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.

Carnaval in Sitges

The buzzing beach town of Sitges (Costa Daurada & Stiges) explodes during Carnaval, celebrated in flamboyant fashion. Over-the-top floats parade among drag queens, lip-synching contests and a fresh-off-the-beach crowd warmed by sun and plenty of beer.
Carrer de Santa Llúcia

At weekends, amateur opera singers perform on this medieval street, home to the Casa de l’Ardiaca Casa de L’Ardiaca, which has a ravishing little patio.
Carrer del Bisbe

Medieval Carrer del Bisbe is flanked by the Gothic Cases dels Canonges (House of Canons) and the Palau de la Generalitat (Carrer del Bisbe). Connecting the two is an eye-catching Neo-Gothic arched stone bridge (1928).
Carrer Montcada

The “palace row” of La Ribera is lined with Gothic architectural gems, including the 15th–century Palau Aguilar, home to the Museu Picasso. See Museu Picasso, and the 17th-century Palau Dalamses with its Gothic chapel.
Carrer Nou de la Rambla

In the first half of the 19th century, El Raval’s main street was a notorious strip of cabarets, brothels and other nocturnal dens. Today it still bustles with transactions, but of a different sort. Frayed-at-the-edge local eateries, ethnic grocery stores, and discount clothing and shoe shops dot the street. And nightspots, such as the atmospheric London Bar (Bars & Clubs), which have conserved their age-old identity and fixtures, lure partying visitors.
Carrer Petritxol

This well-maintained medieval street is lined with traditional granges and xocolateries (confectionary cafés). Also here is the famous Sala Parés art gallery, founded in 1877, which once exhibited Picasso, Casas and other Catalan contemporaries.
Carrer Portaferrissa

From zebra platform shoes to bellybutton rings and pastel baby T-shirts, this street’s other name could well be Carrer “Trendy”. Along this strip you’ll find El Mercadillo (Shops: Gifts, Garments & Goodies) minimall, crammed with hip little shops selling spiked belts, frameless sunglasses, surf wear and the like. Just off this street is Galeries Maldà, Barcelona’s first shopping gallery, with a range of shops and a cinema showing original version classics (Top 10 Versi Original Cinemas).
Carrer Regomir & Carrer del Correu Vell

You’ll find splendid Roman remains on Carrer Regomir, most notably within the medieval Pati Llimona. Two Roman towers are revealed on nearby Carrer del Correu Vell, and there are Roman walls on the leafy Plaça Traginers.
Carrers Tallers & Riera Baixa

Looking for bootleg CDs of Madonna’s European tour? Or vintage blue-and-white French navy tops once favoured by the likes of Picasso? Dotting Carrers Tallers and Riera Baixa, in the heart of El Raval, is a host of vintage music and clothing shops selling everything from vinyl to the latest CDs, original Hawaiian shirts and Dickies workwear. On Saturdays from 11am to 9pm, Carrer Riera Baixa hosts its own market, when the stores display their wares on the street.

Shoppers, Carrer Taller
Casa Alfonso

This classy café has been in business since 1929. Arguably the best pernil (serrano ham) in the city.