Barcelona

In the old town, now called the Gothic Quarter, the narrow streets are home to buildings straight out of Gothic art. Nearby, the Ribera district also houses several palaces: the Palace of the Marquises of Llió, now the Museum of Textiles and Costume, the Palau Nadal where the Barbier-Müller Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is located, and the Palau Aguilar which houses the Picasso Museum. But fantasy is also found around the corners of Barcelona’s streets: the Sagrada Familia, the Casa Lleó Morera, the Casa Amatller, and the Casa Batlló constantly remind visitors that the city is deeply influenced by Art Nouveau. The museums are abundant: the City History Museum, the Museum of the History of Catalonia, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) also offer a glimpse into avant-garde artistic culture. An escapade à Barcelone can also charm thanks to its natural assets: its large beaches, golf courses, and also the geographical proximity of the coastal mountain range and the Catalan Pyrenees will delight nature lovers. While the city can be visited all year round, it is better to avoid the rainiest periods, which are May, September, October, and August. February, which is also the coldest month, and May remain reasonably dry.