When To Go

Its status as one of Europe’s culture capitals ensures that Barcelona is busy all year round. Due to its coastal proximity, the city enjoys slightly cooler summers and milder winters compared to inland Spain (although summer temperatures regularly surpass 30C). Springtime offers smaller crowds, little rainfall and daytime temperatures reaching the low 20s, so is also worth looking into.

Top 5 Places To Stay

• Le Meridien Barcelona

  This sophisticated hotel on Las Ramblas lies within three blocks of the Gothic Quarter, and features a fine-dining restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, a piano bar and spacious guestrooms.

• Solvasa Barcelona

  Located within 300 metres of the Olympic park, this modern glass-fronted hotel is 10km west of the city centre. Air-conditioned guestrooms feature light decor and oak furnishings; all include balconies, wireless internet and minibars. Guests can take advantage of the hotel’s fitness equipment, sauna and hot-tub.

• B-Hotel

  From the bespoke chairs and lighting to the ubiquitous house font, every detail of the B-Hotel is a minimalist style statement. The rooftop pool and solarium offer spectacular views over the city, and the lobby bar offers a selection of local tapas and exclusive wines.

• Oasis

  This traditional city-centre property is spread over six floors and is located within 500 metres of the Museu Picasso. Snacks, drinks and traditional Spanish tapas are available in the bar, and other amenities include a 24-hour front desk with a safe-deposit box.

• Hotel Ciutat Del Prat

  A newly-built, modern hotel just 1.5km from the airport. Guestrooms have light decor with floral linen and wood floors, and feature satellite TV and minibars with free soft drinks. Other amenities include an indoor swimming pool, fitness area and sauna.

Top 5 Things To Do On Your Visit

• The Ramblas

  Barcelona’s undisputed ‘capital’, the Ramblas is the ideal place to start your visit. The pulsating heart of Barcelona is filled with everything from fire-eaters to flower markets, and these few cramped streets adjacent to the old harbour attract huge crowds of strolling tourists and locals all year round.

• Museu Picasso

  Offering one of the worlds most feted collections of Picasso’s work, the Museu is also worth checking out due to its location in the beautifully restored houses of Carrer de Montcada.

• Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família

  Gaudi’s architectural influence on Barcelona literally lines the streets, and his unfinished cathedral is undoubtedly his most famous creation. Originally intended to eulogise the Apostles by building twelve huge spires, work has now begun to finish the project. A trip up to the top of the towers is utterly rewarding.

• Barri Gòtic

  A short distance from the Ramblas, these medieval Gothic buildings are among Spain’s most impressive. Majestic and breathtaking already, the cathedral at La Seu is now coolly abetted by modern lighting which shows off its grand structure and soaring ceilings magnificently.

• Estadi Olimpic

  The 1992 Barcelona Olympics led to a new surge of city pride that can still be felt today. The area around Montjuïc not only features the iconic stadium itself, which is open to the public, but also a number of museums and attractions such as Poble Espanyol, which consists of replicas of some of Spain’s most famous buildings.