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Bar celona
Barcelona ’ s eclectic blend of architecture , history , nightlife and gastronomy has made it one of the most popular destinations in Europe . Yet despite hosting millions of visitors each year , the capital of Catalonia retains plenty of charm across its patchwork of idiosyncratic neighbourhoods , as Richard Holmes discovered in just 48 hours .
© LAZAR / ADOBESTOCK
GOTHIC STREETS & PICASSO Begin your wandering at La Rambla , the pedestrianised avenue that runs from Plaça de Catalunya to the historic harbour . It ’ s a good call to start early ; I missed the worst of the crowds and had a chance to soak up the medieval charm of the Gothic Quarter . This warren of cobbled alleyways is the oldest part of the city , dating back to Roman times . Today the streets are filled with galleries , boutiques and historic sites . First stop should be Barcelona Cathedral , which dates back to 1298 . The Romanesque architecture is impressive , but my favourite corner was the
Cloisters , away from the crowds indoors . Keep wandering south for a stop at Museu Picasso ’ s superb collection of works by that artist , who arrived in the city at the age of 13 , while the nearby Basilica de Santa Maria del Mar boasts remarkable interiors and a refreshing lack of tourists .
MARKET AND TAPAS It ’ ll be hard to beat the crowds at La Boqueria market , but it should still be your destination come lunchtime . A few steps from La Rambla , the cornucopia of fresh produce here had
40 // MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE