DK Travel : Barcelona

With warm, crystal-clear waters lapping its sandy shores and mountains nuzzling up to its northern edge, this glittering jewel in the Mediterranean is blessed with desirable geographical genes. From the buoyant, revamped port area to the atmospheric medieval streets of the Barri Gòtic and the beautiful Modernista buildings of the Eixample, Barcelona has it all. A host of treasure-filled museums, architectural wonders, lively beaches and enchanting squares provide the icing on the cake.

Cafè del Teatre

This is an ideal place to find a young, friendly crowd and good conversation. The only connection with the theatre here seems to be the velvet curtains on the sign over the door of this scruffy, but busy, café.
Cafè d’Estiu

Tucked away on the patio of the Museu Frederic Marès (Museu Frederic Marès) is this alluring, sun-strewn terrace café, replete with stone pillars, climbing ivy and orange trees.
Café Royale

A sleek, 1970s-styled bar with leatherette couches, Café Royale attracts gay and straight drinkers who come to sip cocktails and enjoy eclectic tunes from Duke Ellington to techno.
Cafè Salambó

Scrumptious sandwiches and a tasty range of salads are the draw at this beautiful, wooden, trendy bar-cum-café. There are pool tables upstairs.
Cafè Salambó

Stylish evidence of Gràcia’s intellectual and literary character, this airy, lofty café draws arty locals. While away the afternoon over a steaming cafè amb llet or munching on fresh salads and entrepans (sandwiches). See Gràcia Cafés.
Café Teatre Llantiol

Barcelona’s cabaret tradition lives on at this theatre-bar, with its flamboyant shows and espectacles of mime, magic and flamenco.
Cafè Zurich

This sprawling Modernista café can be summed up in three words: location, location, location. Dominating a corner of the city’s hub, Plaça de Catalunya, this buzzing meeting point is packed at all hours with locals and visitors sipping coffees and cocktails.
Cafè-Bar del Pi

The Església de Santa Maria del Pi casts a shadow over this café’s terrace. And for when you’re in that kick-back-and-do-nothing mode, street artists keep you entertained.
Cafè-Bar del Pi

Round off your Barri Gòtic ramble with una copa (alcoholic drink) and una xerrada (chat) on this café’s enticing terrace. The café’s small interior also packs in the lively crowd. See Cafés & Light Eats.
Cafè-Bar Jardín

This lovely outdoor café, hidden upstairs at El Mercadillo (El Mercadillo), is shaded by trees and vine-covered walls.