Barcelona Region Overview

Yet venturing further north brings you to the mountainous Pyrenees, with cooler temperatures and even snow at the abundance of ski resorts, ideal for fans of winter sporting activities.

Further inland in the Garrotxa region you can enjoy stunning views of a green landscape dotted with volcanoes, together with great gastronomy. Catalonia is split into four separate provinces which are Girona, Lleida, Tarragona and of course Barcelona!

The region enjoys and celebrates its own culture which is a fusion of Mediterranean custom and elements of its rich and diverse history boasting an impressive artistic heritage, ranging from the Greek remains in Empúries, Roman monuments in Tarragona, civil and religious artwork from the gothic period which you will see when travelling to Barcelona, and not forgetting some of the greatest painters of the 19th century such as Fortuny, Rusiñol or Casas, or well known artists from the 20th century such as Miró and Dalí.

Special mention should be made of the stunning and creative works of the architect Antoni Gaudí, one of the most well-known being the unfinished basilica of the Sagrada Familia.

In Catalonia there is a wide use of the Catalan language. Many people are bilingual and speak both Catalan and Spanish, and both languages have co-official status. Having said that, most of the people you encounter as a tourist will generally understand or speak enough English to be able to look after you!

Catalonia offers many options for the kind of trip you want to take. Whether you are here for a weekend or a long term stay, there is so much to enjoy that you will not, by any means, be left wanting for activities.

With the Costa Brava to the north of Barcelona and the Costa Daurada to the south, you are spoilt for choice, with mile upon mile of golden sandy beaches and lots of opportunities for water-sport.

Catalonia has some excellent cuisine and typical dishes are commonly centred around seafood, rice dishes and delicious wine. Catalonia boasts some very important wine areas such as the Penedès, Alella and l'Empordà, where globally-exported wine and "cava" is produced.

During your visit make sure that you try "botifarra", commonly found in delicatessens and restaurants. This traditional Catalan sausage served grilled with white beans "mongetes", is absolutely delicious. Of course, don’t forget to order "pa amb tomàquet", (a slice of bread rubbed with ripe tomatoes and sprinkled with olive oil) to accompany your meal.

So who is Catalonia for? The answer to that is everyone. Families, singles, couples and friends of all ages are catered for. Whether you are looking for all-night partying, relaxing, shopping, learning about its culture or whatever, My Destination Barcelona will help you to decide what to do in Barcelona. Given the diverse nature of each resort in the region, coupled with its excellent transportation networks, you can be sure that whatever you are looking for, you will find it right here.

Catalans used to enjoy an afternoon "siesta" (nap) and so today they have an extended lunch-break. So do not be surprised to see many shops closed between 2pm and 5pm! Everything comes swinging back into life in the early evening, so take the time to enjoy some sun or have a "siesta" yourself and prepare for an evening out!

Of course then we have the jewel in Catalonia’s crown… its capital and metropolis, the city of Barcelona. The city typifies urban living at its most beautiful and with the co-existence of history and modernisation working perfectly together... it never fails to find a place in your heart.

The atmosphere in this special city cannot be found anywhere else in the world...

Video courtesy of Barcelona Turisme