Contents
Editorial: Douglas Stallings, Editorial Director; Salwa Jabado and Margaret Kelly, Senior Editors; Alexis Kelly, Jacinta OHalloran, and Amanda Sadlowski, Editors; Teddy Minford, Associate Editor; Rachael Roth, Content Manager
Design: Tina Malaney, Art Director
Photography: Jennifer Arnow, Senior Photo Editor
Maps: Rebecca Baer, Senior Map Editor; David Lindroth, Mark Stroud (Moon Street Cartography), Cartographers
Production: Jennifer DePrima, Editorial Production Manager; Carrie Parker, Senior Production Editor; Elyse Rozelle, Production Editor; David Satz, Director of Content Production
Business & Operations: Chuck Hoover, Chief Marketing Officer; Joy Lai, Vice President and General Manager; Stephen Horowitz, Head of Business Development and Partnerships
Public Relations: Joe Ewaskiw, Manager
Writers: Jared Lubarsky, Malia Politzer, Elizabeth Prosser, Steve Tallantyre
Editor: Rachael Roth
Production Editor: Elyse Rozelle
Production Design: Liliana Guia
Copyright 2018 by Fodors Travel, a division of Internet Brands, Inc.
Fodors is a registered trademark of Internet Brands, Inc. All rights reserved. Published in the United States by Fodors Travel, a division of Internet Brands, Inc. No maps, illustrations, or other portions of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher.
6th Edition
Ebook ISBN9781101880456
ISBN9781101879825
ISSN 15545865
All details in this book are based on information supplied to us at press time. Always confirm information when it matters, especially if youre making a detour to visit a specific place. Fodors expressly disclaims any liability, loss, or risk, personal or otherwise, that is incurred as a consequence of the use of any of the contents of this book.
Photo Credits: Cover: JLImages / Alamy; Experience Barcelona: Ingenui/iStockphoto; Exploring Barcelona: Brzozowska/iStockphoto; Where To Eat: Ross Brinkerhoff / Fodors Travel; Where To Stay: Albert Font; Nightlife: alterna2/Flickr; Sports and the Outdoors: sportgraphic/Shutterstock; Shopping: Halie Cousineau/ Fodors Travel; Catalonia: Valencia: And the Costa Blanca: Robwilson39 | Dreamstime.com; Bilbao and The Basque Country: AnnaKostyuk / Shutterstock
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ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Fodors Recommendations
Everything in this guide is worth doingwe dont cover what isntbut exceptional sights, hotels, and restaurants are recognized with additional accolades. Fodors Choice indicates our top recommendations. Care to nominate a new place? Visit Fodors.com/contact-us.
Trip Costs
We list prices wherever possible to help you budget well. Hotel and restaurant price categories from $ to $$$$ are noted alongside each recommendation. For hotels, we include the lowest cost of a standard double room in high season. For restaurants, we cite the average price of a main course at dinner or, if dinner isnt served, at lunch. For attractions, we always list adult admission fees; discounts are usually available for children, students, and senior citizens.
Hotels
Our local writers vet every hotel to recommend the best overnights in each price category, from budget to expensive. Unless otherwise specified, you can expect private bath, phone, and TV in your room. For expanded hotel reviews, visit Fodors.com.
Restaurants
Unless we state otherwise, restaurants are open for lunch and dinner daily. We mention dress code only when theres a specific requirement and reservations only when theyre essential or not accepted. For expanded restaurant reviews, visit Fodors.com.
Credit Cards
The hotels and restaurants in this guide typically accept credit cards. If not, well say so.
EUGENE FODOR
Hungarian-born Eugene Fodor (190591) began his travel career as an interpreter on a French cruise ship. The experience inspired him to write On the Continent (1936), the first guidebook to receive annual updates and discuss a countrys way of life as well as its sights. Fodor later joined the U.S. Army and worked for the OSS in World War II. After the war, he kept up his intelligence work while expanding his guidebook series. During the Cold War, many guides were written by fellow agents who understood the value of insider information. Todays guides continue Fodors legacy by providing travelers with timely coverage, insider tips, and cultural context.
WELCOME TO BARCELONA
The capital of Catalonia is a banquet for the senses, with its beguiling mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafs and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. A stroll along La Rambla and through waterfront Barceloneta, as well as a tour of Gauds majestic Sagrada Famlia and his other unique creations, are part of a visit to Spains second-largest city. Modern art museums and chic shops call for attention, too. Barcelonas vibe stays lively well into the night, when you can linger over regional wine and cuisine at buzzing tapas bars.
TOP REASONS TO GO
Gaud: The iconic Sagrada Famlia, undulating Casa Batll, and playful Park Gell.
Food: From the Boqueria markets bounty to tapas bars to avant-garde restaurants.
Museums: Museu Picasso and the Museu Nacional dArt de Catalunya lead the list.
Architecture: Roman and medieval in the Barri Gtic, Moderniste in the Eixample.
Shopping: Stylish fashion boutiques and innovative design emporia tempt buyers.