Emirates destinations
It’s hard to imagine a more traveler-friendly place than Barcelona, which seems to have something for everyone.
Flights to Barcelona take you to a city that boasts the best of both worlds. On the one hand, there’s the ultra-modern side to the city center, with its Antoni Gaudí architecture, luxury hotels, high-end restaurants, and designer boutiques. On the other, Barcelona has a thriving beach culture, with more than 4 km of coastline. The city is a hugely popular surfing destination, and Barceloneta is regularly named as one of the best urban beaches in the world.
Staying on dry land is just as rewarding, though, especially if you decide to explore the city on foot—you never know what you’ll stumble across. You might even want to opt for an official guided tour just to make sure you don’t miss anything. (Runner Bean Tours, for example, hosts child-friendly guided walks of the city.)
However, if you’re feeling adventurous and would rather go it alone, Las Ramblas is a great place to start; it comprises five boulevards, with Plaça de Catalunya at one end and the waterfront at the other. This famous promenade, populated by cafes, restaurants, shops, and street performers, is filled with locals and tourists at all hours of the day and night.
In fact, Barcelona is ideal for night owls. The city never seems to sleep, and many of the tapas restaurants, lounges, and music venues don’t get going until fairly late in the evening. It’s not uncommon to schedule dinner for 10 p.m. or later, stay out all night, and find yourself at breakfast without having made it back to your hotel.
You won’t want to sleep through the day, though—not when there are so many cultural sights to take in. There are famous tourist attractions like Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia and the Picasso Museum, both of which are good additions to any Barcelona itinerary. Venture off the beaten track, though, and you’ll be rewarded with leafy parks, quirky boutiques, and local markets.