Barcelona, Spain’s second largest city with a population of nearly two million people, has a rich history dating back at least 2,000 years. There are many places which hold tourist attraction and one of these is the La Rambla Street about which the Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said that La Rambla was ‘the only street in the world which I wish would never end’.

Standing in the heart of Barcelona, La Rambla is actually a tree-lined pedestrian mall stretching for 1.2 kilometers between Barri Gòtic and El Raval, connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell.

La Rambla consists of an array of small streets each of which holds a different name. From the Plaça de Catalunya toward the harbour, the street is successively called the Rambla de Canaletes, the Rambla dels Estudis, the Rambla de Sant Josep, the Rambla dels Caputxins, and the Rambla de Santa Monica.

The street is crowded day and night with kiosks selling newspapers and souvenirs, flowers and birds, street performers, cafes, restaurants and shops. The street has a variety of kiosks that sell ice-cream, churros, hand-made candles, pastries and chocolates, as well as the typical newspaper kiosks.

Near the port are found smaller local markets and the shop-fronts of painters and draftsmen. A walk along this street allows the visitors to get a view of historic buildings as the Palace of the Virreina and La Boqueria market and the famous Liceo Theatre in which operas and ballets are staged. As it is a highly crowded street, tourists should be wary of the pickpockets here.

The street of Las Ramblas has a lot of street performers which are mostly in the form of human statues apart from various dancers, musicians, magicians and marionettes. There are a total of 14 human statues, which were selected by the Department of Comerce and Tourism of Barcelona.

L’Aquarium Barcelona is one of the top tourist attractions of Barcelona looking at the number of visitors it draws each year. Located in Port Vell, a harbor in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, this aquarium is a part of the Aspro Group and is a member of the Iberian Association of Zoos and Aquaria (AIZA).

The 35 aquariums at the facility are home to 11,000 animals from Mediterranean undersea life representing 450 species, and an 80-meter (260 ft) underwater tunnel. The aquarium has a series of 35 Mediterranean and tropical tanks, and an immense Oceanarium, the only one in Europe, where you’ll find such diverse species as giltheads, morays, ocean sunfish, rays and sharks. There is an underwater tunnel 80 metres long inside the Oceanarium.

The aquarium holds two permanent exhibitions- Planeta Aqua, which aims to show the importance of water in the development of our planet, and Explora!, where kids can discover nature and the underwater world by touching, looking at and listening to its interactive exhibits.

In addition to a display of varied sea life, the aquarium also has cafeteria/ self-service, L’Aquàrium shop, souvenir photo, the auditorium, etc. it is open all the year round from Monday to Friday. From June to September the timings are 9.30am to 9.30pm while in July and August, the timings are 9.30am to 11pm. Ticket offices and doors open until one hour before closing.

Spain is a country where people love to picnic outdoors with family and friends. So, parks and gardens are very popular in Barcelona where people gather for a game of chess, playing boules, chess, picnicking or simply walking around and chatting. Barcelona has many green spots, some of them being on top of Montjuïc Mountain from where you can see all of Barcelona. Some of the best parks and gardens in Barcelona are:

Parc Guell:
This municipal garden was designed by famous Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. Located in the district of Gracia, this park was originally supposed to be a residential area, but was later converted to a classy park for elite of Barcelona by the wealthy businessman, Eusebio de Guell.

The Coastal Park
Located at the Mediterranean Sea line and next to the estuary of the Besos River, this park displays a wide range of attraction in its distinct zones of the green area, the beach and the football stadium. This Park Litoral also has a tennis court and a site for children to play, a number of green trees and also a pool.

Central Noble Nou Park:
This is one of the youngest Barcelona parks and was designed by the French architect Jean Nouvel. This park is in the shape of a triangle and is still under process because its plan needs a wide range of flora to cover it.

Parc Del Besos:
This green area gives the name to the nearby busy streets that go along the Besos River and the river itself. Both the river and the park that is named after it have a double meaning because the word Besos translated literally means kisses. The visitors can have a glimpse of a wide range of Barcelona as they walk along this long park.

Montijuic Park:
Here stands a huge mountain that divides part of the city of Barcelona from the sea and derives its name from the old Catalan phrase meaning ‘Hill of the Jews’ and from the corruption of the Latin Mons Jovicus (‘Hill of Jupiter’).

Barcelona – one of the greatest places to visit is filled with a hundred or possibly more attractions. Navigating your way through them and fitting them in your schedule is not an easy task. To make your trip to Barcelona a memorable and funfilled one, make sure that you book your hotels in advance before visiting this great holiday destination. Here is a list of the top 7 attractions of Barcelona which must be visited at any cost.

• Magic fountain: also known as Font Mágica de Montjuïc, this fountain must not be missed. Its like no other fountain you have ever seen. Built in 1829, this fountain’s stunning water along with its lights and music is really enchanting. It is one of the most visited places in Barcelona. Whoever arrives there doesn’t forget to visit this fountain.
• La rambla: this is a street starting at Plaza Catalunya and ending at the Monument of Columbus at the Port Vell harbor of Barcelona. It is not something amazing to look at. However, it is a must visit! Unless and until you have walked down that road you will not understand its true charm and there are no words to describe it. It is the human heartbeat of Barcelona. Poet Federico García Lorca said about La Rambla, “It is the only street in the world which I wish would never end.” Though a must visit, one must be wary of pickpockets on this street.
• The Barrio Gotico: this is the old city area of Barcelona. Built around the old Roman town, this town with its archaic churches, plazas, markets and museums has a very pleasant feel. The city history museum is the main attraction here.
• Tibadabo Hill: This is an amusement park and it is meant more for the kids than for the adults. It provides a spectacular view. The old Blue tram and mountain railways are the two forms of transport used to reach there.
• Park Guell: Commissioned by Gaudi’s patron Count Eusebi Güell in 1923, Park Guell was originally going to be a private and exclusive residential garden city with 60 houses. However, the original plan to sell these houses had to be abandoned due to lack of buyers. As a result Guell donated the site to the council. This park is a must visit! Its spectacular view is breathtaking and a stroll through the park is the best experience you’ll ever have.