BARCELONA, Spain -- While many people visit Barcelona for a few hours during a stopover on a Mediterranean cruise, this ancient city founded in the third century B.C. offers a multitude of reasons for an extended visit.

Barcelona is beautiful with stunning structures by world-renowned architects lining almost every street. Add in gothic monuments, historic parks, white sand beaches and the sparkling sea, and the city becomes a true feast for the eyes.

The founding of Barcelona is shrouded in myths, including one that credits Hercules and some of Jason's Argonauts with settling the city. However, it is certain that it was under Roman rule near the end of the first century B.C., and crumbling homes, factories and warehouses of ancient "Barcino" can still be viewed underground at the Barcelona History Museum in the Gothic Quarter.

The Gothic Quarter is the oldest part of the city and wandering the labyrinth of twisting paths through its narrow streets can be a delightful way to spend an afternoon. The area is dominated by the towering Barcelona Cathedral. Begun in 1298, construction continued for more than 150 years. The result is a spectacular combination of gothic and baroque architecture that draws over three million visitors a year. Make the climb to the roof for a closer view of the gargoyles crouched along the towers.

Pablo Picasso called Barcelona home for nearly 10 years, and the city's Picasso Museum houses one of the largest collections of the artist's early works, many donated by Picasso himself. Don't be deterred by the ever-present crowd awaiting entrance. The line moves relatively fast and the museum showcases the artist's growth from traditional portraits and landscapes, through his "blue period" and the creation of cubism.

If you're craving more Picasso, stop by the National Art Museum of Catalonia. Billed as '1,000 years of art,' this incredible collection features some 5,000 works from the 11th century through the Renaissance and on to modern masters. It is housed in the Palau Nacional, a sprawling palace worthy of a visit for its sheer grandeur.

About the same time Picasso was beginning his career in earnest, another of Barcelona's sons was leaving his own mark on the city. Antoni Gaudi's architectural triumphs across Barcelona have earned no less than seven UNESCO World Heritage Site designations and are some of the most visited sites in the city.

One is Casa Balto, with its shimmering façade and dragon-scale rooftop, sits in the middle of "the street of discord," so named because of the contrasting architectural styles of the surrounding buildings. Not far up the street is Casa Mila, another of Gaudi's famous works. Both feature his signature style of undulating walls and curving banisters, calling to mind the twisting forms of nature itself.

Arguably the most recognizable landmark in Barcelona is the Sagrada Familia, a basilica that Gaudi began in 1882 and left unfinished upon his death in 1926. Its other-worldly façade, crowded with biblical scenes, combined with the spacious interior packed with twisting columns that resemble trees, create a unique spectacle that is truly worthy of being the most visited landmark in Spain. Following Gaudi's original plans, construction has continued for the past 88 years, and is scheduled to be completed in 2026.

Barcelona's port has a 2,000-year-old history, and much of it is on display at the Maritime Museum. Housed in 14th century shipyards, the museum's centerpiece is a full-scale replica of the royal galley of John of Austria. The original was built in these same shipyards in 1568 and took part in the Battle of Lapanto in 1571.

Across the street, towering 194 feet in the air stands a statue of Christopher Columbus pointing out to sea, commemorating the explorer's visit to Barcelona to report to Queen Isabella I and King Ferdinand V after his first trip to the new continent.

When you've had your fill of art and architecture, take the cable car up towering Montjuic for incredible views of the city. There's also an 18th century fortress at the peak where you can grab some refreshments and enjoy the sea breeze.

For more outdoor fun, take a stroll through the 74-acre Parc de la Ciutadella with its landscaped gardens, massive fountains, zoo and even a lake where you can rent row boats.

If it's nightlife you're after, look no further than Las Rambla, a 1.2 kilometer stretch of bars, shops, attractions and theaters. With a large pedestrian area cutting down the center of the street, the place is always crowded and always exciting, with street performers, kiosks and cafes.

Barcelona has it all, from Catalonian cuisine to avant-garde art; from beautiful beaches to world renowned architecture; from quaint, ancient neighborhoods to a nightlife that goes till dawn. With so much to see and do, you can return to Spain's second largest city again and again, and never have the same trip twice.