Seven Top Sights to See in Barcelona

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia in Spain, is one of the most attractive and appealing cities in Europe. It is alive with culture, the arts, wonderful buildings, great food and a restless energy. As a tourist be sure to spend some time on the hop-on hop-off bus tours and don't miss these great attractions:

1. La Sagrada Familia. Barcelona's greatest and most innovative architect is Antoni Gaudi and this is his crowning masterpiece - the massive church of the Holy Family. Begun in 1882 and still unfinished, it is a strikingly outrageous piece of imaginative architecture. It is the symbol of the city.

2. The Ramblas. This is more than a street - it is a series of sparkling boulevards that connect Placa de Catalunya with the Port. The road is lined with fascinating buildings and bustles with the energy of throngs of people, buskers, outdoor cafes, entertainers and stalls.

3. Parc Guell. This amazing park was designed by Gaudi and he allowed his imagination to run riot. It is laid out on a hill allowing fantastic views over the city and it contains extraordinary buildings and wonderfully artistic features.

4. La Seu. This is the mediaeval cathedral - a huge gothic masterpiece dedicated to Santa Eulalia. It has 29 richly adorned side chapels, a magnificent cloister and countless treasures. It is set in the Barri Gotic - the ancient town - with its many old houses and charming squares.

5. MNAC. The National Museum of Catalan Art contains many priceless works of art including paintings by El Greco, Velasquez and other masters.

6. Poble Espanyol. The Spanish Village was built in 1929 for the International Exhibition. It consists of reconstructions of the finest old buildings from all across Spain and it works remarkably well. Most of the buildings house artisan workshops.

7. Passieg de Gracia. This elegant street of fine buildings includes in a short stretch some remarkable and magnificent houses including the Casa Batllo and La Pedrera by Gaudi.

In addition there are museums of Miro and Picasso, the Nou Camp stadium, wonderful markets, fine beaches, a castle, a huge aquarium and many other attractions. Sample the local wines and tapas. Enjoy Barcelona!

Other articles by Paul Sloane include:

The top ten places to visit in Great Britain

The 12 Greatest Cities in Europe