A flavour of Catalonia

The beautiful region of Catalonia in north east Spain is best known for the historic city of Barcelona, the rugged mountain landscape of the Pyrenees and the many picturesque coastal resorts of the Costa Brava.

Barcelona is the colourful capital of the region and the second most populous city in Spain. It boasts an ancient Gothic Quarter, the bustling Las Ramblas pedestrian area, a modern harbour and a number of sandy beaches.

The distinctive work of world famous modernist architect Antoni Gaudi can be seen throughout the city, most notably in the famously unfinished Sagrada Familia basilica and at Park Guell. The Sagrada Familia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, although the distinctive architecture divides opinion, is nothing if not spectacular. Park Guell is a stylish park designed by Gaudi containing many of his most distinctive sculptures and stone structures and is well worth a visit.

The Gothic Quarter of Barcelona dates back to Roman times and is at the heart of the old city. Make your way along narrow winding streets to the impressive cathedral, relax in one of the pretty squares or experience the lively nightlife at one of the many restaurants or bars.

The tree-lined Las Ramblas stretch for over a kilometre through the centre of Barcelona. A series of short streets, Las Ramblas is popular with visitors and locals alike for shopping, entertainment and eating out and is the focal point for any visit to the city.

The rugged Pyrenees in the north of Catalonia form the border with France. Visible from miles around, the mountains offer travellers the chance to explore, walk, cycle and, in winter, to ski. Imposing peaks, valleys which echo with the sound of bubbling streams and ancient villages clinging to the hillsides are just some of the sights and sounds that greet visitors.

Between Barcelona and the Pyrenees lies Figueres, famous as the birthplace of renowned surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The town is now home to the magnificent Dali Theatre-Museum, a thought-provoking collection of works by Dali housed in a fantastic building designed by the artist himself.

The northern coast of Catalonia, the Costa Brava (or Wild Coast), is one of the most beautiful in Spain, offering a number of lively resorts as well as miles of unspoilt coastline, countless small bays and hundreds of rocky coves. Although a popular tourist destination in its own right, the Costa Brava still has many unexplored corners for travellers to get away from it all.