Barcelona

Barcelona’s Old Town is one of the most extensive and harmonious medieval areas in Europe. Cutting a vibrant swath through the Old Town from north to south is La Rambla, Barcelona’s famous historic avenue, lined with noteworthy buildings in an eclectic blend of styles, and always busy with street vendors and entertainers. Just to the east is the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter), with its maze of narrow streets, home to magnificent Barcelona Cathedral and the Palau Reial (Royal Palace). The lively La Ribera district is a mix of 14th-century mansions, neighborhood bars and craft shops, and is home to the Picasso Museum. Funky, colorful El Born offers art galleries, design shops and inexpensive restaurants; beautiful Parc de la Citadella contains the Museu de Ciènces Naturals and the zoo.

Barcelona Cathedral

Plaça de la Seu

Known as La Seu (or “the seat” of the bishopric), this magnificent Gothic church dates from 1298, though the façade and spire weren’t added until the 19th century. The interior features 28 side chapels and a soaring vaulted nave, but the lovely, plant-filled cloister is the real standout.

Picasso Museum

Carrer Montcada 15-23
Tel: +34 93 256 30 00
Open Tue-Sun 10am-8pm. Closed Mon (except bank holidays), Jan 1, May 1, Jun 24, Dec 25 & 26.

Housing more than 3,800 of Picasso’s works, this museum is especially rich in work from the artist’s formative years, shedding light on the artist’s deep relationship with the city of Barcelona. The collection also features important works from Picasso’s Blue Period and the famous Las Meninas series.

Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)

Plaça dels Angels 1
Tel: +34 93 412 08 10
Open Sep 25-Jun 23: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 11am-7:30pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun, holidays and May 1, 10am-3pm.
Open Jun 24-Sep 24: Mon, Wed, Thu, 11am-8pm, Fri 11am-10pm, Sat 10am-10pm, Sun and holidays 10am-3pm.
Closed Tue (except public holidays), Dec 25, Jan 1.

Designed by American architect Richard Meier, this dramatic, light-flooded building contains works from the mid-20th century onward, with a focus on Spanish artists.

Palau Música Catalana

Carrer de Sant Francesca de Paula, 2
Palau open daily 10am-3:30pm (Aug 9am-8pm). Guided tours available in Catalan, Spanish, French and English (advance purchase suggested).

Built in 1908 with funds from popular donations, this concert hall is filled with glorious Modernista decorations, including a dazzling stained-glass dome. It’s the only concert hall in Europe that is lit by natural light. More than half a million people attend the almost-daily performances held here each year, ranging from symphonies and jazz concerts to the annual guitar festival.

Museu de Ciències Naturals

This museum’s zoology and geology collections are located at Ciutadella Park, in an ornate, fortress-like building called the “Castle of the Three Dragons.” This center is currently closed for renovations.

Museu de la Xocolata

Carrer del Comerç, 36
Tel: +34 93 268 78 78
Open Mon-Sat, 10am-7pm, Sun and public holidays, 10am–3pm

What chocolate lover could fail to enjoy this museum, devoted entirely to the discovery and history of chocolate? Imaginative chocolate sculptures are displayed, and a series of workshops helps visitors understand the different varieties of this well-loved confection.

L’Aquàrium de Barcelona

Moll d’Espanya del Port Vell
Tel: +34 93 221 74 74
Open Mon-Fri 9:30am-9pm, weekends and holidays 9:30am-9:30pm. (Open daily till 9:30 Jun and Sep, till 11pm Jul-Aug).

This world-class aquarium uses state-of-the-art technology to reproduce various ocean environments as faithfully as possible. A series of 35 tanks, an underwater tunnel 80 yards long, and an immense Oceanarium showcase different marine communities of the Mediterranean Sea and the colorful tropics.

La Sagrada Familia Cathedral

Carrer de Mallorca, 401
Open daily Oct-Mar 9am-6pm, Apr-Sep 9am-8pm; Closes at 2pm Dec 25 & 26, Jan 1 & 6.

This unconventional church is Antoni Gaudí’s most ambitious and famous building, featuring 12 ornate spires representing the 12 apostles (8 have been built so far). Gaudi took over the project in 1883 and worked on it until his death in 1926 – construction still continues today. A UNESCO World Heritage site, its decorations are rich in symbolism.

Casa Batllò

Passeig de Gràcia, 43
Tel: +34 93 216 03 06
Open daily, 9am-9pm (last admission 8pm0

Also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this apartment building in the Illa de la Discordia is one of the best examples of Gaudí’s playful style. The façade features undulating surfaces covered in colored ceramic and glass, ornate ironwork, and balconies that resemble masks or skulls – the interior is equally fluid, elaborate and surreal.

Casa Milà

Provença, 261 - 265
Open daily Nov-Feb 9am-6:30pm; Mar-Oct 9am-8pm. Closed Jan 1, Jan 7-14, and Dec 25 & 26.

Known as La Pedrera (The Stone Quarry), this UNESCO World Heritage site is another of Gaudí’s most famous buildings. With curved, wave-like walls and twisting chimneys, this block of flats defied conventional construction. The rooftop, covered with organic sculptures, is understandably popular with photographers. The building is also the headquarters of Fundació CatalunyaCaixa and houses a cultural center.

Castell de Montjuïc

Tel: +34 93 256 44 45
Open daily, Oct-Mar 9am-7pm, Apr-Sep 9am-9pm

Dating from 1640, this castle at the summit of Montjuïc was rebuilt during the 18th century. It became a symbol of oppression during the Spanish Civil War and Franco's regime. Today it is a municipal facility offering concerts, exhibitions and workshops, and provides the area’s best panoramic views. Progressive refurbishment of the castle began in 2009.

Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya

Palau Nacional, Parc de Montjuïc
Tel: +34 93 622 03 76
Open Tue-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun and public holidays 10am-2:30pm Closed Mon (except public holidays) and Jan 1, May 1, & Dec 25. Free entrance first Sun of each month.

This museum in the extravagant Palau Nacional holds the world’s most important collection of Catalan art, including a wealth of masterpieces from the Romanesque and Gothic periods. There are also impressive displays of Baroque and Renaissance works from all over Europe.

Poble Espanyol

Open Mon 9am-8pm, Tue-Thu and Sun, 9am-midnight, Fri 9am-3am, Sat 9am-4am
Shops open Winter, 10am-6pm, Summer 10am-8pm, Spring and Autumn 10am-7pm

Created for the 1929 fair, the “Spanish Village” is filled with examples of regional Spanish architecture, as well as nearly 40 workshops where resident artisans produce ceramics, jewelry, textiles and other crafts. A good selection of bars, cafes and nightspots make this a popular destination throughout the day.

Olympic Stadium

Passeig Olimpic 17-19
Tel: +34 93 426 20 89
Open daily 10am-6pm Oct-May, 10am-8pm Jun-Sep

Built for the 1929 fair, this stadium was originally intended to host the anti-fascist “Alternative Olympics” in 1936, which was cancelled due to the Civil War. When Barcelona was awarded the 1992 Olympic Games, the stadium was gutted, leaving only the Neo-Classic façade, and rebuilt to accommodate 70,000 spectators.

Font Màgica de Montjuïc

Operates May-Sep, Thu-Sun 9-11:30pm; Oct-Apr, Fri-Sat, 7-9pm, Christmas and Easter, Thu-Sun 7-9pm. Musical displays every half hour.

Located below the Palau National, the Magic Fountain springs to life on weekend nights in a spectacular, choreographed display of water, light, and music.

Museu Blau

Plaza Leonardo da Vinci, 4-5
Parque del Fòrum
Tel: +34 93 256 60 02
Museu Blau open Oct-May, Tue-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm. Open Jun-Sep Tue-Sun and public holiday Mondays 10am-8pm. Closed Mondays (except public holidays), Jan 1, Dec 25.
Science Nest open Tue-Fri, 4-7pm, weekends 11am-2pm and 4-7pm. Hands-on sessions every 30 mins (reservations required). Closed Mon and Aug.
Tel: Weekdays +34 93 256 22 20, Weekends +34 93 256 60 02

In 2011, the Museum of Natural Sciences added this new center, which houses the exhibition "Life Planet," illustrating the history and evolution of life and earth, and the Science Nest, an interactive space for children aged 0-6 years.

Parc Güell

Carrer d’Olot
Tel: +34 93 413 24 00
Open daily May-Aug 10am-9pm, Apr and Sep 10am-8pm, Mar and Oct 10am-7pm, Nov-Feb 10am-6pm

In 1900, Barcelona financier Eusebi Güell commissioned his protégé Gaudí to design a garden city on this 50-acre park outside Eixample. The housing project was not a success, but Gaudí was given free rein to create a labyrinth of fanciful pavilions, staircases, covered halls, and what is said to be the world’s longest bench. Only two houses were built – Gaudí lived in one of them (which he did not design) for 20 years. It now contains the Museu Gaudí, displaying a small selection of furniture and drawings.

Montserrat Monastery

Approx 1hr drive northeast of Barcelona
Open 7am-7:30pm daily (until 8:15pm Jul-Sep)
L’Escolania perform at 1pm and 6:45 pm Mon-Fri, 11am and sometimes 6:45 Sun; no performances during July or the Christmas holidays.

Tucked beneath the pinnacles of the 4000-foot “serrated mountain,” and surrounded by chapels and caves, this spectacularly located Benedictine monastery is Catalonia’s holiest sight (if a bit commercialized). Within the ornate basilica is the famous wooden statue of the “Black Virgin” (La Moreneta), patroness of Catalonia. L’Escolania, the boys choir, sings in the basilica twice daily.

Mandarin Oriental

Passeig de Gràcia, 38-40
Tel: +34 93 151 88 88

This new luxury hotel has a superb address on the city’s famous Passeig de Gràcia, near the Casa Batlló by Gaudi with its fabulous façade. Situated in an elegant mid-20th-century building, it has been recreated with a highly stylized contemporary interior by Spanish-born designer Patricia Urquiol.

Hotel Arts

Marina 19-21
Tel: +34 93 221 10 00

The hotel is located 50 yards from the Mediterranean Sea and close to the main shopping and leisure areas. All 483 guest rooms enjoy amazing views facing the sea or the city. If you desire greater privacy and more personalized service, the hotel has 32 club rooms with their own concierge team, located on floors 30-33. Crowning the building are 28 duplex apartments, complete with the latest technology and a butler to provide round-the-clock service. There is also a luxurious Six Senses spa.

El Palace

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 668
Tel: +34 93 510 11 30

The former Ritz has undergone a €30 million transformation, offering modern luxury that respects the hotel’s classic tradition. Centrally located near La Rambla. 125 rooms including 42 suites and junior suites, all equipped with the latest technology.

Espai Sucre

Princesse, 53
Tel: +34 93 268 16 30
Open Tue-Thu 9-11:30pm, Fri-Sat, two seatings at 8:30 and 10:30pm
Closed Sun and Mon. Reservations required.

The world’s first “dessert restaurant.” Chef Jordi Butrón’s sweet and salty creations are varied and unique.

La Boqueria

Rambla, 91
Open Mon-Sat 8am-8:30pm

Offically Mercat de Sant Josep, this colorful market on La Rambla is Barcelona’s largest, famous for the lavish abundance of foodstuffs sold beneath its wrought-iron and glass roof.