Barcelona
The local area
Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, Spain, is a magical Mediterranean metropolis. At once an ancient and modern city, it is said in legend to have been found by Hercules. With a heady mix of artistic heritage, lively nightlife and fabled architecture, it is little wonder that it is one of Europe's ultimate city break destinations.
Barcelona epitomises Spanish 'street-life', from outdoor markets to a vibrant café culture. While away mornings sipping a café con leche and eating pan con tomate, browse unique boutiques, explore historic landmarks that are so highly revered around the world, and soak up the sun and sea air on one of the city's sandy beaches. Once the sun goes down, Barcelona buzzes with nightlife.
Sited between the sea and the mountains, the 39-square-mile city is split into 10 districts and over 70 barrios, each brimming with unique character and charm. From the well-known Ciutat Vella (Old Town), which is comprised of Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), El Raval, La Barceloneta, and Barri de la Ribera, to the fashionable El Born district, one of city's prettiest areas and home to our pied-à-terre, Calle Princesa.
The History of Barcelona
Legends aside, the exact origin of Barcelona is unknown, but it appears to have begun life in earnest as a Roman city, before becoming the capital of the County of Barcelona in the Middle Ages. This ancient history lies beneath your feet as you stroll around the city, with subterranean Barcelona boasting some of the most extensive and comprehensive Roman ruins in the world, visible in the City History Museum. Gothic architecture features above ground, along with the outstanding and city-defining work of Gaudi, Barcelona's most beloved architect.
What to See and Do in Barcelona
Barcelona features the best of Spanish city culture, with outdoor markets, beautiful churches, museums and a vibrant café and bar culture. Great one-off shops and boutiques will make for many happy afternoons lazily shopping, and in the summer warmth, Barcelona's beaches make for a pleasing escape from the city. Once the sun goes down, the city invites you out into the night air to enjoy its food, mojitos and famously buzzing nightclubs.
Picasso spent his formative years in Barcelona and maintained strong links with the city. The Picasso Museum, spread over four medieval townhouses in Calle Montcada, traces the genius of the young artist through an astonishing 4,251 works. More cultural interest can be found with the Sagrada Familia, the aforementioned Antoni Gaudi's weird and wonderful unfinished masterpiece. Visitors can access the nave, crypt, and the Passion and Nativity towers, before heading to Parc de la Ciutadella to potter around the lake or visit the city zoo.
Spanish Food and Drink
Catalan cuisine is bright and irresistible. Built for sociable gatherings cheerfully passing dishes around the dinner table, here enjoyment of food is one of the cornerstones of a life well lived. Whether you want to spend the day wandering around food markets in order to prepare a meal yourself in our luxury apartment, or if you prefer the atmospheric and lively restaurants, the quality of the local food won't let you down.
Characterised by herbs, the locally bred animals and huge amounts of beautiful seafood, eating here is delightful. It's simplicity is displayed by one of Barcelona's staple dishes, of bread toasted and rubbed with olive oil, garlic and tomato. Calçots, a native green onion, are cooked and served with Romesco sauce, made of hazelnuts, almonds, and ñora peppers, while Crema Catalana is the Barcelona Creme Brulee.
The Experience
El Xalet
Advance Booking Required
A beautifully restored farmhouse restaurant on top of Montjuïc hill with terraces overlooking...
Cal Pep
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Tapas bar, specialising in seafood. The moment you walk through the door your are set on a...
Llamber
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A very chic restaurant with warm yet modern décor: the exposed stone walls and steel features...
Xurreria Café
Come here to purchase crispy, golden churros, an iconic Spanish treat which you can enjoy...
Moments
Advance Booking Required
Go to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's two Michelin star restaurant Moments for a truly memorable...
Caelis
Advance Booking Required
A curious contemporary restaurant which has recently changed venue in order to experiment in a...
Tapas La Boqueria
For a classic Spanish dining experience, visit the famous La Boqueria market where there is a...
Enoteca
Advance Booking Required
A prominent two Michelin Star restaurant with stunning sea views and a subtle focus on...
Eclipse
Near Port Vell, 26 floors in the sky with world class DJs, cocktails with the freshest...
La Dolce Vita
A stunning rooftop bar with a vantage point from which you can admire tree lined streets,...
El Paraigua
Hidden away in Barri Gotic and cocktailing since the 1960s, this marvellously quirky, cosy but...
Boca Chica
A stylish bar at Boca Grande, Boca Chica, provides a perfect space to relax in a sophisticated...
El Chiringuito (Bogatell Beach)
Situated on one of Barcelona's most sought after beaches, this chiringuito is the place to...
Sagrada Família
Antoni Gaudí's weird and wonderful unfinished masterpiece. Visitors can access the nave, crypt...
Picasso Museum
Picasso spent his formative years in Barcelona and maintained strong links with the city. This...
Museu d’Historia de Barcelona
Built above an excavation site of Roman ruins (the ancient city of Barcelona) the museum takes...
Festes de La Merce in September
Locals party in honour of the city's patron saint, the Virgin de la Merce, with sardanes...
La Pedrera
Advance Booking Required
A UNESCO listed building designed by Gaudi which appears to have been ripped wholesale from a...
Barcelona Zoo
Located in Parc de la Ciutadella, Barcelona Zoo is within easy walking distance and includes...
Magic Fountain
Keep an eye on the timetable for this iconic fountain (in general, shows take place from 9pm...
Tibidado Amusement Park
Sporting a stunning view of the city from its prime vantage point on a summit, Tibidado offers...
Mar Bella
Advance Booking Required
This is a fantastic choice for families, and relatively uncrowded compared to some of the more...
