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The 22 best things to do in Barcelona

B arcelona is an architectural and cultural hub studded with brooding cathedrals, myriad museums, stadiums and magnificent Gaudí creations.

Below our expert shares her recommendations on the best things to do, from marvelling at Modernista buildings to exploring the Hansel and Gretel-inspired Park Güell.

For further  Barcelona inspiration, see our in-depth guides to the city's best hotels , restaurants , bars and nightlife , shopping and things to do for free , plus how to spend a weekend in Barcelona. 

Explore the stupendous Gothic cathedral

The Gothic Cathedral sits like some brooding Disney confection in the heart of the highest point of the Barri Gòtic. It was originally the site of the Roman temple, back when the city was Barcino. Nowadays, it houses a number of smaller chapels, a wonderfully carved choir, and a lift up to the roof for an amazing panoramic view of the city.

Insider’s tip: Don’t miss the elegant cloister, home to 13 noisy, clanking geese. These represent the 13 years and 13 tortures of Saint Eulàlia, who is buried in the crypt and to whom the cathedral is dedicated.

Contact:  

catedralbcn.org

Prices : £

Book tickets

Discover Barcelona's best view at Monument a Colom

Monument a Colom, Barcelona's answer to Nelson's Column (which, apparently, provided the inspiration), is topped with a statue of Christopher Columbus, believed by many to be not Italian, but Catalan. You can reach the top, 200ft up, via a slightly creaky lift. The monument sits at the base of La Rambla, near the port.

Insider’s tip: The view over the city and out to sea is spectacular, but the faint of heart might want to avoid it on windy days, when the just-perceptible sway can be quite unnerving.

Nearest metro:  Metro Drassanes

Opening times:  Daily, 8.30am-8.30pm

Spend time at the Museu Frederic Marès

Frederic Marès was a sculptor and collector whose real passion was for sculpture from every period, and this is most notable in the jaw-dropping collection of mostly Romanesque crucifixes. These and other pieces – Roman, Gothic and from all periods in between – are displayed in the basement and on the ground and first floors of the Museu Frederic Marès, while upstairs is where things get kooky.

Insider’s tip:   So dizzying are the rooms filled with keys; 'gentlemen's accessories'; clocks, weapons and religious artefacts, or tin soldiers, music boxes and board games, that the museum allows a second (free) visit within six months.

Contact :  barcelona.cat/museufredericmares Nearest metro:  Metro Jaume I

Pick your way through Picasso's masterpieces

You can gauge Barcelona's popularity in any given period by the length of the queues at the Picasso Museum, and rarely do they drop much below 50. It's a worthwhile wait, however, to see the early, pre-Cubist and (mostly) lesser-known works of the city's adopted son. Highlights include the wonderful Las Meninas series, based on Velázquez's painting of the same name.

Insider’s tip:  The museum has a little-advertised annual pass that costs slightly less than two day tickets, and means you can skip the queue. Look for the separate ticket office in the building furthest from the main entrance.

museupicasso.bcn.cat

Prices : ££

Visit the startling Palau de la Música

Gaudí fans will not forgive me for this, but the Palau de la Música concert hall is my favourite Modernista building in the city. Designed by Gaudí's contemporary, Lluís Domènech i Muntaner, it's an exhilarating sight, its polychromatic exterior only hinting at the flamboyant design inside, particularly the auditorium, which is crowned with an inverted dome in stained glass.

Insider’s tip: The guided tours are fascinating, but even more fun is absorbing the bas-relief models of the muses and frothy sculptures of choir girls and Valkyries on stage while watching a concert – and there are all types, from classical to flamenco.

palaumusica.org

Prices:  ££

Admire the city's most beautiful medieval church – Santa Maria del Mar

An unmissable 14th-century church, the Santa Maria del Mar is not especially captivating from the outside, but spectacular within. Its spacious single nave is majestic, with impossibly high pillars supporting a vaulted roof, and a giant rose window above the main entrance. Torched by the anarchists in the early 20th-century, it's free of the frills and furbelows found in most Catholic churches of the period.

Insider’s tip: For the fascinating story of how this, the 'people's cathedral', came about, and just how important it's been to the barrio over the centuries, I can recommend Ildefonso Falcones' Cathedral of the Sea, a Gothic page-turner.

Contact :  santamariadelmarbarcelona.org

Nearest metro:  Metro Jaume I

While away time in a cultural hub

The Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona is a hub for the arts, with exhibitions, conferences, festivals, concerts and open-air cinema in summer. Its range is nothing if not broad, and over the years it has shown some of the best and the silliest of the city's exhibitions, from explorations of kitsch to an in-depth look at the differences between East and West.

Insider’s tip:  The Terracccita Bar at the back of the building is a good place for a snack or a coffee and has a peaceful terrace flanked by Richard Meier's handsome MACBA building. 

Contact : 

Scope out local talent at The Museum of Contemporary Art

The Museum of Contemporary Art of Barcelona is as renowned for its building – a stark white affair, designed by Richard Meier, which dwarfs its neighbours and looms over a plaza teeming with skateboarders – as its holdings. The collection is long on local talent, most notably Catalan artist Antoni Tàpies, but you'll also find work from Paul Klee, Claes Oldenburg, Lothar Baumgarten and many more.

Insider’s tip: Note that the MACBA is the only Barcelona museum that has Tuesday as its closing day, so it's a good place to plan a visit for Monday, when everything else is closed.

Visit the maritime museum

The Museu Marítim holds a collection of all things nautical, including several sea-faring vessels, along with some often-excellent temporary exhibitions. As with so many of Barcelona's museums, however, the building alone is worthy of a visit – in this case we're talking about the lofty arches of the 14th-century Royal Shipyards, one of the finest examples of the Catalan Gothic style still standing.

Insider’s tip:  The entrance fee includes admission to the handsome Santa Eulàlia schooner, moored nearby at the Moll de la Fusta in the port (this can also be visited separately for €3/£2.60).

Get a crash course in Gaudí

The façade of Palau Güell displays few of Gaudí's trademark motifs, but is a dark and forbidding affair drawing on Gothic designs, and bristling with spiky wrought iron. Inside, even the stained glass and shafts of light do little to lighten the sombre mood, but this is a building full of joyful little details, from the Moorish-influenced tiles and woodcarvings to the kaleidoscopic chimney pots on the roof.

Insider’s tip: Check the website for details of the organ concerts that occasionally take place in the central atrium; a very special way to see the building.

palauguell.cat

Delight in Modernista monuments at Casa Batlló

The jewel in the crown of the Passeig de Gràcia, the Casa Batlló sits like a hunched, scaly but colourful dragon (Gaudí's homage to Catalunya, whose patron saint is St George). The building itself is an apartment block, dramatically remodelled by Gaudí in the early 1900s, and now open to the public, who can finally appreciate his swirling interiors and woodwork.

Insider’s tip: Take a moment to appreciate the other Modernista beauties on this block – the geometrically designed Casa Amatller and the creamy cupcake that is the Casa Lleó i Morera. Between them they display the various architectural styles of the movement.

Contact : casabatllo.es

Nearest metro : Metro Passeig de Gràcia

Prices : £££

Immerse yourself in Gaudí's architecture at La Pedrera

La Pedrera means 'the quarry', and is the contemptuous nickname given to Gaudí's apartment block at the time of its construction. It has a strange, maritime feel to it, with twisting columns and undulating wrought-iron balconies that look like they're fashioned from kelp, and you'll struggle to find many straight lines in the show apartment. In the eaves is an exhibition of the architect's life and work.

