Cool and vibrant Barcelona, Spain's second city, has such a wealth of attractions that it's small wonder it has become Europe's most popular short break destination, and a common stop for Mediterranean cruise-liners.

Barcelona is also the heart and business/commercial sector of the popular holiday coastal region known as the Costa Brava, the northernmost Mediterranean seafront in Spain, as well as the Costa Dorada to the south.

This coast area is lined with popular resort towns, many retaining their traditional charm. The capital of Catalonia is unequivocally a Mediterranean city, not only because of its geographic location but also and above all because of its history, tradition and cultural influences.

The documented history of the city dates back to the founding of a Roman colony on its soil in the second century B.C. Modern Barcelona experienced spectacular growth and economic revival at the onset of industrialization during the second half of the 19th century. T

Barcelona has a Mediterranean climate, with sub-mediterranean influence. Thus, it is not the "classical Mediterranean climate" with mild, humid winters and warm, dry summers.

Barcelona is located on the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, so Atlantic west winds often arrive in Barcelona with low humidity, producing no rain. The proximity of the Atlantic, its latitude, and the relief, are the reasons why the summers are not as dry as in most other Mediterranean Basin locations.

Locality:

In a privileged position on the northeastern coast of the Iberian peninsula and the shores of the Mediterranean, Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain in both size and population. It is also the capital of Catalonia, 1 of the 17 Autonomous Communities that make up Spain.