As a city, Barcelona guards a multitude of secrets and hidden treasures that only add to its charm and beauty. In this post, we’re going to uncover 6 things you probably didn’t know about Barcelona – but should!
7x more tourists than residents
Yes, you read that correctly, 7 times more tourists visit Barcelona per year – almost 12 million visitors last year alone – than the number of people who actually live here all year round. That makes it one of the most visited cities in the world and the perfect destination for just about any traveller.
The oldest restaurant in Barcelona is the second oldest in all of Spain
Can Culleretes is somewhere so special we recommend all our guests pay a visit. Honoured with a mention in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest restaurant in town, this particular dining spot has never closed its doors since 1786.
The Eixample Roman Temple
In the very heart of Barcelona, in the neighbourhood of Eixample, you can discover a recreation of the Augustan Roman Temple and Barcino Forum where they once stood. Over the years the site has housed a jewellery store, a theatre, and now a house of worship.
Taste the best gin and tonics in the world
Boca Chica, on Passatge de la Concepció, is an award-winning cocktail bar where you can unwind when you next visit Barcelona. Officially better than all the competition, this particular gin bar took home the 2014 award for the best gin and tonics, which they even serve infused with tea in Aladdin-style lamps if you’re feeling adventurous…
Gaudí wasn’t the original architect of the Sagrada Familia
Despite the fact everyone associates him with the Sagrada Familia, construction on the city’s most famous monument was actually started by another architect altogether, Francisco de Paula del Villar. One year after works began, Gaudí took over the project, introducing some extensive modifications, before achieving the design we can observe in its current state.
Traces of the Spanish Civil War can still be seen on the streets of Barcelona
That’s right, the whole of Barcelona is one big living history museum, where you can see traces of the Civil War everywhere you turn. At Plaza Sant Felip Neri, look out for the machine gun bullet holes in the walls and buildings. Although numerous restorations have taken place over the years, it’s important for the city to leave a trace as acknowledgement of its former past.
