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.

Nouvel

Just off La Rambla is this refurbished 1911 Modernista hotel. The modernized rooms are done up in cool tones with floral bedspreads.
Organic

Organic is a new disco on the gay scene, frequented by a fashion-industry crowd.
Orxata

This sweet, milky-white drink made from a tuber (tiger nut) is a summertime favourite.
Otto Zutz

A swanky Barcelona night-life institution, this three-storey disco is on the itinerary for well-heeled media types. The music verges on the mainstream, with big-name DJs spinning everything from techno to contemporary favourites. See Hip Drinking Spots.
Otto Zutz

Barcelona’s media crowd flocks to this New-York-style club to chatter in the corners upstairs and shoot pool downstairs. The huge dance floors throb with house music.
Pa amb Tomàquet

A key part of any tapas spread is this bread topped with tomato and olive oil.
Pachito

One of the first clubs on the Port Olímpic strip, this buzzing nightspot pumps techno and Latin house to a lively crowd.
Padam

Tucked into an alley off Carrer Ferran, this small, dimly-lit, old-style bar plays tunes by Edith Piaf (including the famous Padam , of course) and her contemporaries.
Pailebot Santa Eulàlia

Bobbing in the water at the Moll de la Fusta (Timber Quay) is this renovated, three-mast schooner, originally christened Carmen Flores . It first set sail from Spain in 1918. On journeys to Cuba, the ship used to transport textiles and salt, and return with tobacco, coffee, cereals and wood. In 1997, the Museu Marítim (Museu Marítim) bought and restored the ship as part of an ongoing project to create a collection of seaworthy historical Catalan vessels.
Palace Barcelona

This elegant Modernista hotel is the perfect place for breakfast in the conservatory or afternoon tea in the Grand Hall. It’s thoroughly luxurious, but pricey.

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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