Montjuïc
Home to a castle and several ancient fortifications, Montjuïc is Barcelona's highest point,...
Parc de la Ciutadella
The beautiful city park makes for a wonderful stroll and moment of tranquillity away from the...
Parc Guell
Schedule a visit to Park Guell. It contains amazing stone structures, stunning tiling and...
Mirador de Colom
From the viewing platform 60 metres up you will enjoy unique views of the Gothic Quarter, La...
Barceloneta
Approximately 1,100m long, together with Sant Sebastià beach, Barceloneta is one of the...
Platja de la Bogatell
The Bogatell beach is one of the most popular amongst Barcelona coastal visitors, the beach...
43 The Spa
Advance Booking Required
A stunning location on the 42nd and 43rd floor of the Hotel Arts with breath-taking tranquil...
Ambrosia Spa
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As the name implies, this spa is simply divine. Once you're inside, it feels worlds away from...
Rituels d'Orient
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A marvellous spa which allows its clients to experience a ethereally calm sensation typically...
Serena Spa
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An intimate spa with excellent service and small yet exceptional facilities- there are saunas,...
Mandarin Oriental Spa
Advance Booking Required
If you're looking for a day of pure indulgence or even just an hour of pampering, this is the...
Bike Tours
There are many facets to Barcelona and beyond. Explore them on a bike tour of the city, or...
Chocolate Museum
Located in the former convent de Sant Agusti, the Chocolate Museum is a must for anyone with a...
Discovering Dali
Advance Booking Required
Discover Dali's influence over Catalunya, from the museum to his house and the castle he gave...
Sail at sunset
Advance Booking Required
Enjoy the open sea for a few hours' sailing from Port Olympic, watch the sunset with a glass...
Tastes, Tapas & Traditions of Barcelona Food Tour
Advance Booking Required
Spend half a day diving deep into the culinary veins which run through the El Born and La...
Barcelona Sweets Lover Tour
Advance Booking Required
For anyone with a sweet tooth and a taste for regional goodies, this is a must. With a...
El Corte Ingles
Spain's No.1 department store where well know brands as well as typically Spanish items are to...
Bulevard Rosa Arcade
This shopping area in the heart of Barcelona is home to more than 100 small shops, mostly...
La Boqueria Food Market
A number of stalls decorated with an array of colourful produce to tantalise your senses. La...
El Triangle
This shopping arcade hosts a collection of stores including the French owned FNAC and a...
Craft Market
This market is open every Thursday and Friday in the Gothic district of Barcelona.
Murivecchi
Advance Booking Required
Italian restaurant just below the apartment Calla Princesa
Bar Cañete
Advance Booking Required
In the heart of the vibrant Raval neighbourhood, Bar Cañete's menu is homage to the best of...
Tapeo del Born
Advance Booking Required
In Barcelona's Born district, Tapeo del Born neighbours the world-famous Picasso museum and...
Tapas 24
Advance Booking Required
Elaborate and experimental tapas from Catalonian Carles Abellan, a Michelin-starred chef...
Agua
Advance Booking Required
Its privileged location and its calm and welcoming atmosphere make Agua an ideal place to eat,...
Can Majo Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
Seafood and Paella restaurant
Santa Caterina Food Market
The original design of the building, as well as the treasure trove of produce displayed on its...
Lasarte Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
Restaurant Lasarte opened its doors in January 2006, In 2017 It was awarded with 3 Michelín...
Paradiso
Paradiso is one of Barcelona's best-kept secrets. Hidden behind a local pastrami shop, the...
Ushuku
Advance Booking Required
A very small, intimate teppan restaurant, with a maximum of 6 seats in the Niseko Town area,...
Casa Lolea Barcelona
Advance Booking Required
With a central location in the La Rivera neighborhood and a creative menu that makes it a...
El Quim de la Boqueria
Advance Booking Required
El Quim has the kind of privileged setting no amount of money in the world could ever buy....
JonCake
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His passion for cooking was the reason why an aeronautical engineer abandoned the stability...
Da Nanni Pizzeria
Advance Booking Required
One of the best pizzerias in Barcelona.
The Egg Lab
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Our mission is to make you feel at home and enjoy a unique brunch in Barcelona prepared under...
ROOQ Barcelona
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The goal is simple: provide amazing, homemade chicken sandwiches and nuggets at an affordable...
Carnal Steakhouse Barcelona
Advance Booking Required
Their secret sauce for a remarkable and memorable experience is their wood-fired grill, a...
Honest Greens Vegetarian Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
They prepare food daily at home, without additives or preservatives. Their dedication to...
Hotel Colon Rooftop Bar & Terrace
Advance Booking Required
Sit at the table of Catedral 1951 Restaurant and let yourself be surrounded by its pleasant...
La Cúpula Garraf
Advance Booking Required
Since 1989, La Cúpula has been comprised of a great team of hospitality professionals to offer...
Julieta's Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
At Julieta's we make the grooviest rice dishes in Barcelona without losing the mamma mia that...
Albé Barcelona
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Introducing Albé, where every visit feels like a journey straight to the heart.
The...
Restaurant Carmina
Advance Booking Required
Carmina is a restaurant with a gastronomic offer based on Italian cuisine located in the...
The Florentine Brunch Poblenou
Advance Booking Required
Located in the Poblenou neighbourhood in Barcelona, an area characterised by its...
Tragaluz Restaurant
Advance Booking Required
A Mediterranean Italian cuisine. Under a glass ceiling. You have to go through the kitchen to...
Boca Grande
Advance Booking Required
Feel, smell, taste, seduce, fall in love, dream and just like that an infinity of sensations...
