Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona, located in Northeast Spain, is a city that resists neat categories. Its official language is Catalan, spoken alongside Spanish, and it’s a key part of the region’s unique culture and identity.

Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Batlló glows with color and curves, and his Sagrada Família rises slowly behind scaffolding. But the city is bigger than these landmarks.

Each neighborhood reflects a different side of Barcelona. El Raval is messy and alive. Quieter Gràcia is small-scale, full of bakeries, bookstores, and neighborhood squares that people call home. In Eixample, the layout of the buildings is more ordered.

When it comes to food, tapas are easy to find in Barcelona. However, they’re not originally Catalan.

They’re part of a wider Spanish tradition adopted here with a mix of local and classic flavors. Sardines from the market and bread rubbed with tomato outperform your expectations.

Shops are personal. Many are small. Some aren’t online. Here, you’ll find a mix of luxury boutiques and artisan stores. If you’re searching for hidden gems, you may discover one.

In Barcelona, some streets are loud. Others are empty. Some views are idyllic. Others are barely composed. And these contrasts keep you curious, right up until the moment you leave.

Next stop: Vienna, Austria