Barcelona, Spain, when Madrid was a fortress village on the Manzanares River, Barcelona was already a force to be reckoned with in the Mediterranean. For 2,000 years, it has been at the crossroads of cultures – Iberia, Rome, Visigothic, Moorish, French and Aragon.
Today it is the capital of the Autonomous Community of Catalonia, an original Mediterranean coastal city with its own unique history, language, gastronomy and urban architecture. The city's artists always have something to come up with, from the gargoyles on the roof line of the cathedral, to Antoni Gaudí's armored warrior chimney in La Pedrera, to Joan Miró's surreal amoeba sculpture.
While in Barcelona, take a leisurely stroll along the tree-lined Ramblas and enter the labyrinth of alleyways of the Gothic Quarter to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore. Antoni Gaudí left his dreamlike mark on the swirling spires of the Sagrada Familia and the carved greenery of Park Güell. The must-see Picasso Museum showcases Picasso's masterpieces from different periods.
As one of the most important home ports for cruise ships in the Mediterranean (from here it departs or ends), Barcelona has many options. Thanks to the blessed mild climate, it is suitable for travel all year round. If you want to find cheap cruise tickets, you can avoid the summer vacation. If you're visiting during high season, be sure to book your tickets to attractions in advance.
