Barcelona holidays Self catering family holidays in Barcelona
Barcelona sists on the Mediterranean coast in northern Spain and is the capital of Catalonia. It's a city steeped in culture and history with a rich Roman heritage dating back 2000 years.
The Gothic Quarter is one of the main tourist hubs which was once the centre of this Roman city and where the remains of the Roman temple of Augustus can still be seen. With a maze of narrow streets and squares, tapas bars and the iconic Cathedral, the Gothic Quarter is not to be missed.
| Top things to see & do |
|---|
| Explore the Medieval centre around Plaça del Rei |
| Visit the Cathedral, Gothic Quarter |
| Harbour cruises |
| See the sharks at L'Aquàrium |
| Experience La Rambla - Barcelona's main boulevard |
| Take the lift to the top of Columbus Monument |
| Guided tour of the food emporiums in Ciutat Vella |
| Take the funicular to the top of Montjuïc |
| Magic Fountain with synchronised light and music |
| Tour the Camp Nou museum at Barcelona FC |
| Parc d'Atraccions del Tibidabo - amusement park |
| Park Güell - one of Gaudí's masterpieces |
Nightlife
The nightlife is very lively to say the least in a city that never sleeps. There are many districts in Barcelona from the beachfront bars and restaurants in the old harbour of Port Vell to the bohemian atmosphere of Gràcia with its narrow streets lined with tapas & wine bars and buzzing restaurants.
Shopping
The main shopping areas are along La Rambla, the colourful boulevard running through the historic centre and in the districts of Raval, Ribera and the Gothic Quarter. For food shopping, the Boqueria Market, on La Rambla, is one of Barcelona's best and is a major tourist attraction.
Featured holiday homes in Barcelona
There are plenty of self catering holiday rentals in Barcelona to choose from to suit all tastes and budgets. Whether a city centre apartment or a villa close to the beach, renting a property gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore this beautiful city at your own pace, home from home.
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Barcelona is a year round destination although late Spring and early Autumn are the best times to visit when there is plenty of warmth in the sunshine and you can wine and dine outside. The hot summer months can be sultry and one of the reasons why the locals retreat to rural areas and the southern costa beach resorts. Between mid December and mid March, it can get cold although not enough to snow.
Barcelona beaches
There are 10 glorious beaches in Barcelona which are blessed with fine golden sand and shallow waters for swimming. The beaches extend for around 5kms and have excellent facilities including wifi. One of the most popular for families is Mar Bella & Nova Mar Bella Beach as there is a children's play area, showers and several bars and restaurants. Other popular beaches around Barcelona include Barceloneta, Somorrostro and Nova Icària.
| Top 1 Day Excursions |
|---|
| Visit the mountain of Montserrat |
| Explore the monumental city of Girona |
| PortAventura Park in Tarragona |
| Lleida - the largest ski area in Catalonia |
| Salvador Dalí's Teatre-Museu in Figueres |
| Explore the glacial valley of Vall de Núria, Pyrenees |
Our view on holidays in Barcelona
No trip to Spain is complete without visiting the Catalonian capital. A wonderful place to explore on foot, taking in the sights and discovering the history, beauty and culture of this ancient city. After a few days, you will soon feel that a short city break in Barcelona is not long enough!