Insider’s tip: An atmospheric night-time tour (from 9pm in summer, 7pm in winter) includes a son et lumière extravaganza, with videomapping making the most of the famous warrior-like chimneys, subject of a thousand postcards.

lapedrera.com

Discover Barcelona's best-kept secret

Barcelona's best-kept secret is this Modernista complex, Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau, set in peaceful gardens. Until a few years ago it functioned as a hospital, but has undergone massive renovation, although most of it is still open to the public. It takes the form of intricately ornamented brick pavilions, each of which was once a ward, while the more gruesome hospital matters took place underground.

Insider’s tip: The proximity to the Sagrada Família can make for some awful tourist traps, but Can Pizza is a good option for lunch or dinner.

santpaubarcelona.org

Take in the city's great unfinished basilica – Sagrada Família

Gaudí's film-set basilica, Sagrada Família, is still a work in progress, but the last decade has seen dramatic growth. The molten wax-like spires of the Nativity façade and the stark, angular sculpture of the Passion facade are well known, but detail erupts everywhere. Most dramatically advanced is the interior, where a forest of pillars reaches up to the roof, creating a dream-like effect.

Insider’s tip: Take the lift up one of the spires for an aerial view, but be warned that the descent, down steep stone steps, is not for vertigo sufferers. You can avoid queues by pre-booking a slot online beforehand.

sagradafamilia.org

Sants and Les Corts

Indulge your inner footie fan at the camp nou.

Barça FC has the largest fan base in the world, and the Camp Nou stadium is the most visited attraction in Barcelona along with the Sagrada Família. What is now called the ‘Total Xperience' includes a tour of the pitch, the visitors’ changing rooms, the tunnel, the commentary boxes, three shots at the ‘Robokeeper’ and, of course, the museum – one of the most cutting-edge in Europe.

Insider’s tip: Be warned that there’s a terrible dearth of decent places to eat and drink near the stadium, so steer clear of lunchtime visits, although you may get lucky with securing a table at nearby  Tapas 24.

Contact :  fcbarcelona.cat

Nearest metro : Metro Collblanc or Maria Cristina

Browse some striking art installations

CaixaForum, a converted textile factory (and one-time police barracks) designed by Modernista architect Puig i Cadafalch, has been turned into a handsome exhibition space, one which generally has the most interesting shows in town. In addition to its striking installations – the spiky entrance by architect Arata Isozaki, and the colourful Sol LeWitt mural – there is a permanent collection of 800 artworks, shown in rotation.

Insider’s tip: The online virtual visits don’t allow you to zoom in so much that they provide any sort of substitute for visiting in person, but they do allow you to brush up a little beforehand.

Contact : caixaforum.es Nearest metro:  Metro Espanya 

Experience art on the hill at the Fundació Joan Miró

The Fundació Joan Miró is not seen as a Barcelona must-visit, compared to say, the Museu Picasso, Camp Nou or the Sagrada Família, and yet not only does it contain a truly exceptional collection of art (from not only Joan Miró, but also Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp and Sir Anthony Caro), it also has a Le Corbusier-inspired building, and a breathtaking view right across the city.

Insider’s tip:  The temporary exhibitions are of unfailingly high quality, and on one side of the building there is an intriguing sculpture garden. Guided tours of the main collection are given in English at 3pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

fmirobcn.org

Stroll through a botanic garden

High up on Montjuïc, alongside the Olympic Stadium, is the city's Botanic Garden, a brave new world of sharp lines and zig-zagged paths, a million miles from Kew's gentle segues or the formal elegance of most French or Spanish gardens. Its 14 hectares, from which there are peerless views, are divided into zones bursting with plants from – variously – Australia, California, South Africa, Chile and the Mediterranean.

Insider’s tip:   You can pick up an audioguide or, at weekends, take free guided tours. A combined ticket (€7 adults, €3.50 reductions) will also grant entry to the Museu de Ciències Naturals natural history museum.

museuciencies.cat

Get a taste of Catalan creativity at Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

A wonderful overview of local art from the 10th century to the present day, the MNAC (Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya) is something uniquely Catalan, and gives a sense of the region's history as well as its art. The Gothic paintings and Modernista furniture stand out, but the highlights are the Romanesque murals, painstakingly transferred from abandoned churches in the Pyrenees.

Insider’s tip: It's a huge building, with a vast collection and good temporary exhibitions, but tickets are valid for two days, and the website has some imaginative and quirky virtual tours that can help to prepare a focused visit.

museunacional.cat

Visit Europe's largest science museum

Said to be the biggest science museum in Europe, CosmoCaixa has state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, children's sections dynamic and fun enough that the little ones don't realise how much they are learning, and lofty, attractive spaces, dramatically lit. The big hit is the 'Flooded Forest', a mocked-up section of rainforest complete with native species of flora and fauna.

Insider’s tip: Check out the entertaining 'sound telescope' (two satellite dishes positioned 50 metres apart, via which children can have a whispered conversation); these days it is rather forgotten, on an underused terrace away from the action.

cosmocaixa.com

Find peace in a medieval convent

Off the beaten track, and correspondingly peaceful is this beautiful 14th-century convent Monestir de Pedralbes, still home to a body of Poor Clare nuns. It's a closed order, so you won't see them, but visitors do have access to most of the complex. The kitchen, pharmacy and dining room are barely changed since medieval times, but the real highlight is the elegant Gothic cloister, with its triple gallery of slender columns.

Insider’s tip: It's not particularly easy to get to by public transport (a little walk from the nearest FGC station), but it’s one of a handful of further-flung destinations usefully served by the Bus Turístic.

Contact :  monestirpedralbes.barcelona Nearest metro:  FGC train Reina Elisenda

Marvel at mosaics at Park Güell

Gaudí’s Park Güell was intended to provide attractive housing for the upper classes, based on the English 'garden cities' (hence the anglicised spelling of 'Park'). It was never completed, but what remains is fairly extraordinary, with Hansel and Gretel-inspired gatehouses, the much-photographed 'Dragon', and the gloriously colourful winding tiled bench with a view across the city and out to sea.

Insider’s tip: For a kitsch but hugely entertaining experience nearby, particularly if you have children in tow, check out the 4D documentary at the Gaudí Experience .

Contact : parkguell.barcelona Nearest bus:  H6, 24 or D40 to Travessera de Dalt, and then a ten-minute walk. For those with pre-bought tickets, there is a shuttle bus from Alfonso X metro.

How we choose

Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.

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A weekend in Barcelona: travel guide, attractions and things to do

Everything you need to know for a city break in Catalonia’s cultured capital

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1. Why you should visit Barcelona

2. top attractions: things to see and do, 3. hotels and accommodation: where to stay, 4. restaurants, tapas and wine: where to eat and drink, 5. transport: how to get there, 6. what the locals say….

Boasting beautiful architecture, great shopping and an exciting foodie scene, Barcelona combines “everything that is most charming about Mediterranean cities”, said Sally Davies in The Telegraph . It has a “relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food – with the cultural and design clout of almost any city in the cold north”.

A weekend in Dublin: travel guide, attractions and things to do A weekend in Porto: travel guide, attractions and things to do

Spain’s second city and capital of Catalonia “vibrates with life”, said Rough Guides . There’s certainly not another city in the country to touch it for “sheer style, looks or energy”. Everyone starts with La Rambla, and then dives straight into the “mediaeval nucleus” of the city, the Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter).

An archetypal city-break destination, Barcelona has world-class culture, a great beach and is just a two-hour flight from the UK. For those who are already well acquainted with the Sagrada Familia, Parc Guell and La Rambla, the city also serves as a launchpad for the surrounding areas such as the Costa Brava, Sitges, Girona and the wine regions of Alella and Penedès.

