Diverse Cultural Experiences

Savour the Diverse Cultural Experiences of Soulful Barcelona

Between the crisp sangrias and beautiful beaches, Barcelona is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain but despite being a part of the nation, the city gives off a different vibe compared to the rest of Spain, making visiting Barcelona a unique experience even for the most experienced traveller in Spain.

Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia, a region in the north eastern part of Spain bordering France. When in Barcelona, you will realise that most local information guides and signposts contain three languages: English, Spanish and Catalan which is mostly spoken amongst the locals.

Due to its history, Catalan would first appear to be a mix of Spanish and French, but

The simple grid layout of the streets make walking about in Barcelona a simple and therapeutic experience.

And while you're on your feet, you must visit La Rambla (meaning the avenue). Sometimes known in plural form as Las Ramblas, it is a street in the central district of Barcelona which stretches over 1.2 kilometers (about 0.75 miles) .

The street, with its numerous street musician performances, is full of bars, restaurants and even souvenir shops, making La Rambla a bustling hub of activity filled with tourists and locals alike. Connected to La Rambla are several smaller streets (hence why it is sometimes called Las Ramblas) which connect the main avenue to several important areas within the city.

These include the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona (essentially the older part of the city housing several churches and cathedrals) and La Boqueria (a public fresh produce market that has been in operation since the 13th century), making La Rambla more or less the heart of Barcelona where you can get a taste of the city's local culture at its very best.

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Tapas is a culinary culture unique to Spain. The food is often served in smaller portions and typically costs 3 EUR (3.35 USD) per dish and is more about enjoying the company of friends and sampling the many flavours of Spain than it is an actual meal (but that doesn't mean it's not filling!). And while tapas dishes are readily available throughout Spain, the dishes vary between regions.

In Barcelona, some of the must-try tapas (with a local twist) are: pan con tomate (toasted bread infused with tomato and olive oil), patatas bravas (deep fried potato cubes often served with garlic mayo and spicy tomato salsa) and especially jamón ibérico (Spanish cured ham usually from the leg area of an Iberian black pig), which is possibly the most typical local delicacy.

If you're looking at the many tapas bars in Barcelona and wondering where to start, a highly recommended tapas bar is Irati Taverna Basca, a mere two minutes' walk off the main avenue of La Rambla. Irati serves up delicious tapas in a rustic but classy environment and is a favorite of the