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On the northeastern shore of Spain sits Barcelona, the second largest city in the country and a favorite among history buffs and foodies. Barcelona sits on the Mediterranean Sea, so it’s also a top spot for beach bums and sun seekers.

You won’t want to miss the unusual buildings by architect Antoni Gaudi, whose unmistakably creative structures are easy to pick out from Barcelona’s urban landscape. Seven of his properties, including La Sagrada Familia, are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You can also spend afternoons wandering through Boqueria Market, sampling tapas and wine throughout the city or watching matadors during a bullfight. As summer approaches, Barcelona’s beaches will beckon you to spend a day on the sand. And any time of year is the perfect time to visit Museu Picasso, one of the largest collections of the artist’s works.

Whether you’re planning a trip or just daydreaming, here’s an inspirational photo tour of Barcelona.

(Main image: Cintia Barenho)

About the author

Marissa WillmanMarissa Willman earned a bachelor's degree in journalism before downsizing her life into two suitcases for a teaching gig in South Korea. Seoul was her home base for two years of wanderlusting throughout six countries in Asia. In 2011, Marissa swapped teaching for travel writing and now calls Southern California home.

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