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The first Count of Barcelona (d. 897) is regarded as the founding father of Catalonia.

This agency can help find furnished apartments for both short- and long-term stays. They can also find flat-shares for varying lengths of time. The average cost is around €700 a month

Dark and smoky, this kick-back jazz haunt features a choice line-up of jazz and blues, flamenco fusion, reggae and African music.

For a birds-eye view of Barcelona consider a helicòpter ride over the city. Helipistas SL will take a minimum of 2 people on a 30-minute ride over Mont-juïc, the port and the southern part of the city. Transport to and from the out-of-town airport is included in the price.

With understated elegance, the Hilton offers comfortable rooms and is particularly well-equipped for conferences. There are numerous restaurants and cafés, including an outdoor terrace restaurant serving fresh fish and tapas.

Rummage for an outfit at this three-floor vintage store, with everything from original silk kimonos to army pants and colourful 1950s bathing suits.

Montseny national park National Parks & Nature Reserves is ideal for horse riding, with a number of centres.

It’s almost worth feigning illness to be admitted to this fully functioning hospital, which was built in two stages from 1905 by Domènech i Montaner and his son. A tribute to Modernisme – and Domènech’s answer to Gaudí’s Sagrada Família – the sumptuous design comprises eight pavilions and various other buildings linked by underground tunnels. The pavilions, each different, recall the history of Catalonia with murals, mosaics and sculptures. Interlacing the buildings are gardens creating beautiful outdoor oases, where patients can recuperate. The courtyards and gardens are open to visitors.

In defiant contrast to the Eixample’s symmetrical grid-like pattern, this ambitious project was planned around two avenues running at 45-degree angles to the Eixample streets. Started by Domènech i Montaner in 1905 and later completed by his son in 1930, the hospital pavilions are lavishly embellished with mosaics, stained glass and sculptures by Eusebi Arnau. The octagonal columns with floral capitals are inspired by those in the Monestir de Santes Creus (Monestir de Santes Creus), to the south of Barcelona. (Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau).