona still retains much of its personality. The City is the undisputed origin and champion of Modernism being the home and city wide canvas of Antoni Gaudi, Joan Miro and at one point Pablo Picasso; and continues to inspire and welcome many artists from the world over.
The city is a smorgasbord of culture with architecture, art, and music all sandwiched between the warm Balearic Seas and the surrounding hills leading to the Pyrenees Mountains separating Catalonia and Spain from its French Neighbours.
Gracia
Gracia feels separate to the main touristic zone of the city, one of the many additions swallowed by the capital as it expanded and developed and definitely has its own character, It features Parc Guell, accessible by foot 10-15 minutes (uphill!) from Lessops Metro or the number 24 bus taking visitors direct to the park gates from Placa Catalunya. The 42 acre park has amazing high views of the city and is dedicated to Antoni Gaudi (short. AG) in addition to Casa Vicens (AG). The district is also home to Cine Verdi and Placa del Sol.
Eixample
Eixample is located between Gracia (see Above) and Cuitat Vella (see below) and is, the combination of the two for culture and energy. with its wide straight streets and diamond shaped intersections it’s home to many of the cities restaurants, art galleries, high end designer labels - and Pop star homes, as well as more sedate streets that feel miles away from Cuitat Vella, feeling more hipster. and cool with great bars to enjoy the nights. As with any city, the further away from the touristic hubs, the locale and neighbourhood becomes more homely and relaxed. There are several main attractions of Eixample, La Sagrada Catedral, the delight of the entire city designed by Antoni Gaudi having started being built in 1882 - the Cathedral is so immense, extensive and detailed it is still being built today!
Passeig de Gracia is the place to shop and watch the world go by. The street features several of Gaudi’s treats starting with Casa Batllo, which literally translates as house of Bones - is the main attraction, and simply must be seen if in the city, in addition to Casa Mila, also, dont forget to look down, the pavement tiles are amazing! In addition is Parc de Joan Miro, dedicated to the named Artist, of which I must ask you to view alternative published reviews as I haven not visited the park thus far.
Cuitat Vella - el Raval/ Barri Gotic/ el Born
of all the districts; Cuitat Vella is the most visited, exciting and romantic in my humble opinion. A mediaeval town built onRoman foundations intended for no more than a few thousand now squeezes millions through its labyrinth like network of slim line streets feeding into homes, businesses the occasional 1500 year old courtyards with Catedral de Barcelona being the centrepiece. The district has excellent stores and independent boutiques for fashion, jewellery, antiques and art as well as tourist sights such as Gaudis’ design studio, and Palau Guell (AG) on Nou de la Rambla, and lots of street art, everywhere.
Split between the naughty but delightful el Raval, Gotic and slower paced el Born with its very own Carrer dels Petons (trans. Street of Kisses) that bridges the cathedral and Parc de la Cuitadella, Barcelona’s central park - with yet anther AG masterpiece delivered as Cascasda Fountain. This is a district that refuses to, delight the senses at every single corner, or if you're lucky to stay in the district - Sleep! it wont be long before you join the residents passionately pleading over your balcony at 4, 5 and 6am for the (often tourist) party goers to go home instead of standing outside your window. There are warnings posted by individuals on the interweb of pickpockets being rife. In my own experience - wandering the streets at all hours as a solo traveller and resident. I've never had issues, however like anywhere perhaps it is best to use ones head.
Barcelona - Especially Cuitat Vella is a district to ditch the map and bags and enjoy being lost for a few hours. regardless of having a map or not, you will get lost. My tip is to match the speed of the locals and always look like you know exactly where your going.
El Raval - Was my introduction to the city some years ago, I love its energy and passion and its risqué nature. It houses some fantastic sights from the serene treasure Casa de l’Ardiaca found on Carrer de Santa Lucia, Antic Hospital Santa Creu on Carrer de Hospital, Boqueria Market, Filmoteca de Barcelona, and MACBA Barcelona’s Contemporary Art Gallery, excellent bakeries, bars and restaurants. Take time out at a coffee bar and watch our frenetic world go by.
El Born
The tourist focus arguably is las Ramblas, over by Raval so life gets more humanised on this side of Gotic and the Cathedral, its also less commercialised so the energy can be taken to enjoy a random Churros or Café, or walk towards Cuitadella Park. Visit Palau de la Musica Catalunya (AG) which is simply simply stunning inside and out! Other features and sights include Picasso Museum, The Museu de Xocalat (Museum of Chocolate), and the Antic Mercat del Born, which is a fantastic huge cast iron and glass building completed in 1878, being the largest covered city square in Europe at 86000sq ft, it is currently being renovated as the area becomes gentrified but is worth the look.
The square features the Museum de Ribera, an excavated dig site of Barcelona having been destroyed in the 18th century during the Catalonia/ Spanish War, with many walls now recovered, outlining over 50 homes and shops that once stood there.
Sandwiched between Born and Barcelonetta located at the foot of Cuitadella Parc and Barcelona Zoo is the 1920s builtEstacio de Franca Station with good connecting routes and services in addition to serving El Prat Airport, due to the modern much larger Barcelona-Sants station being built in 1975, which provides a greater network and faster routes, Franca has lost its former long distance lines, however being older it has a lovely old Grand Station charm and certainly makes for more of a grand entrance to the city.
Barceloneta/ Barcelona Beach
The small development of long straight streets of Barceloneta is known for its its beach front cafes and bars; on one side, the 4km sandy beach that stretches from the W Hotel and conference centre to Malgrat De Mar in the north. The other side the streets open out to the Harbour, known as Port Vell - with restaurants, glacé bars, and cafes, either side is worth stopping by at any time of day. Heading toward the point (under the W tower) is the cable car which takes a 7 minute trip over the bay up to Montjuic where you can visit Montjuic Castle, Olympic Park and Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya (MNAC).
Port Vell
At the heel of las Ramblas and Barri Gotic lies a feast of yachts. Super yachts, the occasional ocean liner, live music, cinema, aquarium, a sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein, restaurants and plenty of something to see or take part in all year round.
Montjuic
On my first visit to the city I stayed at a Hostel in Poble Sec located at the base of Montjuic, I found the district a great access point with a friendly energy, despite its fairly central position (5minutes walk to Raval) the locale enjoys sleep at night and a giant hill, good for a morning jog/ walk. Accessible by foot, tour bus or cable car from the port, the hill features Barcelona’s MNAC National Art Gallery, The 1992 Olympic Stadium and Montjuic Castle (c.1799) which overlooks the port, a reminder of the Napoleonic wars. Facing Sants / Hosta Sants and moments from the fantastic Fira Exhibition Centre is the Magic Fountain, which has brought awe and delight to both Barcelonians and tourists alike by a spectacular light infused water spurt display choreographed to music which has been active since the Great Universal Exhibition in 1929.
