7 Reasons Barcelona Is the Best City for Arts and Culture Enthusiasts

Situated in northeastern Spain, on the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona has long been hailed as a European cultural capital. From its successful art scene to its incredible architecture and world-famous gastronomy, here's why an art and culture lover will fall head over heels for Barcelona.

Incredible architecture

It's not just what's identified inside Barcelona's structures which is worth admiring-- Many times the structures themselves are veritable works of art. The Eixample area is where you'll find some of the most magnificent Modernist mansions around: Casa Battló, La Pedrera and Casa Ametller to name just one of the most famous. However there are more contemporary designs to be appreciated too, such as Jean Nouvel's Torre Glòries or the Mies van der Rohe pavilion near Plaça d'Espanya.

Epic music festivals

Music lovers won't be able to obtain sufficient of the long checklist of leading musicians who perform at Barcelona's music celebrations each year. The month-long Barcelona Jazz Gala sees a number of the greatest international jazz musicians take to the stage in some of the city's best music locations. Sónar Festival is considered to be one the leading electronic tunes festivals worldwide, while Primavera Sound has actually been matched up to Barcelona's answer to Glastonbury.

There's free art everywhere

It appears that no matter where you go in Barcelona, there's public art to be seen everywhere. All the paintings in Barcelona create a magic that the city holds. Musician Joan Miró donated four significant purpose-made art works to the city, including a big mosaic at the Barcelona El Prat air terminal and one more in the centre of La Rambla. Contributing to that, there's additionally Frank Gehry's El Peix sculpture, Santiago Calatrava's Montjuïc Communications Tower, and many various other public works of art dotted across the city.

Amazing art galleries

Barcelona's art scene is highly lively and kicking, and the hundreds of art galleries in the city are confirmation to the Catalan capital's continual connection with the arts. Enric Granados Street in L'Eixample is home to some of the city's most prominent independent galleries, exhibiting work by recognized and emerging artists from Spain and beyond.

Catalan cultural celebrations

From grooving giants to human pyramids, Catalan culture is rich in unique traditions as well as celebrations. Admire the castellers as they form towers which can get to 6 or more men in height-- although the youngest are the ones who brave climbing to the top. Enjoy evil ones, run with fire at the correfoc, join hands for a conventional sardana dancing or prepare to be dazzled by the fireworks of the La Mercè event in September.

Avant-garde art exhibitions

Barcelona is extremely regarded as an international artistic capital and continually hosts cutting edge arts events. The CCCB-- Barcelona's centre for contemporary culture-- is recognized for its interdisciplinary exhibitions discovering the roles of innovation, art and style in contemporary society, while Espai 13 is a space inside the Joan Miró Foundation dedicated entirely to operate by young, emerging artists from all over Europe.

A gastronomic destination

Whether it's for traditional Catalan dishes or the world-famous culinary art of cooks such as Ferran Adrià, Barcelona is a spot known for its food. Taking advantage of its proximity to both the mountains and the sea, it has established a credibility as a genuine food lover paradise, with whatever from cheap and cheerful tapas bars to three-Michelin star eateries to select from.