Bend it like Barcelona
Friday night, 2am: Barcelona is only just starting to calm after the day's relentless commotion.
Disco oozes from the jukebox at Café de les Delicies, where Barcelonians lounge and flirt. Earlier in the evening, drinking Cava on the 43rd floor of Hotel Arts, "Peix" - Frank Gehry's colossal silver-scaled fish sculpture - seemed close enough to touch.
Weekend breaks in Barcelona can be spent a thousand different ways: wide-eyed at the glorious architecture, glued to a barstool, clubbing, on the beach, in leafy parks or mooching around the elegant squares. This buzzing city bursts at the seams with possibilities.
Mornings whiled away people-watching in the cafés along La Rambla, dipping churros in thick hot chocolate, fuel afternoons spent striding around taking in the city's buildings. You'll find your own favourite - perhaps the Palau de la Música Catalana concert hall, where the red and orange glow of the exquisite stained glass ceiling changes according to the time of day.
Wandering through the rooftop sculpture park at Gaudi's wonky La Pedrera building is like stepping into the city's unconscious - a curvy, surreal dream of light and shade. From the water, gliding along the harbour in one of the golondrinas (pleasure boats) you gain a new perspective of Barcelona "oberta al mar" (open to the sea).
The city swells with life, glitters with its own special brand of glamour and dares you to plunge in. Cool bars, outlandish buildings, green spaces, old-style tapas, wild flamenco, Picasso - Barcelona should come with a warranty attached guaranteeing you won't be bored.
Linger
a while in the Jardins del Laberint d'Horta, one of the oldest parks in the city. Set above Barcelona, it offers respite from the heat during summer, waterfalls and stone pools to picnic beside, and a mammoth cypress maze with a statue of Eros awaiting discovery at its centre.
Satisfy
your sugar cravings at one of the confectionary cafés lining Carrer Petritxol. Cacaolat is a luxurious choc-milk drink, while a tall glass of granissat (flavoured crushed-ice) hits the spot on summer weekend breaks in Barcelona. In winter, try a cigaló - coffee spiked with alcohol.
Glide
high above the city - vertigo sufferers, beware - in the cable car running between the port and Castell de Montjuïc. Take in superb views from the lofty castle grounds then descend in a leisurely fashion on foot, stopping at the Joan Miró museum and the Font Màgica (Magic Fountain).
Becca, producer, LondonHungry, wandering along La Rambla, Mercat de la Boqueria was a colourful and welcome sight. Huge chunks of Manchego cheese, fresh prawns, juicy tomatoes - wonderful food laid out in a really inviting way. Our al fresco lunch was absolutely delicious
Flight + Hotel search
Weekend breaks in Barcelona
Hotels in Barcelona from £32
| Sightseeing and experiences in Barcelona | from, per person |
|---|---|
| Barcelona gourmet tapas evening walking tour | £41.08 |
| Walking tour of the Gothic Quarter | £6.16 |
| Barcelona Mar - the city by yacht | £19.16 |
| Cycling in Barcelona's countryside | £46.55 |
| Modernism walking tour | £6.16 |
View all Barcelona experiences >> |
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Barcelona life
T10 metro ticket (ten rides)
€6.65
Tapas
from €2 each
Entrance to La Pedrera
€7
Tourist visas to Spain
No - Nationals of UK, EU, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Japan
Yes - Nationals of India, South Africa
Guide only - always check with embassies before travel
Travel to Barcelona
Flights to Barcelona
| from | duration |
|---|---|
| London | 2h05 |
| Manchester | 2h20 |
| Edinburgh | 4h30* |
*average, including 1 stop
Airports
Barcelona International (BCN)
12km from city centre
All figures approximate
Average daily highs °C