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Gaudí’s architecture

The Sagrada Família church in the Eixample quarter is Barcelona’s “most iconic symbol” and the most visited landmark in the whole of Spain, said IntroducingBarcelona.com . Construction started in 1882 and a year later it was commissioned to Antoni Gaudí, Catalonia’s most famous architect. Still unfinished, it’s Gaudí’s best-known shrine to eccentric architecture.

In Barcelona, art is everywhere – even in the architecture. For example, take the Casa Milà, located on Passeig de Gràcia, one of Barcelona’s grandest avenues. Completed in 1912, Casa Milà, or La Pedrera (stone quarry) as it is also known, was designed by Gaudí. In 1984 it was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Referred to as “God’s Architect”, you can’t visit Barcelona without seeing Gaudi’s influence everywhere you go, said the Nomadic Matt travel blog. Other Gaudi attractions include Park Güell, one of the largest green spaces in Barcelona, and Casa Vicens , considered to be his first major project.

Museums and culture

Barclona has long had the reputation of being the “avant-garde capital of Spain”, said Rough Guides . The art museums here are “world-class”, including the “celebrated” Museu Picasso and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya. Most museums are closed on Mondays, said Sally Davies in The Telegraph . The one “notable exception” is the MACBA contemporary art museum.

The city’s opera house, La Gran Teatre del Liceu , was first built in 1847 and has seen it all: fires, wars, and recessions. Yet it still stands, magnificent and opulent. Adorned with gold leaf, rich red seats, and ornate carvings embellishing every surface, the setting might just be as grand as the performance. It is one of the world’s most spectacular classical opera houses and over the years has continued to fulfil its role as a centre for culture and the arts staging a world-class programme of operas, concerts and dance with its own orchestra and choir.

Located half an hour away from Barcelona is La Roca Shopping Village , a spot to which all serious shoppers flock. You’ll find all the best contemporary brands from Calvin Klein, G Star Raw and Diesel, to Barcelona labels Desigual and Custo Barcelona.

If you’re not looking to travel far, Passeig de Gràcia , one of the city’s main avenues, boasts impressive Modernist buildings and an abundance of international designers (think Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada). If you take a left at the top of Passeig de Gràcia, you’ll find many more quality shops along the Diagonal and the top section of Rambla Catalunya, where you can shop for bridal dresses designed to feel like “princess dresses” and various interior design stores.

The 1992 Summer Olympic Games “totally transformed” Barcelona, said Xavier Trias, the former mayor. The city hosts world-class sporting events throughout the year, including sailing, marathons, triathlons, MotoGP, showjumping and the annual Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. It’s also home to two football teams that play in Spain’s La Liga – FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol de Barcelona. Thousands of football fans visit Barça’s Camp Nou stadium for matches and tours every year.

For somewhere plush, you can’t go wrong with El Palace – Barcelona’s original luxury hotel, which was built more than a century ago to complement (and rival) the Ritz in Madrid. After full renovation four years ago, El Palace now presents an elegant blend of classical architecture, cultural heritage and modern Mediterranean cool.

El Palace Hotel, Barcelona review: the art of luxury Hotel Ocean Drive Barcelona review: 48 hours of luxury in the Catalan capital

Formerly the 19th-century palace of Palau Vedruna, The Claris Hotel & Spa has clung on to its gorgeous neoclassical façade, despite a remodelling in 1992. The rooftop terrace is a sanctuary of tranquillity raised above the heat and bustle of the city in full summer. It is here that you can cool off in the pool, get a bite to eat at La Terraza del Claris, or simply sip a beer while looking down on the street life.

If you want to be in the heart of Barcelona then look no further than the luxurious five-star Hotel Casa Fuster G.L Monumento . It has a sauna, gym, jazz bar and rooftop chillout bar. If you prefer to be away from the hustle and bustle, Hotel Camiral is a five-star hotel on the doorstep of Barcelona in Girona – the perfect location for outdoor sports enthusiasts, golf-lovers, sun-seekers, culture vultures and foodies alike.

Restaurants

Barcelona is no stranger to fantastic food and drink – it’s home to 19 restaurants which have Michelin stars. Promoting the elite cuisine of Catalonia, the city is a treat for those with a taste for fine dining. If you’re looking for modern Catalan cuisine, ABaC is a three-star Michelin restaurant and generally considered one of Barcelona’s finest. It is elegantly sophisticated and intimate, with a total capacity of just 56.

If light bites are what you need then Barcelona is perfect for a night exploring the famous tapas bars. The choice can be “a little overwhelming”, but the best tapas joints in Barcelona are “as good as you’re going to get”, said Time Out . Casa de Tapes Cañota, Betlem Miscel·lània Gastronòmica, and Xanc i Meli are three of the great tapas bars in the city.

Located on the “bustling” La Rambla, La Boqueria is Barcelona’s best-known market, Time Out added. An attraction in its own right, La Boqueria is the “perfect stop to have a bite to eat while taking in the sites”.

A little further afield the Alta Alella estate stands in the agricultural area of the Serralada de Marina Natural Park, just 20 minutes from Barcelona, and stretches along the Mediterranean coast. The wines it produces are organic and can be found in some of the world’s top restaurants.

Another fantastic vineyard to visit is Familia Torres , located in the Penedès region around 60km west from Barcelona. Here you can sample the goods, take a tour of the cellars and sit down for a wine and tapas pairing.

Josep Tarradellas Barcelona–El Prat Airport is the main international airport and located 15km south west of the city. Two Aerobus services (A1 and A2) operate all year round connecting the airport and the city centre (Place de Catalunya). The R2 North line train departs from T2 and stops at Estació Sants and Passeig de Gràcia in the city, while the L9 Sud Metro line from the airport’s two terminals goes to Zona Universitària. You can change at Torrassa or Collblanc to go downtown.

Metro and public transport

The Metro network has 12 lines on which you can travel with a standard ticket. Costing from €16.40 to €38.20, the Hola Barcelona Travel Card provides unlimited journeys on public transport for consecutive periods of two days (48 hours), three days (72 hours), four days (96 hours) or five days (120 hours) from the time it is first validated.

Barcelona is Europe’s busiest cruise port. In 2019, roughly three million passengers disembarked in the city, said Euronews . After cruise traffic dropped in 2020 and 2021, numbers in 2022 are predicted to “surge again”. There are nine terminals in total at the Barcelona port , seven of these are cruise terminals.

If you want Spanish food and prefer a “fancy spot” next to Barceloneta Beach, Pez Vela is your place, said Adam Oliveras on Trivago . “I still haven’t found the perfect paella in Barcelona (apart from my mom’s), but totally worth to try a typical paella or other Spanish traditional rice dishes at this restaurant.”

Did you know, it is said that if you drink from the Canaletes fountain on La Rambla, you will return to Barcelona, said Sally Davies in The Telegraph . “Fingers crossed.”

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Mike Starling is the digital features editor at The Week, where he writes content and edits the Arts & Life and Sport website sections and the Food & Drink and Travel newsletters. He started his career in 2001 in Gloucestershire as a sports reporter and sub-editor and has held various roles as a writer and editor at news, travel and B2B publications. He has spoken at a number of sports business conferences and also worked as a consultant creating sports travel content for tourism boards. International experience includes spells living and working in Dubai, UAE; Brisbane, Australia; and Beirut, Lebanon. 

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Barcelona, the best city in the world, according to 'Telegraph Travel'

The ranking highlights that the catalan capital combines all the charms of mediterranean cities.

Which is the best city in the world? According to a ranking compiled by Telegraph Travel there is no doubt that it is Barcelona, which has won 588 out of a possible 810 points in categories such as cultural agenda, history, architecture, food and safety. This score places the Catalan capital 32 points above the second best-ranked city, which is Sydney. "There is no other place like it," the magazine concludes in reference to Barcelona, and stresses that it combines "everything that is most charming about a Mediterranean city."

