Sagrada Familia:

the church of the Holy Family is the symbol of Barcelona. This strange basilica, a mix of Catalan art nouveau and Gothic architecture, was a life achievement for innovative architect Antoni Gaudí. The Catalan Modernist that changed the character of Barcelona, envisioned the largest cathedral in Europe challenging the rules of symmetry. The construction of Sagrada Familia started in 1882 but remained unfinished when, in 1926, Gaudí died in a tram accident. The façades of the Nativity, the Passion and the Glory are breathtaking.

Address: Carrer de Mallorca 401, 0034 93 5132060, www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/

Montjuïc:

take the cable car for the hill with the castle and the botanic gardens above the port. Here are gathered some of the best sights in Barcelona: the Joan Miró Foundation with the most extensive collection of works by the famous artist, the Ethnology Museum, the Archaeological Museum, the MNAC – National Art Museum of Catalonia and the CaixaForum Barcelona cultural centre, restored, a true gem of industrial modernist architecture. The impressive sporting arena Palau Sant Jordi of the 1992 Olympics, the Poble Espanyol (Spanish village) and the Communications Tower by Spanish architect Calatrava, also stand out.

Columbus Monument:

at the end of the Rambla, where it meets the sea, on top of column, stands the statue of Spanish navigator, looking proud of his conquest of the West. Inside the column, the lift will take you to the observatory with the 360 degrees panoramic view.

Address: Plaza Portal de la Pau, 0043 933 025224

Picasso Museum:

Featuring more than 4000 works, the Picasso Museum has the largest collection of works by the Spanish artist, with masterpieces from the Blue and Rose Period and rare pieces from his youth. The top 20th century painter had developed strong bonds with Barcelona when, during his artistic apprenticeship, he portrayed women selling lottery tickets at the Rambla.

Address: Carrer Montcada, 15-23, 0034 932 563000, www.museupicasso.bcn.cat/

Park Güell:

the most unusual park in the world, a work by Antoni Gaudí, at the Gracia district. An area designed by the modernist architect for his patron, Eusebi Güell and originally destined for residences. In the end, it became a fairytale park of utopia, with mazy alleys, weird mosaics, a gigantic multicoloured salamander, a forest of stone columns and houses reminding the candy houses of Hansel and Gretel.

Address: Carrer d’Olot, 0034 902 200302, www.parkguell.es

Casa Batlló:

one of Gaudi’s most famous works that, along with Casa Milà, catches the eye at Passeig De Gracia Street. This multicoloured building does not have one single straight line. Among the transcendental designs filled with colour and the strange forms, the chimneys and the back of the dragon decorating the roof stand out.

Address: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, 0034 932 160306, www.casabatllo.es/

Camp Nou:

for football fans this is the ultimate attraction in Barcelona, the hot home turf of legendary Barcelona FC. With a seating capacity of 99,000, the stadium where Messi and Piqué work their magic is the largest football “temple” in Europe. Visit Barça’s Museum and buy memorabilia of the football team that is something of a religion here, inseparable from the very history of the city.

Address: Carrer d’Aristides Maillol 12, 0034 902 18 99 00, www.fcbarcelona.com/camp-nou/

Chocolate Museum:

Barcelona has a long relationship with chocolate, since its port was a vital point for trading and import of cocoa to central Europe, while the first industrial chocolate was sold here in 1777. Study the sweet history of xocolata and participate in activities for adults and children, ranging from chocolate tasting to chocolate crafting.

Address: Calle Comerç, 36, 00 34 932 68 78 78, www.museuxocolata.cat/