6 reasons to visit Barcelona

Barcelona is not only the second-largest city in Spain but one of the world's most global cities. Here are six reasons to put it on your itinerary.

Las Ramblas

Taking a look through a selection of guidebooks before heading to Spain, I found that many label Las Ramblas as one of those sights you'll either love or hate. My recommendation is to at least give it a try and go with an open mind. The bottom line is this: the street is busy—very busy. If you're not a fan of big crowds sauntering along a small walkway, you might not love it.

But take advantage of the slow-moving throng and look around you. Las Ramblas used to be a riverbed flowing through Barcelona and is one of the busiest streets in the city centre. But it's not just the bustle that draws attraction. In the centre of the street is a pedestrian walkway lined with vendors selling trinkets, art, flowers, fruits, quick eats, pets (you can purchase a squirrel, if you wish) and Spanish tabloids. Along the street are cafes and tapas bars. Las Ramblas is actually dived into five sections, or five ramblas, each having its own distinct feel. The lower half heading toward the water is the most lively, with human statues, street performers, sketch artists and musicians filling the air with a distinctly Spanish vibe.

Picasso Museum

Most travellers hit at least one museum during their trip. The Picasso museum is not only worth seeing, but also one I would go back to on my next trip to Barcelona. Tucked away on a side street (C/ Montcada 15-23), and not that far from where a young Picasso went to school, you might just miss the museum housing most of Picasso's influential work, from his early sketches to his hand-painted ceramic plates that he kept in his home. View how his work evolved from subtle lines to his classic structured pieces. If you're not completely riveted by Picasso's work, you can at the very least appreciate the structure that is home to the museum. With low arches and an airy, open center, it's hard not to love the beauty and simplicity of this museum.