The deputy mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, has celebrated the choice of Barcelona as "great news for the city" and has highlighted that the ranking recognises a mix of categories, among them connectivity or social life and also security.

In third place on the ranking is Cape Town, in fourth place is Lisbon and in fifth place is Venice. To make the list, 50 cities were selected from a combination of those chosen by readers in recent surveys and cities selected by the magazine's travel writers. From there, data was collected from different categories (the number of Michelin stars, the distance between the city and the airport, the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites...) and, once the results were analysed, a score was established that placed Barcelona at the top of the ranking.

" We could talk for hours about the wonders of Barcelona, but the figures speak for themselves ", the magazine summarises, which praises aspects such as the works of Antoni Gaudi or the historic site of Sant Pau, the 19 Michelin-starred restaurants or the 39 five-star hotels in the city. It also praises "the inclusive LGTBI scene", "low-emission credentials" and a "wide beach". The recognition comes after an Easter Week in which the Catalan capital has seen tourists flood back to the city (with hotel occupancy at 85%), rekindling the debate on mass tourism .

In the ranking of the magazine there are two Spanish cities, Seville and Madrid, which came thirteenth and seventeenth, respectively.

Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

ELLE Escapes: Barcelona

Barcelona begs you to look closer. Look up and take in the soaring Sagrada Familia, architect Antoni Gaudí’s fantastical and somehow-still-unfinished temple. Look down: Under your feet are pretty pavement tiles distinctive to each neighborhood (the flower pattern by Josep Puig i Cadafalch is a symbol of the city). And look sharp: Tucked into centuries-old crevices and back alleys, you’ll find freshly painted examples of the city’s street art scene. The capital of Catalonia, tucked between the mountains and the Mediterranean Sea, is more than art-filled—the city itself feels like a pulsing, ever-changing work in progress.

Much of that progress lately is in shades of green, as the city’s artisans embrace sustainable methods and its restaurants make the most of local seafood and natural Catalonian wine. It was fitting, then, that my ride in Barcelona was the Volvo EX30 , the brand’s newest all-electric car and smallest-ever SUV. This adorable head-turner (literally: one local stopped short in a crosswalk, gave my cloud-blue model the once over, and offered a hearty thumbs-up) has been designed to minimize its carbon footprint while maximizing interior space. Volvo designers incorporated recycled and renewable materials throughout, from the plastics in the exterior bumpers to denim, flax, and fishing nets repurposed for the interior.

You can get around Barcelona fine without a car, but I found that having one allowed me to explore farther-flung sites like the wine region, less touristy beaches, and the epic designer outlet mall La Roca Village, about 45 minutes outside of town. Plus, the EX30 made for a suitably forward-thinking (and pretty zippy!) way to explore this vibrant destination. Here are some of the best places to see, eat, drink, and stay in Barcelona.

What to See

With structures dating to Roman and medieval times, Barcelona’s historic Gothic Quarter is a maze of narrow streets that empty into peaceful plaças . There’s plenty to see (and take home) here, from local shops like Handmade Avarcas and Espadrilles for Catalan sandals, Soruka for sustainable and upcycled leather goods, or Bon Vent for home goods. But my favorite local color was the Barcelona Street Style Tour , whose free walking tours will help you spot—and understand the story behind—urban art it would otherwise be easy to miss. Afterward, visit an underground art gallery like Base Elements or Artevistas Gallery to take home a piece in Barcelona’s distinctive style: colorful, cheeky, a little childish, and, most of all, fun.

Passeig de Gràcia

One of Europe’s most elegant avenues, Passeig de Gràcia in the Eixample district combines world-class luxury shopping with world-famous Modernist architecture. Step inside Gaudí’s sinuous Casa Milà or the jewel-like Casa Batiló , which now houses two immersive art experiences. Almost as spectacular is the nearby Casa Loewe , the Spanish brand’s fantasy of a flagship store. The ornate, frescoed building was beautifully renovated in 2022, and showcases Jonathan Anderson’s sculptural designs alongside ceramics made by Pablo Picasso and a twisting bamboo installation commissioned from Japanese artist Tanabe Chikuunsai IV.

Commissioned in 1900 by Gaudí’s friend and mentor Eusebi Güell, Parc Güell is a World Heritage Site with nearly 30 acres of gardens, buildings, mosaics, sculptures, and more eye candy than can be listed here. To encourage environmentally responsible tourism, the number of visitors is limited, so consider buying tickets ahead of time.

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Handmade Avarcas & Espadrilles Espadrilles Malta Beige

Soruka Ferrara

Where to eat, la boqueria market.

There is nothing like a local market for snacking and souvenir-ing. Just off La Rambla, the city’s main tourist drag, La Boqueria is Barcelona’s largest market and one of the most famous in Europe. Sip a fresh-pressed juice while roaming the aisles for foodie gifts like vials of saffron threads, pretty tins of smoked paprika or sardines, and fanciful sweets in bulk. For an atmospheric meal, pull up a stool at one of the tapas bars scattered throughout the space. Seats are in hot demand, so consider a late-afternoon snack of grilled seafood at La Ramblero (stall 550) to tide you over until dinnertime, which in Barcelona typically falls after 9 P.M. Or enjoy a late breakfast (is there any other kind here?) of fried eggs with caramelized foie gras or Iberian ham at El Quim (stall 606).

Fismuler Restaurant

In a chic space with industrial vibes in the fashionable El Born district, Fismuler offers a contemporary and upscale take on tapas. Still, dishes are far from fussy, centering market ingredients like crazy-delicious razor clams served au gratin and trendy Bimi broccoli fried and served with burrata and green mole. The atmosphere is loud and lively, and the long farmhouse tables encourage sharing—each plate is delivered and elaborately described by a friendly waitstaff one by one, over the course of perhaps three hours.

Jacqueline Barcelona

Named for Picasso’s muse and second wife, Jacqueline is an extravagantly designed restaurant in Eixample that takes a choose-your-own-adventure approach. The main floor restaurant offers modern Mediterranean; the second floor hosts a super-intimate six-seat omakase sushi bar (book ahead: there are two seatings only at 8 P.M. and 10:30 P.M., Tuesday through Sunday); and downstairs there’s a dinner club offering live soul, Flamenco, jazz, and more. (The flower-strewn hidden cocktail bar you’ll have to find on your own.)

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Where to drink.

Barcelona’s natural wine scene is booming, and this bar and wine shop near the Picasso Museum in El Born was the pioneer that kickstarted the movement a decade ago. Ask the welcoming Bar Brutal staff to help you explore wine grown from organic or biodynamic wineries not only in Catalonia, but across the world. The wines—typically produced without sulfites, pesticides, or additives—range from funky to Bordeaux-smooth. Some say organic wines fend off hangovers; this fact may or may not be true, but when it comes to Barcelona nightlife, I’ll take any help I can get.

Mariposa Negra

The maze of streets in El Born, centered around the Picasso Museum and the Basilica of Santa Maria del Mar, are full of boisterous tapas and cocktail bars to explore late into the night. For only-in-Barcelona flair, it’s hard to top Mariposa Negra , which offers cocktails with house-made ingredients (think: tigernut horchata, Scorpion chili liqueur, liquor of Génépi flowers) served in house-made ceramic vessels. Grab a couple of friends and attend the bar’s cocktail master class, where you’ll learn to mix four drinks and paint your own ceramic glass.

