The city has amazing architecture, including by the famous Gaudi, a lively centre, truly great restaurants and bars at reasonable prices, a tremendous amount of culture, and good beaches nearby.

Housed in three beautiful stone mansions, the Barcelona Picasso Museum has displays of the early work of Picasso including childhood sketches, pictures from the Rose and Blue periods, as well as other important early work.

A gift from the artist Joan Miro to his native city, the Miro Foundation is perhaps Barcelona's most exciting showcase of contemporary art. Designed by Josep Lluis Sert and opened in 1975, it matches Miro's style and is a fitting tribute to artist. When Miro died in 1983, he was given the Catalan equivalent of a state funeral.

Barcelona's most famous architect, Gaudi, once lived in what has been described as a pink, Alice-in-Wonderland house. Now a house museum near Parc Guell, it has displays of Gaudi-designed furniture, decorations, drawings, and portraits and busts of the architect.