Serious renovation of the city started in the early 1990s following an attempt to rebuild Barcelona to its former glory by the 1992 Olympic Games. The result was a glittering beach- metropolis with a distinctive Mediterranean flair. The centerpiece of this renovation was Barri Gòtic, the city’s historic district laden with architectural treasures and atmospheric narrow lanes. A more historically rich part of town is the sunbathed waterfront, which is dominated by marinas, promenades and the scenic Via Olympica. Additional charms include the beaches of Lloret and Tossa de Mar in the north and Sitges beach in the south, as well as the monastery at Montserrat, the Penedes Vineyards, and the Pyrenees. Despite what can be immediately seen and experienced, Barcelona hides many intrinsic charms. The city offers a feast of sculptures, paintings, mosaics, impressive architecture and fashion. It is here that one would most likely find the highest density of 20th Century iconic art, including museums dedicated to Picasso, Miro, Tapies and Dali. Moreover, one can find the Art Nouveau-meets-Modernista buildings by Gaudí, as well as the cutting edge structures by Gehry and Nouvel.

Entertainment and fun in Barcelona rarely ceases and if you leave in the evening, you're very likely to spend an entire night out. For example, an entire affair could continue until dawn starting off with a theatre performance, followed by dinner at one of the city’s various restaurants, then socialising at a bar, or in a club. As a matter of fact, many travellers visit Barcelona solely for its never-ending fun, only catching up on sleep during the day and then immersing into a ravenous nightlife again. The Barri Gòtic district and its bars are particularly noted for their party scene and the entire place seems to be brimming with smoke-filled drinking dens, ritzy cocktail lounges, cheery pubs and classy wine bars.