If you’ve ever been to Barcelona then you know it has an incredibly unique and locally derived built environment.

Some of us at Designing Local (read: me) believe that it may be the best example of local design out there. Without further ado, here are 7 reasons why Barcelona is totally and completely remarkable.

1. Sagrada Família

When you can’t decide whether you’re in Candyland or Barcelona you’ve reached La Sagrada Família. Its been under construction for 132 years (its projected to be finished in 2026) and was designed by Barcelona’s foremost architect Antoni Gaudí in his signature Catalan Modernist style. Book your ticket now, 2026 is coming fast!

2. ¡Visca Catalunya Lliure!

No hablo Espanol! I speak Catalan, a Romance language, spoken in Catalunya which is the spanish province with Barcelona as its capital. The language has been suppressed on and off for centuries, and was outright banned from 1940 until the end of the Franco regime in 1978. Street signs that once were in Spanish have now been torn down and replaced with Barcelona’s mother tongue. Today Catalunya, now autonomous, is even considering Independence from Spain.

3. Eixample

You’d never dream that such uniformness could lead to such originality. Barcelona’s Eixample neighborhood (‘Extension’ in Catalan), one of the cities first planned neighborhoods, is characterized by octagonal blocks with courtyards in the middle. Much like Vine’s 6 seconds or Twitter’s 140 characters, Eixample’s unique grid pattern has allowed for incredible architecture (more on that next) within its natural strict limits.

4. La Pedrera & More

Inspired by the natural landscape surrounding Barcelona, Gaudi and company designed a number of awe inspiring buildings within the confines of the Eixample. La Pedrera and Casa Batlló, the most prominent examples, were both designed by Gaudi whose importance can’t be understated. He’s even under consideration for sainthood.

5. Barri Gòtic

While other European cities demolished their medieval Gothic quarters (Paris I’m talking to you!), Barcelona preserved and restored Barri Gòtic. Tight streets, charming plazas and Cathedrals that emerge from the ancient labyrinth provide a wonderful contrast to the more recent (by European standards) Eixample. You couldn’t replicate it even if you got permission to break every building code in America.

6. Metro

Now I hear what you’re saying… “Josh, every large city not ending  with a USA has a great metro.” In which case, I’d respond “Well yes, but how many are pristine, fast, affordable, and reach the whole city quickly in the 5th largest region in Europe?” Barca wins!

6. Palau Nacional

Situated atop Montjuïc, Palau Nacional stands out not for being a beautiful former palace (it is) or being a museum of fantastic Spanish and Catalan artwork (it is). Palau National stands out for its beautiful fountains which provide the perfect foreground for the picturesque view of the cityscape.

7. Parc Guell

How could the list go on without at least one more Gaudi masterpiece? Parc Guell’s sites, imitate, embrace, emerge from and oppose the landscape in the perfect and yet most shocking fashion. Throw in an unparalleled view of the city and the ocean. When you arrive at Parc Guell you couldn’t imagine it existing anywhere but Barcelona.

And of course the most important thing about Barcelona deserves a mention:

Friends and Fun!

Barcelona is known for its nightlife, but the real Barcelona isn’t found in the nightclubs of Barceloneta. The kitchen tables and balconies are where the real fun happens (and just like the clubs it goes till 6am!). Like any locally oriented city, the most important asset of Barcelona is its people.