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Barcelona guide

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4rt Montfalcón

Housed in the 15th-century Palau Castanyer, this enormous shop stocks posters, photos, oil paintings, souvenirs and prints of works by well-known Spanish artists.

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Astin

Resident DJs spin techno (Thu) and dance pop (Fri & Sat) at this buzzing spot.

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Topxi

One of Barcelona’s oldest clubs, Topxi has a small back room where you can get down to some serious – and anonymous – action. The owner dresses up and performs a camp show of the best (and worst) Spanish songs along with two other drag queens.

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Universal

Open until 4:30am, Universal is a late-night, two-level bar with a spacious, airy interior. The image-concious crowd comes to flirt and dance to house (upstairs) and acid jazz (down below). There are also occasional live bands.

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Mercat de La Boqueria

Barcelona’s most famous food market is conveniently located on La Rambla (La Rambla). Freshness reigns supreme and shoppers are spoiled for choice, with hundreds of stalls selling everything from vine-ripened tomatoes to haunches of beef and moist wedges of Manchego cheese. The city’s seaside status is in full evidence at the fish stalls.

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El Asador d’Aranda

This palatial restaurant, perched high above the city on Tibidabo, dishes up the best in Castilian cuisine. Sizeable starters include pica pica , a tasty array of sausages, peppers and hams. The signature main dish is lechazo (young lamb) roasted in a wood-fired oven. See Restaurants & Tapas Bars.

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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.

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Cal Pep

Taste the tantalizing tapas, including the finest cured hams, at this established eatery.

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Roman Barcelona

Morning

Starting at the Jaume I metro, enter the ancient walled city of Barcino on C/Llibreteria, once the main road to and from Rome. Head right up C/Veguer to Plaça del Rei (Perfect Squares) and descend into a fascinating underground web of Roman walls and waterways via the Museu d’Història de la Ciutat (Roman Barcelona). Also visible here are the remains of a 2nd-century workshop and an ancient bodega, a source of much Roman merrymaking. Back above ground, pause for a cafè sol at the terrace of Café-Bar L’Antiquari (Cafés & Light Eats) and bask in Barcelona’s Gothic glory days. Stroll towards the Cathedral’s spires along C/de la Pietat. Turn right onto C/Bisbe, once a Roman thoroughfare, then right again on Av de la Catedral to visit the Pia Almoina (Pia Almoina & Museu Diocesà), where you can view a section of the Roman aqueduct and ride a glass elevator past Roman wall remains. Backtrack to Plaça Nova, once the Roman gateway to Barcino, cross the plaça and continue along C/Arcs.

Afternoon

Stop for lunch at the Reial Cercle Artístic, a late 19th-century artists’ society. Ignore the “members only” sign; the restaurant is open to the public, and its tranquil balcony terrace provides a welcome breather from the crowds far below. After lunch, head up Av del Portal de l’Àngel and turn left onto C/Canuda to Plaça de la Vila de Madrid (Plaça de la Vila de Madrid). The square is a fitting end to your Roman ramble, for here are the necropolis remains, where Romans came to rest.

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