Barcelona is a city full of wonder and beauty, where there's a pronounced passion for life, food, culture, and of course, architecture.

Where else can you surf in the morning, do a master tour of Gaudí’s surreal buildings (the Sagrada Familia and the Parc Güell, to name a couple), eat the best halal tapas of your life and get lost wandering the labyrinthine of secret garden squares overflowing with charm and history?

Other, more subtle factors further the seduction; key sights are within walking distance of one another, there’s an array of stylish hotels and accommodation choices, many with rooftop views — a consequence of the density of life in the city and the winning climate.

Below, some of our favourite spots—along with some recommendations from friends who love the city as much as we do…

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, there’s a range of excellent affordable hotels and mid-range boutique bases dot the nearby Gothic Quarter.

With a few more in La Ribera and neighbouring Sant Pere, 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.

Where to eat

Barcelona is a real treat. With thousands of eateries spread across the streets of Barcelona, it’s nearly impossible to judge the absolute best.

The northern Spanish city boasts a long list of Michelin-awarded restaurants, including a trio of triple-starred establishments, as well as multiple fine dining eateries with one Michelin star to their name. 

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.

Don’t miss..

El Nacional

With four areas to choose from within the same establishment (brasserie, fish market, tapas bar and stand for light snacks) and serves halal-certified cuisine.

The menu includes seasonal proposals and other set dishes, including patatas bravas, croquettes and fried fish (cod, squid, prawns), as well as its stars, rice dishes and fideuà, for an authentic culinary map of Spain.

Pg. de Gràcia, 24 Bis, 08007 Barcelona

Mazah (Barcelona)

An authentic Lebanese cuisine restaurant in the central neighbourhood of La Dreta de l’Eixample that offers dishes that many others do not, such as the delicious ouzi, zaatar or kebbe, as well as the indispensable hummus (Beirut-style, with pesto, and more), mutabal, falafel, arayes and many others (almost 100 creations).

Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 618, 08007 Barcelona

Asador de Aranda (Barcelona Tibidabo)

A family run restaurant set in a modernist house in the upper part of the city of Barcelona, here you can enjoy authentic roasted lamb in a wood-fired oven and an exquisite menu with more informal local dishes, such as huevos estrellados (fried eggs with accompaniment), cheese boards and croquettes.

Av. del Tibidabo, 31, 08022 Barcelona

What to do

Visit La Rambla, the most well known street in central Barcelona. Splitting Barcelona’s old town, this charismatic, tree-lined pedestrian street stretches for 1.2 kilometres connecting the Plaça de Catalunya in it’s centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell — offering up everything from living statues and markets to kaleidoscopic flower stalls.

All the while, barrios beckon to either side: the Gothic Quarter’s twisting alleys and medieval cathedral; busy El Born & La Ribera, the centre of new urban trends, a place for enjoying an avant-garde lifestyle while feeling the echoes of the past.

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, 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.

Don’t miss..

In Barcelona, breads and sweets are just as much a part of the local way of eating as the tapas. And given that there are nearly as many bakeries as bars in Barcelona — more than a thousand of them certified as artisanal by the bakers union — you’ll want to block out some time to pay them a visit.

If you also happen to be a coffee lover, in Barcelona you’re never far from an excellent espresso. Whether you’re looking for a cortado to go or a place to enjoy a delicate pour-over while connecting to free Wi-Fi, this city has the right coffee shop for you. With an emphasis on sustainability and local produce, many of these establishments also cater to special dietary preferences, making sure there’s something for everyone.

Here are a few places you don't want to miss..

Bohl

Located very close to the emblematic Arc de Triomf, Bohl is a specialty coffee and café, offering a variety of dishes with the concept of a bowl. Besides coffee (and juices) they also offer an amazing variety of vegan and vegetarian food.

Carrer de Trafalgar, 47, 08010 Barcelona, Spain

Nomad Coffee

With several branches around Barcelona, including their Roaster and the cafe in Poblenou, the Coffee Lab in El Born, and the Coffee Everyday in Raval, Nomad has established a strong presence in the city’s coffee scene.

Three Marks Coffee

Established by three individuals named Mark, Three Marks Coffee is a hub for coffee enthusiasts, offering a selection of high-quality, seasonal coffee beans that they roast themselves. Situated between the iconic Sagrada Familia and the Arc de Triomf, the shop boasts a duplex space that welcomes patrons with an inviting atmosphere and plenty of natural light.

Carrer d’Ausiàs Marc, 151, 08013 Barcelona, Spain

Hidden Café

A bit more off the beaten track, this lovely café in the northern part of the city is a great spot for getting away from the crowds. They coffees are delicious, the pastries are fresh and tasty and there’s great people-watching to be done here too.

C/ Constança esquina Déu i Mata, 08029 Barcelona

When to visit

Most people prefer a trip to Europe in Summers, exactly when it is too crowded. But if you are okay with a bit of chilly weather, you can plan more smartly. 

A visit from April to mid-May is recommended. That’s when the crowd is less, and the temperature is just right for a great Holiday. If you have the options, Sept-Oct is also when it is neither very cold nor too warm.