Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

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Previous issues for Barcelona

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Spain : Barcelona - October 2009

Country Code: Dial for Spain

Getting around

El Prat

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

BARRIGOTIC

This atmospheric tangle of historic pedestrian streets is, justifiably, the first stop for most tourists.

Sleep soundly – The rooms at Hotel Rivoli Rambla (128 La Rambla, tel. , rivolihotels.com, rooms from €120) are classy and modern, with the added La Rambla essential of soundproof windows

Culture vultures – Don’t miss Museu d’História de la Ciutat (Plaça del Rei), built above a labyrinth of Roman streets discovered during excavations.

Must eat – The quaint Can Culleretes (5 Quintana, tel. ) – ‘House of Teaspoons’ – dishes up hearty local dishes in atmospheric dining rooms.

Must drink – Check out teahouse La Clandestina (2 Viladecols), which comes complete with a trapeze hanging from the ceiling.

Shop til you drop – Pick up your vintage threads at Produit National Brut (29 Avinyó).

LA RAMBLA

Barcelona’s most famous street provides an around-the-clock theatre of strollers, buskers, streetside bars and cafés, and is an obligatory stop on every visitor’s itinerary.

Sleep soundly – Situated just off La Rambla, the large, light rooms at Hostal OperaRamblas (20 Sant Pau, tel. , operaramblas.com, rooms from €75) are excellent value.

Culture vultures – South-west of Plaça Catalunya, Centre de Cultura Contemporánia (5 Montalegre) hosts the IX International Documentary Film Festival from 1-4 October. The International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival takes place from 16-25 October. See barcelonafilmfestival.org.

Must eat – Go Galician at La Rambla favourite Centro Galego (35-37 Rambla Capuchinos, tel. ), with regional specialities including tasty empanadas (pasties).

Dance the night away – Head to Sala Apolo (113 Nou de la Rambla) for salsa nights, world music, live bands and a thumping disco.

SANT PERE & EL BORN

Combining historic buildings with designer shops and bustling markets, this district has loads of appeal.

Sleep soundly – Friendly Pensió 2000 (1 Sant Pere Més Alt 6, tel. , pensio2000.com, rooms from €70) has bright, airy rooms and a cosy, relaxed atmosphere.

Culture vultures – The sumptuous patio at Museu Picasso (15-23 Montcada) is one of the venues for the Festival de Tardon Ribermúsica (ribermusica.org), a music festival that runs from 14-19 October.

Must eat – Push the boat out and enjoy the excellent seafood at Cal Pep (8 Plaça de les Olles, tel. ), including trifasico (lightly fried whitebait, shrimp and squid).

Dance the night away – Enjoy the restaurant at Suborn (42 Passeig Picasso) before it transforms into a nightclub where you can work off those post-dinner calories.

Shop til you drop – Check out Ici et Là (2 Plaça Santa Maria del Mar) for quirky handmade furniture.

EIXAMPLE

This neighbourhood reflects the city’s prosperous golden age with elegant palaces, swish shops and flamboyant townhouses. Built on a grid system, it’s one of the easiest parts of the city to negotiate on foot.

Sleep soundly – Luxurious boutique Claris Hotel (150 Pau Claris, tel. , hotelclaris.com, rooms from €195) has a Japanese water garden and excellent restaurant.

Must eat – Expect creative and contemporary food at Saüc (12 Lluis Pellicer, tel. ), where the emphasis is on seafood. Try the black sea bass for a real treat.

Shop til you drop – Books, DVDs, computers, mobile phones, an international newsstand and a pleasant café – Fnac (Praça Catalunya) is ideal for browsing, especially when it’s raining.

Compiled by Josephine Quintero