Rabat is one of our Best Places to Go in Africa in 2024, part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024—find more travel inspiration here.
12.02.2024 - 19:39 / lonelyplanet.com / Antoni Gaudí
Barcelona is Spain's most visited city, and it's not hard to see why – the historic capital of Catalonia is packed with galleries, museums, attractions and an incredible food scene.
Set between the mountains and sea, the city is celebrated for its unique architecture, thriving nightlife and urban beaches. With so many options, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Start your travel to-do list now with our guide to the best things to do in Barcelona.
Almost every city has at least one landmark that you simply can’t miss, and the Sagrada Família is Barcelona’s. Antoni Gaudí’s magnificent masterpiece has been under construction for more than 130 years, and it’s still not finished.
Far from a construction site, however, the church features two grand facades studded with intricate stone carvings, towers that gleam with gem-like tiles and an interior filled with tree-like columns soaring up toward the canopy ceiling. Construction work paused during the pandemic but has resumed and the building is expected to be completed in time for the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death in 2026.
Planning tip: The Sagrada Família is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Spain, and it can get very busy. To avoid the crowds, visit early in the morning (it opens at 9am) on a weekday.
The Sagrada Família may be the most famous of Gaudí’s buildings, but all his wonderful, whimsical designs are worth visiting. The most well known are Casa Batlló, with its iridescent dragon-like scales and skull-and-bone-effect balconies, and La Pedrera, with its undulating stone facade and fanciful chimneys. Some of his lesser-known but equally beautiful buildings include Casa Vicens, the first house he ever designed; Palau Güell, which he designed for his patron Eusebi Güell; and the Torre Bellesguard.
Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is the oldest and most atmospheric part of the city. Characterized by small alleyways, hidden plazas and historic buildings, it lies to the east of La Rambla, the famous pedestrian street that runs through the center of the old town.
The neighborhood is scattered with century-old shops, small bars and charming cafes. Some highlights include the striking Plaça Reial, fringed by cafes and palm trees; Plaça Sant Jaume, home to the grand Palau de la Generalitat; and the impressive La Catedral.
Planning tip: Many parts of the Gothic Quarter are known for late-night bars and clubs that are still going well into the morning. Perfect if you want to dance until dawn, but not the best neighborhood to stay in if you're traveling with young kids or those who appreciate an early night.
La Boqueria might be the most famous of Barcelona’s food markets, but each neighborhood has its own, and there are several
Rabat is one of our Best Places to Go in Africa in 2024, part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024—find more travel inspiration here.
The best time to cruise Alaska isn't obvious—until you're quietly sailing along its calm waters under a cloudless, late-spring sky. It was on one such day that someone on board spotted a whale breaching. And then again. And again. Within minutes it seemed everyone on board had gathered at the railings on deck to watch. The captain of the ship nimbly repositioned us, giving both the port and starboard sides prime viewing, at a safe and respectful distance from the animals. With binoculars, cameras, and phones at the ready, the passengers and crew aboard UnCruise Adventures' 86-guest S.S. Legacy settled in for what turned out to be an hour-long private show by a juvenile humpback who had migrated from Hawaii to spend the summer in the nutrient-rich Alaskan waters.
Visitors flock to Venice year-round, and who can blame them?
Walk the streets of Memphis and you can almost feel the bones of this mid-size city rise up from the pavement. There’s a reason this place has an outsized impact on American culture.
Stretching along the sinewy curves of the Douro River, Porto is a city of hilly cobblestone lanes, avant-garde museums and grand architectural monuments that date back to the Middle Ages.
Shortly after having my first child, with a trip on the books, I remember messaging a mom friend and asking: What do you do about a bag? After all, there was a day not too long ago when the diaper bag was an eyesore. An item on a baby registry, it was clunky and baby-centered, and it marked a short life stage, retiring to a closet a mere matter of years later.
It's time to think pink. After months of bleak winter weather, spring is ready to explode in the northern hemisphere with a riot of cherry tree blossoms.
Beyond the hippy days and techno raves, the best things to do in Ibiza can be attributed to the island's staggering natural beauty of windswept beaches, coves, rocky red cliffs and pine forests. Spend your days swimming and snorkeling, hiking, or renting a boat to explore hard-to-reach bays. Away from the beaches, visit the cute villages and town squares that make this Balearic Island beat, each with its unique vibe but full of local cafes, restaurants, and shops. With a Phoenician settlement founded in 654 BC, much of the island is steeped in history, with UNESCO heritage sites of ancient settlements dotted around. Spend some time traipsing around Ibiza Town, a labyrinth of bustling shops and restaurants with an ancient past seen in its cobbled stone streets and castle that looms large over the island. Here, we share a snapshot of things to do in Ibiza, including what to see and explore to get to know this mythical island.
Québec City is known for its enchanting architecture and historic vibe – a French-Canadian city that feels European, with a side of deliciously gooey poutine.
Forget Paris in spring: Rome is both warmer and cooler in the first few months of the year. The locals are in their winter black rollneck jumpers, accessorised with equally noir-ish sunglasses. With an average of 17C by March, it’s warm enough to sit outside cafés and bars, but not hot enough to fall foul of the “no shorts” rule enforced in Rome’s oldest churches.
It's hard not to fall in love with Hong Kong at first sight, a disarmingly high-rise metropolis in the dreamiest of island settings. Then you start to discover just how memorable the food scene is, how vibrant the nightlife is, how incredible the shopping is – and game over, you're smitten.
Vermont—home of the Green Mountains, fantastic cheese, and Noah Kahan. The state is a haven for artisans, makers, and bona fide New England yankees looking for a quieter pace of life, and a rich tapestry of well-known scenery and hidden gems to explore. Ask ten visitors which part of Vermont they love most and you’re likely to get ten different answers—but pretty much everyone can agree that in the winter, it’s all roads lead to Stowe.