As good for modern art aficionados as for foodies, beach lovers or mountain explorers, Barcelona makes the perfect city break for almost anyone. And Catalan influences and traditions add a different flavour to that of Spain’s other major cities.
Discover Gaudí
Barcelona simply wouldn’t be the same without the work of one of Catalonia’s most famous sons, Antoni Gaudí. Including the famously intricate and unfinished Sagrada Familia, the bright tiles of Park Guell and the fantastical frontage of Casa Batllo, seven Gaudi buildings have been named Unesco world heritage sites.
See the beautiful game
The Hilton Diagonal Mar Barcelona, with its Gaudí-inspired decor and panoramic views of the city, is the perfect place to explore the city. Situated on Barcelona’s main avenue, Avenida Diagonal, it’s only a few minutes away from FC Barcelona’s stunning Camp Nou stadium – the largest in Europe. If you’re not there on a match day, you can still see behind the scenes on a tour taking in the club’s museum.
Scale Tibidabo
Looming over the city, Mount Tibidabo’s fantastic views to the sea alone make it worth a visit. For a few bonus retro touches, ascend in the Tramvia Blau, a funicular tram dating back to 1901, then discover Barcelona’s oldest amusement park at the top, still with most of its original rides.
La Boqueria
There’s been a market on this spot for centuries. Today the sounds, smells, colours and tastes make it as much a tourist attraction as a place to stock up on provisions, although stallholders offer some of the area’s best food along with bars and restaurants to fuel your explorations.
Take an art tour
Gaudí isn’t the only draw for art-lovers – Barcelona is also home to the Picasso Museum, housing more than 4,000 of the artist’s works, as well as the Joan Miro Foundation, the MACBA modern art gallery and the European Museum of Modern Art.
The cathedral
The city’s imposing Gothic cathedral – the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia to give it its full name – dates back to the 12th century. Dedicated to Barcelona’s patron saint, don’t miss the 13 white geese in the cloister, one for every year of Eulalia’s short life according to legend.
Hit the beach
Tired of the city? A few metro stops from the centre is Barceloneta beach for a spot of sun worshipping, swimming and watersports, not to mention Frank Gehry’s famous fish sculpture Peix. It can be crowded in summer, but with six more city beaches farther out, you’re sure to find a seaside spot.
On the waterfront
Created before the 1992 Olympics, the transformed waterfront area at Port Vell attracts millions of visitors ever year thanks to 8,000 fish and sharks in Europe’s largest aquarium. Follow up with shopping at the Maremagnum mall or visit the IMAX cinema, all linked by a bridge to pedestrianised La Rambla.
Just the tonic
Gin’s the thing in Barcelona these days and the city has seen a plethora of gin bars sprouting up over the past few years. Head to the moody Bobby Gin for creative gin-based cocktails and thoroughly modern tapas (mini burger, anyone?) or try the aptly named Ideal Cocktail Bar for a choice of some 98 different gins. If it’s Wednesday though it has to be Banker’s Bar, for Gin&Jazz, when the G&Ts are washed down with live music.
Go Basque
The Basque version of tapas – called pintxos or pinchos – are making their mark on Barcelona. Find out what the fuss is about at Euskal Etxea where jamon serrano croissants and mini brochettes of pork are served, or really get stuck in at Pintxos Attack where from 7pm until they run out, one pintxo and a beer will set you back just €1.90. Wherever you go, hoover up what you want and keep hold of the stick the pintxo comes with – your bill will be calculated based on how many sticks you have at the end of the night.
