Flights to Barcelona

Montjuïc

Introduction

This low hill over the port is a refreshing green space, and this month hosts the European Athletics Championships in the Olympic Stadium. The gardens are also the hub of the Grec arts festival.

Hotels

The luxury Hotel Miramar (3 Plaça Carlos Ibañez, tel. 932 811600, hotelmiramarbarcelona.com, rooms from €170) occupies a prime position on the hill, with impressive views.

Cultural

Catch Anne Teresa de Keersmaeker’s dance company under the stars in the Teatre Grec (36 Passeig Santa Madrona) on the 19 and 20 July. By day, see Joan Miró’s colourful art in its best Mediterranean light in the Fundació Miró (1 Avinguda Miramar). Or chill out at the festival’s all-night party Montjuïc de Nit on 3 July with 13 stages of live music, each stage representing one of the city’s music festivals from Sonar to the Jazz Festival.

Restaurants

In the bustling area just below the hill are narrow streets full of local bars and restaurants, such as 100-year-old El Sortidor (5 Plaça del Sortidor, tel. 935 188544), serving Catalan food at original marble tables.

Night Clubs

Known for family fun by day, the pastiche Spanish village Poble Español (13 Avinguda Marquès de Comillas) throws open its doors to clubbers by night. Open-air disco La Terrazza is ideal for dancing on a hot summer night, but for slick and high-tech, recently opened The One is the place – it’s at its best around 3am.

Avinguda diagonal

Introduction

This broad, tree-lined avenue cuts diagonally across the city through business districts, smart residential zones and elegant shopping areas, until it reaches the sea in the new Diagonal Mar district.

Hotels

The aptly named Hotel Rey Juan Carlos I (661-671 Avinguda Diagonal, tel. 933 644040, hrjuancarlos. com, rooms from €169) is fit for a king. It oozes luxury throughout its steel and glass structure and has wonderful gardens.

Pubs

Glimpse the world of slick business deals and elegant señoras in timeless café Sandor (5 Plaça Francesc Macià) at aperitivo time.

Shops

Upscale shopping between Plaça Francesc Macià and Plaça Rei Joan Carles reaches its peak at Jean Pierre Bua (467-469 Avinguda Diagonal), with a large collection of international designers for men and women, balanced by the more affordable Zara (582-584 Avinguda Diagonal).

Raval

Introduction

This is a buzzy area of the old town, where small boutiques and artists’ studios rub shoulders with an increasingly multicultural population.

Cultural

The CCCB (Centre for Contemporary Culture, 5 Carrer Montalegre), hosts an International Festival of Dance in Urban Landscapes on 1-4 July.

Restaurants

Once a medieval hospital, El Jardí (56 Carrer de l’Hospital, eljardibarcelona.es) sits in an enchanting garden. Surrounded by gothic buildings, it’s a peaceful spot for snacks or drinks any time of day, but is most atmospheric when candle-lit in the evening.

Shops

Do your green bit by buying bags recycled from the city’s advertising banners at Vaho Gallery (13 Bonsuccés), or in Carrer de Riera Baixa, a street devoted to vintage shops – try Holala Ibiza and Lailo.

Barceloneta

Introduction

The beaches of this popular seaside district are lined with seafood restaurants. These are the closest sands to the centre so go in the early morning to avoid crowds, or the late afternoon, when the beach bar DJs start spinning.

Hotels

The new W Barcelona (1 Plaça de la Rosa dels Vents, tel. 932 952800, w-barcelona.com, rooms from €284) has changed the waterfront skyline with its 26 floors of indulgence. More down-to-earth is Sea Point Hostel (1-4 Plaça del Mar, tel. 932 312045, seapointhostel.com, beds in rooms of six from €25), situated right on the beach.

Pubs

After a hard day on the beach, a cool beer at Vaso de Oro (6 Carrer de Balboa) is simply sublime.