Travel in city Barcelona

I've spent 150 hours on 22 long-haul flights, starting when I was a kid.

From phallic bottle openers to branded shot glasses, tacky souvenirs are never hard to find in a tourist hotspot. 

Barcelona, the charismatic capital of Catalonia, is known for its dynamic energy, sun-kissed beaches, vibrant culture, and awe-inspiring architecture. Yet, even in this thriving metropolis, the iconic works of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí stand out as masterpieces of creativity and innovation.

Repeated heatwaves and growing fears about the climate crisis may spell the beginning of the end for the Mediterranean as a holiday destination, according to a report published by the European Travel Commission.

It's usually the capital cities that get all the attention, but what about a country's second city? These are twenty of our favourite second cities around the world, starting with Barcelona. For many, Barcelona feels like just as much of a capital as Madrid. It’s the centre of Catalonia, and the region’s full artistic and cultural clout is displayed in this flamboyant, fascinating city. Whether you’re after art (Picasso) architecture (Gaudí) or food (Ferran Adrià) Barcelona has some of the world’s best on offer.

We asked our readers on Facebook and Twitter to vote for their favourite city in the world: these are the best cities in the world as voted by you.