Barcelona: the city of infectious high spirits and never-ending vitality. The vibrant capital of Catalonia and second largest city in Spain, Barcelona lives by the maxim of living life to the fullest. Barcelona simply exudes with soul and energy while amazing its visitors with the magnificent architecture of Antonio Gaudi. Compiled is a list of ten things you must definitely see or do when in this originally Roman city.

1. Las Ramblas

Running from the front of the sea all the way through to Placa de Catalunya, Las Ramblas brings market stalls together with original and lively street entertainment. Barcelona’s mime artists are those to look out for, though beware of pickpockets!

2. Sagrada Familia Church

La Sagrada Familia is most likely to be Antonio Gaudi’s most magnificent achievement. It has been in the making since 1882 and still unfinished to this day; its tourists finance the ongoing construction of this gothic masterpiece.

3. Picasso Museum

Although born in Malaga, Pablo Picasso moved to Barcelona when he was merely a teenager. The Picasso Museum on the Carrer Mondacada is a pleasant visit for some of works. Most of Picasso’s art is owned by true art collectors, however, so do not expect a grand exhibition.

4. Casa-Museu Gaudi

The Gaudi museum looks like a pink house from “Alice in Wonderland” and is actually the place where Gaudi lived with his niece from 1906 to 1926.  The museum holds various items, such as furniture, portraits and drawings, all created by the famous Antonio Gaudi himself.

5. The Poble Espanyol

For a real taste of what Spain has to offer architecturally, the Poble Espanyol is a must-visit. The ‘Spanish Village’ was completed in 1929 and is comprised of several buildings that simply exude of Spanish design. This village has become a focal point of dining and entertain, and serves to be a prime location to celebrate all things espanol.

6. Bishop’s Palace

In 1887, the Bishop’s Palace suffered from an incredible fire, after which Bishop Juan Bautista Grau i Vallespin commissioned Antonio Gaudi to design an even more magnificent palace. Gaudi, however, abandoned the project after the bishop’s death (although this may also have had something to do with the bishop’s constant interference with its design) and the palace was not inhabited until 1961.

7. Gothic Quarter

On the site where an ancient Roman village used to lie, now lays the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona. This section of the city serves to be a huge contrast of both modern and more medieval architecture. The magnificent 14th century cathedral can also be found here.

8. Olympic Stadium

The eyes of the world focused on Barcelona’s Olympic Stadium in 1992, when the city decided to host the Olympic Games. The stadium is actually a redesigned version of the original stadium that was built in 1929. Today, it is the host of a lot of notable athletic events.

9. Passeig de Gracia

For all your shopping needs, Passeig de Gracia is the place to be. Passeig de Gracia is one of the major shopping areas in Barcelona, and offers boutiques from the modest to the sophisticated. Bars and restaurants can also be found along the line of this Passeig.

10. La Diada de Sant Jordi (Lover’s Day)

People all around the world know about and celebrate Valentine’s Day. But Barcelona is a city of true romance, with its own version of the day of love. Lover’s Day is celebrated annually on the 23rd of April, in honor of Sant Jordi (Saint George), who is also the patron saint of the region.