DESTINATIONS SHORT BREAKS | BARCELONA
stay WHERE TO
PRIME POSITION Mandarin Oriental Barcelona This luxurious hotel, which has a beautiful, tucked-away spa and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, poses elegantly on Passeig de Gràcia, known for upscale shopping and modernist architecture. Rooms have enormous bathtubs and sleek design details, while several have terraces filled with greenery. Doubles from £470, including breakfast.
mandarinoriental.com
STRIKING DESIGN The Barcelona Edition This chic hotel, next to Santa Caterina Market in the hip El Born district, has a laid-back, understated style punctuated with striking design elements. The plant-filled rooftop has a pool and loungers with views over the rooftops. Cosy doubles, with window seats and marble bathrooms, start at £280.
editionhotels.com
CITY AND BEACH Hotel Arts Barcelona The pool at this sleek waterfront hotel, close to Port Olímpic marina and and the Gothic Quarter, faces Frank Gehry’s Peix sculpture, a giant steel goldfish created for the 1992 Olympics. Doubles, with marble bathrooms and views to La Sagrada Familia, start at £270.
hotelartsbarcelona.com
EL BORN WHY GO
El Born is a walkable area whose narrow streets and squares are home to tucked- away tapas restaurants, tiny bars, museums and architecture.
WHAT TO DO This arty area is heaven for those who enjoy pottering
EL POBLENOU
WHY GO With quiet streets meandering towards sandy Bogatell Beach, El Poblenou has become a hip enclave thanks to tech companies moving into its old factories and warehouses. It’s ideal for second-time visitors looking for a walkable, vibrant area away from the crowds.
WHAT TO DO The area is dotted with craft coffee shops and restaurants serving pizza, seafood, inventive vegetarian food and creative spins on Catalan classics. Suggest Timesburg Poblenou for gourmet burgers, or Can Dende (pictured), a popular brunch spot. Unassuming side streets are home to gourmet food stores, bakeries and local-label fashion stores.
POBLE SEC
WHY GO Overlooked by Montjuic hill – home to the Joan Miró Foundation (pictured) – this area is known for its nightlife and restaurants.
WHAT TO DO Small parks and tree-shaded squares with cafes offer respite from the busy, broad avenues that slice through the neighbourhood. Theatres, concert venues, cabaret shows and nightclubs make this a popular area after-hours too, but one of the main draws is the food. Poble Sec has some of the city’s most-renowned restaurants, including Xemeni, with its Venetian menu, and Albert Adria’s Tickets, where the tapas and decor come with theatrical flair. Book well in advance.
among galleries and boutiques. Ceramics and glasswork studios sit next to stores selling wine, jewellery and logo-style T-shirts. The Picasso Museum’s impressive collection of works is spread across five adjoining medieval palaces. Fans can visit places associated with
the artist on a two-hour walking tour, ending with entrance to the museum, with Attraction World (£25). Other notable attractions include the Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar, an inspiring Gothic church with stained glass windows, and Santa Caterina Market, whose multicoloured wavy roof mirrors the vibrant produce sold underneath.
68 13 JUNE 2019
travelweekly.co.uk
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