How to live your best life in Barcelona

Kick back at the spa

What’s a city break without a spa treatment? Immerse yourself in the true meaning of relaxation as you take the weight off your feet and indulge in a few treatments and trust us when we say that there’s no better place to do this than Hotel Arts Barcelona. One for the holiday hall of fame, Hotel Arts Barcelona offers the ideal Spanish escape, boasting luxury wherever you turn so don’t expect the magnificent spa to be an exception to this rule. 43 The Spa is aptly located on the 43rd floor of the resort, offering panoramic views of the city below while you get rubbed down and pampered to your heart’s content. Amongst the eight treatment suites, the hydrotherapy pools and steam bath, guests can indulge in the likes of reflexology, a hot stone massage and a citrus body scrub. You’ll be strutting down the streets of Barcelona feeling like a million dollars in next to no time.

Cheer on FC Barcelona at Camp Nou Stadium

Football fanatics, this one is for you. The world-famous Camp Nou Stadium, hosting one of the world’s most popular and successful football clubs, is the largest stadium in Europe and seats just shy of 100,000 spectators. Exploring the venue is an absolute must whereby visitors can find out more about the club’s history and even tour the FC Barcelona Museum. If you’re lucky enough to have perfectly timed your trip over a period where Barcelona are taking centre stage on the pitch against a rivalling team, snag a couple of tickets and immerse yourself in the electric Spanish atmosphere for what we promise will be an unforgettable experience. Even non-football fans will simply adore being in the heart of the action – if not, just post it on Instagram and pretend that you’re having the time of your life!

Indulge in Authentic Catalan Cuisine

Did someone say gourmet? As the Catalan capital, Barcelona certainly knows no boundaries when it comes to delicious cuisine and some of the best chefs in Spain can be found here as well as several Michelin stars scattered throughout the city. But don’t be fooled – Barcelona is so much more than tapas and sangria (although you’d be foolish not to indulge in these Spanish delights once or twice). If you’re a self-confessed foodie then you simply can’t go wrong with a visit to the Boqueria market, a fresh food bazaar that is always heaving with crowds battling to get their pick of the best produce. From cured meats and local seafood to herbs, spices and condiments, the real attraction here has to be the cooking class which is followed by a guided tour of the market whereby visitors learn how to prepare traditional Spanish recipes using the ingredients from the stalls. If cooking on holiday doesn’t tickle your fancy, take a seat at one of the market’s restaurants to indulge in a spot of brunch – we highly recommend Quim de la Boqueria. Or why not dine at the hottest ticket in town, Tickets, ironically. Quite unlike any other tapas bar in the world, this Michelin starred eatery takes pride at number 25 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and for good reason. Nothing short of a culinary amusement park, the entrance resembles an old-fashioned circus ticket booth while the dessert area has giant berries hanging from the ceiling and pastry chefs concocting sweet treats right in front of awestruck diners – Instagram-worthy, or what? Wherever you turn in this vibrant city, the smell of tasty food will follow you around every corner so finding a delicious meal here will surely be as easy as ABC.

Are you a sucker for an exciting light show when the Barcelona sun finally fades, and the night comes alive? The Magic Fountain is one of the city’s most famous attractions, located at the base of Montjuïc Hill, in front of the National Museum of Catalan Art. Giving the iconic Bellagio dancing fountains a run for their money, this attraction boasts a spectacular display of bright lights, vibrant colours and booming music for an unforgettable few minutes that perfectly kickstart a night on the town. This is a selfie that you’ll want to frame – yes, the backdrop is that spectacular.

Take a Selfie at the Magic Fountain

Are you a sucker for an exciting light show when the Barcelona sun finally fades, and the night comes alive? The Magic Fountain is one of the city’s most famous attractions, located at the base of Montjuïc Hill, in front of the National Museum of Catalan Art. Giving the iconic Bellagio dancing fountains a run for their money, this attraction boasts a spectacular display of bright lights, vibrant colours and booming music for an unforgettable few minutes that perfectly kickstart a night on the town. This is a selfie that you’ll want to frame – yes, the backdrop is that spectacular.

