The fantastical Casa Batlló (00 34 216 03 06; casabatllo.cat, admission €20.35/ £17), a glittering, polychromatic affair, also open to the public.
If you’re lucky you’ll find yourself outside the lively El Portalón (0034 93 302 11 87), where you can order terracotta jugs of house red and choose from a long list of tapas.
Day one - 1.30pm: A short stroll seawards from here will take you to Tapaç24 (0034 93 488 09 77; carlesabellan.com), one of the city’s best tapas bars, but get here well before 2pm for a seat.
Budget: Market Hotel is a chic and sophisticated cheap hotel, on the edge of the Raval and a short walk to the Plaça Catalunya. Doubles from £55. Read the full review http://bit.ly/1196LfQ.
Mid-range: The Banys Orientals is in Born, Barcelona’s loveliest neighbourhood, with elegant rooms and friendly service. Book well in advance. Doubles from £83. Read a review http://bit.ly/10MfqZI.
