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From Plaça de Catalunya, stroll the length of Barcelona’s most famous street, La Rambla (La Rambla), stopping en route to enjoy the street performances. Turn left at the port and admire the luxury yachts as you follow the water round to Barceloneta. Continue along Pg Joan de Borbó and turn left down any of the side streets that lead to the sand and sea.

Wandering this network of atmospheric, ancient streets is the best way to experience the old town. Take a short stretch of the busy C/Portaferrisa (Best Shopping Areas) from La Rambla and turn right down tiny C/Petritxol (Best of the Rest), with its confectionery shops and jewellers, to the Església de Santa Maria del Pi. Continue down C/Rauric, left onto C/Ferran and up to Plaça de Sant Jaume (Plaça de Sant Jaume). Turn left onto C/Bisbe leading to Plaça de la Seu and the Cathedral (Barcelona Cathedral).

For some of the city’s most breathtaking Modernista gems, walk the length of Pg de Gràcia south to north, past the Mansana de la Discòrdia (Mansana de la Discòrdia) and La Pedrera (La Pedrera). Turn right onto C/Mallorca, which leads to Gaudí’s Sagrada Família (Sagrada Família). Take a left along C/Marina, past the church’s awe-inspiring Nativity Façade, and head up Av Gaudí to Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau (Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau).

Get high above the city by following the gently climbing Av del Tibidabo from the FGC station. Then follow signposts to the right through the steep wooded park, Font del Racó, and continue until you arrive at Plaça Doctor Andreu with its terrace bars and panoramic city views.

Take in the city’s green scene with an amble around Montjuïc’s verdant slopes. The initial climb to the grandiose Palau Nacional (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya), from Plaça d’Espanya is eased by a series of escalators. From the palace, veer left and continue along the main road, stopping off at Jardí Mossèn Jacint Verdaguer (Parks & Gardens) before continuing round to Miramar for a spectacular view.

It’s difficult to believe that this serene nature reserve lies just 10 minutes drive from the metropolis. Explore its delightful hiking, biking and nature trails on foot or by mountain bike. Take the funicular train to the top of Tibidabo and head towards the Torre de Collserola (Parc de Collserola), turning off on any one of the colour-coded woodland paths. A tourist information point provides maps and further information.

Breeze along the city’s coastal cycle path and take in seaside Barcelona. Pick up the path from the bottom of La Rambla and follow it north to Barceloneta, where it runs along the beachfront, past the shiny new Port Olímpic as far as Platja de la Mar Bella.

From Pedralbes to the sea, this route along the city’s most elegant boulevard gives you a clear idea of Barcelona’s size. The tree-lined cycle path follows Diagonal; start at the top (Zona Universitària) and continuing through the new city of Diagonal Mar until you arrive on the other side of the city just a stone’s throw from the Besòs River.

Just a 15-minute ferrocarril ride from Plaça de Catalunya (in the direction of Sant Cugat) is the picturesque spot of Baixador de Valvidrera. Perfect for an out-of-town stroll, there is a steep path through the woods, which opens up into a beautiful, green valley. In summer, there are barbecue facilities where you can throw on your own steaks.

At the end of the Platja de Sant Pol in Sant Feliu de Guíxols is the start of a beautiful, coastal path that winds north through shady tamarind trees with views of rocky coves and the Mediterranean. Around the headland and down a stairway, you will find the fabulous beach of Sa Conca, voted the sixth best in Spain.