Entertainment

Barcelona has become a fashionable tourist destination. Television coverage of the 1992 Olympic Games stimulated lots of interest in the city around the world. Visitors are attracted by the mild climate, Mediterranean waterfront, sunshine, art, culture, friendly people and unique Catalan features, like Antoni Gaudì's modernist architecture. It's easy to have fun in Barcelona. There are colorful local fiestas (holidays and festivals) throughout the year along with a wide variety of national and international cinema, theater, music and dance festivals and performances. The city's nightclubs offer great music and atmosphere every night of the week, and are especially busy from Thursday to Sunday.

Museums & Galleries

Art lovers should head straight for MNAC (Catalonia's National Art Museum), with its exhibits of Catalan Romanesque art, and MACBA (Barcelona's Museum of Contemporary Art). Nearby, you'll find galleries devoted to individual artists, including Museu Picasso, Fundació Miró and Antoni Tàpies.

Architecture

To see the best examples of Catalonia's unique Gothic architecture, you should check out Basílica de Santa María del Mar and Basílica de Santa María del Pi. For the best in modernist architecture, head for Pedrera, Casa Batlló, Sagrada Familia, and Parc Güell.

Nightlife

The most popular nightclubs are within walking distance of each other down by the harbor area, in Port Olímpic and Maremàgnum. The variety is endless. You'll find places playing techno, salsa, rock, Spanish pop music and more. Karma is a popular club in this area.

Live Music

L'Eixample district has many live music venues, including the famous Luz de Gas. Bikini, a popular nightclub, also hosts concerts during the evenings. To enjoy alternative and Spanish local bands, take the metro to Razzmatazz, Sidecar or BeCool. You'll also find live shows in the Gòtic district.

Discos & Clubs

In the Maremàgnum and Port Olímpic you'll find a number of discos with plenty of atmosphere and different kinds of music. These two districts have a very cosmopolitan feel, given that they are mostly frequented by tourists from all over the world. To merge with the locals, take public transportation to L'Eixample, Barri Gòtic or Poble Nou.