Bambú Beach Bar

Barcelona’s city life is so rich it can be easy to forget you’re also at the beach! There are plenty of places to drink, dance, and touch sand along the buzzing Barceloneta Beach, which is walkable from town. Personally, I like to seek out more of a deserted-island vibe. It’s an easy drive north to Llevant Beach, a quiet area with an idyllic laid-back bar and restaurant, Bambu Beach Club . Open seasonally, Bambu offers cold beer, cocktails, and sangria with Thai-inspired tapas and a view of the peaceful Mediterranean.

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Where to stay, me barcelona hotel.

The ideal location of ME Barcelona puts you just off the Passeig de Gràcia and an easy walk to the Gothic Quarter, La Rambla, and the Picasso Museum. (You can even spot the towers of Sagrada Familia, recently unveiled after 140 years, from the rooftop pool and terrace.) The rooms have king beds, walk-in showers, and views of the city or peaceful inner courtyard.

Soho House Barcelona

In an 18th-century building facing the Marina Port Vell, on the edge of the Gothic Quarter, Soho House Barcelona has all the features the members’ club and hotel is known for, including chic vintage furnishings, Cowshed spa and beauty products, and a no-laptop policy at the rooftop pool. But it also feels uniquely Barcelona, with Catalan design touches; a 100-piece art collection spread throughout the building (look for the Picasso in the reception area and a Blanca Miró mural in the stairwell); and a bar cart that wheels up to your room in the evenings, offering a pre-dinner cocktail.

Authenticity and relaxed glamour are the watchwords at the boutique hotel Casa Bonay , lovingly renovated by local entrepreneur and co-owner Inés Miró-Sans. Rooms may have large windows, original mosaic flooring, or private terraces with hammocks. A leafy rooftop oasis exclusive to hotel guests offers sun beds, outdoor showers, yoga classes, and room service from Libertine, the famous tapas bar located on the hotel’s ground floor.

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Helen Kaminski Kirsten Raffia Wide-Brim Visor

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Beauty picks.

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Anti-Aging Primer with Sunscreen, 50 SPF

Vacation calls for hybrid formulas that streamline beauty routines, so there’s more time for seeing, sipping, and swimming. Here’s a multitasking primer packed with high sun protection, a blurring formula, and a lightweight finish.

Ceremonia Guava Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner

Ceremonia’s Guava Leave-In Conditioner is a tropical delight regardless of your destination. Delectable guava scent aside, this leave-in is best used on wet hair fresh out of the shower; it softens strands, imparts a healthy dose of hydration, and tames unruly frizz.

La Mer Genaissance de la Mer

For skin too good to touch, reach for the soothing Genaissance de la Mer serum. Designed to mimic the skin’s micro-symmetry pattern, which loses its strength over time, The Serum Essence restores firmness and improves elasticity over time.

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Barcelona, chosen as the best city in the world

The British newspaper The Telegraph considers Barcelona the best city in the world, topping a ranking that compares the 50 best cities right across the globe. It concludes that Barcelona combines all the charms to be found in the cities of the Mediterranean.

“There is no other place like this,” says the Telegraph Travel article. Barcelona attained this recognition thanks to its “ relaxed pace, endless months of sunshine, unparalleled food, and the cultural and design influence of almost any city in the frigid north.”

Barcelona was awarded a total of 588 out of the 810 possible points in categories such as culture, history, architecture, food and security. This places it 32 points ahead of Sydney, the second-ranked city, followed by Cape Town, Lisbon and Venice.

Barcelona’s strengths

The highlights of Barcelona include several architectural gems listed as World Heritage sites by UNESCO , 19 Michelin-starred restaurants , the airport just a few kilometres from the centre, the ample beaches, the inclusive LGTBI scene, low-emission credentials and security.

The Telegraph highlighted several of the city’s iconic buildings, such as the certain jewels of modernisme by Antoni Gaudí and the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site . It also mentioned other historical sites such as the twelfth-century Jewish quarter or landmarks such as the 288-metre lookout point of Collserola Tower . The city’s 100+ museums and 39 5-star hotels were also considered in placing the city ahead of the rest.

The study was compiled from a selection of 50 cities chosen by readers and writers of this travel magazine, which were ranked in different categories, with Barcelona emerging as the winner.

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Telegraph Travel Reveals the Best City to Visit

by The Telegraph , April 28th 2022

According to Telegraph Travel and based on the biggest independent destination study since the pandemic, Barcelona is the best destination to visit on 2022. The Catalan capital scores 32 points more than the second best-ranked city, which is Sydney. Please, find the full article  here.

Barcelona claims the top spot, thanks to its world-class architecture, thriving arts and culture scene and more than 2,500 hours of sunshine per year.

Sydney, Cape Town, Lisbon and Venice make up the rest of the top five, with Los Angeles, Dubai, London, Vancouver and Florence also ranking in the top ten.

For this in-depth study, The Telegraph analysed a wide range of data from a shortlist of 50 cities selected by The Telegraph readers, along with selections from destination experts.

The criteria included factors that Telegraph readers prioritise in city break destinations, such as the number of Unesco World Heritage Sites, air quality, green space, LGBT+ safety ranking, disabled access and the number of Michelin-starred restaurants, among other criteria rewarding safety, practicality and cultural prowess.

Along with the top 50 ranking of cities, The Telegraph has divided the results into sub-categories which see Paris named as the best option for an indulgent escape, Rome the top pick for a cultural hit, and Dubai celebrated for sun, sea and sand.

The top ten cities are:

• Los Angeles

Claire Irvin, Head of Travel at the Telegraph:  “Which city is the best on Earth’ is a question that always delivers impassioned debate amongst Telegraph Travel’s experts – yet, despite our collective experience and expert insight, an emphatic answer has always proved elusive… So we decided it was high time we reached a definitive conclusion, using rigorous research methods.”

Marian Muro, General Manager at Turisme de Barcelona:  “This is a significant recognition of our city as one of the friendliest cities to visit, and also to live in. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, with the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, and this, combined with its welcoming, friendly and inclusive attributes make it completely unique.”

Sally Davies, Telegraph Destination Expert: “Barcelona combines everything that is most charming about Mediterranean cities – a relaxed pace, months of endless sunshine, unbeatable food – with the cultural and design clout of almost any city in the cold north.”

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Catalonia, Stop COVID-19 mesures and nightlife reopens

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Want to see the real Catalonia? Then look beyond Barcelona

From Pyrenean peaks to flamingo-dotted deltas, a new tour draws visitors away from busy Barcelona

O n a hushed, narrow street decorated with wrought-iron balconies in the small Catalonian city of Solsona, local guide Ivan Viladrich has just pushed open the unassuming wooden door of an 18th-century building. Hidden inside are two pairs of intricately sculpted gegants (Catalan dancing giants) whose history goes back to the late 17th century. In the next room, there’s a 330-year-old wooden dragon (the Drac de Solsona), weighing almost 100kg, surrounded by all kinds of other mythological animal figures. They have all just been twirled and paraded around town during the Festa Major, held every September in Solsona.

“Solsona might not have big sights like Barcelona but it does have many small points of great interest, especially the old town with its intriguing architecture and Romanesque-origin cathedral,” says Ivan, who has been leading tours here with Solsona Experience since 2016. He explains how the city’s cultural heritage is one of its key tourism attractions, before pointing out gurgling gothic fountains, steeply sloping squares, curiously carved wooden beams and the weekly market as we stroll through the cobbled centre.

Solsona, capital of Solsonès county, which lies between Barcelona and the Pyrenees, is one of many lesser-known regional stops on the just-launched Grand Tour of Catalonia , a project devised by the Catalan tourist board. Covering 2,200km, the Grand Tour aims to decentralise the region’s Barcelona-focused tourism industry, encourage visitors to explore during quieter seasons and shine a light on its cultural, natural and gastronomic diversity.

