Spain's second largest city, Barcelona has long proclaimed itself hipper, smarter and trendier than its rival Madrid. With cutting-edge design, plenty of trendy shops, a forward-thinking mayor and, crucially, a beach, who dares to disagree?
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01
Essentials
| 01 |
Say the Catalan "gràcies" with a soft c, not "gracias" with a "th". |
| 02 |
Most bars don't have waiter service - order at the counter, but pay when you leave. |
| 03 |
Taxis are cheap. |
| 04 |
The taxi supplement from the airport usually isn't added on the meter, but your driver will charge you it. |
| 05 |
A VOSE film means it is in its original language with subtitles. |
| 06 |
Shops close for two hours at lunch, between 14.00 and 16.00, and all day Sunday. |
| 07 |
Exceptions to the Sunday closing: supermarket Opencor, the Maremagnum shopping centre and Chinese/Pakistani-run supermarkets, especially in Raval. |
| 08 |
Closing times are almost always strictly enforced: 03.00 for bars, 06.00 for clubs. |
| 09 |
Unlike other parts of Spain, you won't get free tapas with your drink. |
| 10 |
The right side of the Ramblas on the map is safe; the left side (Raval) is a dodgier, especially at night. |
02
Hotels
One independent and easy
Hostal Goya
74 Pau Claris
+ 34 93 302 2565
hostalgoya.com
Dependable chain
Hotel AC Diplomatic
122 C/ Pau Clarís
+34 902 292 295
ac-hotels.com
Premium
Omm
265 Rosselló
+ 34 93 445 4000
hotelomm.es
03
Dining
Fast breakfast
Meson del Café
16 Llibreteria
+ 34 93 315 0754
Business breakfast
Café Veranda
Hotel Arts, 19-21 Marina
+ 34 93 221 1000
Mid-morning coffee
Café y Té
92 Rambla de Catalunya
Working lunch with colleagues
El Trillo
3 c/ Àngels
+ 34 93 443 9317
Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Mantequeria Ravell
313 c/ Aragó
+ 34 93 459 3956
Lunch on your own
Bar Daguiri
59 Grau i Torras
+ 34 93 221 5109
Afternoon tea/drink
Semon
31 Ganduxer
semon.es
Dinner on your own
Flash-Flash
25 Granada de Penedès
+ 34 93 237 0990
Dinner with colleagues
Xalet
31 Avenida Miramar
+ 34 93 324 9270
xaletdemontjuic.com
Private dinner
7 Portes
14 Pg Isabel II
+ 34 93 319 3033
7portes.com
Big dinner with partner clients
Botafumeiro
81 Gran de Gracia
+ 34 93 218 4230
botafumeiro.es
Drink after dinner
Premier
236 Provença
+ 34 93 532 1650
Late drinks
Dry Martini
162-166 Aribau
+ 34 93 217 5072
Late bite
Trobador
(Kitchen open until 01.30)
122 Enric Granados
2 Rambla Catalunya
46 Ferran
On the tiles
Discoteque
Poble Espanyol, Montjuïc
04
Reading
Books and CDs
Fnac
4 Plaça Catalunya
05
Thank yous
Flowers
Floristería Navarro
Open 24 hours a day
320 c/ Valencia
06
Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Juve & Camps cava
Vila Viniteca, 7 Agullers
vilaviniteca.es
Lost luggage - where to buy dress shirts, socks and undies
Axel Hotel Boutique
33 Aribau
+ 34 93 323 9393
Something for the kids
Toys from Palacio del Jugete
8 c/ Arcs
+ 34 93 318 1283
palaciodeljuguete.net
Something for someone you love
Chocolates from Cacao Sampaka
292 Consell de Cent
+ 34 932 720833
cacaosampaka.com
Something for yourself
Design from Vinçon
96 Passeig de Gràcia
+ 34 932 156 050
07
Two hour tour
| 01 |
Park Güell
c/ d'Olot |
02 |
Casa Milà
92 Passeig de Gràcia |
03 |
CCCB (Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona)
5 Montalegre
+ 34 933 064 100 |
08
Limousine/car
Limousine Rental
+ 34 902 372 000
limorent.com
09
Transport
Public transport
A 10-journey pass for the city centre, bus and metro included, costs €6.90
Rent a bike
Bike Rental Barcelona
(includes hotel delivery)
+ 34 666 057 655
bikerentalbarcelona.com
10
Fitness
Good Gym
Hotel Claris
150 Pau Claris,
+ 34 934 876 262
Running route
Along the Carretera de les Aigües on Tibidabo
Alternative diversion
The Barcelona Rollerbladers Club skates around the city in a big group, with police approval, every Friday night. It meets at 22.30 at Moll del La Marina. Guests are welcome.
patinar-bcn.org