After several returns to Barcelona I can't help but love it more each time I go back, with the help of friends living there I've been exposed to places most likely not listed on the tourists maps.

Spain's second largest city and the capital of Catalonia, Barcelona is full of markets, shops, museums, churches, and beaches too. Barcelona's official languages are Catalan (not a dialect) and Spanish. Local people consider that Catalonia is a nation, with its own culture, history and traditions, different from the other regions in Spain. Its tradition of creative art and craftsmanship, Barcelona is known for its award-winning industrial design.

In 1992 Barcelona hosted the World Olympics which transformed the city and it became well known all over the world, many claim that before this Barcelona was not recognised on a global scale, but after the games it all changed with increased number of tourism.

Barcelona is a great city to walk around, “La Rambla”, a tree-lined pedestrian walkway, is the busiest and most lively street of the city with flower sellers, street performers, paintings and restaurants. For great panoramic views over the city visit Montjuïc Castle on Montjuic Mount. At the base of Montjuic mount is Plaça d'Espanya, once used for public hangings, during the summer music and festivals are held around the fountain. Most impressive is the Barri Gotic, the largely intact medieval center of the city, many of the buildings date from medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona, 400 years before the building of Rome, remaining fragments of the Roman walls have been incorporated into the cathedral, basilica La Seu, said to have been founded in 343.

Catalan modernism architecture (known as Art Nouveau), developed between 1885 and 1950 and left an important legacy in Barcelona. Works of architect Antoni Gaudí can be seen throughout the city including his still unfinished church of the Sagrada Família, which has been under construction since 1882, financed by private donations, completion is planned for 2026, 100 years after his death. Also worth visiting is the Parc Güell on a hill overlooking Barcelona including the famous colourful terrace, and the houses La Pedrera/Casa Milà and La Casa Batlló.

October 2007
Ignasio and Esteban, my local hosts, always manage to show me something new about the city. On this occasion I was shown the beaches, including a clothing optional beach, a concrete beach and the newer developed parts of Barcelona.

Photos of Barcelona 2007 © Joe Mendonca

I rarely get the chance to go too wild in Barcelona, though the city offers a lively nightlife

Photos of Barcelona by Night 2007 © Joe Mendonca It was a surprise to find myself in Barcelona during a local festival of parades,human pyramids, and celebrations. (September 2006)

Festes de la Mercè, Barcelona's main annual festival around the 24th of September, encompasses many events such as which group of 'castellers' can form the highest human tower, live music events, firework displays and processions involving wooden giants all accompanied by a heavy consumption of Cava, the national drink of Catalonia.

I witnessed the building of human pyramids and ladders, part of an annual festival dedicated to the giants which may have roamed here before, unique to Barcelona and not celebrated elsewhere in Spain. Giant figures of people and dragons along with street performers with acrobatic skills come out to perform.

Having had the pleasure to stay with hosts, Ignasio and Estaban, friends I made a year earlier when we met in Sitges, I was given a great insight into life in Barcelona and the truth behind being Catalan. I had the best hospitality one would expect, like being a member of an external family.

Photos of Barcelona 2006 © Joe Mendonca Photos of Barcelona 2005 © Joe Mendonca On a visit to celebrate my birthday, a city break, and a surprising discovery. Barcelona reinvented Europe, a glimpse of things to come... (February 2004)

My first visit to Barcelona was a short trip and managed to see the expected sites like Sagra Familia, La Ramblas etc, I was presented with a modern city, it lacks the history of other major European cities but offers immense culture of the modern world.

Barcelona was reborn after the Olympic games and the city was basically reconstructed. With plenty to see, the most famous of which is the Gaudi buildings, Barcelona's architecture is beyond its time, as with Salvator Dali, it seems that this part of spain seems to export originality and creative vavoom. The Gaudi park is like candy land, the walkways and terraces are simply too colourful, almost edible but again a triumph towards the imagination of Gaudi.

This place comes alive at night as the spanish demonstrate that life continues after hours. Even in winter Barcelona is still warm enough to go out in light wear, with fewer tourists at this time of year.

Photos of Barcelona 2004 © Joe Mendonca