DK Travel : Barcelona

With warm, crystal-clear waters lapping its sandy shores and mountains nuzzling up to its northern edge, this glittering jewel in the Mediterranean is blessed with desirable geographical genes. From the buoyant, revamped port area to the atmospheric medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic and the beautiful Modernista buildings of the Eixample, Barcelona has it all. A host of treasure-filled museums, architectural wonders, lively beaches and enchanting squares provide the icing on the cake.

Casa Quimet

The “Guitar House” is always crowded and noisy. If you can play, join the enthusiasts and would-be flamenco players who pick guitars off the wall and have an impromptu jam session. Curious but wonderful.
Casablanca

An old style, two-screen, cinema, which has retained its character.
Castell de Montjuïc

Montjuïc offers myriad viewpoints. The best is from the castle and gardens with their superb panoramas over the port and the city. Take the cable car up to the castle and walk down through ever-changing vistas to the Bar Miramar (see Restaurants, Cafés, Bars & Clubs) for a refreshing drink. Also see Castell de Montjuïc & Museu Militar.
Castell de Montjuïc & Museu Militar

The first stone of this Baroque-style castle, which still dominates Montjuïc’s hill, was laid in 1640. It was for many years a symbol of terror as a prison and torture centre for political prisoners. Today the castle houses a military museum that displays ancient weaponry and is to be converted into a peace museum. There are arresting vistas, especially of the port below, as well as enchanting gardens littered with ancient rusty cannons.
Castelldefels

Just 20 km (12 miles) south of Barcelona are 5 km (3 miles) of wide, sandy beaches with shallow waters. Beach bars entice weekend sun worshippers out of the afternoon sun for long, lazy seafood lunches and jugs of sangria aplenty. Windsurfers and pedalos are for hire.
Castells

Castells is one of Catalonia’s most spectacular folk traditions. Trained castellers stand on each other’s shoulders to create a human castle – the highest tower takes the prize. The crowning moment is when a child scales the human mass to make the sign of the cross. Castells are often performed in Plaça Sant Jaume.
Catalan Christmas & Cavalcada del Reis

The Nadal (Christmas) season begins on 1 December with the arrival of the festive artisan fairs. On 5 January is the Cavalcada dels Reis, the spectacular Three Kings Parade. In Barcelona, the kings arrive by sea and are welcomed by city officials in front of transfixed children.
Catalunya Rally

Top-class rally-driving in spectacular surroundings.
Catedral de La Seu d’Urgell

Dating from around 1040, this cathedral is one of the most elegant in Catalonia.
Catedral de Santa Maria

This cathedral is remarkable for possessing the widest Gothic nave anywhere in Europe and the second widest of any type after the Basilica in the Vatican.