Some people usually say that FC Barcelona is the best ambassador of the city because everyone knows it. I love football but I must admit that sometimes people just know the ambassador and not the city. More than once I’ve met people, mostly in Asia, that weren’t sure whether Barcelona was a city or just a club. 1992 Olympic Games start to be far on the past.

Here I bring you some of the reasons why you should know and visit Barcelona for:

1) Catalan Culture

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region of Spain with its own culture, character and language. In Catalonia at least 50% of the people use Catalan language in their normal life. Catalan is the own language of Catalonia and it’s taught in schools, universities and used on the mass media. However all Catalans know perfectly Spanish so don’t be afraid of coming to Barcelona to study Spanish. There are lots of foreign students of Spanish here and apart from Spanish culture they get the chance to discover Catalan culture, like a buy 1 and get 2.

2) Gaudi’s buildings

Barcelona is Gaudi and Gaudi is Barcelona. Antoni Gaudi (25 June 1852–10 June 1926) was the architect of the most famous buildings of Barcelona such as La Pedrera, La casa Batlló, la Sagrada Familia o el Parc Güell.

3) Beaches

Barcelona has many beaches where locals and tourist go to have a sunbath (people love tan skin!), to play sports or to have a good paella in front of the sea.

4) Museums

There are lots of museums in this city! Probably the most famous one is Museu Picasso, where you can see a large collection of the most famous Spanish painter. Other important museums: Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), CaixaForum Barcelona, Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona (CCCB), Museu Egipci de Barcelona, Museu d’Història de Catalunya, Museu Marítim and National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC). List of all Barcelona’s museums.

5) Food and wine

Spanish food is famous all over the world! Do you know Tapas? Have you ever tried Paella? Crema catalana? Cava? And wine is super cheap in Spain compared to Thailand. If you want to try it in Bangkok visit the new Hola Spanish Food in Thonglor.

6) Party

Barcelona is one of the best party cities in Europe if not the best. There are lots of clubs although local people love to hang out in bars. In Spain party starts after the dinner time (10h) and the night clubs start to be full at 2 pm. They usually close at 6 or 7am. You’ll need some coffee!

7) Cathedrals

The Barcelona Cathedral was constructed throughout the 13th to 15th centuries and it’s a very interesting visit. If you go before 7pm you’ll have the chance of going up to the rooftop and admire the city from there. However, the most famous cathedral in Barcelona was started to be built 150 years ago and still is under construction: La Sagrada Familia.

8) L’Eixample

L’Eixample is a residential neighborhood of Barcelona constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries that has a visionary design invented by Ildefons Cerdà.

9) The downtown and old part of the city

Do you know Las Rambles de Barcelona? That’s the most famous street in town. A long and wide street with many human statues, kisosks, painters and much more. It’s always crowded with tourist! In both sides of this street you’ll find the Barcelona old part, made of narrow and beautiful streets with plenty of shops and restaurants. You may feel in the middle of the medieval age!

10) Shopping opportunities

Do you Zara? Massimo Dutti? Mango? Bershka? All this famous brands are over there at much cheaper price than in Thailand!

Do you want to get in touch with Thais living in Barcelona? Check out this facebook fan page: Thai-Spain Family กลุ่มครอบครัวไทย-สเปน

¿Quieres conocer a tailandeses que viven en Barcelona u otros lugares? Mírate esta página del facebook: Thai-Spain Family กลุ่มครอบครัวไทย-สเปน