In the city of Barclona, northeastern Spain

 "Barcelona is a very old city in which you can feel the weight of history; it is haunted by history. You cannot walk around it without perceiving it.”

-- Carlos Ruiz Zafon
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(on the coast of northeastern Spain) Backed by a semicircle of mountains, Spain’s greatest seaport, Barcelona, capital of Barcelona province and the autonomous community of Catalonia, faces southeast across the Mediterranean Sea toward the islands of Majorca and Sardinia. The city occupies a coastal plain between the Llobregat and Besós rivers, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the French border. For hundreds of years its harbor on the Costa Dorada made Barcelona the largest city in Spain. Although Madrid has surpassed it in population, Barcelona remains one of Spain’s main industrial centers and a focus of the country’s trade and culture.

+ Today, Bacelona is quite an enchanting seaside city with boundless culture, fabled architecture, and a world-class drinking and dining scene. Its architectural treasures span more than 2,000 years. Towering temple columns, ancient city walls, and subterranean stone corridors provide a window into Roman-era Barcino. Fast forward a thousand years or so to the Middle Ages by taking a stroll through the shadowy lanes of the Gothic quarter, past tranquil plazas and soaring 14th-century cathedrals. In other parts of town bloom the sculptural masterpieces of Modernisme, a mix of ingenious and whimsical creations by Gaudí and his Catalan architectural contemporaries. Barcelona has also long inspired artists, including Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró, both of whom have major Barcelona museums devoted to their works.

+ Overlooking the city is the hill called Montjuïc, which is topped by a fortress converted into a military museum. On the slopes, are fountains and gardens, an amusement park, and several museums. From Montjuïc, one can view the entire city: the twisted streets and medieval palaces of the Gothic quarter, the nightspots of the neighborhood called the Raval, the straight lines of stately 19th-century houses in L’Eixample (“the Extension”) west of the old city, and the new apartment buildings on the outskirts. Separating the Gothic quarter and the Raval, broad pedestrian malls on a series of connected boulevards called the Ramblas lead toward the harbor, at the foot of Montjuïc.

+ The deep blue Mediterranean beckons tourists. Its sun-drenched beaches make a fine backdrop to a jog, bike ride, or long leisurely stroll along the seaside -- followed by a refreshing dip. You can also enjoy the view from out on the water while kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or taking a sunset cruise. Looming behind the city, the rolling forest-covered Collserola hills provide a scenic setting for hiking, mountain biking, or admiring the view. As darkness falls live music transforms the city: the rapid-fire rhythms of flamenco, brassy jazz spilling out of basements, and hands-in-the-air indie-rock at vintage concert halls.