Barcelona: Spain’s Olympic City

Article and Photos by Andrew Hermosura

A Barcelona beach. Back in 1992, Barcelona hosted the Summer Olympics, the event that saw the debut of the U.S. men's basketball "Dream Team." In many ways, the city is still a dream destination for countless visitors. Here are some of the sights and delights that await you after landing at Barcelona-El Prat Airport, one of the busiest airports in Europe. Upon arriving in Barcelona, one of the places people say you should never miss is La Rambla, a 1.2-kilometer pedestrian street to the south of Plaça de Catalunya, the city center.

A busy scene along La Rambla. Here, you are within reach of four iconic parts of Barcelona. As mentioned, Plaça de Catalunya is to the north of La Rambla, while on the other end of the avenue is Port Vell, a waterfront harbor featuring a famous monument of Christopher Columbus. To the east of La Rambla is the Barri Gòtic, or Gothic Quarter, the old city center, with remnants of the Roman wall and numerous medieval corners. This area is also home to El Call, the old Jewish quarter of Barcelona. To the west of the avenue is El Raval, a bustling neighborhood near the old city port, known for its high population of immigrants and vibrant nightlife. Notable destinations you will encounter while walking along this storied path include El Liceu, an opera house, and La Boqueria, Barcelona's most well-known market.

Casa Batlló, designed by artist Antoni Gaudí. Now, onto the homes you can find in Barcelona—this one is certainly an eye-catcher. Looking like something straight out of a Tim Burton film, this is Casa Batlló, which was the family residence of the Batlló family. They hired renowned artist Antoni Gaudí to design their home in 1904, and it is now one of two major landmarks in Barcelona designed by Gaudí. We’ll get to the other one later. In the meantime, just appreciate how the house's atrium (light well) looks in the sunlight.

In designing Casa Batlló, Gaudí was inspired by his love of the sea, as can be seen here. You can book a visit to Casa Batlló, which comes with an audio guide.

Like other parts of Spain, San Miguel beer is served here. Interestingly, it has corporate ties with San Miguel beer in the Philippines, having been part of the Philippine brand's 1950s expansion.

Shopping is, of course, a big part of Barcelona's culture, as in any other major European city. Some historical places, like the Plaza de toros de las Arenas—traditionally a bullfighting arena—were transformed into shopping malls, with this one becoming a mall in 2011.

For those seeking international flavors, Barcelona has plenty of options. Souvenir shops and high-end brands can also be found throughout the city.

Now, speaking of that other Gaudí landmark—the Sagrada Família, the oldest unfinished church in the world. Once again, Gaudí’s love of nature serves as inspiration for the interior design, this time taking inspiration from a forest.

Light falls inside the Sagrada Família. Numerous stained-glass windows let in light in unique ways, and the colors inside change with the seasons.

When it comes to food, Barcelona does not disappoint. The city boasts many restaurants and cafes, with many typically serving tapas—Spanish snack foods. Some well-known Spanish dishes served here include jamón ibérico sandwiches and Spanish-style octopus.

Thanks to Spain's extensive rail system,

Neighboring places such as Girona (a shooting location for Game of Thrones) and

Montserrat, famous for its abbey, are within easy reach.

Torre Glóries, a modern symbol of Barcelona.

Barcelona is a treasure trove of Spanish heritage and culture, made more relevant in modern times with its Olympic hosting 32 years ago. But its charm is more timeless than timely.