About 2,000 years ago, the Romans decided they needed a new vacation spot and founded Barcino on the Mediterranean coast. They thought it would be a great place to build forums, aqueducts, and other Roman structures. Thus, Barcelona was born, with its first walls and an urban plan that we can still see in the Gothic Quarter.

After the Romans, the Visigoths moved in and said, “This is nice, we’ll stay!” So they took control and added their own touch to the city. In the 8th century, the Muslims arrived, bringing with them a rich culture and advancements in science and architecture.

Barcelona continued to grow, and in the Middle Ages, the city expanded beyond its ancient Roman walls. They built new medieval walls, and the city flourished as an important commercial and maritime center. 

Moving into the Renaissance, Barcelona became even more impressive with Gothic buildings like the Barcelona Cathedral. But it wasn’t until the 19th century that the city truly became artistic. Enter Antoni Gaudí, the mad genius of modernism, who left us wonders like the Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, and Casa Batlló. 

In the mid-19th century, the engineer Ildefons Cerdà presented the Pla Cerdà, a revolutionary urban plan that transformed Barcelona. This plan introduced a grid design with wide streets and interior courtyards, providing more light and ventilation to buildings. Thanks to it, today we enjoy wide avenues like Passeig de Gràcia and perfectly aligned streets in the Eixample district.

The 20th century was a roller coaster. Barcelona was a republican stronghold during the Spanish Civil War and suffered greatly during the conflict. After the war, Franco’s dictatorship left its mark, but the Catalans remained firm in their identity and culture. And then came the 1992 Olympic Games! Barcelona seized the opportunity to completely transform itself. The city was revitalized, new sports facilities and beaches were built, and Barcelona was put on the map as a modern and vibrant city. Thanks to the Olympics, we now have the beaches to enjoy the sun and sand.

Want to know more about the city and its neighborhoods? We’ve prepared some cool travel guides where you can explore every area, learn about the history of Barcelona, and eat the best way possible with our vegan recommendations.