city guide.
barcelona
NEIGHBOURHOODS
EIXAMPLE
Spacious boulevards featuring grand houses; largest shopping triangle; heart of modernist architecture and 20th-century art
EL RAVAL
Street culture and contemporary art galleries; offbeat, youthful restaurants, bars and clubs; indie concept shops and thrift stores
EL BORN & LA RIBERA
Notable tourist sights; one-of-a-kind boutiques that carry local Catalan and Spanish designers; slow-paced, eclectic neighbourhood vibe
POBLE-SEC/MONTJUIC
Local bars and restaurants line the pedestrian streets and plazas of Poble-sec; new centre for gastronomic openings; museums, open-air spaces and parks
BARRI GOTIC
Rich history and awe-inspiring gothic architecture; quaint antiques shops, mid-range chains and streetwear shops; best city sights
GRÀCIA
Open plazas and charming houses; antique furniture and children's shops line the streets; traditional festival locations
SANT GERVASI/TURO PARC
Upper-class residential zone; a mix of local designers and boutiques; refined brasseries off the tourist radar
BARCELONETA
Beachside historical fishing neighbourhood turned into local weekend hangout and fair-weather favourite; large concentration of tapas bars
POBLENOU/PORT OLIMPIC
Up-and-coming neighbourhood with village-like vibe in Poblenou; parks, bars and small shops; clubs, shopping centres and beachside restaurants in Port Olimpic
SANT ANTONI
Up-and-coming neighbourhood; airy, stylish cafes and restaurants; quiet, tree-lined residential zone
48-HOUR RECOMMENDATION
BARCELONA GUIDE | 48 HOURS
Wake up at...
The Corner Hotel, a boutique stay housed in an elegant historical building in the centre of the Eixample neighbourhood. For breakfast, head to Odacova, which serves a healthy menu of vegan and gluten-free options, as well as freshly squeezed juices and kombucha in a bright setting. Explore the neighbourhood with its local designer talents such as Nu 02, Cortana and Masscob and Sita Murt, as well as the créme de la créme of the multi-brand boutiques, Santa Eulalia.
Spend the afternoon...
Dining at Rilke, a speakeasy restaurant with a refined Catalan menu in a stunning early 20th-century building. Afterwards, browse through lifestyle concept store Jaime Beriestain for interiors inspiration, followed by more Spanish fashion offerings at Bimba & Lola and Adolfo Dominguez, and finally Loewe, whose shop is located inside an impressive modernist building.
Spend the evening...
At the rooftop bar at Hotel Majestic for an aperitif and panoramic sunset views. Be sure to make a dinner reservation in advance at the popular Tickets Bar, where Ferran Adrià's former El Bulli team invents artistic tapas. If the purse strings are tight however, Mano Rota is a great alternative for trying creative plates. After dinner, head to Alchemix, a gastro-cocktail bar with a Catalan-Asian fusion concept, and sip on a meticulously crafted cocktail at the sleek wooden bar.
Wake up at...
The Corner Hotel, a boutique stay housed in an elegant historical building in the centre of the Eixample neighbourhood. For breakfast, head to Odacova, which serves a healthy menu of vegan and gluten-free options, as well as freshly squeezed juices and kombucha in a bright setting. Explore the neighbourhood with its local designer talents such as Nu 02, Cortana and Masscob and Sita Murt, as well as the créme de la créme of the multi-brand boutiques, Santa Eulalia.
Spend the afternoon...
Dining at Rilke, a speakeasy restaurant with a refined Catalan menu in a stunning early 20th-century building. Afterwards, browse through lifestyle concept store Jaime Beriestain for interiors inspiration, followed by more Spanish fashion offerings at Bimba & Lola and Adolfo Dominguez, and finally Loewe, whose shop is located inside an impressive modernist building.
Spend the evening...
At the rooftop bar at Hotel Majestic for an aperitif and panoramic sunset views. Be sure to make a dinner reservation in advance at the popular Tickets Bar, where Ferran Adrià's former El Bulli team invents artistic tapas. If the purse strings are tight however, Mano Rota is a great alternative for trying creative plates. After dinner, head to Alchemix, a gastro-cocktail bar with a Catalan-Asian fusion concept, and sip on a meticulously crafted cocktail at the sleek wooden bar.
Wake up at...
Centrally located concept eco hotel Casa Camper, with unexpected design details such as the vertical garden and hammocks in the rooms. Head to Flax & Kale for fresh coffee and a healthy breakfast in an airy dining space, featuring an outdoor terrace on the upper level. Sink into the contemporary art scene at the striking Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), designed by Richard Meier. Check out vintage clothing store Holala Plaza, antique-inspired furniture and object shop Carolina Blue, and a concept boutique featuring local talent at Nuovum.
Spend the afternoon...
Experiencing a vision of colour and local flavours at Mercat de la Boqueria, then head to Bar Cañete for mouthwatering tapas made with fresh market ingredients. Wander amid the gothic architecture then browse cult-fave labels at edgy Doshaburi. Cross into El Born and find Mediterranean lifestyle products at Bon Vent, before checking out the eclectic boutiques that make the neighbourhood famous, such as La Clinique, La Comercial and Etnia Barcelona.
