Barcelona holidays

For a local dish full of flavour, be sure to try fideuà on your Barcelona city break. Similar to paella but with pasta instead of rice, expect to find piles of fresh prawns, clams and cuttlefish cooked in fish stock – perfect with a chilled cava. La bomba is another Catalan classic, found on every tapas menu in the city. Bite-sized balls of meat and mashed potato are breaded, deep-friend, then topped with alioli – they’re as good as they sound. Enjoy with a glass of San Miguel, brewed locally. When it’s time for something sweet, look out for crema catalana, Barcelona’s answer to crème brûlée. Made with milk instead of cream, it’s a light but indulgent desert you’ll want to make the minute you get home. Try it with rom cremat, an after-dinner drink made with rum, coffee and cinnamon.

There are a handful of beautiful beaches within a few kms of Barcelona’s main tourist attractions. A firm favourite is Barceloneta, where everything is set up for a day of sea and sand, including sun loungers, bathrooms, changing huts, and even bicycle rental. If you prefer tings a little quieter, make a beeline for Bogatell Beach, nearby. This 600m-long stretch of smooth sand has a coveted Blue Flag to its name, so you can be sure everything’s in tip-top condition. Bogatell comes with all the facilities you could need for a day out, including ice-cream kiosks behind the beach. Nova Icaria is another Blue Flag gem, just a stone’s throw from the city. The calm waters make Nova Icara the best beach in the area for little ones, and you’ll find plenty of ways to stay entertained –table tennis, beach football and volleyballs are all part of the fun.

La Sagrada Familiar: One of Barcelona’s top attractions is La Sagrada Familiar and should not be missed on any tour of the city. This Gaudi-designed masterpiece features a sunning façade and an interior full of stained glass and towering columns – prepare to be amazed.

Park Guell: A must-see on your city break, Barcelona’s biggest park was originally designed as living space for the city’s elite, but the project failed, and it soon became open to the public. In the park’s Monumental Core, you’ll discover an open-air museum full of Gaudi’s weird and wonderful designs.

La Rambla: You can’t go to Barcelona without walking down La Rambla, a bustling street at the heart of the city. You’ll come across everything from buskers and human statues to street artists and even card sharks along this 1.2 km boulevard – take your time and enjoy the atmosphere.

You’ll find some of the city’s best bars dotted around the Gothic Quarter, a centuries-old maze of narrow streets and stone houses. Whether you feel like catching a flamenco show, chilling out in a jazz bar, or listening to live music in an Irish pub, it’s all here. Centrally located, Barcelona’s El born district comes with a fashionable nightlife – think craft beer bars and swish cocktail lounges. If you’re feeling peckish, there are plenty of tapas bars in the area for a late-night feast and a jug of sangria.

When it’s time to hit the dance floor, head for El Raval, one of the oldest parts of the city. This cosmopolitan area boasts the best electronic music clubs in Barcelona, where you can party until dawn. You’ll also find a number of jazz and acoustic venues if you prefer things a little more laid-back.