Barcelona is thousands of years old and legend says that Hannibal’s father founded Barcelona. The Romans did build a military camp around 15 BC and parts of Roman structures can be found today. It grew in size primarily because of its harbor. The Visigoths captured Barcelona in the 5th century followed by the Islamic invaders in 831. The French wrestled it back and made it a buffer state. Barcelona join other Catalan counties to make the principality of Catalonia in 1137. When Aragon united with Castile in 1469, Madrid became capitol and Barcelona started a decline. During the civil war in the 1930’s it was a strong hold of Republicans. The current insurgency movement is not new to Barcelona, this activity led to the Catalan Revolt of 1640-52. In recent decades Barcelona has gain more autonomy from Spain and economically grown. It hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games. Noted Gaudi architecture make it one of Europe’s most desired city to visit.
Regions of Barcelona…
Ciutat Vella
- Barceloneta
- Barri Gòtic
- La Ribera
- El Raval
Eixample
Sants – Montjuic
Sant Marti
Grácia
Inland Suburbs
Points of Interests in Barcelona…
| Name | Type | Class | Area | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sagrada Família | Religious | Church | Eixample | |
| Casa Batllo | Landmark | Gaudi Bldg. | Eixample | |
| La Pedrera - Casa Mila | Landmark | Gaudi Bldg. | Eixample | |
| Saint Paul's Hospital | Landmark | Hospital | Eixample | |
| Hotel Majestic | Landmark | Building | Eixample | |
| Palau de la Música Catalana | Landmark | Audirorium | Ciutat Vella | La Ribera |
| Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar | Religious | Basilica | Ciutat Vella | La Ribera |
| La Rambla | Landmark | Boulevard | Ciutat Vella | Raval |
| Plaça Sant Jaume | Landmark | Square | Ciutat Vella | Barri Gòtic |
| L'Aquarium | Attraction | Aquarium | Ciutat Vella | Barceloneta |
| Arc de Triomphe | Landmark | Monument Arch | Ciutat Vella | Barceloneta |
| Parc de la Ciutadella | Park | City Park & Zoo | Ciutat Vella | Barceloneta |
| Drassanes | Museum | Marine | Ciutat Vella | Raval |
Day Trips from Barcelona…
- Andorra
- Besalú
- Castellfollit de la Roca
- Costa Brava
- Figueres
- Girona
- Montserrat
- Monteseny
- Penedès wine region
- The Pyrenees
- Sitges
- Sant Cugat del Valles
- Tarragona
- Tavertet
Transportation in Barcelona…
✈️ Airports
Barcelona’s and Catalonia’s main airport is Barcelona El Prat Airport with International and domestic services.
BCN – Barcelona El Prat International Airport – Located 12 km south from the city center, there are non-stops flights available from 7 US cities on 5 different carriers. Transportation to the city is available on the Metro, Train, Bus and Taxi. Only Aerobus goes directly to the city center.
🚊 Public Transportation
Suburban Train: Renfe (Rodalies)
R1 line, Molins de Rei ↔︎ Maçanet-Massanes
R2 line, Castelldefels ↔︎ Granollers Centre
R2 Nord line, Barcelona–El Prat Airport ↔︎ Maçanet-Massanes
R2 Sud line, Sant Vicenç de Calders ↔︎ Barcelona Estació de França
R3 line, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat ↔︎ Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg
R4 line, Sant Vicenç de Calders ↔︎ Manresa
R7 line, Barcelona Sant Andreu Arenal ↔︎ Cerdanyola Universitat
R10 line, Barcelona El Prat Airport ↔︎ Barcelona Estació de França
(FGC Suburban lines) (route map)
S1 – Barcelona-Pl. Catalunya ↔︎ Terrassa
S2 – Barcelona-Pl. Catalunya ↔︎ Sabadell
S33 – Barcelona-Pl. Espanya ↔︎ Can Ros
S4 – Barcelona-Pl. Espanya ↔︎ Olesa de Montserrat
S5 – Barcelona-Pl. Catalunya ↔︎ Sant Cugat – Rubí
S55 – Barcelona-Pl. Catalunya ↔︎ Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
S8 – Barcelona-Pl. Espanya – Martorell
Barcelona Train Stations
Barcelona Sants – Barcelona’s main station w/ IC lines, Renfe, FGC and metro lines.
Barcelona Plaça de Catalunya – Renfe, FGC & metro lines
Barcelona Estació de França – Renfe & metro lines
Barcelona Plaça d’Espanya – FGC & metro lines
Barcelona Passeig de Gràcia – Renfe & metro lines
Light Rail / Tram: TMB (Trambaix)(route map)
T1 line, Francesc Macià ↔︎ Bon Viatge
T2 line, Francesc Macià ↔︎ Sant Martí de l’Erm
T3 line, Francesc Macià ↔︎ Sant Feliu-Consell Comarcal
TRAM (Trambesòs) (route map)
T4 line, Villa Olímpica ↔︎ Estació de Sant Adrià
T5 line, Glòries ↔︎ Gorg
T6 line, Glòries ↔︎ Estació de Sant Adrià
Metro / Subway: TMB (Barcelona Metro)(digital route map)(route map)
L1 line, Hospital de Bellvitge ↔︎ Fondo
L2 line, Paral·lel ↔︎ Badalona Pompeu Fabra
L3 line, Zona Universitària ↔︎ Trinitat Nova
L4 line, Trinitat Nova ↔︎ La Pau
L5 line, Cornellà Centre ↔︎ Vall d’Hebron
L6 line, Pça Catalunya ↔︎ Reina Elisenda
L7 line, Plaça Catalunya ↔︎ Avinguda Tibidabo
L8 line, Plaça Espanya ↔︎ Ciutat Cooperativa
L9N line, La Sagrera ↔︎ Can Zam
L9S line, Zona Universitaria ↔︎ Aeroport T1
L10N line, La Sagrera ↔︎ Gorg
L10S line, Collblanc ↔︎ Zona Franca
L11 line, Trinitat Nova ↔︎ Can Cuiàs
City Bus: TMB (digital route map)(route map)
109 lines
Bicycle: bicing
Funicular:
TMB (Montjuïc),
Gelida,
Vallvidrera
Peu del Funicular
Aerial Cable: TMB (Montjuïc)
Transit Cards / Passes: BCN Card