DK Eyewitness - DK Eyewitness Barcelona and Catalonia (Travel Guide)

First edition 1999

Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited,
80 Strand, London, WC2R 0RL

Published in the United States by DK Publishing,
1450 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, NY 10018

Copyright 1999, 2020 Dorling Kindersley Limited
A Penguin Random House Company

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.

A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

ISBN: 9780241407950
eISBN: 9780744022926

www.dk.com

Inspire / Plan / Discover / Experience

Experience

Old Town

Eixample

Montjuc

Beyond the Centre

Catalonia

Need to Know

Before You Go

Getting Around

Practical Information

KEY TO MAIN ICONS

PRICE GUIDE

KEY TO MAPS

Phrase Book

Acknowledgments

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key to main icons

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price guide

Throughout the guide the following price categories have been applied:

On a budget
Mid-range
Splurge

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key to maps

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t The Barcelona cityscape cut by leafy La Rambla

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t Buzzy caf-lined, palmshaded Plaa Reial

Rugged Catalonia and its avant-garde capital are tantalizingly different from the rest of Spain. Here Gauds buildings inspire modern-day fairy tales, beaches bite the coast and giants chase through the streets during exuberant festivals. Whatever your dream trip to Barcelona and Catalonia includes, this DK Eyewitness Travel Guide is the perfect companion.

Tucked in an untamed crook between Pyrenean peaks and the Mediterranean Sea, Catalonias stunning landscapes brim with natural splendour. Endless sandy beaches and turquoise coves stretch from the wild Costa Brava down into the long, pale strands of the sun-baked Costa Daurada. The snowcapped Pyrenees towers to the north, ideal for alpine sports, while across the heartland vineyards drop in corduroyed terraces. These glorious landscapes, immortalized in the works of Joan Mir and Salvador Dal, gaze back at us from Catalonias myriad museums and galleries.

Just as enticing are the regions bustling cities and dreamy medieval villages. Barcelona, the Catalan capital, has inspired artists for centuries. Its spirit is embodied in Picassos paint, Gauds bricks and, more recently, on plates. Barcelona has a stellar foodie reputation, with experimental chefs reinventing classic cuisine and fantastic street food. Other centres are no less alluring. Girona enchants with its beautifully preserved medieval core, while Tarragona has some of the finest Roman monuments in Spain. Skimming the coast, fishing villages offer nonpareil spots to sample freshly grilled sardines with a chilled glass of cava and gorgeous sea views.

So, where to start? Weve broken Catalonia down into easily navigable chapters, with detailed itineraries, expert local knowledge and colourful comprehensive maps to help you plan the perfect visit. However long you stay, this Eyewitness guide will ensure that you see the very best that Barcelona and Catalonia have to offer. Benvingut! Enjoy the book, and enjoy Barcelona and Catalonia.

Ricardo Bofills splendid Walden 7 housing project.

A sunny day at a packed Costa Brava beach.

Tasty street food displayed at La Boqueria.

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Blending Gothic churches with dizzying skyscrapers, traditional parades with a dynamic arts scene, centuries-old taverns with ritzy cocktail bars, Catalonia is a constant contradiction that keeps us coming back for more.