The origins of the Alhambra Palace date back to 889 AD when it was little more than a small fortress under Moorish rule. The magnificent Nasrid Palaces which we see today are from the 13th century when Mohammed ben Al-Ahmar undertook their construction. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Spain's most visited tourist attractions.
Antoni Gaudi's La Sagrada Família is certainly his most famous work and recognised as a symbol of Barcelona worldwide. The architect worked obsessively on the Moderniste cathedral from 1883 until he died in 1926. There are plans to complete the building by 2026 to coincide with the centenary of Gaudí's death.
After the Moors took control of Spain the Catholic Basilica of San Vicente was shared between Christians and Muslims. In 784 AD Abd al-Rahman I bought the Christian sector and began construction of the Mezquita. Today the building retains much of its Moorish design whilst serving as the Cathedral of Córdoba.
The locating of the Gehry-designed Guggenheim Museum in the formerly depressed city of Bilbao in Spain's Basque Country has helped rejuvenate the region. Whilst it has a permanent exhibition it is its stunning contemporary design in titanium which is the main attraction for most visitors.
The most popular half day trip from Barcelona is to the monastery of Montserrat. This mountain-top destination is home to the sacred shrine of 'La Moreneta' and is much revered by the people of Catalonia.
The Salvador Dalí Theatre and Museum is located in Figueres which is close to the artist's home in the village of Cadaqués. The museum is home to some of the artist's most famous works and is a popular day excursion from Barcelona.
Located in the historic centre of the city and housed on the site of a former mosque, Seville Cathedral with its Giralda bell tower is one of the world's largest religious buildings and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Adjacent to the cathedral, this Royal Palace is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site which displays some of the finest examples of mudéjar architecture in Moorish Spain.
The Museu Picasso is Barcelona's most visited art museum. Located in the Gothic Quarter of the city it is home to many of the artists early works when he lived in the Catalan capital.
The Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art is located in the El Raval district of central Barcelona. Its permanent collection concentrates on modern Catalan and Spanish art since 1945.
The National Art Museum of Catalonia is housed in the is housed in the Palau Nacional in Barcelona. Its exhibits take us through the history of art in Catalonia.