sponsored post: Barcelona

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Barcelona, the city of the unfinished Cathedral.

Barcelona is located in the northeastern region of Catalonia, in Spain. The city is mainly known for its architecture, its Gothic quarter and its many bars and restaurants offering traditional Catalonian food.

Many of the city's most visited buildings were built and designed by Gaudi. The Cathedral of the Sagrada Familia is the city's symbol, a large unfinished cathedral with several carved façades and towers. The cathedral is located near the sea and visitors can climb up one of the towers to enjoy views towards the city.

Parc Güell, designed by Gaudi, is located on a hill. Visitors are greeted by a colourful mosaic dragon and several fountains. There is a porch area with twisted columns and a large, tiled observation deck with views towards the city and the sea.

La Rambla is one of the city's main streets, stretching from the central Plaza de Catalunya to the Christopher Columbus statue by the sea. The wide street has many flower shops and street perfomers. Passeig de Gràcia is another main street, with many chic bars, restaurants and boutique stores. While walking along this street visitors will have the opportunity to see two of Gaudi's buildings, the Casa Batlló and the Pedrera, a building with a wavy façade which has a large rooftop terrace with views towards the center of the city.

The Paseo de Gracia is one of the centric main streets. Known for its chic restaurants and boutique shops, it is a popular sport for an afternoon stroll.

The Gothic Quarter attracts visitors interested in architecture, historic buildings and quirky cafés. Barcelona's cathedral is located in this quarter. The narrow cobbled streets lead to many artsy cafés and restaurants.

Montjüic is a castle set on the Montjüic hill, located in the city. During the afternoons the fountains in front of the palace light up and there is a show of dancing fountains. The castle has views towards the port area.

Camp Nou is the stadium of the Barcelona football team. Those interested in sports will be able to tour the stadium and its official museum. One of the tourist buses has a route that visits the Camp Nou and the Olympic Village dating from the 1992 Olympic Games.

The Montserrat mountains are located near the city. The jagged peaks are known for their views, and there is a sanctuary and an ancient monastery in the mountains.

The city has its own beach where visitors can relax, the Barceloneta Beach, which is decorated with sculptures. A short ride away from the city there are several kilometers of cleaner and less crowded beaches. Near the port visitors will find one of the city's largest malls, the Maremagnum. Apart from cafés, restaurants and shops, the mall has a large cinema complex and an aquarium.

Typical local cuisine includes the pa amb tomaquet, toasted bread drizzled with olive oil and fresh tomatoes, which is a usual  breakfast choice. Local restaurants serve regional dishes which are classified as mar i muntanya, meaning they are made with products that can be found in the mountains and in the sea.

Have you been to Barcelona? 

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