HOLA BARCELONA!

From art, culture, and architecture to a buzzing nightlife, Spain's second-largest city has something for everyone.

- SMITA TRIPATHI

We're going somewhere where the sun is shining bright/Just close your eyes/And let's pretend we're dancing in the street/In Barcelona, Barcelona, Barcelona..." croons Ed Sheeran on Spotify as I land in the city known in equal parts for La Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi, FC Barcelona, World's Best Bar, Michelin Star tapas (there are 28 Michelin star restaurants!)... the list is endless. Little wonder, it is one of Europe's hottest tourist destinations-over 12 million visitors thronged the city last year.

My reasons for visiting Barcelona are two-fold-Antoni Gaudí, the eccentric, genius architect who put Barcelona on the world map, thanks to his crazy, outlandish buildings, and the Spanish city's rocking bar scene. Some of the world's best bars (including the World's Best Bar) are in Barcelona.

In Gaudí, we trust

It is difficult to understand the genius of Gaudí. Yet he has left his stamp on the city," says Javi, my friend, philosopher and (tour) guide for the day as we come face-to-face with Casa Batlló, one of the seven Unesco World Heritage Sites in Barcelona designed by Gaudí.