Karl WP Beyer Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of autonomous region of Catalonia. It is well known to football enthusiasts as the home of one of the most famous sports clubs in the world, the “Futbol Club Barcelona”.
Article overview Barcelona
Barcelona - center of the autonomous region of Catalonia
Barcelona is the economic hub of Catalonia and the cultural and political center of the region. Approximately 2019 million people lived within the city limits in 1,64. In the greater area, the Metropolitan Area of Barcelona lived more than 3,24 million inhabitants.
Barcelona panorama with the Torre Agbar
In 2016, Barcelona came fourth in the European ranking with more than 7,63 million overnight guests after London, Paris and Istanbul. Countless visitors frequent Barcelona in every season. The guests of cruise ships make a considerable contribution to this tourist army. Barcelona is Europe's most important cruise destination.
Cruise ship Azamara Pursuit in the port of Barcelona
According to the port administration, 2018 cruise ships and almost three million national and international passengers were counted in 830. Very few ships stay overnight. The ship passengers are therefore not counted among the overnight guests. But they populate the city. No wonder: Barcelona is now one of those European cities where tourism has felt to be rampant.
Barcelona - La Rambla promenade
Barcelona - a fascinating city
Barcelona's guests experience one of the most interesting cities in Europe. You will discover buildings from Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance periods. They explore the from Modernism, the Catalan Art Nouveau, shaped works by the world-famous Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí and his congenial colleagues. More than 2.000, some of them spectacular, Art Nouveau buildings, some of which are protected by UNESCO World Heritage Sites, shape the cityscape.
Barcelona - Facade detail of Casa Batlló
Lively squares and streets such as the Plaça de Catalunya, the tree-lined promenade La Rambla or the Passeig de Gràcia invite you to stroll. Last but not least, Barcelona's climate makes you feel good. It stands for hot, dry summers and mild winters.
Barcelona - View of the Passeig de Gracia
Barcelona's location is ideal. The port city is well shielded from the north by the coastal mountains. Smaller, built-up hills run through the city. The visitor perceives the city center as modern and spacious. The 1992 Olympic Games, the International Forum of Cultures in 2004 and numerous large-scale projects promoting the infrastructure and quality of life of the residents had a positive impact on the cityscape.
Barcelona - Art installation El Peix d'Or by Frank Gehry
Barcelona's economy and transport infrastructure
Catalonia and Barcelona represent the economically strongest region in Spain. Barcelona's core competencies are in the fields of industry, services, trade and tourism. The industrial focus is on the automotive, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Other branches of industry are the development and construction of electronic components as well as the production of food and textiles. Barcelona has the most important industrial and passenger port in Spain. Measured in terms of container throughput, it ranks ninth in the European ranking after Felixstowe in the UK and Le Havre in France. There are also cruise ships and many Mediterranean ferries. Together, the two divisions handle more than four million passengers a year. The transport infrastructure is good. Motorways, high-speed trains and air traffic ensure adequate transport connections.
Barcelona - Barcelona-Sants train station
Barcelona - education, culture and church
The city has five public and a number of private universities. Barcelona is home to a German and a Swiss school. The university entrance qualification can be obtained at both educational institutions.
Barcelona is the seat of an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in Spain. The most important churches in the city are the Cathedral of St. Eulalia, the Sagrada Familia basilica, which has been under construction since 1882, the late work of Antoni Gaudí, and the Sagrat Cor church on Mount Tibidabo.
Barcelona - Sagrat Cor basilica
Barcelona for cruise ship guests
Before the corona pandemic, the high-performance cruise port handled 830 cruise ships in two port zones. Cruise ships make a significant contribution to Barcelona's city tourism.
Barcelona port and Telefèric de Montjuïc
Under Barcelona - attractions we present selected highlights of the metropolitan region. Barcelona is ideal for individually planned activities. With appropriate preparation, there is no need to participate in mostly expensive guided tours.
Update - July 2022