In the lead-up to the pandemic, Barcelona’s struggle with overtourism was reaching crisis point. Local efforts to tackle it already included clamping down on illegal tourist apartments , a ban on new hotels in the city centre and a special preservation status for 220 traditional shops and 11 emblematic bars in danger of being pushed out by rising rents. In 2019, Catalonia’s capital (population: 1.6 million) received around 32 million tourists – and only 13.9 million of them stayed for one night or longer (still a record number). There were also growing concerns about irresponsible tourism (particularly boat parties) damaging the Costa Brava’s fragile natural environment. Then everything came to a sudden standstill.

Now, as tourism begins to return (Barcelona saw 1.9 million overnight visitors this summer, while the Costa Brava returned to pre-pandemic levels), Catalonia’s authorities are keen to continue moving in a more sustainable direction and combat overtourism, with plans also recently unveiled to transform Barcelona’s overrun La Rambla into an immersive arts hub .

“Before the pandemic, around 90% of international tourists to Catalonia headed for Barcelona, the Costa Brava and/or the Costa Daurada, and only 10% explored the interior,” says Aicard Guinovart, director of the Catalan Tourist Board in the UK, over breakfast at Hotel 1882 Barcelona 1882. “If visitors keen to see Montserrat, for example, stay on for a few nights exploring nearby Solsona and Cardona (rather than day-tripping from Barcelona), the cultural and economic benefits of tourism will be felt more widely across this central region of Catalonia. This kind of longer, more in-depth trip is what people are looking for as we emerge from the pandemic.”

The Grand Tour loops all around Catalonia and is divided into five main sections, with a focus on responsible tourism, small-scale businesses and local culture and traditions. If you fancy tackling the full trip, you’ll need at least two weeks, but it can also be cut down or built around a particular theme (gastronomy, outdoors, galleries). Soon to follow are electric-vehicle guides (with mapped charging points and recommended car-hire collaborators), tips on sustainably run accommodation, and options for enjoying the various itineraries entirely by public transport.

Top of my list among Catalonia’s lesser-visited corners is the secluded, rice-growing Delta de l’Ebre, which is around 80km south-west from Tarragona and borders the Valencia region to the south. At the mouth of Spain’s second-longest river, waterways ripple among electric-green rice fields, windswept Mediterranean dunes and marshes where flamingos splash about.

Much of this area has been a protected parc natural since 1983. I’ve stayed in peaceful rural hotels here, wandered alone along wild, sandy-gold beaches, hopped on a boat down to the Balearic Sea, and devoured paellas at laid-back riverside restaurants. You can also sail out to a floating mussel farm for lunch, cycle and hike through the fields, try kitesurfing and kayaking or rock climbing, spot some of the delta’s 330 bird species (especially during the autumn migration season), and even join a local family to learn about rice-farming.

Up in the Pyrenees, on the border with Aragón and France, Lleida province’s remote Val d’Aran is another surprise. Until the late 1940s, when a tunnel was carved through the mountains south from Vielha town, it wasn’t even possible to get here by road from the rest of Spain. While the area’s upmarket ski resorts now buzz in winter, there is plenty more to enjoy through the year, including elevated hikes, a wealth of adventure activities, wide-open mountain views, bubbling hot springs, French-influenced restaurants and lovely stone villages filled with geraniums, such as Arties, Bagergue and Salardú.

Spinning south, you’ll reach the Pyrenees’ beautiful Vall de Boí, which I have fond memories of stumbling down into after hiking more than 20km from the not-so-neighbouring town of Espot. This mountainous pocket reveals some of the most important Catalan Romanesque churches still standing – slender, multistorey, Unesco-listed creations dating from the 11th and 12th centuries, whose interiors were originally filled with rich religious art (most of it is now in Barcelona’s Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya). The small stone villages here – Taüll, Boí, Erill la Vall – are among northern Catalonia’s most striking.

The Boí valley sits on the western edge of Aigüestortes, Catalonia’s only national park. Walking trails thread through this high-mountain wonderland dotted with pine forests, remote refugis (mountain refuges) and sparkling lakes. And if you swap the high-summer season for autumn, you may just have them all to yourself.

Elsewhere, you can roam around less touristy Catalan vineyards in Tarragona’s adjoining Priorat and Montsant wine regions and Lleida’s increasingly respected Costers del Segre DO (Denominació d’Origen); soak up locally loved beaches and modernista architecture along the Costa Maresme just north of Barcelona ; set off multiday hiking or go rock climbing in the distant Parc Natural del Cadí-Moixeró, between Cerdanya and La Seu d’Urgell; and much more.

As we head south from Solsona, past Cardona’s imposing ninth-century castle, towards glitzy Sitges on the Costa del Garraf for the final night of my trip, I spy the foothills of the Pyrenees looming in the distance, and instantly get cracking on planning my next adventure around Catalonia. The only problem is that I’m spoilt for choice.

The trip was supported by the Catalan Tourist Board; for more information see catalunya.com and grandtour.catalunya.com

A grand tour: five ways to see Catalonia

Hit the coast From riverboat cruises to thrilling water sports, Delta de l’Ebre in Catalonia’s south-west is packed with outdoor fun and back-to-nature beaches. Mural-filled Hostal Cling 43 (doubles from €68) makes an excellent base in Deltebre.

Work all the ambles Hikers can get away from it all in Vall de Boí and Parc Nacional d’Aigüestortes (the full-day Espot-Boí trail crosses the entire park). Spectacular Catalan Romanesque churches are worth a trip in their own right. Stay at the rustic-modern Hostal La Plaça , opposite Erill La Vall’s church (doubles from €63).

Grand designs El Solsonès in central Catalonia is known for Romanesque and baroque architecture, including Solsona’s cathedral. Solsona Experience offers excellent guided tours, and you can sleep in a modernista mansion at Hotel Sant Roc (doubles from €96)

Up and down the slopes Deep-winter skiing, peaceful villages and hikes into the region’s only national park are among the draws of Val d’Aran, the adventure-loving Pyrenees valley. Casa Irene (doubles from €120) is a stylish, wood-beamed spa hotel in pretty Arties.

Sample a drop If you’re keen to dive into Catalan wines in a slightly quieter setting, head to the prestigious grape-growing Priorat hills west of Tarragona, where Lotus Priora t (doubles from €80) is a charming boutique place to stay.

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Travel + Leisure Readers' 3 Favorite Hotels in Barcelona of 2023

Hotels with easy access to famed attractions reigned supreme in Barcelona in our annual "World’s Best Awards" survey for 2023.

How Voting Works

What readers loved, the full list.

Courtesy of Hotel Arts Barcelona

Barcelona offers several distinct pleasures. Its privileged location along Spain’s east coast allows visitors to take a dip in the Mediterranean Sea in the morning, while its classic Baroque and art nouveau buildings let them tour world-class architecture all afternoon, and its tapas bars let them taste the flavors of the city all night. And it’s a destination offering a hotel stay unlike any other, according to T+L readers. 

Every year for our World's Best Awards survey, T+L asks readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top hotels, resorts, cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Nearly 165,000 T+L readers completed the 2023 survey, an increase of nearly 25 percent over pre-pandemic voting levels. A total of more than 685,000 votes were cast across over 8,500 unique properties (hotels, cities, cruise lines, etc.).

Hotels were classified as either resort hotel, city hotel, or safari lodge based on their location and amenities, and they were specifically rated on the criteria below:

• Rooms/facilities

For each characteristic, respondents could choose a rating of excellent, above average, average, below average, or poor. The final scores are averages of these responses. 

This year, a classic hotel made its way to the top of readers’ list. The Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona earned a 95.50 thanks to its five-star service from check-in to check-out. 

