Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Previous issues for Barcelona

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Spain : Barcelona - April 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Getting around

El Prat

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

LA RAMBLA

This world-famous street running from Plaça Catalunya to the port is at its best and busiest on Sant Jordi, when ad hoc rose vendors and booksellers jostle with the regular flower stalls and news stands.

Sleep soundly – Book a room with a balcony in the old-world Continental, for a ringside view of the colourful street scene below. Self-catering is at its best in apart-hotel Citadines, with La Boqueria food market just over the road.

Culture vultures – Check what’s happening in the city this month at cultural information centre and ticket office Palau de la Virreina (99 La Rambla), also an exhibition space.

Must eat – Basque restaurant Amaya (20-24 La Rambla, tel. ) is a classic with a good-value set menu Monday to Friday, while at old favourite Egipte (79 La Rambla, tel. ) you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Must drink – Who can resist a coffee at modernista gem Escribà (83 La Rambla) with their exquisite décor and award-winning chocolate creations.

Dance the night away – The Plaça Reial just off La Rambla is pivotal in Barcelona’s nightlife. Jamboree (No. 17) morphs into a disco when the nightly jazz session is over, and its neighbour Los Tarantos is for flamenco fans.

BORN AND LA RIBERA

Medieval palaces, world-class museums, buzzing nightlife and stylish shopping make this charming district one of the coolest parts of town

Sleep soundly – It’s difficult to beat switched-on youth hostel Gothic Point (5 Vigatans, tel. gothicpoint.com, beds from € 17) for a central location on a budget.

Culture vultures – One of the venues for April’s Guitar Festival, the Palau de la Música (Sant Pere Més Alt), an extravaganza of modernisme, is celebrating its centenary. See new acquisitions at the Museu Picasso (15-23 Montcada) as well as a huge collection of the genius’ early work

Must eat – Try a delicious empanada (savoury pie) and other Argentinian specialities while surfing the net in stylish newcomer Alsur Café (4 Sant Pere Més Alt, tel. ), or fusion tapas in charming Rosal (29 Passeig del Born, tel. ), which has one of the most popular terraces in town.

Must drink – Living up to its name Espai Barroc (20 Montcada, tel. ) is a sumptuous bar for an after-dinner drink with occasional opera nights.

Dance the night away – There’s a distinct Moroccan influence in Otman’s (Cirera 4) stylish loose garments for guys and gals. Sip a mint tea while you’re there.

Shop til you drop – There’s a distinct Moroccan influence in Otman’s (Cirera 4) stylish loose garments for guys and gals. Sip a mint tea while you’re there.

FORUM-DIAGONAL MAR

Find high-rise apartments and hotels in this brand new district at the northern end of the waterfront, developed for the Cultural Forum 2004 and now a conference centre. Wide open spaces will delight skaters, cyclists and joggers.

Culture vultures – Feria de Abril (Forum esplanade) from 25 April – 4 May is a paler version of Seville’s famous fair but a chance to taste the spirit of Andalucia’s fino and flamenco.

Must eat – Dine on excellent seafood in a futuristic setting in the extraordinary Forum building, where worldly Catalan chef Agustí Comabella has opened Klein (1 Rambla de Prim, tel. ).

Shop til you drop – Shopping by the sea in Diagonal Mar Centre, (3 Avinguda Diagonal) couldn’t be more relaxing, with all you could need from Antonio Miró to Zara.

Compiled by Judy Thomson