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Spain : Barcelona - January 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

This striking Mediterranean capital is at its best under the luminous winter sun, so January’s a good time to discover its charms. Delve into the old town’s past, marvel at Gaudi’s flamboyant modernisme or treat yourself to serious retail therapy in the rebaixes (January sales). Judy Thomson snaps up some bargains

Getting around

El Prat

Bus: The nearest airport is El Prat Airport, about 12km from the city.

PLAÇA CATALUNYA

This bustling square is the hub of the city, and much the best venue for watching the Kings’ cavalcade on January 5th. It’s a key point for public transport, the Aerobus (to the airport) and the recommendable BusTurístic, as well as being home to mega department store El Corte Inglés.

Sleep soundly – The sleek Hotel Olivia Plaza (19 Plaza Catalunya, tel. , www.oliviahotels.es, rooms from €120) is a comfortable designer bolt hole right in the thick of things. The more functional Ginebra (1 Rambla de Catalunya, tel. , www.hotelginebra.net, rooms from €65) is great value when you consider its central location.

Must drink – Legendary rendezvous point Café Zurich (1 Pl Catalunya) is perched at the start of world-famous boulevard La Rambla, in a prime position for people watching.

Dance the night away – Where better to hit the dance floor than City Hall (2-4 Rambla Catalunya) a former music hall which is open until 6am?

Shop til you drop – Don’t miss FNAC’s several floors of music and books or Sephora, the hedonistic perfume and cosmetics emporium. Both are in El Triangle centre (1-4 Pl Catalunya)

RAVAL

Morphing into one of the city’s trendiest neighbourhoods, Raval is packed with hip bars, one-off fashion boutiques, and plenty of culture.

Culture vultures – Catch Apartheid (which is on until 3 February), a thought-provoking exhibition at the CCCB (5 Montalegre), where there’s always something worth seeing. It’s also a cool spot for skaters.

Must eat – Just one of many new bars on this street is the tiny Benidorm (39 Joaquín Costa). Madame Jazmine (22 Rambla del Raval) is a colourful, laid-back venue which is big on atmosphere.

Must drink – Just one of many new bars on this street is the tiny Benidorm (39 Joaquín Costa). Madame Jazmine (22 Rambla del Raval) is a colourful, laid-back venue which is big on atmosphere.

Shop til you drop – New boutiques stocking independent designers like La Otra (2 Plaça Vicenç Martorell) are dotted all over the district. Go on the hunt for secondhand chic at Riera Baixa’s Saturday market.

MONTJUÏC

This verdant hill is great for blowing away the cobwebs and getting a dose of culture.

Sleep soundly – For luxurious rooms with a view of sea and city, head straight for the recently opened GL Miramar (3 Plaça Carlos Ibáñez, tel. , www.hotelacmiramar.com, rooms from €280).

Culture vultures – You’re spoilt for choice here. There’s 1,000 years of Catalan art in the monumental Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (Palau Nacional), including its prized Romanesque collection. Then there’s Fundació Joan Miró (Parc de Montjuïc s/n) which displays the eponymous genius’ work in its best Catalan light. Meanwhile, the Caixaforum (6-8 Av. Marquès de Comillas) is a cultural centre housed in a former textile factory.

Dance the night away – Large, glitzy disco New D (13-27 Av. Marquès de Comillas) is Barcelona’s latest hotspot.

EIXAMPLE

A walk around any block in this 19th-century district will offer you a glimpse of its decorative treasures and elegant shops, and a sense of the city’s commercial buzz.

Sleep soundly – The cutting edge Hotel Diagonal (205 Av. Diagonal, tel. , www.hoteldiagonalbarcelona.com, rooms from €125) is based in the new technology business district, and rubs shoulders with new architectural landmark Torre Agbar.

Must eat – For a taste of Basque cooking at its very best, try Gorría (421 Diputació, tel. ) where spanking fresh fish is delivered daily from the northern coast. Otherwise, soak up the soothing atmosphere of Laie (85 Pau Claris, tel. ), a bookshop-café which serves up light Mediterranean lunches.

Compiled by Judy Thomson