Things to Do in Barcelona

The area around Calle Escudellers (just off the Ramblas) has a series of marvelously authentic little seafood places. (It's not surprising, really, when you consider how close they are to the Boquería market.) Wash it down with some local cava or a cold beer after a day's sightseeing

The labyrinthine Gothic quarter, held in by the walls and towers of the Roman city of Barcino, is one of the most atmospheric districts to be found anywhere in the world.

The Sagrada Familia is really just one example of the bizarre modernist architecture you're likely to come across. The "Ruta del Modernismo" takes in the Pedrera (aka the Casa Mila) the Casa Batllo on the Passeig de Gracia, and other fascinating buildings by Gaudí, Domènech i Montaner and Puig i Cadafalch.

The market of Mercantic is Barcelona's excellent flea market. Running every day from 9.30am until 8pm, you can pick up anything here from furniture to jewelry, books to stuffed animals.

European cities with beaches are few and far between. And, whilst the beaches of the Barceloneta are not exactly Bondi, they’re still well worth the time spent sunbathing or swimming.