There are two types of people in this world: those who love Barcelona and those who have not been there yet. Barcelona, is as perfect as a city comes – warm, breezy, sunny, home of the Spanish tapas, quality restaurants, Mediterranean breezes, central entertainment, and the best thing is you do not need to be able to speak a word of Spanish. In this guide, we offer you the best to see in the Spanish capital in 2016.

Usually when you think of Spain, you think Madrid, Majorca and party central, Malaga. The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region is the most beautiful and vibrant place to visit. The architecture is a marriage of gothic spikes and modern curves. Antoni Gaudi is the city’s best known architect, and do not be surprised if you hear his name consecutively day in and day out.

Barcelona is in between a mountain range and the Mediterranean, so whether you are after an outdoor activity holiday or just a relaxing beach pool holiday, Barcelona will tick all the boxes. With so much to see and do, in what is usually a short space of time, I give you the overview of my key spots during my Barcelona trips, which have now become an annual ritual.

La Rambla:

Barcelona’s most famous street is a tourist magnet equivalent to the Champs Elysee in Paris and Oxford Street in London. It opened its doors filled with Catalan culture. The streets are lined with astounding architecture alongside designer boutiques.

La Sagrada Familia:

This goes without saying. If there is one place you have to see in Barcelona it is the still under construction Roman Catholic Barcelona Basilica.

Font Magica:

Pay a visit to the Magic Fountain – an original monument located on Mont Juic. Watch it coordinate itself to the rhythm of carefully selected music. The music might just surprise you, varying from classical to hip- hop and even the Star Wars soundtrack. If that does not convince you; you can enjoy this experience, for free!

Camp Nou:

You don’t have to be a football fanatic to enjoy this experience. Barcelona is home to one of the most successful football teams in the world, FC Barcelona. Highly recommended is a trip to the Stadium and if you really want to experience a game in one of the greatest stadiums in the world then be sure to check out a La Liga game during your stay.

Museu Picasso:

My first trip to Barcelona was solely for this purpose. With over 4000 works by the painter, the museum is the home to one of the most extensive collection of work by Spanish renowned artist, Pablo Picasso.

Parc Guell:

This is Antoni Gaudi’s most celebrated creation. If you are after a magical experience, step into this landscape and you will be able to witness some of the most stunning views of the city.

Beach:

One thing’s for sure, there’s no shortage of beaches in Barcelona. With the Mediterranean bordering the city, and the sun constantly shining, you will definitely not struggle to find a spot to cool down. Barcelona is home to 7 different beaches. My personal recommendation is, Barceloneta. It can get very busy here, but the location is ideal, close to the city centre and to the main hotels, it is a hot spot with tourists and locals. And if you really want to experience true Spanish culture, then this is definitely the place to go.

One word to describe Barcelona that springs to mind is variety. There’s something for everyone. It’s an ideal family holiday, couple holiday or a holiday to take just by yourself. The ease of accessibility and the Spanish laid- back lifestyle is definitely the biggest pull factor.