Long dubbed “La Gran Encisera”, the Great Enchantress, Catalonia’s capital is one of the most exciting and dynamic cities on the Western Mediterranean seaboard. The city of this semi-autonomous region is home to 6 million people and has its own special history, language and culture.

The city has been at the crossroad of varying cultures, and over the years these French, Italian, Spanish, Arabian and African influences have been gradually absorbed; the result is the wonderful and somewhat bizarre and quirky atmosphere tourists will run into when visiting this vibrant city. On the hot list of European destinations, this stylish city is home to versatile architectural impressions, fantastic exhibitions, concerts and avant-garde clubs and is always on the cutting edge of vanguard art and architecture.

Locals love to enjoy the city’s great weather and make room for leisure. With the almost exhausting nightlife and the city’s intoxicating level of energy along with the local’s friendliness definitely makes buzzing Barcelona the hippest place to be.

As a result of Barcelona’s location on the Mediterranean coast, the city enjoys a temperate climate with very pleasant temperatures all year round. Summers are usually fairly warm and muggy.

January is the coldest month of the year, however winters in Barcelona are generally fairly mild. It is best to visit Barcelona during the months of March through to June and during September and October.

Barcelona is one of the world’s most interesting and unique metropolitan centers and among other things, is particularly well-known for its broad array of museums. There are interesting museums to be found all over the city on the widest range of subjects and themes. Due to such large variety, it is completely understandable when visitors in Barcelona have trouble deciding which museum to visit first and how to squeeze them all in during a short visit.

In present times, Barcelona is definitely a cultural metropolis – ‘a cultural crossroad’ – with excellent, carefully organized events and festivals reflecting this diversity. Some of these include the Festival of the Three Wise Men, the Sonar Festival, the International Jazz Festival as well as the cultural event Forum Barcelona.

It would be unheard of to miss out on shopping in this fashion conscious city. The shops and boutiques along Passeig de Graciathe Grand Avenue in the Eixample district, and the area around Diagonal, the avenue that cuts through the top of the city should keep even the most avid shopper busy for a good few hours.

If you’re keen on an exciting nightlife, then this city is definitely the place to be - Barcelona’s nightlife is WILD and tireless! With the endless selection of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and discos it is impossible not to savour the great atmosphere of this metropolis and surrender to la marcha. Literally, the phrase means 'the march', and refers to the Spanish tendency to socialize, party and go clubbing. However more peaceful and relaxing options are also available!

The food in Spain is one of the many things the country is famous for. Wherever you go you will find a great variety of dishes from the area. Dishes are made from meat or fish, soups or even the most varied sweets. There's so much to choose from that you will never finish tasting them all.

Among the dishes you'll find the famous Valencian paella, Andalusian gazpacho, Asturian beans, or the always popular bread with tomato.

Drinking wine is very common in Spain. In all regions, you will find a wine that is perfect to accompany your meals. Among them we highlight: Rioja, the Ribera del Duero, Penedes ... among others. Other drinks include the champagne-like cava, and beer, but by far the best known is the refreshing sangria.