Get to Know Barcelona

Explore Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Família

Barcelona Essentials

Get to know Barcelona by spending a few days perusing old world culture along with modern masterpieces. Take a stroll down Las Ramblas street and let it envelop you with its historic architecture, floral displays and views of picturesque Port Vell harbor. Pablo Picasso is closely identified with Barcelona, and the museum dedicated to his works showcases his artistic growth. It’s one of the top attractions in the city and is located in the El Born neighborhood. Summertime means a trip to see The Magic Fountain, a beautiful show of water, light and music that was built for the World Fair in 1929. Perhaps Barcelona's most famous destination is Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia church, a stunning combination of Spanish Late Gothic, Catalan Modernism and Art Nouveau styles blended by construction and art. Eighteen spires represent the Twelve Apostles, the Virgin Mary, the four Evangelists and Jesus Christ as the tallest one.

Taste the flavors of Spain

Spanish Cuisine

The gastronomy of Barcelona is expressed in its tapas, small plates showcasing the region’s ecological diversity and plated like miniature artworks. Spain’s culinary scene invites you on a course-by-course tour of its coastal and mountainous territories represented in fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. Dinners are convivial affairs and often run late into the evening allowing you to sample the complex flavors of the countryside. Be sure to try boquerones en vinagre, a popular appetizer of fresh anchovies in vinegar, typical of Spanish cuisine. Search out the ultimate paella, a one-pan dish composed of saffron rice with chorizo sausage, bite-sized chicken and succulent seafood like clams, shrimp and local fish.

Visit the Grand Basilica of Montserrat

Visit Montserrat

Spend a day atop spectacular Montserrat, about an hour’s drive or train ride outside the city in the heart of the Catalonia region. This nature preserve hosts a stunning rock formation, expansive views of the valley below and a grand basilica. Take a funicular to the top of the mountain to visit the Benedictine Abbey. Its basilica is a pilgrimage destination and home to a statue of the Madonna known as the Black Virgin, darkened by the smoke of millions of candles burned in her honor over the centuries. The nearby monastery contains a neo-Romanesque cloister and refectory, refurbished in 1925 by the architect Puig i Cadafalch and home to artwork by Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí and El Greco.

Admire the splendid views of Malaga

Cruise the Mediterranean

Sailing to vibrant ports studded along the Mediterranean Sea with Norwegian Cruise Line is a great way to see more of Europe in one extended trip. Barcelona is the starting or ending port for a number of Mediterranean cruise itineraries, so many travelers choose to add on a few days there pre- or post-cruise to explore all it has to offer. Norwegian's 2022 Western Mediterranean cruises trace Spain's gorgeous Costa del Sol, visit an ancient fortress in Malaga and discover the archeological site of La Alcudia. Take advantage of Norwegian’s free airfare deal for a second guest and the pair of you can arrive or depart two days before or after your cruise. Free airfare for second guest saves the cost of one full airfare, while the first guest airfare is competitively priced, and also provides you with the peace of mind of 24/7 assistance in case of an airline disruption.

Call one of our travel agents today to book your Norwegian cruise vacation.