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.

5 rooms b&b

boutique B&B in the heart of Barcelona.Very modern, breakfast round a large table for all guests. Hidden away in an apartment block but close to all restaurants and attractions.
A Contraluz

Uncomplicated yet innovative Mediterranean food is presented in this enchanting restaurant and its wonderful garden. The risottos are excellent, as is the hot foie gras with apple.
A Day in Montjuïc

Morning

To get to the Fundació Joan Miró (Fundació Joan Miró) before the crowds and with energy to spare, hop on the funicular from Paral·lel metro station. From here it is a short walk to the museum, where you’ll need an hour and a half to absorb the impressive collection of Miró paintings, sketches and sculptures. When you’ve had your fill of contemporary art, refuel with a cafè amb llet (Top 10 Café Drinks) on the restaurant terrace before backtracking along Av de Miramar and jumping on the cable car up to Castell de Montjuïc (Castell de Montjuïc & Museu Militar). Wander the castle gardens and look out over the city and the bustling docks. Return to Av de Miramar by cable car and follow the signs to the Palau Nacional (Palau Nacional & Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), where you can lunch on typical Catalan cuisine with a modern twist in the grandiose Oval Room (Restaurants, Cafés, Bars & Clubs).

Afternoon

Afterwards, spend an hour perusing the MNAC ’s (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) extraordinary Romanesque art collection. When you exit, turn right and then follow the signs to the Olympic complex. The Estadi Olímpic is worth a look, but the silver-domed Palau Sant Jordi steals the limelight. Nearby, at Bernat Picornell, spend the late afternoon cooling down with a dip in the fantastic open-air pool. If it’s summer, there may even be a film showing. From here it is just a short stroll to the Poble Espanyol where you can settle in at a terrace bar in Plaça de Mayor and sip a cuba libre as night descends.
A Ramble in El Raval

Morning

Start your ramble mid-morning by perusing the innovative temporary art exhibits at the CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània & Foment de les Arts Decoratives). Here the two world’s have meshed harmoniously. The eye-catching blend of old-meets-new in this cutting-edge art space provides a fitting introduction to El Raval’s new identity. Head south along C/Montalegre to the Plaça dels Àngels. Sip a coffee beneath the Gothic arches of the restored Convent dels Àngels, which houses the café-restaurant and art and design exhibition rooms of Foment de les Arts Decoratives. See Centre de Cultura Contemporània & Foment de les Arts Decoratives. Round off your art amble with a trip down nearby C/Doctor Dou, which is speckled with commercial art galleries. If you’re looking for contemporary art to jazz up your home, pop in to Alter Ego or Cotthem Gallery (Galleries & Design Shops).

Afternoon

From here, it’s a short saunter to Mercat de La Boqueria (La Rambla). Walk along C/Carme, turn left onto C/Jerusalem, and go into the back entrance of this cavernous market. Make a beeline for El Quim de La Boqueria (stall 584–585) where you can pull up a stool and dig into fresh fare from baby prawns drizzled in olive oil and garlic to steamed mussels. After, head to the medieval gardens of the Antic Hospital de la Santa Creu, off C/Hospital, and take in the Gothic ambience of pillared arcades and courtyards. Then, get to Marsella (Bars & Clubs), and kick-start the evening with an absinthe before making for London Bar (Bars & Clubs), where live music awaits.
A Scenic Drive

Morning

From Barcelona take the AP7 motorway until exit 4, then take the C260 to Cadaqués. The journey should take about two and a half hours in all. Just before dropping down to the town, stop at the viewpoint and take in the azure coastline and the whitewashed houses of this former fishing village. Once in Cadaqués, now one of Catalonia’s trendiest beach towns, wander the quaint boutique-filled streets. After a splash in the sea and a coffee on one of the chic terrace cafés, take the road leaving Port Lligat and head for the Cap de Creus (National Parks & Nature Reserves) lighthouse. Drive through the desolately beautiful landscape of this rocky headland before doubling back and heading off to Port de la Selva. The road twists and winds interminably, but the picture-perfect scenery will leave you speechless.

Afternoon

Stop in the tiny, mountain-enclosed Port de la Selva for an excellent seafood lunch at the Cala Herminda. Then drive to the neighbouring village of Selva del Mar with its tiny river and have a post-prandial coffee on the terrace of the Bar Stop before continuing up to the Monestir Sant Pere de Rodes (Churches & Monasteries). You’ll be tempted to stop several times on the way up to take in the views. Don’t, because the best is to be had from the monastery, which offers an incredible sweeping vista of the whole area. There are plenty of well-signposted walks around the mountain top here and it is worth staying put to see the sun set slowly over the bay.
Acomodis - Self Catering Apartments Barcelona

I have used this family-run apartment agency on several occasions. They have good rates and apartments in several central areas. Service has always been personal and friendly.
Agua

The spacious terrace at this restaurant boasts views of the sea. Superb seafood and Mediterranean fare feature on the menu.
Agua

A classy, water-front gem with an inviting outdoor terrace, Agua serves prime Mediterranean cuisine and fresh seafood, including a particularly excellent carpaccio de rapè (monkfish). Restaurants & Tapas Bars.
Agut

For over 75 years, this friendly, family restaurant has been delighting patrons with excellent Catalan cuisine at decent prices.
Agut d’Avignon

A French-Catalan restaurant housed in a 17th-century building. Home-style cuisine with a twist includes duck with figs and goose flavoured with pears.

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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