Barcelona is one of the nicest cities to visit. Its museums, theatres, art galleries and nightlife are of an impressive high standard. Besides that, this art and design centre has a lot of interesting sights to offer to its visitors.

The best place to watch people go by, to stroll or simply relax, is 'Las Ramblas', a pedestrian street with dozens of outdoor cafes. Here, you’ll find flower-stands, book kiosks and small market stalls where they sell birds and small animals. You’ll also find an endlessly fascinating flowing receptacle of pageant-jugglers, singers, dancers, puppeteers, sidewalk artists, living statues and assorted oddballs on parade. Nearby is 'Plaça Real', with plenty of bars and restaurants, and 'Palau Guell', built by the Catalan architectural genius Antoni Gaudí in his undulating art-nouveau style. While in Las Ramblas and Placa Real, be very aware of pickpockets, too.

After having seen these sights, stroll the narrow winding streets of the 'Barri Gotic', the medieval Gothic quarter full of interesting tapas bars and cafes. Check out Picasso’s old hangout, 'Els Quatre Gats', which has been renovated without losing its bohemian charm. Or head for the old Barceloneta section on the waterfront. This working-class area, which was always slightly rundown and scruffy-looking, is now packed with paella restaurants. The new beach area, which runs from Barceloneta to the Olympic village, is much cleaner than the old beach area. Although some people believe that it has been cleaned up considerably, it might be a wise idea to stay out of the water. Fortunately, the beach itself is already a feast for the eyes (and ears), with its huge and roaring waves.

Catalans are known for their independent spirit and their sense of humour. Salvador Dali was a Catalan (and unfortunately for Catalans, he was also a Fascist and supporter of General Franco's regime)and his bizarre sense of humour is just one example of the region’s endearing weirdness. Language is a BIG problem for English-speakers in Barcelona and also areas around the city. There are bno signboards in English and if you do not speak Spanish (or preferably Catalan), you are better off with a phrase book to guide you around. Even in Hotels they do not speak English. It comes as a surprise because a large part of the tourists are English and tourism is a big contributer to their economy.

Spring is the best time to visit Barcelona, as you can expect a temperature of round and about 20 degrees Celsius. During summer, it can get very hot and humid (about 30 degrees) and crowded, due to the tourists and cultural events taking place in September. Barcelona will be as expensive as you want it to be. Attention: Barcelona is relatively rich, so prices are much higher than places elsewhere in Spain. Still, restaurants are relatively cheap (at lunch time you can find a two course meal and desert for 7-9€) and for a hotel, three meals and a night out, count on it costing some 145 Euro for two persons.

Barcelona higlights:

1.-Architecture: if you love architecture, Barcelona is the city indeed.

Roman period: Roman walls, 4 remaining columns of the Temple at Centre excursionista, Museu d´historia de la ciutat (walk underground through the roman past).

Gothic period: Santa Maria del Mar (best gothic church), Plaça del Rei, Saló del Tinell, Drassanes, Catedral, Santa Maria del Pi, Llotja de Barcelona, Hospital de la Santa Creu, streets within barri gotic (gothic ward).

Pre-modernist and Modernist period: Gaudí's main works: Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, Casa Milà, Parc Güell, Palau Güell, Casa Vicens. Other modernist architects' masterpieces: Palau de la Musica Catalana, Hospital de Sant Pau, Casa Ametller, Casa de les Punxes, Arc de Triompf i Parc de la Ciutadella, Plaça Reial, Passeig de Gracia. Some of those were included in the World Heritage list.

Modern Period: Pabelló d´Alemanya (German Pabilion 28 universal expo, a masterpiece of the modern arquitecture designed by Mies Van der Rohe), Pabelló de la republica (GATPAC), Escola Tecnica Superior d´Arquitectura (Coderech), Macba (museum art contemporani designed by Richard Meyer), Anella Olimpica (olimpic area, Isozaki, Correa, Calatrava...), Torre Agbar (the new symbol in town by Jean Nouvel), Mercat de Santa Caterina (Miralles-Tagliube), Tibidabo´s comunication tower (Norman Foster), Forum´s Convention Center (Herzog & de Meuron).

2. Art and museums:

Museu Nacional d´Art de Catalunya (MNAC) with the best romanic paintings in the world. This museum preserves the wall frescos of a great part of the romanic churches in Pirineos.

