According to Condé Nast Johansens, Barcelona is loved for its architecture, historic medieval center, lively nightlife, delicious food, and relaxed beach living. The city comes alive at night as restaurant terraces fill the streets and music pumps out of the many bars. Barcelona is also famous for its outstanding football team, sandy beaches, and world-class cuisine. The city has a vibrant cultural heritage and colorful neighborhood festivals that attract visitors from around the world.
Wow, that is quite a lot of compliment! But does Barcelona fail to meet those expectations? I would say that the exact stats are unnecessary and what counts is the general consensus.
Since there is a full range of sectors in which we must excel isn't it somehow 'logical' that we get bad grades in some subjects? Really? Of course not! For example, we may have a lively nightlife or many wonderful hallmarks but someone might steal your watch, your wallet or your cellphone in the blink of an eye, and what's worse, you might have to undergo a third degree interrogation and suffer all the useless police paperwork later on. This point does not meet expectations at all. It is hard to start the post with such negative remarks but it is not enough with tourists opening their eyes and looking after their belongings as they are told incessantly over the subway loudspeakers. It is never enough and local authorities must fix this. There are laws to enforce and measures to adopt to stop that! Some things are acceptable but insecurity is not one of them.
As you know, the general consensus about Barcelona is more than favorable and proof of that is the increase in the amount of visitors and the big money filling in the public treasury, plus the private pockets! So everybody should be happy. But then it happens that there is a local consensus when it comes to finding responsibles for the bad management and the bad grades: "the townhall mayor is to blame" I will not say names but read my lips. The point is that changes are coming after the recent municipal elections and Barcelona citizens want solutions not only for insecurity but for the well-being of every individual be it local or foreign, living in the city or just passing by and admiring whatever good we have to offer which is a lot.
Once said that, let's pull the curtain and restart the story with a positive attitude...
Yes, of course, Barcelona is always more than you expect and the more you visit the more you will love it. And even though Barcelona Photoblog does not need to convince you on such matters we can show some photographs and many good reasons to discover us. Visiting another country always has its pros and cons. Let's check why Condé Nast travel specialists must have said such beautiful words:
Why Barcelona is a Great Travel Destination
Here are just a few of the reasons:
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Things to Do in Barcelona
If you're planning a trip to Barcelona, here are a few of the things you should definitely add to your itinerary:
- Visit the Sagrada Familia: This unfinished cathedral is one of Antoni Gaudí's most famous works. It's a must-see for any architecture lover.
- Explore the Gothic Quarter: This medieval neighborhood is full of narrow streets, Gothic architecture, and charming shops and cafes.
- Relax on the beach: In the summer, the beaches in Barcelona are a great place to relax and soak up the sun.
- Visit the Picasso Museum: This museum houses a large collection of Picasso's work. It's a great place to learn about the artist's life and work.
- Take a walk along the Ramblas: This famous pedestrian street is lined with shops, cafes, and street performers. It's a great place to people-watch and soak up the atmosphere of Barcelona.
- Attend a flamenco show: Flamenco is a traditional Spanish dance that is performed to the accompaniment of guitar and song. It's a great way to experience Spanish culture.
- Take a day trip to Montserrat: This mountain range is located about an hour outside of Barcelona. It's a popular destination for hiking, biking, and sightseeing.