And, once again, the Hotel Arts Barcelona returned to the No. 2 spot, followed by another World’s Best favorite, the Cotton House Hotel.

Read on to see why readers think the Majestic, a more than 100-year-old hotel, is so special, and why you should plan an entire trip to Barcelona around it. 

Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona

Courtesy of Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona

Opened in 1918, the Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona remains a timeless classic. Located on fashionable Paseo de Gracia, it’s within walking distance of major city attractions like Plaça de Catalunya and Antoni Gaudí’s Casa Milà. Offering both traditional rooms and high-end suites, along with a penthouse worthy of its own zip code that comes complete with a private hot tub, the hotel makes for a rather chic home away from home. Don’t miss its rooftop restaurant, La Dolce Vitae, which features a swimming pool during the summer. There, guests can grab a cocktail or a bite from the menu curated by chef Nandu Jubany while looking out onto the entire city — including the Sagrada Família.

1. Majestic Hotel & Spa Barcelona

Reader Score: 95.50

2. Hotel Arts Barcelona  

Reader Score: 94.00

3. Cotton House Hotel, Autograph Collection  

Reader Score: 90.97

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Barcelona travel guide

When to go, what to do, and why you’ll love it.

B arcelona is a city bursting with colour and Mediterranean pizzazz. It’s a place where things have long been done differently — a home to the world’s most principled football team, to a beautiful, but entirely artificial beach, to logic-bending chefs, to Picasso and, above all, to Antoni Gaudí, that Willy Wonka of the architectural world.

Long inclined towards the avant garde, Spain’s second city (or Catalonia’s first, as defiant nationalists will tell you) also boasts unflagging, wide-ranging nightlife and a design-store scene to rival the best Nordic nations. Its art museums — including ones honouring Picasso and his fellow free-thinker Joan Miró — are exceptional, and there’s much for families to do.

Other, more subtle factors further the seduction; key sights are within walking distance of one another, there’s an array of stylish hotels, many with rooftop bars, a consequence of the density of life in the city and the winning climate. Best of all, for all its heavily trodden paths, Barcelona is a city where it feels as though you’re always on the point of discovering something new — perhaps a timeless jazz basement, a speakeasy hidden behind a fridge door or a secret garden square overflowing with charm and history.

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Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once called La Rambla “the only street in the world which I wish would never end”. Splitting Barcelona’s old town, this charismatic, kilometre-long boulevard — actually five consecutive boulevards, containing a central pathway below plane trees and sometimes collectively called Las Ramblas — offers up everything from living statues and markets to kaleidoscopic flower stalls.

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All the while, barrios beckon to either side: the Gothic Quarter’s twisting alleys and medieval cathedral; busy La Ribera, home to the Picasso Museum* ; bar-lined El Born; and multicultural El Raval, its striking contemporary-art gallery MACBA* evidence of a red-light district that is now (mostly) respectable.

North of Plaça de Catalunya sprawl Eixample and Gràcia, newer areas connected by the fashion-focused Passeig de Gràcia. This is where you’ll find the bulk of Barcelona’s impressive Modernisme architecture, led by esoteric Gaudí confections such as rippling Casa Batlló, quarry-like apartment block Casa Milà and the soaring, still-incomplete Sagrada Família basilica, plus his surreal take on green spaces, Parc Güell. Near the latter looms FC Barcelona’s iconic Camp Nou stadium, indelibly associated with legendary names including Cruyff, Maradona and Messi.

Try to find time to be beside the seaside. From Port Vell’s massive aquarium, stroll along the marina to Barceloneta, an old fishermen’s quarter now full of busy bars, then continue out along the promenade. Quieter the further north one ventures, all 5km of Barcelona’s clean, sandy beach were impressively installed before the 1992 Olympic Games.

Where to stay

From landmark hotels to genuinely cool hostels, Barcelona ticks every accommodation box. While views of La Rambla or Plaça de Catalunya will cost you, a bevy of excellent affordable hotels and mid-range boutique bases dot the nearby Gothic Quarter* . So too in La Ribera and neighbouring Sant Pere, handy for El Born’s nightlife, and indeed around up-and-coming but further-afield El Poble-sec.

El Raval — gentrified and trendy here, ramshackle there — pairs eclectic apartments and ubiquitous Airbnbs with opulent residences such as Hotel España Ramblas* , a revamped Modernista icon. More luxury digs await in Eixample, amid galleries and couture shops, as does a selection of hipper design hotels.

Just north, Gràcia’s small squares retain an authentic villagey atmosphere and suit families seeking privacy. There’s a whiff of that in La Barceloneta’s narrow-gridded interior too, on streets missed by most beach-bound tourists. Homestays proliferate; just along the seafront there are also a few bigger hotels with spas, pools and rooftop terraces.

Food and drink

Long-standing tapas dens or beachside chiringuitos (snack bars) emphasise simple but zesty fare, while masters of molecular gastronomy — Albert Adrià and the like — serve up remarkable delicacies in a sort of culinary channelling of Gaudí. In between you’ll find Galician seafood taverns, vanguard Japanese joints, “vegan junk-food” cafés and beautiful chocolate shops.

The most prevalent dish is a tapa called bombas. Supposedly inspired by Spanish Civil War bombs, it consists of potato and meat croquettes drizzled with spicy tomato aioli.

Eixample is a magnet for Michelin-starred restaurants and buzz-generating bistros. La Ribera, El Born and especially El Poble-sec hoard some funkier venues, while El Raval excels in bargain-priced backstreet dens. It pays here to do some research — reading not just travel guides, but also blogs by local foodies. For the finest seafood, stick to Barceloneta. You’ll also find lots of paella around this old fisherman’s quarter, including a local fideuà variant swapping rice for noodles.

The city’s range of bars is truly comprehensive, encompassing moody speakeasies (there’s talk of a speakeasy within a speakeasy, if you want to hunt that one out), sunset terraces and bars devoted to cava, Catalonia’s sparkling wine. Barceloneta’s tiny Can Paixano is a fine example of the latter.

A mile east of Barcelona central, Poblenou is overlooked by most tourists. Big mistake: similar to New York’s Meatpacking District, this ex-industrial area has been transformed. Once-derelict factories now host installation-art galleries, co-working spaces or airy, plant-filled concept stores, with the presence of Barcelona’s Design Museum cementing a youthful, creative vibe. Most peaceful sidestreets connect to the lively Rambla del Poblenou, a pedestrianised bar and restaurant-lined avenue that extends towards the northern end of Barcelona’s beachfront.

Above Port Vell hulks Montjuïc, a hill offering the best views over the city. Accompanying those are an old military fortress, botanic and sculpture gardens, the Olympic stadium, Catalunya’s national gallery (MNAC), another modern-art space in CaixaForum and the Joan Miró Foundation* . To avoid sweaty climbs and for the most photogenic ascent, get a harbour-crossing gondola halfway up from Barceloneta, then walk around and ride the Montjuïc Cable Car to that fortress.

Know before you go

In high summer, the city can be unbearably hot; it’s great for the beach and siestas, but less so for sightseeing. Bear in mind too that many shops or restaurants close as inhabitants leave on holiday. Late spring or early autumn, when temperatures fall to below 25C, is a much more pleasant time to visit Barcelona. Bring euros, including for the long metro ride to or from El Prat Airport. Though the city’s eight lines are clean, safe and reliable, coverage is not quite as extensive as other European cities, so days out can require careful planning. Pickpocketing is a long-established problem, so take the usual precautions and don’t flash phones, wallets or watches around.

Take me there

Inspired to visit Barcelona but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from Tui* and British Airways* . These are the best tours of Barcelona from our trusted partners* .

