Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Previous issues for Barcelona

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Spain : Barcelona - October 2008

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Getting around

El Prat

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

Gothic Quarter

Built on Roman ruins, the historic heart of the old town is now home to the Generalitat, Catalonia’s semi-autonomous government.

Sleep soundly – For ringside seats of the festivities, you can’t beat Hotel Colón, a comfortable classic. Prepare to bed down late. It’s quieter at the Catalonia Albinoni. This renovated palace has charming original details and is excellent value.

Culture vultures – The ancient stones reverberate as the city’s wildest fiesta, La Mercè, is celebrated for a week around 24 September. Look out for fire-spitting dragons, dancing giants and nightly concerts.

Must eat – Hidden down an ancient lane close to the cathedral cloisters is family-run La Cassola (3 Sant Sever, tel. ) which does genuinely home-made Catalan dishes. Foodies will love Shunka (5 Sagristans, tel. ), a Japanese restaurant favoured by celebrity chef Ferran Adrià.

Must drink – Sip mint tea on the Roman walls at Cafè d’Estiu (5-6 Plaça Sant Iu). At cocktail hour, head to Ginger (2 Lledó), which has a chic 30s-style ambience.

Dance the night away – Head for the the main square and kick up your heels flamenco style at Los Tarantos (17 Plaça Reial). Otherwise there’s legendary club Karma (10 Plaça Reial) or late-night DJ sessions at Sidecar (7 Plaça Reial).

Shop til you drop – Along Banys Nous, stylish boutiques rub shoulders with antique shops. Nearby Portaferrissa lowdownis crammed with young fashion chains like Mango and H&M.

Sarrià

Only 10 minutes by train from Plaça Catalunya is an attractive uptown neighbourhood. Once a village, it provides a welcome breather from the city centre pace.

Culture vultures – The three-tiered gothic cloisters of the Monestir de Pedralbes (9 Baixada del Monestir) are a peaceful haven. It’s only open in the morning, with free entry on 24 September (for La Mercè fiesta)

Must eat – Set in one of the small houses lining the steep main street is Vivanda (134 Major de Sarrià, tel. ). Eating its new-Mediterranean comcuisine in the shady garden at the back is near bliss. For more traditional food, try busy Casa Joana (59 Major de Sarrià, tel. ), a favourite with locals.

Shop til you drop – Pick up some pastries or exquisite bombons at Foix de Sarrià (12 Plaça de Sarrià).

Eixample

Like an open-air museum of Modernist architecture, Eixample is the place to catch Gaudí and Co, to say nothing of the serious shopping here.

Culture vultures – Walk around the elegant blocks and glimpse endless details of mosaics, stained glass and ironwork. Visit Gaudí’s stunning La Pedrera (92 Passeig de Gràcia) and Casa Batlló (43 Passeig de Gràcia).

Shop til you drop – Design emporium Vinçon (96 Passeig de Gràcia) is a must as is Muxart (47 Rambla de Catalunya) for shoe fetishists. Face winter confidently with a Antonio Miró sharp outfit from Antonio Miró (349 Consell de Cent).

Parc de la Ciutadella

Just beyond the boutiques and bars of the Born is the city’s largest park. Formerly a citadel, now turned into a popular playground, it’s peaceful and shady on the hottest days.

Sleep soundly – In a privileged position by the park, the Hotel Triunfo is a little known gem, while the nearby Park Hotel (11 Av Marquès de l’Argentera, tel. , parkhotel barcelona.com, rooms from €138) is pure 50s, tastefully restored.

Culture vultures – Check out the stuffed animals and skeletons in the wonderfully retro Museu de Zoologia (Passeig de Picasso).

Compiled by Judy Thomson