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Barcelona Travel GuideINTRODUCTION The second largest city in Spain, nestled beneath the Pyrenees mountain range, Barcelona is the capital of the Catalan region and maintains a population of more than 1.5 million people. The warm Mediterranean climate, brilliant culture, and appetizing food make Barcelona one of the greatest tourism hotspots in Europe. The wide range of diversity and historical sites draw travelers from all over the world to see and experience classical as well as modern Spain. Barcelona impresses visitors with its beautiful architecture, such as the numerous Gothic-style edifices. The many art markets, flamenco bars, and festivals in the streets create a unique atmosphere that attracts people from all over the world. Barcelona is a lively city, and there’s something going on at all times. The nightlife is also an appeal to many tourists. With clubs that keep going well into the early hours and a continual flow of people about town, there is almost always something to do. Culture and arts flourish here, particularly in Mediterranean outer-lying towns and in the heart of Barcelona itself. Costa Brava stretches from Blanes to the French border and has spectacular sites along the route. Similarly, avant-garde places like Sitges attract a constant crowd of all ages, ethnicities, and sexual orientations looking for a good time. HISTORY Barcelona was founded around 230 B.C., most likely by the Carthaginians. Over time, the city was invaded by Visigoths and Muslims, but eventually ended up in the hands of Christians, called Cátalans, in A.D. 801. During the 14th century, Barcelona became the capital of Cátalunya, which included Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, Valencia, the Balearics, the French regions of Rousillon and Cerdagne, and parts of Greece. In 1473, Barcelona was annexed into the Castile, after a long siege. Around the turn of the century, anarchists, Republicans, bourgeois regionalists, gangsters, police terrorists, political gunmen called "pistoleros," and centrists in Madrid all fought for control of Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Barcelona was undergoing a burst in population, as more than a million workers flocked to the city for industrial jobs. About 80% of these workers supported the anarchist CNT by the end of World War I. After the Popular Front won the February 1936 Spanish general election, Cátalunya briefly became independent and for nearly a year, revolutionary anarchists and the POUM (the Workers' Marxist Unification Party) governed the town. In May 1937, violence between communists, anarchists, and the POUM broke out into the street and fighting continued for three days. At least 1,500 people were killed. Due to similar infighting throughout the Republican efforts, Barcelona fell to General Franco's forces in January 1939, and the Spanish Civil War ended a few months later. After being taken over, thousands of Catalans fled the city and emigrated to France. Even after this setback, Cátalans rallied by creating more industrial jobs, enticing the previous labor force and a new wave of immigrants to the city. The dictatorial power of General Franco was unable to suppress the Cátalans' craving for self-independence. Soon after the death of Franco, Cátalunya restored their language and their own culture and the rule through the Generalitat. The city hosted the Summer Olympics in 1992, which gave the city mayor Pasqual Maragall an excuse to reorganize the city districts and restore many areas. Barcelona remains a city of vibrant traditions, contrasts, passion and endeavor. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
ATTRACTIONS RESTAURANTS Cal Pep – One of the best-known tapas restaurants in Barcelona, this small venue is usually packed. There’s actually a Pep himself, and he’s a great host. Cal Pep lies just north of the Placa de Palau, nestled beside a postage-stamp-sized square. Mercat de Sant Josep (La Boqueria Market) – With a fabulous array of fresh food, as well as wine and other drinks, the Mercat de Sant Josep offers something for everyone. It is a great place to shop if self-catering, but there are also some very good cheap vegetarian outlets. Asador de Aranda – If you like eating lamb, then Asador de Aranda is definitely for you. If you don’t, then maybe give it a miss. It is as simple as that. Asador de Aranda only serves lamb – but it is the best lamb you could imagine. Cooked in a wood stove, it comes out crisp in the outside and tender in the middle. Oviso – Artists and writers frequent this friendly bohemian café-bar in the Gothic quarter. Prices are very reasonable. Hisop – Up in the Diagonal end of the Eixample, a duo of highly professional young chefs thought it would be a good idea to launch a chic, low-key locale in which they subtly produced stunningly-flavored nouvelle Catalan dishes. Word soon got around and Hisop is now one of Barcelona’s most “in” places to eat. Espai Sucre – Sweet but never sickly, Espai Sucre is perhaps the world’s only restaurant that offers a menu made up entirely of desserts. Foodies rave about it, and its reputation has spread far and wide as a once-in-a-lifetime gastronomical experience. LODGINGS Hotel Jardi – An oasis of calm in the thriving Barri Gòtic, this simple, no-frills hotel is located in a quiet, tree-lined square, Placa Sant Josep Oriol. Sit on your minuscule balcony and look out across the square at the statue of the Catalan poet and dramatist Ángel Guimerà I Jorge, who was important in the Renaissance movement in Catalan culture. Hostal Gat Raval – Situated in Raval, a city center area mostly populated by Asian immigrants, Gat is ideally placed to taste one of the most exciting barrios in the city. This is where Asian culture mixes head-on with Spanish culture. Raval boasts some great Indian and Pakistani restaurants, not to mention theaters and shops. The rooms are smart and the hotel is modern. Hotel Arts – The preferred choice of top models and temperamental rock stars, the stylish Hotel Arts has remained a jet-set playground for over a decade. Hotel Ciutat Vella – Ultra-modern, with rooms that are bright and breezy with a range of combinations, including bunk beds. Around the corner from the Macba art museum, it puts you right in one of the trendiest parts of the city. In some ways, this place typifies modern, hip Barcelona. Hotel Ritz – Since it opened its doors in 1919, the Hotel Ritz has survived a civil war, a world war, an anarchist occupation, and the fall of a dictatorship – all while retaining its impeccable level of service and tradition. Distinguished guests such as the Duke of Windsor, Ava Gardner, and Salvador Dali have chosen to stay in its gilt and marble surroundings. Hotel España – This place combines comfort and luxury while evoking a bygone age. Designed by a contemporary of Gaudi, the street-level dining room, with an ornate style and brass fixtures, will whisk you back to the early 1900s, when it was filled with chattering patrons having supper after a trip to the opera house next door. PERSONAL STORIES 
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