The room design feels Scandinavian (blond wood; clean lines), as does the in-house Finnish sauna. But Xavier Franco’s Michelin-starred, modern Catalan restaurant, Sauc, is a love song to the city.
La Barceloneta isn’t exactly remote, but this beachfront skyscraper still manages to feel far away from it all. The ace in the hole is the Arola restaurant run by experimental-tapas whiz Sergi Arola.
A makeover of this grande dame added 42 suites accented with patterned wallpaper. If it’s a glass of Veterano (Spanish brandy) you’re after, don’t miss the clubby Rien de Rien bar.
Jean Nouvel continues to make his mark on the city. This one is all about shimmering glass, white-on-white rooms, and a chic rooftop pool.
The first hotel by designer Patricia Urquiola is a mix of cream-colored leather ottomans and chairs, delicate latticework, and pine. Bonus: renowned chef Carme Ruscalleda’s Moments restaurant.
Just off La Rambla, the hotel’s sleek but spartan rooms are enhanced with faïence murals in common areas by native modernisme painter Ramon Casas.
Stripes, solids, embroidered, wedge-heeled: this 72-year-old Barri Gòtic cobbler makes all manner of espadrilles.
Designer Rosa Esteva’s flagship is the place to find evening dresses and expertly tailored daywear.
This hip El Born boutique has a hodgepodge of limited-edition sneakers and vintage sunglasses and cameras.
This hip El Born boutique has a hodgepodge of limited-edition sneakers and vintage sunglasses and cameras.
Inside this gallery, you’ll find a selection of modern objets d’art, Pakistani wool blankets, and ceramics.
Weaver Teresa Rosa Aguayo sells her earth-toned scarves and tapestries in a spacious loft in El Raval.
Book a tasting at this 80-year-old wine store, which stocks more than 7,000 labels.
Check out the design emporium for established favorites (Vitra; Droog) and more outré examples like Bobo Choses’s denim director’s chairs.
Its zinc-and-glass design center, Les Glòries, houses what was formerly a disparate web of craft, textiles, ceramics, and graphic-design collections.
For a concentrated dose of Antoni Gaudí, take a stroll through this whimsical garden complex built in the early 1900’s on a hill overlooking the city in Gràcia.
Hidden among the trees of Montjuïc, architect Josep Lluis Sert’s gleaming white structure shows off six prolific decades of works by native surrealist Joan Miró.
Richard Meier’s 1995 stucco building contains an impressive collection of 20th-century and contemporary art: Clemente, Fontana, Matta-Clark, Tàpies.
Ferran Adrià and his brother Alberto’s first spot since closing El Bulli is a sophisticated tapas place with serious eats: liquid olives; algae tempura. Don’t miss the house-made seasonal sorbets.
Cerebral, offbeat takes on traditional Catalan dishes are the standard at chef Jordi Vilà’s sleek space, whose menu includes tenderly cooked seafood and grilled-to-perfection meats.
A power-lunch destination ever since chef Jordi Cruz and his deconstructed neo-Catalan cuisine earned it a second Michelin star. Order raw hamachi followed by violet ice cream with flower nectar.
The ingredients here come from chef-owner Oriol Rovira’s nearby farm, but recipes are globally inspired: bo ssäm (Korean pork buns); chicharrones; sheep-milk curd with rosemary honey.
Join the locals and line up outside this no-frills seafood canteen in La Barceloneta for fried artichokes and calamari washed down with amber-colored Moscatel wine.
Feast on marinated octopus a la gallega and razor clams at this dive in El Born.
Classic smoked dishes with a twist draw crowds every night. Try the salmon topped with honey.
Small plates and truffle-laced ham-and-cheese sandwiches are chased with balls of chocolate mousse at chef Carles Abellan’s popular venue.
You’ll find the usual Spanish cocktails at these two upscale bars, but the atmosphere—regional antiques and a touch of chinoiserie—is one of a kind.
Architect Jean Nouvel renovated the 19th-century three-level space, which includes a popular microbrewery and wine bar.
Behind a dimly lit wood-paneled bar are row upon row of gin and vermouth bottles, which white-tuxedoed waiters mix expertly.
In the backyard terrace, the food is organic and the vibe is laid-back; it’s like being in a private house.
This hilltop park and the site of a civil war antiaircraft battery is great for exploring on weekends.
For a sky-high meal with 360-degree views, head to this restaurant at the top of a tower with a cable-car station to Montjuïc. Get the delicious creamy risotto with prawns.
A go-to spot in El Born for a glass of cava and tapas. (Try the tinned mussels and clams.)
Its great hiking trails, with a wide variety of plants, are only a 30-minute drive north of the city center.
