Barcelona is situated on the Mediterranean coast in the north east of car hire Spain, 621 km from car hire Madrid. This vibrant city is the capital of the Catalunya region and a national emblem to modern architecture as the dominating features of the city are the numerous eccentric designs of Antoni Gaudi. However, one of Barcelona’s most appealing attributes is the huge diversity that is offered in the abundant buildings, monuments and attractions that fill this awe-inspiring cosmopolitan area.

The rich history of the province is beautifully conserved throughout the city alongside the 20th century architecture like La Sagrada Familia, for which Barcelona is most famous. Visitors are offered access to a number of stunning historic buildings the most significant being the 13th century Gothic Cathedral, the Palacio Real Mayor, the 17th century Archiepiscopal Palace and the 15th century Casa del Arcediano.

Reflecting the prominence that art and culture have in Barcelona, there are a number of world class art galleries located in the city, of which The Picasso Museum is the most famous. Also popular and well worth a visit are; the superb Joan Miró Foundation, the National Museum of the Art of Catalunya, located in Montjuïc, the Museum of Modern Art in the Ciutadella district and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art.

Barcelona boasts over 55 museums that offer stimulating exhibits in a vast range of subjects, which include the arts, history, science, architecture, warfare and maritime development in the region. The most popular museums amongst visitors to Barcelona are the Museum del Temple Expiatori de La Sagrada Familia, which is located in the cathedral, the Barcelona Centre of Contemporary Culture, the Museum of Catalunya History, the Museum of Barcelona Football Club, the Maritime Museum and the Catalán Museum of Archaeology.

A short distance from the splendid pedestrianised city centre there are the beach resorts of Barceloneta, Icària and Mar Bella that offer city dwellers a coastal retreat. Barceloneta is the closest to the city, a 20 minute walk from the fashionable avenue, La Rambla. Icària is a little further along the coast and for this reason is usually less crowded than Barceloneta, whilst the resort of Mar Bella caters for naturists.

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