This cool, cosmopolitan metropolis is the bastion of Catalan nationalism and one of the greatest port cities on the Mediterranean. Barcelona's distinct culture finds exuberant expression in its architecture – in the sinuous swirls of its Modernista buildings, in the other-worldly weirdness of Park Güell and in the soaring spires of the Sagrada Família. A stroll along the Rambla, Barcelona's famed promenade, reveals a city of irrepressible energy and a proud and unique identity.
A botanical garden in the Montjuïc area
After the original 1930s Jardí Botànic garden was disturbed by the construction for the Olympics, the only solution was to build an entirely new replacement....
read more
A graceful gothic gem
As the Sagrada Família eloquently illustrates, 55 years is quick when it comes to constructing great churches....
read more
One of the most popular and most visited museums in Barcelona
'There is where it all began… where I understood how far I could go,' Picasso said of his formative years in Barcelona....
read more
Courting contemporary arts
This classical palace takes its name from the widow of an unpopular viceroy of Peru, who commissioned it and lived in it after its completion in the 1770s....
read more
One of the masterpieces of industrial modernism
CaixaForum is a former yarn and textile factory that was designed by Puig i Cadafalch in 1911....
read more
A glacially cool museum
Sometimes a gallery building can be just as impressive a work of art as its contents and this is certainly true of the MACBA (Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona) in the Raval area....
read more
The best Jamon Iberico in the world
Jamonísimo is where Alain Ducasse, Joël Robuchon and Ferran Adrià buy their ham: simply the best available acorn-fed Iberian hams, made by artisans who control the entire process from breeding to curing....
read more
The mother ship of Spanish retail
El Corte Inglés sits on Plaça Catalunya and stocks all the major international brand names, along with plenty of Spanish labels....
read more
The mixologist's cocktail bar
The fantastic Bar Bodega Teo in the heart of the Barri Gòtic attracts a cool crowd in the evenings as well as one or two of the old-timers who frequent BBT during daylight hours....
read more
A heavenly wine bar
You'll have to get to this wonderful little wine bar early if you want a seat inside....
read more
Barcelona's most famous club
La Terrazza reopened in May 2006 and reclaimed its crown as the city's top club in the manner of one born to rule....
read more
Barcelona's most culture-conscious nightspot
Espai Barroc is a sombre-hued riot of Baroque excess, with hundreds of flickering candles lighting up oil paintings, tapestries, sculptures, flowers and bowls of fruit, to the accompaniment of Handel, Brahms and live opera on Thursdays....
read more
Unique golf course amidst Barcelona’s urban setting
Staying in the heart of Barcelona may be an ideal way to visit the city, but golfers seeking another type of refuge will find one at Golf Can Drago....
read more
Spain's cultural giant
The CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona) in the Raval district is the largest cultural centre in Spain and hosts an extensive and varied programme of cultural events including film, dance, music and literary festivals....
read more
A century old theme park
Looking for something the whole family can enjoy?...
read more

© 2009 Stay.com