Barcelona has it all. Art, history, culture, cuisine, fashion. It is a city for the senses. If you are interested in learning Spanish in a major European city, where you can find everything and anything, then Barcelona is the right choice for you.
Nestled between the Mediterranean and the hills of the Collserola national park (located just behind the city), Barcelona is a city that despite its size, is compact and very easy to get around. When needed, the underground can get you anywhere you want to go, and is fast and well priced.
There is an unmistakable air of excitement in this city. Always at the cutting edge of all that is new, Barcelona has long been a centre of artistic and cultural influence. If there is one artist who is synonymous with Barcelona, it is Gaudi. Many of his buildings are in the city and if you choose to visit, you really must not miss the gorgeous Casa Batlló, the sublime Casa Milà (more commonly known as La Pedrera), or the simply unmissable, and up until now still unfinished, Basilica de la Sagrada Familia, whose towers stand tall and proud over the city.
The artistic buzz of the city has had an affect on all aspects of Barcelona. If there is something else that this city is also renowned for, it is its culinary excellence. But do not think for a moment that that needs to mean expensive. There is remarkable food for all budgets. This is not just a city to please the eyes, but to also surprise your palate. With a long history in delicious food, do not just visit the city, taste it! Speaking of which, be sure to visit La Boqueria food market. This bustling market is packed with all the smells and flavours of this region of Spain, and should not be missed.
No visit to the city would be complete without visiting the Gothic quarter, or Barrio Gotico. Although the area underwent major changes in the 19th and early 20th century, many buildings date back to medieval times. So, take some time to explore the network of cool, narrow streets, which express another side of Barcelona, where its history can be seen and enjoyed.
With a population of approximately 1.6 million, the last thing you would expect to find twenty minutes walk from the city centre is a beach. But this is Barcelona, where anything is possible, and sure enough, at the end of the world famous Las Ramblas, is a selection of 4 beaches with a total length of just over 4 km. So, if you choose to learn Spanish in Barcelona, it will not only be a city break, this can be a beach break too.
All this talk of Barcelona, may give the impression of it being somewhat frantic, but that is not the case at all. In a city like this there is always a quiet little plaza just waiting to be explored, the perfect place to find yourself a terrace, outside a local cafe, and enjoy a cool, refreshing drink. What is more, due to the compact size of the city, although the underground is very handy at times to travel larger distances in the city, the vast amount of Barcelona can be enjoyed on foot.
