CITY GUIDE BARCELONA With its coastal location, fantastic architecture and irrepressible laid-back vibe, Barcelona is a vibrant and unforgettable city to visit on a Mediterranean cruise. 62 viking.com
CITY GUIDE The pride of Catalonia, home to one of the largest football clubs in the world and also the biggest metropolis on the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the most iconic city in Spain. Founded by Phoenicians and Carthaginians, it was probably named after Hamilcar Barca of the famous Barca family of Carthage. It was occupied by the Romans, Visigoths and Moors before becoming part of the Kingdom of Aragon in the 13th century. Although during the Spanish imperial period the focus was on the Atlantic ports, in the 19th century Barcelona’s significance grew, and it currently remains the busiest passenger port in Europe. Today it continues to be the centre of the Catalan Independence Movement. With a population of 1.6 million, it is the cultural and economic hub of Spain. MUST-SEES Barcelona is dominated by the extraordinary architecture of Antoni Gaudí, and his (unfinished) basilica La Sagrada Família, which is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world. You can take a guided tour through its labyrinthine corridors and head nearly to the top, accessed by lifts. Gaudí’s style was based on the principle of never using a right angle, making the interior as remarkable as the exterior. You can see Gaudí’s other works in places such as Casa Batlló (house of bones) and Park Güell, a wonderful public space with exquisite multi-coloured mosaics and tropical plants, which provide stunning views across Barcelona. Hospital de Sant Pau and Palau de la Música Catalana are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Take guided tours, marvel at the architectural brilliance and bask in the scent of the lavender and citrus trees. Barcelona is a breeze to walk around. Wander along the superb Passeig de Gràcia to the Baroque Plaça d’Espanya, where main streets converge, and explore the back streets off Las Ramblas, where you’ll find authentic tapas bars and an occasional unexpected work of art. The other biggest sight of Barcelona is La Barceloneta beach with its spectacular sweep of golden sand. EATING The city is home to some of the finest tapas and other Spanish dishes in the world. The Spanish eat late, so you can always find tapas and pintxo (snack) bars open until the early hours – it’s the best way to enjoy fresh and diverse local food. SHOPPING Barcelona is Spain’s fashion centre so you can find every topof-the-range designer outlet as well as local boutiques, and it is worth taking a stroll down the city’s smaller streets for the local antique shops. Of course, the city also has huge shopping malls and complexes that provide almost everything, but the most popular pedestrianised area is Las Ramblas, full of shops and restaurants with something for everybody. EXPLORE BARCELONA THE VIKING WAY <strong>Viking</strong> offers a number of included and optional excursions in Barcelona Gaudí’s Houses of Modernism Witness the evolution of Antoni Gaudí’s creative genius as you tour some of his distinctive works. Drive to Casa Vicens, the first project for which the world-renowned architect was commissioned at just 30 years of age. The turreted private house was created for stock and currency broker Manuel Vicens i Montaner in 1885 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the house and its uniquely designed facade on a Privileged Access tour followed by a delicious morning snack provided by the Hoffman Culinary School, famed for its artisanal pastries. Continue your discovery of Gaudí as you gaze up at the facade of his unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, whose towers are still under construction today. Complete your tour with a visit to the Passeig de Gràcia, where you will visit the Casa Batlló, or “House of Bones.” Step inside to admire Gaudí’s characteristic curved facades and “scooped out” windows, and enjoy free time to explore before returning to your ship. X Main image: Gorgeous and amazing Park Guell Images left to right: Ceiling in Music Palace; Catalan cozy streets; Boqueria food market Discover more about the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary at viking.com viking.com 63
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