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.

Casa Amatller

The top of Casa Amatller’s ochre-white façade bursts into a brilliant display of blue, cream and pink ceramics with burgundy florets. Architect Puig i Cadafalch’s exaggerated decorative use of ceramics is typical of Modernisme . This Mansana de la Discòrdia (Eixample) is a private house, but it is possible to access the ground floor, which houses the Amatller Foundation and a shop.
Casa Batlló

Illustrating Gaudí’s nationalist sentiments, Casa Batlló, on La Mansana de la Discòrdia (Modernista Buildings), represents an allegory of the legend of Sant Jordi see Charming Churches & Chapels. The roof is the dragon’s back and the balconies, sculpted in the form of carnival masks, are the skulls of the dragon’s victims. The polychrome façade reveals Gaudí’s remarkable use of colour and texture.
Casa Batlló (Batlló House)

It is one of the masterpieces by the famous architect Antoni Gaudí, inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage list.

A key work of Modernisme (Catalan Art Nouveau), where you can visit different rooms, mainly those in the first floor, and also the courtyard, the stairs and the magnificent attic and rooftop. It is an artistic expression of life, where Gaudí managed to create a light and clear atmosphere, as if you were swimming into deep blue waters, under the daylight sun, using an impressive combination of glass, wood, stone, ceramics and iron.

The colourful Casa Batlló is the result of a total refurbishment of an old and conventional house built in 1877. Gaudí was commissioned by the owner, the textile industrialist Josep Batlló i Casanovas, to totally renew the old building. On that base, he projected this astonishing house, one of the most fancy and "special" of Barcelona. His work was done between 1904 and 1906.

Along with two Modernist works, the Casa Amatller by Puig i Cadafalch (1900) and the Casa Lleó Morera by Domènech i Montaner (1905), the Casa Batlló makes up the "Manzana de la Discordia" (Block of Discord).
Casa Calvet

Splurge on Catalan food with a modern twist and fine wine in the impressive surroundings of these Gaudí-designed dining rooms.
Casa Camper

Dating from the 19th-century, this newly renovated hotel oozes with innovative yet comfortable design touches. Big rooms, roof-terrace, extraordinary vertical garden and a free 24-hour bar.
Casa Colomina

Sink your teeth into torró , the Spanish nougat-and-almond speciality. Casa Colomina, established in 1908, offers a tantalizing array.
Casa de les Punxes (Casa Terrades)

Taking Modernisme’s Gothic and medieval obsessions to extremes that others seldom dared, Puig i Cadafalch created this imposing, castle-like structure between 1903 and 1905. Nicknamed the “House of Spines” because of its sharp, needle-like spires rising up from conical turrets, its true name is Casa Terrades. The flamboyant spires contrast with a façade that is, by Modernista standards, sparsely decorated.
Casa Leopoldo

Dig into superb mar i mun-tanya fare (combining meat and fish) at this friendly, family-run restaurant. Try the meatballs with cuttlefish and shrimp.
Casa Leopoldo

This comfortable, family-run restaurant serves some of the finest Catalan cuisine in the city. Fresh seafood is the highlight, with innovative platters of bacallà (salt cod), llenguado (sole) and gambes (prawns). See Good Value Eats.
Casa Lleó Morera

Ironwork, ceramics, sculpture and stained glass come together here in a synthesis of the decorative and fine arts. The interior of this house, by Domènech i Montaner, has some superb sculptures by Eusebi Arnau and some of the finest Modernista furniture in existence.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under €10
- €10–20
- €20–30
- over €30
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under €60
- €60–120
- €120–180
- €180–240
- over €240