Spend the evening...
Enjoying a pre-dinner, sampling an amazing selection of artisanal gourmet products and wines from Spain and beyond at Vila Viniteca. For dinner, head to Can Cisa/Bar Brutal for its impressive list of natural wines and tapas plates cooked at minimal temperatures. Post-dinner, head to Paradiso, a speakeasy hidden behind a pastrami sandwich joint, for tasty cocktails.
Wake up at...
Centrally located concept eco hotel Casa Camper, with unexpected design details such as the vertical garden and hammocks in the rooms. Head to Flax & Kale for fresh coffee and a healthy breakfast in an airy dining space, featuring an outdoor terrace on the upper level. Sink into the contemporary art scene at the striking Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), designed by Richard Meier. Check out vintage clothing store Holala Plaza, antique-inspired furniture and object shop Carolina Blue, and a concept boutique featuring local talent at Nuovum.
Spend the afternoon...
Experiencing a vision of colour and local flavours at Mercat de la Boqueria, then head to Bar Cañete for mouthwatering tapas made with fresh market ingredients. Wander amid the gothic architecture then browse cult-fave labels at edgy Doshaburi. Cross into El Born and find Mediterranean lifestyle products at Bon Vent, before checking out the eclectic boutiques that make the neighbourhood famous, such as La Clinique, La Comercial and Etnia Barcelona.
Spend the evening...
Enjoying a pre-dinner, sampling an amazing selection of artisanal gourmet products and wines from Spain and beyond at Vila Viniteca. For dinner, head to Can Cisa/Bar Brutal for its impressive list of natural wines and tapas plates cooked at minimal temperatures. Post-dinner, head to Paradiso, a speakeasy hidden behind a pastrami sandwich joint, for tasty cocktails.
BARCELONA CITY GUIDE | FAST FACTS
EL PRAT (BCN)
This is Barcelona’s main airport, located 10 miles (16km) from the city centre. Taxis into the
city take 20 minutes and cost 25-30. The Aerobús leaves from just outside both terminals
every five minutes between 5am-1am, with a trip time of about 30 minutes to the city for 5.90.
Trains leave from Terminal 2 every 30 minutes from 5am-11pm, and the 25-minute journey
costs 4.20. Metro L9 leaves from both terminals every seven minutes between 5am and
12am daily (Fridays until 2am, Saturdays all night). The journey takes 32 minutes to Zona
Universitaria, where the connection to the L3 line can be made to reach the centre of the city.
GIRONA AIRPORT (GRO) & REUS AIRPORT (REU)
Travellers arriving from within Europe on budget airlines may land at Girona (59 miles
northeast of Barcelona) or at Reus (67 miles southwest of the city). Transport into Barcelona
from Girona is by Barcelona Bus (phone 902361550 or 902130014), which arrives at Estación
del Nord, Carrer de Ali Bei, 80. One-way tickets cost 16 and round-trip tickets cost 25, with
a journey time of 70 minutes. Transport into Barcelona from Reus costs 14.50 one-way and
25 round-trip with a journey time of 1.5 hours.
The Barcelona TMB (Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona) public
transportation system is fast and easy to use. It runs daily 5am-12am (Fridays
until 2am, and Saturdays all night). The metro is reasonably safe at any hour,
but beware of pickpockets. A single (senzill) ticket costs 2.20; a 10-journey
card that can be shared costs 10.20; a one-day card costs 8.60.
Taxis are plentiful, reasonably priced and available at any time of day. They can
be easily hailed in the street (a green light indicates their availability), or you can
call the Institut Metropolità del Taxi at 93 223 5151. Note you will be charged
from the point where the taxi begins the drive to pick you up.
Bicycles are a growing form of transport in the city, with a number of bike lanes
in the city centre. Un Coxte Menys (Esparteria 3, 93 2682105) and Biciclot
(Carrer de Pere IV, 58, 93 3077475) are two bike rental options.
tipping guide
Many of the pricier restaurants in Barcelona add a 10%
tax to the bill and cheaper ones incorporate it into their
prices. This is not a service charge, and a tip of 5-10%
is expected in these establishments. For coffee and
snacks, most people just leave a few coins or round up
to the nearest euro. Tipping is not mandatory for hotel
staff in Barcelona, but visitors should be aware that
wages in the hospitality industry are quite low, so any
supplement will be more than welcome.
Waitstaff: 5-10%
Bartender/Cocktail waitress: a few coins, or round
up to nearest euro; 1 per drink for extended service
Porter/Doorman: 1 per bag
Taxis: not expected, but rounding up your bill to the
nearest euro or leaving a couple of extra euros is
appreciated
SHOP HOURS
Stores are open Monday to Saturday 10am-9pm*.
On Sundays, shopping is limited to tourist areas
and markets.
* Major stores are open Monday to Saturday 10am to 9pm; the staff
at smaller establishments, however, often takes a siesta, doing
business from 9:30am to 2pm and 4:30pm to 8 or 8:30pm. Hours
can vary from store to store
other
Time Zone: Central European UTC +1/+2
Electricity: 220-240V
Language: Spanish and Catalan
