Barcelona

Barcelona may not be the capital of Spain, but try telling that to the people in Barcelona. With so many tourist sights, great restaurants, cheap accommodation options, and such a thriving nightlife culture, it's no wonder that visitors to Barcelona may never want to leave. This city is a popular stop on the backpacker route through Europe, primarily because it's less expensive than some similar cities elsewhere on the continent, and tourists of all stripes can take advantage of the deals available in Barcelona.

The main sights in Barcelona include the giant boulevard known as La Rambla, which is made for pedestrians, and the famous unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral. The cathedral is a Gaudi masterpiece, and the architect left his mark in many other places throughout the city. And in addition to all these city-centric attractions, don't forget that Barcelona is a beach city - bring your swim trunks.