City of Barcelona, municipal capital of Barcelona municipality, Spain. seat of a first-order administrative division
Barcelona is a capital and port city on the Catalan Mediterranean coast in northeastern Spain and the second largest city in the country. The city extends between the sea and the Collserola hills, crossed by wide boulevards such as the Ramblas and Passeig de Gràcia as well as narrow alleys in the Gothic Quarter.
The settlement began as a Roman colony in the 1st century BC and was later ruled by the Visigoths and the Moors before it rose to become the capital of the County of Barcelona in the 9th century. The Middle Ages brought trading power and architectural wealth, while 19th-century industrialization gave rise to the Eixample urban expansion.
The city celebrates many festivals in public spaces, including the Gràcia street festival in August and the fire runs called Correfocs, during which costumed devils dance through the alleys. In the neighborhoods, locals gather in small bars during the evening for vermouth drinking, a deeply rooted social habit that continues from generation to generation.
The city is easy to explore on foot or by metro, with most attractions located in the central districts and along the coastal strip. Summer brings intense heat and large crowds, while spring and autumn offer more comfortable temperatures and less congestion.
Beneath the streets run remnants of Roman walls and medieval canals that continue to emerge during construction work. Some houses in the Gothic Quarter hide fragments of the ancient Roman colony Barcino in their basements, which visitors can see during guided tours.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
