Barcelona is in northeastern Spain, approximately 100 miles from the French border.  Surrounded by mountains and rivers, the city of Barcelona is truly one of the world’s most dazzling cities. 

Barcelona is very Mediterranean, with long hot summers and mild winters, although December can tend to be rather wet. The average temperature in summer is 24 degrees but drops to 11 degrees in winter. Barcelona is a unique city to visit; there are many museums, monuments, churches, cathedrals and art galleries. It’s a bustling business like city, until the afternoon that is! That’s when Barcelona sleeps. The sun is too hot in the afternoon, and those who know what is good for them, will take a siesta. A long lazy lunch, with a glass or two of vino, followed by a couple of hours of rest is all in a good cause – you will be ready for the Barcelona nightlife. Barcelonans are night owls, especially at the weekends. A typical night starts at approximately 8.30pm, with a gentle stroll, followed by tapas in a local bar. Dinner will be eaten at about 10pm, and then it’s on to the disco or club. The clubs get crowded, but are at their peak at around 3am. Frivolities carry on all through the night; dawn often sees revellers making their way home after a busy, but enjoyable night out. The Bikini nightclub is one of Barcelona’s best nightspots, which caters for all tastes. 

Although it seems impossible, you can find peace and quiet in Barcelona. Take a stroll through the back streets, and you may stumble across a deserted plaza, or a fountain-filled park. Of course, you can visit the Catalan countryside, especially the Pyrenees Mountains. Famous for their snow-capped heights, the Pyrenees offers skiers, walkers, ramblers and climbers alike an extraordinary exhilarating holiday.

Barcelona has over 8 miles of coastline, out of which there are 2 miles of sandy beaches. Sun worshippers, who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, can relax on the Platja de Barceloneta or the La Nova Mar Bella. Most beaches have playgrounds for the children, palm lined avenues and shower facilities. People with disabilities are also well catered for, with wheelchair access.

City breaks to Barcelona are very common. It is only a couple of hours away from the UK, and it’s very accessible as it is serviced by over 30 international airlines, such as BA, Iberia, Delta, Virgin Express and KLM. Flights arrive at El Prat de Llobregat Airport, approximately 8 miles away, and it takes just over 30 minutes to get to the city.

Whether it is for a short city break, or an annual 2-week holiday, tourists return to Barcelona time after time. Is it the buzzing atmosphere that keeps bringing them back? Or is it the friendliness of the Catalans? Either way, Barcelona truly deserves the respect it has gained as an International City.