The practice of building human towers, known as ‘castells’, represents a defining cultural tradition in Catalonia. This remarkable feat of physical endurance, cooperation and communal identity has become a symbol of Catalan heritage. Recognised by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Castellers continue to captivate onlookers with their …
Tarragona is a charming Mediterranean port city located 100km south-west of Barcelona on the coast of Catalonia. Originally established as Tarraco by the Romans in the 3rd century BCE, Tarragona served as a key administrative and commercial hub. Today the city’s ancient Roman archaeological complex is recognised as a UNESCO …
Roman control of the Iberian Peninsula began in 218 BC during the Second Punic War when they captured territories from the Carthaginians. Over the next two centuries, the Romans gradually conquered and Romanized the region through military force and colonization. The Romans divided the peninsula into three provinces – Hispania …
The Sagrada Familia is one of Barcelona’s most iconic landmarks and a masterpiece of architect Antoni Gaudí. As one of the most visited monuments in Spain, millions of people flock to see this extraordinary basilica each year. To avoid long queues and ensure a smooth visit, it’s highly recommended to …
There are so many things to do in Barcelona that you’ll struggle to visit them all during a short city break. The highlight is the magnificent Sagrada Familia Cathedral but there are plenty more stunning buildings designed by Antoni Gaudí including La Pedrera (also known as Casa Milà), Casa Batlló …
The Barcelona Tourist Tax was first introduced in 2012, with the stated purpose of generating revenue to help mitigate the impacts of mass tourism on the city’s infrastructure, public services and sustainability. The tax is officially known as the “Tourist Stay Tax” (Catalan: Impost sobre les estades en establiments turístics). …
Wine festivals in Spain (ferias de la vendimia) are popular celebrations which are held in many of the country’s wine-producing regions. They coincide with the annual grape harvest in autumn and have origins which date back centuries. In many regions the festivals have evolved into important tourism events which showcase …
The tradition of bullfighting has long been a controversial issue in Spain. In 2010 bullfighting in Barcelona was banned by the Catalan Parliament in 2010 although the ruling was later overturned by Spain’s Constitutional Court. This view of bullfighting stands in stark contrast to other parts of the country, including …
The original page of recommended Barcelona restaurants which we published on this website in 1998 was simply a short list of some of the author’s favourite places to eat in the city. Since then Barcelona has grown beyond recognition as a tourist destination and has seen a vast number of …