Get a Culture Fix at La Sagrada Familia

There’s truly no such thing as visiting Barcelona without a trip to one of the iconic Gaudi buildings and trust us when we say that it doesn’t get any more iconic than La Sagrada Familia. Under construction since 1882, this Roman Catholic basilica is an exceptional spectacle that features three grand facades, 18 spires and a range of symbolic architectural details reflecting the Christian faith. Despite being only quarter-finished at the time of construction and still incomplete to this day, La Sagrada Familia remains Barcelona’s most popular attraction and upon completion it will be the tallest religious building in Europe. With tickets starting from €15, it’s wise to purchase your entrance pass in advance in order to beat the crowds.

The best thing about Barcelona that attracts so many visitor’s year after year is that it offers the best of both worlds. The incomparable hybrid of both city life and pure relaxation makes this gorgeous city one for the books and a trip to the Spanish sands is one that you surely won’t regret. If you’re looking for something both lively and exciting, Barcelonata Beach is where it’s at. The most popular and therefore touristy beach in the city, the busy bodies are made up by the fact that the sands are awash with entertainment options and delectable seafood restaurants. From windsurfing to kite-surfing, working up an appetite is inevitable so why not tuck into some hearty paella or calamari with refreshing lemon at the on-site eateries? But like we said, Barcelona offers the best of both worlds, so Nova Icaria is an ideal beach for those who like to top up their tan in peace and quiet. 400km long, Nova Icaria is considered one of the most relaxing beaches in the city and the perfect choice for families due to its safe and shallow waters. Although the sands are quiet, you’re never too far away from plenty of restaurants and bars. The beach is even equipped with ping-pong tables and volleyball courts!

Sun Yourself on Barcelona Sands

The best thing about Barcelona that attracts so many visitor’s year after year is that it offers the best of both worlds. The incomparable hybrid of both city life and pure relaxation makes this gorgeous city one for the books and a trip to the Spanish sands is one that you surely won’t regret. If you’re looking for something both lively and exciting, Barcelonata Beach is where it’s at. The most popular and therefore touristy beach in the city, the busy bodies are made up by the fact that the sands are awash with entertainment options and delectable seafood restaurants. From windsurfing to kite-surfing, working up an appetite is inevitable so why not tuck into some hearty paella or calamari with refreshing lemon at the on-site eateries? But like we said, Barcelona offers the best of both worlds, so Nova Icaria is an ideal beach for those who like to top up their tan in peace and quiet. 400km long, Nova Icaria is considered one of the most relaxing beaches in the city and the perfect choice for families due to its safe and shallow waters. Although the sands are quiet, you’re never too far away from plenty of restaurants and bars. The beach is even equipped with ping-pong tables and volleyball courts!

Be Amazed by the Gothic Quarter

Without a doubt one of the most popular sightseeing areas of Barcelona, the iconic Gothic Quarter, or Barri Góthic, is home to narrow medieval streets filled with trendy bars, clubs and authentic Catalan restaurants. So called because it used to be the Roman village and thus has some remnants of its glorious past, you’ll wander down the cobbles and be greeted by friendly artisans selling leather and jewellery by the Cathedral of Barcelona while flower stalls and street food vendors entice you around La Rambla’s bustling avenue. Why not soak up the culture with a walking tour of the mystic labyrinth? Revel in the Spanish sunshine as you follow around a native guide who will lead you through hidden streets, teaching you all about Barcelona’s rich history while you admire the beautiful decorations on the old gothic buildings. To truly get a feel of the Gothic Quarter make sure you stop off at the Historic Museum of Barcelona and the Cathedral of Barcelona, the latter of which is the perfect Instagram opportunity. If history isn’t your thing, do a spot of vintage shopping at Calle Avinyó and grab lunch at Sweet Dreams – save room for dessert because the puddings and cakes certainly live up to the café’s name!

Has Barcelona given you butterflies? Click here to discover more about the Spanish gem or simply call 0203 816 0985 to get the ball rolling on your next adventure.