Barcelona › Places and landmarks
Gran Teatre del Liceu
The opera house on the Rambla, opened in 1847 and rebuilt after a fire in 1994.
The Liceu opened in 1847 and became one of the great opera houses of Europe, paid for not by a king but by the city’s own citizens. It burned in 1861 and again in 1994.
Each time it was rebuilt, and it reopened in 1999 with its gilded horseshoe hall as before.
More in Barcelona
La RamblaThe tree-lined promenade from Plaça de Catalunya down to the sea, Barcelona’s busiest street.
Plaça de CatalunyaThe great square where the old town meets the 19th-century Eixample.
La BoqueriaBarcelona’s most famous market, under an iron roof just off the Rambla.
Plaça ReialAn arcaded square with palm trees and lamps designed by a young Antoni Gaudí.
CathedralThe Gothic cathedral of Santa Eulàlia, with thirteen white geese in its cloister.
Plaça de Sant JaumeThe square where the government of Catalonia and the city hall face each other, on the old Roman forum.
Columbus MonumentColumbus on a 60-metre column at the bottom of the Rambla, pointing out to sea.
Gothic QuarterThe maze of narrow medieval lanes at the heart of the old town, on top of Roman Barcino.
Palau de la Música CatalanaA concert hall of Catalan Modernism, all mosaic, stained glass and sculpture.
Sagrada FamíliaGaudí’s basilica, under construction since 1882; it lies beyond this small map, in the Eixample.
CastellersHuman towers of up to ten storeys, built by teams standing on one another’s shoulders.
TapasSmall dishes to share at the bar: patatas bravas, pan con tomate, croquetas and anchovies.