Gaudi's Casa Mila or La Pedrera, which means “The Quarry” in Spanish, refers to the stone façade of one of famed architect Antoni Gaudí's most distinguished works. Once in disrepair, the historic apartment building has been restored to its original splendor and now houses an art museum. To learn more about one of the top attractions in Barcelona, visit
www.caixacatalunya.cat/obrasocial The Antoni Tapies Foundation is one of Barcelona's most beloved single focus museums, and ranks only after the Miró Museum and Picasso Museum in terms of popularity. Dedicated to the work of Catalan artist Antoni Tàpies, the collection is housed in a landmark Barcelona building and features drawings, sculptures, and, most notably, paintings from his mature abstract expressionism period. To learn more, visit
www.fundaciotapies.org The Egyptian Museum of Barcelona
The Egyptian Museum of Barcelona is the only Egyptology museum in Spain and houses hundreds of rare pieces from the private collection of founder Jordi Clos. Many of the exhibits are devoted to the daily lives of ancient Egyptians, and include displays of hieroglyphics, sculptures, ceremonial jewelry, and burial sarcophagi. The museum's extensive Egypt library is open to the public and has thousands of rare editions and scholarly works. To learn more, visit
www.fundclos.com Gaudi's Casa Batllo is located adjacent to the Casa Amatller and is one of by Antoni Gaudí's most famous works. A sensuous exploration of curvilinear forms decorated with broken ceramics and tiles, the glittering facade of the Casa Batlló is believed to refer to the story of Saint George and the dragon, with the roof representing the scaled hump of the dragon. Admission price is charged to view the dazzling interior space, which features custom-designed furniture by Gaudí. To learn more, visit
www.casabatllo.cat Barcelona's Gothic Quarter
Barcelona's old Gothic Quarter (Barri Gòtic) is the city's most popular neighborhood with tourists and has remained amazingly intact over time. Dating to the Middle Ages, the neighborhood features charming squares and narrow, bustling streets, which are dramatically dark and atmospheric in evenings. Be sure to see the cathedral and the Roman ruins. To learn more about the many attractions in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, visit
www.frommers.com/destinations/barcelona/0045020603.html#ixzz1P4UYsUbL The Cathedral of Barcelona offers a splendid example of Gothic architecture located on the Plaça de la Seu thoroughfare. A commanding presence, the Barcelona Cathedral's spires tower over nearly the entire Gothic Quarter and features a magnificent cloister, which was called by a historian "the loveliest oasis in Barcelona." To learn more about things to see at the Barcelona Cathedral, visit
www.catedralbcn.org Gaudi's most famous work, La Sagrada Familia (the Church of the Holy Family), holds perhaps as much allure for its architecture as its incompleteness. Worked on from 1882 until the architect's death in 1926, this marathon feat of undulating architecture was funded by an extreme wing of the Catholic Church which believed that Barcelona needed to atone for its wicked ways. To learn more, visit
www.sagradafamilia.cat Port Olimpic and Port Vell
Palau de la Musica Catalana
The Palau de la Musica Catalana is one of Barcelona's most noted architectural sights. Built in 1908 by Catalan architect Lluis Doménech i Montaner, the Palau de la Musica Catalana was intended to house the Orfeó Català, a choral society. Today, concerts still take place at the landmark modernist building, which also offers guided tours. To learn more, visit
www.palaumusica.org Barcelona Beaches (or platjas in Spanish) offer splendid sands that run for more than 4 km. Barcelona's beaches have only become better over the years and been recently improved. Some of the leading beaches include, the Platja de Sant Sebastià, the Sant Miquel beach, Passeig Marítim beach, and the beach at Port Olímpic. Barceloneta Beach being the most popular of all of Barcelona's beaches. To learn more, visit
www.fodors.com/world/europe/spain/barcelona/feature_30007.html