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WANDER
This Catalan cosmopolitan city has it all – beaches and breath-taking architecture, old
remains and modern pluck. Here are some great reasons to add Spain’s second city to
your list of ‘must-see’ destinations.
W o r d s :
S a r a h R e e s
Barcelona: The Best Of Both Worlds
History rich
Catalonia’s capital city may be Spain’s
second city after Madrid, but Barcelona
is a world away from the central capital.
This is a city that surprises visitors with
its tantalising clash of old with new,
historical with contemporary – a passion-
ate and cultural city that is dancing to a
modern beat on ancient ground.
The rich history of the city dates from
over 2000 years ago and was known as
Barcino when the Romans arrived in
the 1st century BC. The medieval roots
can be glimpsed in the Gothic Quarter,
while Roman ruins dot the city and offer
atmospheric reminders of the past. His-
tory can be soaked up in the Ciutat Vella,
the old area of the city that comprises
the Born and the Raval in addition to the
Gothic Quarter.
Blend of art and architecture
The classic history is contrasted delight-
fully with the quirky part of it. Barcelona
is known for it’s unusual art, architecture
Contemporary art
mingles with ancient
architecture
The Sagrada
Familia is iconic
but unfinished,
with an estimated
completion date
of 2026