Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Previous issues for Barcelona

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Spain : Barcelona - April 2009

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Getting around

El Prat

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

OLD TOWN

Made up of the gothic quarter, Born and Raval districts, the heart of the city is packed with interest – from medieval architecture to designer restaurants.

Sleep soundly – Overlooking a peaceful square in the gothic quarter, boutique Neri Hotel (5 Sant Sever, tel. , hotelneri.com, rooms from €280) has 22 exquisite rooms set in a 17th-century palace. It’s a striking contrast to Barceló Raval (17-21 Rambla del Raval, tel. , barcelo.com, rooms from €100), with its cutting edge design.

Culture vultures – Barcelona’s Festival Guitarra is now in its 20th year. Look out for sometime resident Jackson Browne on 13 May at the magnificent Palau de la Música Catalana (4-6 Palau de la Música)

Must eat – There are several Basque tapas bars in the old town, notably Euskal Etxea (1-3 Placeta Montcada, tel. ) – favoured by Woody Allen when shooting Vicky Cristina Barcelona. It serves pintxos such as sizzling chistorra (spicy sausage) or crab mayonnaise heaped on to slices of bread, as well as gourmet-standard square meals.

Must drink – The bars lining handsome Plaça Reial are perfect for coffee in the sun or a cool beer in the evening. The cavernous Glaciar (3 Plaça Reial) remains an old favourite.

DIAGONAL MAR

A new district at the northern end of the waterfront, Diagonal Mar is home to high-rise apartment blocks, 21stcentury public parks and the newest beach, Platja de Llevant.

Sleep soundly – Hotel Barcelona Princess (1 Avinguda Diagonal, tel. , hotelbarcelona princess.com, rooms from €85) has rooms with stunning views of the sea or city, and a pool on the roof. This is luxury at a surprisingly affordable price.

Culture vultures – Parc del Fòrum is a huge open-air space jutting into the sea, and will host the ninth Primavera Sound from 28-30 May, drawing bands and fans from across the world. The programme includes indie acts, newcomers and old-timers, led by the irrepressible Neil Young.

Shop til you drop – If rock music isn’t your thing, there are several floors of the best shopping at Diagonal Mar Centre (3 Avinguda Diagonal), including designer names such as Adolfo Domínguez or Antonio Miró.

EIXAMPLE

This vibrant district grew up in the 19th-century when the old town burst out of its walls, and it can lay claim to some fine examples of the works of Antoni Gaudí and co. It’s also the centre of the city’s gay scene.

Culture vultures – Wander the streets and spot the gems of Modernista architecture. For a feast of national and international contemporary art, don’t miss the impressive private collection at the recently opened Fundació Suñol (98 Passeig de Gràcia) – a stunning building itself – where until 27 June (Monday to Saturday, afternoons only) you can catch a retrospective of the fascinating Catalan artist Porta}Zush, now known as Evru.

Must drink – The ‘heterofriendly’ Axel Hotel has a snazzy rooftop pool and Sky bar (33 Aribau, tel. , axelhotels.com, rooms from €127) Go on a Sunday afternoon for its legendary end-ofweekend shindig.

Shop til you drop – On Passeig de Gràcia and Rambla de Catalunya, top designer shops rub shoulders with local groceries, fine wine shops and curiosities such as the charming Au Nom de la Rose (203 Valencia). It sells nothing but roses and rose-based products, such as jam, face creams and candles. Timeless Guantes Victoriano (195 Mallorca) is a familyrun business producing made-tomeasure gloves in the finest leather. It’s a treasure to be seen.

Compiled by Judy Thomson