Museu Picasso: The museum is located in a medieval palace on Montcada Street, 15-23 in the Gothic area. Once inside you will discover a magnificent compilation of early Picasso paintings. Both oils and drawings displayed in this perminent collection are representative of the artist's formative years as well as later in his illustrious career. The entire collection of over 3,500 works include 24 masterpieces such as "Man in a Baret", "The Divan", "Margot or the Period of Waiting", and "Blanquita Suarez" just to name a few. Museu Picasso is a must-see in Barcelona.

Fundació Miró: Located in a good modern building from Sert, you´ll find a wide sample of Joan Miró works.

Others: Centre d´art Santa Monica, Fundació Tapies, Centre de Cultura Contemporanea.

3. Best walks

Barcelona´s seashore walk: Departing from the Forum of las Culturas area, walk along Passeig Maritim, cross the Vila Olimpica, continue to la Barceloneta, follow el moll de la Fusta to Colon monument. Best moments are at sunrise or at sunset. (3-4 km)

Las Ramblas: From Plaça Catalunya, walk down to Colon, sit at a café and just watch the people go by. (500 m)

Barri Gotic: Just keep your maps and guidebooks away, and lose yourself within the lovely old streets of el barri gotic. Finish your walk taking a beer at la Plaça Reial (one of the nicest). (3-5-8 km, walk as long as you can)

El Raval: Submerge yourself in our little Karachi, just on the opposite side of las Ramblas. Start at el Mercat de la Boqueria (traditional market), and lose yourself on the decadent streets of el raval, try some shawarma, or some dhal in any Panjabi restaurant, and check how cosmopolitan is Barcelona (not so London or Amsterdam...but getting close). Take care about pickpocketing.

Passeig de Gracia to Gracia: From Plaça Catalunya walk up Passeig de Gracia (the most elegant street in town with the most expensive shops) to the bohemian neigborhood of Gracia. Just take a walk into the neigborhood and take a beer in any plaça. (Plaça Rius i Taulet, Plaça Diamant...)

4. Best city views

From Montjuic: Just go up to Palau Nacional (MNaC) at Montjuic Mountain and enjoy the sunset over the city. If you are lucky (try on weekends), after the sunset you´ll see the Magic Fountain Show.

From Tibidabo: The best views of Barcelona are from el Tibidabo. And old fashioned and decadent Atraction parc (but one of the top 5 in the world according to Lonely Planet), on the top of el Tibidabo. Yes that´s our Corcovado...

From el Parc Güell: If you have not time enough to go to Tibidabo, you can get great views too, from Parc güell.

5. Nightlife

Plaça Reial area. Take some beers at el Glaciar or el Sidecar, after that try at el Club 13 (until 03.00), and after that head to el Jamboree if you like hip hop or el Karma if you prefer independent pop-rock (until 06.00).

El Raval is Barcelona's most diverse area with a mixture of cultures and atmospheres. It was much neglected until recently, but it is full of small, hip bars.

El Born and La Ribera, one of the trendiest areas to be in, combine the romanticism of the old city with the newly designed interiors of its numerous bars, clubs and restaurants. This area attracts couples and groups in their 30s looking for sophisticated, relaxing and intimate bars.

Poblenou area: Take some beers at l´Ovella, and after that try Razzmatazz (one of the best clubs in town). Many popular bands, such as the Chemical Brothers, Massive Attack, Coldplay, Blur, and Oasis all played in this hall during their early tours.

Vila Olimpica area: For nice people, catalans say "ambiente algo mas pijo". Try at Baja club or Catwalk.

Zona Alta area: Take your first beers at La Borsa (imported beers from worlwide), and after that go to a disco or club in the area. The top is Luz de Gas, where you´ll find people up to 50 y/old men trying to met 20y/old girls, and 40 y/old women trying the same with 20 y/old boys. If you want to meet rich socialites, this is the place. For the nicest people. "Ambiente muy pijo".

For gay and lesbian: Try at El coño de mi prima (Eixample) or at Las Torres de Avila (Poble espanyol). Left Eixample is called Gayxample.

6. Beaches: From Forum to Barceloneta, they all are fine, but always crowded in summer.

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