Though Catalonia has many other important cities of historical, economic, and artistic importance, such as Lleida, Girona, tarragona, Vic, Manresa, Tortosa, Figueres and Reus, its unrivalled capital for countless centuries has been Barcelona. You can discover the ancient Barcino of 2000 years ago by exploring the underground passageway through the Roman excavations - a remarkable technical feat which has made it possible to leave the medieval streets and monuments above intact. 

For an opportunity to relive the atmosphere of Medieval barcelona, try strolling through the Gothic Quarter, around the Cathedral, the Royal Palace, and other ancient buildings which have remained the homes of government institutions right down to the present day: the City Hall and the Palace of the Generalitat (the seat of the Catalan autonomous government). The Picasso Museum and the splendid Gothic church of Santa Maria del Mar are located in the nearby Ribera district, while the Ciutadella Park, which contains the Zoo, more museums, and the Catalan Parliament, are only a little farther away. From here you can walk along the sea front to La Barceloneta, a district built in the 18th century which has preserved its old seafaring atmosphere and now offers numerous fine seafood restaurants. 

You will almost certainly want to stroll along the Rambla, past the Liceu opera house, admiring the stands selling birds and flowers, and the kiosks with their newspapers, magazines, and books. Whether by day or night, the atmosphere of the Rambla is unique, and if you linger long enough, you'll see how your fellow strollers change from one hour to the next. And there's always a good choice of places to stop for a drink or a meal on the Rambla itself or in the adjoining side streets. 

Barcelona underwent a boom in the 19th century as a result of industrialization. The surrounding towns and villages were absorbed under the trend-setting city plan drawn up by Ildefons Cerdà which resulted in the creation of the Eixample district, today full of boutiques and art galleries. It's well worth to walking along the spacious Passeig de Gràcia to admire the Modernist-style houses at the intersection with Carrer d’Aragó, and Antoni Gaudí’s Pedrera with its undulating façade. Other works by Gaudí which should not be missed are the vast and amazing Sagrada Familia church, on the outskirts of the Eixample, and Güell Park. 

Elegant residential districts, such as Pedralbes with its Gothic walled monastery, lie along the foot of the Collserola range towards the Tibidabo hill. It is possible to reach the amusement park on the top of the hill by by taking the charming old-fashioned Blue Tram and then the funicular. On Montjuïc, Barcelona’s other hill which overlooks the sea, attractively landscaped gardens provide the setting for museums, such as the Miró Foundation, the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the great Olymplic sports facilities -including the old Stadium and the magnificent Palau de San Jordi-, an amusement park and the Spanish Village, which contains reproductions of typical buildings from all over Spain. The Old Port has been given a face-lift and turned into one of the city's most attractive entertainment districts, with facilities stretching beyond La Barceloneta as far as the New Port and the Olympic Village, overshadowed by its twin skyscrapers. 

At any time of the year Barcelona is alive with numerous cultural, commercial and sports attractions: concerts, operas, plays, exhibitions, good restaurants, international fairs, shops, and art galleries. Barcelona, one of Europe's great cities, is a place well worth visiting and once you get to know it, you will return time and time again.