This is Barcelona

This is where I have lived for the last decade. Barcelona.

This video captures Barcelona.  The streets, the energy, the sights…  maybe not the sounds and the smells.

History of Barcelona

Barcelona was founded in the 3rd century BC by Hamilcar Barca, the father of the famous general Hannibal.  It came under Roman aegis at 15 BC.  In the 5th century AD, it became the Visigoth capital of all of Hispania.  In the 7th century, it was held by the Arabs.  Charlemagne took the city in 801.  Charlemagne established the Dukes of Barcelona.  They held the city until 1137, with the uniting of the Barcelona and Aragon kingdoms, and then in 1469 with the marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella modern Spain was established with political center in Madrid.

My Favorite Barcelona Sights

• Coffee on Rambla Catalunya
• A stop for a drink in Plaza Sant Felip Neri
• The human statues on the Ramblas
• Buying fruit and vegetables in the Boqueria
• Walking in the Barri Gotic
• Running on Tibidabo, the Carretera de las Aigues
• Looking at the sailing boats in Port Vell
• The Fira Santa Lucia coming up to Christmas
• Mojitos in Passatge de Born
• Classical music in Palau de la Musica
• Football at Camp Nou
• Opera at Liceu
• Hanging with kids at CosmoCaixa
• Looking over Barcelona from IESE Business School’s roof

The Big Tourist Classics

• Sagrada Familia (get tickets before you visit)
• Barcelona Cathedral (usually free to enter)
• Picasso Museum
• Gaudi’s Park Guell
• The Montjuic Fountains at night
• The Joan Miro Foundation
• Gaudi’s houses: La Pedrera, Casa Batllo

Cool Hotels

• Hotel Neri
• Banys Nous
• Hotel 1898
• Ohla Hotel

Good Food Spots

• Lunch at the Mercat Santa Caterina
• Churros and Chocolate on calle Petrixol
• Great Tapas at Cerveceria Catalana, or my new favourite Tapeo
• Quick stop for hamburgers at Pim Pam burger
• Dinner at Pla, Tickets,

Outside of Barcelona

• Sitges (40 minutes train/road) lunch at Picnic on the beach
• Costa Brava (90 minutes road) Begur, Aigua Blava, Llafranc
• Montserrat (60 minutes)
• Port Aventura theme park (75 minutes road)

What have I missed?