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Barcelona, la mejor ciudad del mundo, según ‘The Telegraph’

La capital catalana supera a sydney, que ocupa el segundo lugar, y a ciudad del cabo, el tercero.

Vista aérea de Barcelona

The Telegraph: Barcelona is the best city in the world

The travel section of the renowned British newspaper “The Telegraph Travel,” chose Barcelona as the best city in the world over Sydney (second place) and Cape Town (third).

The City of Barcelona took first place after obtaining 588 out of a possible 810 points, after being evaluated in different aspects: culture, hotels, history and gastronomy.

This ranking determined that Barcelona manages to integrate everything that enchants Mediterranean cities.

It has a relaxed pace, unparalleled food, months of endless sunshine. Great cultural and design influence from almost any city located in the cold north of the continent.

To achieve this ranking, the newspaper took into account the opinion of the travel magazine’s writers, as well as that of its readers.

Also other aspects such as the number of monuments declared Unesco World Heritage Sites and Michelin-starred restaurants.

The distance between the airport and the center of each city and the total annual hours of sunshine.

Another aspect they highlighted is the “inclusive” LGTBI scene, as well as the spectacular beach.

The only comment received from the city is that it lags behind in green spaces and population growth.

See the other cities in the ranking

In second place and 32 points behind are Sydney in Australia and Cape Town in South Africa.

In the top five are Lisbon Portugal in fourth position and Venice Italy in fifth.

The Telegraph Travel’s total list consists of 50 cities around the world.

Two other Spanish cities also appear in the ranking: Seville (13th) and Madrid (17th).

Barcelona is the best city in the world and the third best place to start a new life

On the other hand, the entertainment company “Time Out Index” surveyed 27,000 inhabitants of cities from Chicago to Copenhagen, Melbourne to Madrid and Tel Aviv to Tokyo.

The results showed that Barcelona is the third best city to start a new life.

The portal indicates that the survey served to recognize the great achievements of the cities despite the pandemic and a “semi-normality”.

Although there was encirclement, the cities adapted. Communities came together, new forms of entertainment emerged and many businesses survived.

The questions revolved around the existence in each city of green spaces, community projects, culture, food and sustainability.

They also asked about the now and the future of each city. How its inhabitants observed it.

Barcelona was among the top five thanks to the ingenuity and solidarity of its people. The leisure and cultural alternatives, its gastronomy and geographic location.

The best in this ranking was Athens in Greece.

Exhibition "The Barcelonian" at L'Illa Diagonal: an imaginary magazine

A sea of activities at l'aquàrium de barcelona, free activities at the botanical garden of barcelona on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

Large clothing stores would have a space for second-hand goods

New vehicles will have to incorporate advanced driving aid systems.

Hilompiadas: to compete in disciplines such as knitting, crochet and embroidery.

Barcelona celebrates International Jazz Day in Passeig de Gràcia

4 most original gyms in Barcelona

Soccer and music: Karol G’s logo on the F.C. Barcelona jersey

Barcelona-El Prat Airport expansion for more intercontinental flights

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This is the UK’s best beach, according to the Telegraph

From sheltered coves in Cornwall to fishing harbours in Fife, the paper has revealed its pick of Britain’s greatest shorelines

Last weekend was a scorcher, eh? Finally the sun is starting to emerge here in the UK and it’s the perfect time for our beaches to really flaunt their magical views, dreamy blue waters and glistening sand. 

Everyone has an opinion on which bays and coves would win a beauty contest, and we don’t blame you if you’d rather gatekeep your very favourite. But here, we’re all about sharing. 

RECOMMENDED: This English beach is officially one of the best in the world .

Naturally, Time Out has a definitive ranking of the most outstanding beaches on the British Isles , which you should most definitely check out. There are tonnes of other rankings of sandy destinations out there, though. Last week Condé Nast Traveller  shared its opinion and now writers at the Telegraph  have picked their faves.  Spoiler: they’re big fans of the southwest. 

With its gleaming waters and near-white sands, the newspaper declared  Par on the Isles of Scilly the finest beach in the land. Travel writer Chris Leadbeater wrote: ‘[I] found myself staring besotted at this largely unadorned crescent, with its little jetty and handful of rowing boats.’

Pedn Vounder (known locally as ‘pednee’) in Penzance, Cornwall earned second place on the list for its ‘glassy waters, soft white sand and soaring cliffs behind’. It’s an ideal for a calm summer swim but just be prepared to glimpse some nudity — this is an unofficial naturist beach. 

If you drive up the coast for a couple hours you’ll arrive at number three on the  Telegraph ’s   list,  Polzeath.  Then veer a couple more hours to the east for number four, which is East Portlemouth in Devon . Rounding off the top five is fellow Devon beach, Saunton Sands . 

Don’t worry, the rest of the UK does get a look in further down the list. Take a look and see if your go-to made the cut.

These are the greatest beaches in the UK, according to the  Telegraph :

• Par, Isles of Scilly
• Pedn Vounder, Cornwall
• Polzeath, Cornwall
• East Portlemouth, Devon 
• Saunton Sands, Devon
• Seatown, Dorset
• Clevedon, Somerset
• Totland Bay, Isle of Wight
• Rottingdean, East Sussex
• St Margaret's Bay, Kent 
• Walberswick, Suffolk
• Brancaster, Norfolk
• Morecambe North, Lancashire
• Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
• Cocklawburn and Cheswick, Northumberland
• Barafundle Bay, Pembrokeshire
• Penbryn, Ceredigion
• Elie Harbour, Fife
• Silver Sands of Moror, Highland
• Scarista Beach, Isle of Harris 

You can read more about the  Telegraph ’s list here . 

Did you see that   the UK is officially the world’s sixth-most beautiful country ?

Plus:   Uber is expanding to two more UK cities . 

Stay in the loop: sign up to our  free Time Out UK newsletter  for the latest UK news and the best stuff happening across the country.

• Amy Houghton Contributing writer

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The best family hotels in Mauritius

Adventurous activities for both children and adults abound on this island of mountains, rainforest and picture-postcard white-sand beaches

Mauritius is heaven for active families. This pocket-sized tropical paradise offers an incredible amount to do, from island-hopping and hikes in forested nature reserves to whale watching, electric-bike rides in the highlands and wildlife safaris in eco-parks. Overnight flights, and short travel distances, mean children can be snorkelling from a sun-soaked beach by mid-morning. Some island hotels have fabulous facilities for families, from family rooms to multi-bedroom pool villas, and perks of baby clubs, mini-buffets and the gamut of complimentary watersports. 

Kids’ clubs keep children happy with crab hunts, creole lessons and cinema on the beach, while teenagers get kitesurfing, diving and golf lessons, bike tours and beach barbecues. They can even try flyboarding, the latest adrenalin-pumping craze. Perhaps best of all, family holidays here are affordable – Mauritius has some of the best-value deals in the region – especially in our summer. Here’s our pick of the best family-friendly hotels in Mauritius.

How we review

Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.   

LUX* Belle Mare

8 Telegraph expert rating

• The best all-inclusive hotels in the Maldives

Veranda Grand Baie Hotel & Spa

• The  best hotels in Mauritius

Constance Belle Mare Plage

9 Telegraph expert rating

• The best all-inclusive hotels in Mauritius

Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa

• The  most romantic hotels in Mauritius

Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort

• The world's 50 greatest hotels

Paradis Beachcomber

• The best family-friendly hotels in Barbados

• The best all-inclusive Caribbean hotels

One&Only Le Saint Géran

• The best all-inclusive hotels in Greece

Preskil Island Resort

• The best all-inclusive hotels in Spain

The Ravenala Attitude

• The best all-inclusive Canary Islands

Veranda Tamarin

The best hotels in mauritius.

Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa

20 Degrees Sud

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