Barcelona is Spain’s second largest city, Catalonia’s capital, and has cultural, culinary and architectural delights aplenty in store. Perhaps its best known building is undoubtedly the Sagrada Família slightly outside the centre. This Roman Catholic basilica was laid out in 1882 and is due to be completed in 2026. Undoubtedly the defining symbol of the city, the modernist basilica dominates its surroundings.
Plenty of other masterpieces by the same architect are to be found nearby: Gaudí largely remade the city in his own image, designing such landmarks as the Park Güell and the Casa Milà. The expansive Park Güell with its striking terrace is a great spot for strolling and sitting in the sun, while the iron and concrete Casa Milà has a distinctive façade that showcases Gaudí’s architectural genius.

Barcelona’s Old Town, packed with winding alleyways, characteristic old Spanish houses and tapas bars at every corner is only a short way from our hotel. The Raval, Ciutat Vella, Gràcia and Barrio Gotico districts are especially fun areas to wander and explore.
But the uncontested heart of Barcelona’s action is the 1.2 km Las Ramblas boulevard, which runs between the port and the central Plaça de Catalunya and is justly famous for its many cafés, restaurants, shops and street artists, as well as the famed Mercat de la Boqueria, a complex of market halls housing vendors of fresh fruit and veg, meat, fish and confectionery. Follow the Ramblas right down to the sea front, and choose from the four main sections of beach: Barceloneta, Icària, Mar Bella and Sitges. Some of these are a little outside the centre, but are easily accessed from our Design Hotel via public transport.