Barcelona is one of the world’s most popular cities to visit and you’ll find it on the north-eastern coast of Spain. If you have a hire car in Barcelona you’ll probably note that it’s just 75 miles from the French border in the Pyrenees to the north. Barcelona is Spain’s second city but an important centre in its own right too – it's the capital of the country's Catalan region. The city also has the biggest port on the Mediterranean, as well as being an industrial centre and a seaside resort. The city itself spreads across the narrow coastal plan between the sandy beaches and the mountains behind.
Why is this huge sprawling industrial city so popular? If you have a hire car you’ll be able to tour around Barcelona to find out. It has a unique charm, mixing a rebellious tradition with culture, style, nightlife, sun and sea. Drivers find there’s a logical road layout, with long straight arterial ‘diagonals’ to get you to the centre quickly. The biggest attraction is Gaudi’s surreal creation the Sagrada Familia, one of the world’s most unusual church buildings. Throughout Barcelona it’s worth looking out for interesting architecture. You’ll see historic gothic buildings, a medieval Royal Palace, plenty of art nouveau and glossy modern structures too.
