Spain is one of the most beautiful destinations to see in all of Europe. Its beauty, climate, and rich cultural history attract millions of visitors every year. Springtime is the best time to visit Spain, because as it gets into summer, the heat can be unbearable, and crowds of people are everywhere.

Barcelona, nestled between the softly rolling Mediterranean and the Pyrenees, is a cosmopolitan paradise and the perfect place for a spring vacation.

For architecture lovers, Gaudi’s brilliant work is everywhere. Dizzying spiral spires painted every strange color imaginable, from aquamarine to deep violet to blood orange dot the city. His buildings’ imaginative shapes and textures are unmatched anywhere in the world. The golden Sagrada Familia church is a good place to start in your Gaudi tour, as is the Park Guell, filled with sculptures of fantasy creatures and sinuous, curving columns.

If you’re more into traditional architecture, Barcelona is home to some of the world’s most well-preserved Gothic architecture. In the Ribera district at the center of the city, in the middle of narrow streets and alleyways, you can find such gems as the Santa Maria del Mar cathedral. Combining a massive, sturdy stone exterior with an intricately detailed interior space, this landmark is not to be missed.

The Barri Gotic, an entire quarter in the center of the city, has been preserved to look the way it looked five hundred years ago. Walking through here will feel like walking through history.

Spain offers many culinary masterpieces, in no small part due to its being a federation of multiple distinct cultures. Barcelona is the capital of the Catalan province in northeastern Spain, with its own language, customs, and foods.

Traditional Catalan fare involves a lot of tomato and olive oil dishes, as well as pork and seafood. Because it’s so close to France and Italy, it often has a decidedly Mediterranean feel, from the “Pa amb tomàquet” (excellent bread soaked in olive oil and tomato sauce) to the Coques, savory miniature pizza-like pastries with thick crusts and all sorts of toppings.

Barcelona is also close enough to Valencia that the paella is exquisite.

The hill of Montjuïc, just inside the city, is dedicated to a mix of cultural and natural beauty. A museum dedicated to the modern artist Joan Miro sits in harmony with the botanical gardens, and rolling greenery surrounds the ornate The Palau Nacional. At night, the brilliant Font Màgica treats visitors to a display of glowing streams of colored water. You can get to the top of Montjuic by funicular railway from the city or by romantic gondola lift.

Further outside, the area surrounding Barcelona is nothing short of stunning. The Montserrat monastery in the middle of the Pyrenees, facing east over the Mediterranean, offers beautiful sunrises in quiet, peaceful settings. Collserola Park to the west is the largest park near a metropolitan center in the world. Within easy walking and driving distance of the city and probably your hotel in Barcelona, it plays home to a rich variety of wildlife. From wild boar to eagles, tree frogs to giant tortoises, you’re sure to have some sort of adventure while wandering about Collserola park.

Finally, the nightlife in the city. Spaniards love to party, and Barcelona is no exception. With over 200 nightclubs and bars, it can be difficult to choose where to hang out on your spring vacation. Chupitos, located in several spots around the city, is a good choice – with over one hundred shots, including some that spark and some that are set on fire, you get free entertainment with your drink! The Dow Jones prices its drinks according to the stock market, which is a fun gimmick, and the cultured Cafe Milans in the Barri Gotic is home to art galleries and live exhibitions, as well as dance floors and bars. No matter where you go, however, you’re sure to have a fun time, filled with music, dancing and much merriment.

Images courtesy of reinante, fixe, wolfgangstaudt, jsome1, wolfgangstaudt, papalars, austinevan, danielflowers, papalars.

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