Hi. This is Barcelona

Why should you experience the real Barcelona?
What is it about this city that captures people and leaves them wanting more?

Barcelona fascinates.

The natives of Barcelona are convinced that they live in the world's most alluring city. Though this attitude may seem arrogant to some, as foreigners continue to flock to Barcelona and find it increasingly difficult to leave, you are forced wonder whether its locals aren't so much cocky as they are correct.

Barcelona represents an intriguing blend of Spanish spirit and tradition, Parisian class, and the personality and politics of San Francisco. It has Amsterdam's color, the artistic flair and diversity of New York, the bohemian attitude of California's Venice Beach, and the nightlife of Buenos Aires, but with the history of Rome. Now, add a creative industry which rivals Scandinavia in design and Milan in fashion. And finally, bless it with a Mediterranean climate and healthy, delicious cuisine, beautiful beaches and mountains, and an unparalleled architectural legacy. This is Barcelona

Many call it enchanting and magical. Most would agree it's unique. The curious mix of conservative and liberal, busy and relaxed, old and new, helps in proving Barcelona's case. Even its native language, Catalan, is distinctive.

As you ramble down the streets of Barcelona, the faces of the people around you seem surprisingly familiar; this city of 2 million somehow feels intimate, like a tiny village. Here, regardless of your style of dress, hair color, or sexual persuasion, you will likely blend into the diverse surroundings, becoming a part of the eclectic environment that is so appreciated in Barcelona. Being home to thousand-year-old ruins, Europe's oldest parliament, some of Spain's wealthiest citizens and the world's most celebrated edifices has not stopped Barcelona from inviting street performers, graffiti artists, skateboarders, and protestors to share its public streets and plazas. Where else can you stroll, naked, down city streets and in front of Gothic cathedrals, without breaking any laws? And where else can you dodge puddles of urine, drug dealers, pick-pockets, and prostitutes, to see some of the world's most magnificent sights?

It's no wonder that Barcelona has been chosen as the site for two Universal EXPOS, an International Forum of Cultures, the Olympic Games, the MTV Music Awards, and countless other awards shows, music festivals, conventions, and academic and corporate conferences.

Barcelona is passionate, proud, creative, conceited, innovative, inefficient, humanitarian, nationalistic, high class, clashing, close-minded, active, lazy, political, bohemian, avante-guard, square, liberal, stubborn, enlightened, sleazy, intellectual, irresponsible, in style, in shape, inspiring, intolerant, radiant, worldly, secular, traditional, progressive, hip, outdated, exaggerated, fashionable, dreamy, and dirty.

No city is like Barcelona . No city even tries.