BARCELONA

No matter what your budget or belly size, you'll find something to suit in Barcelona. It teems with establishments dishing up everything from tiny tapas to gargantuan feasts. Catalunya produces a variety of fresh seafood, meat, game, and fruit and vegetables, which are combined in unusual and delicious ways.

La Font Màgica

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Montjuïc
Plaça del Marqués de Foronda
Delightfully over the top, the biggest of Montjuïc's famous fountains splashes into life with an irresistible extravaganza of music and light. Whether the tune is Tchaikovsky or Abba, the waterworks will make you giddy with glee. The fountains are located on a series of terraces on the side of Montjuïc.

Palau Güell
Carrer Nou de la Rambla 3-5
El Raval
tel: 93 317 39 74   
Gaudí's first work appears less flamboyant than his later efforts, but a journey to the rooftop reveals an amazing display of chimneys and mosaics. From here you can peer down into the studio at No 6 where Picasso, who loathed Gaudí's work, began his Blue Period.

La Pedrera
Carrer de Provença 261-265
L'Eixample
tel: 90 240 09 73   
La Pedrera was designed by Gaudí and built between 1905 and 1910 as an apartment/office block. Formerly called the Casa Milà, it's better known as La Pedrera (the quarry) because of its uneven grey stone facade that creates a wave effect, which is further emphasized by elaborate wrought-iron balconies.

Museu Picasso
Carrer de Montcada 15-23
La Ribera
tel: 93 319 63 10   
E-mail    Website
Barcelona's most visited museum shows numerous works tracing the artist's early years and is especially strong on his Blue Period, with canvasses like The Defenceless, as well as ceramics and early works from the 1890s. The rest of the museum traces Picasso's life and travels.

La Sagrada Família
Carres de Mallorca 401
L'Eixample
tel: 93 207 30 31    Website
La Sagrada Família is truly awe-inspiring. Even if you don't have much time, don't miss it. The most ambitious work of Barcelona's favourite son, Antoni Gaudí, the magnificent spires of the unfinished cathedral imprint themselves boldly against the sky with swelling outlines inspired by the holy Montserrat.

Fundació Joan Miró
Plaça de Neptu
Montjuïc
tel: 93 443 94 70   
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A wonderfully captivating gallery showcasing the delights of Miró. Miró's friend Josep Lluís Sert designed the gallery and its amazing use of white and light makes it an unforgettable experience. The gallery was Miró's gift to his beloved city. It also houses exhibitions by contemporary artists.

L'Aquàrium
Moll d'Espanya
Port Vell
tel: 93 221 74 74   
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A winner with the kids, this ultra-modern aquarium is one of Europe's biggest and has the world's best collection of Mediterranean marine life. Highlights include an 80m-(262ft-)long shark tunnel, lots of touch-and-feel activities and a three-level interactive centre featuring everything from piranhas to penguins.

Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA)
El Raval
Plaça dels Àngels 1
tel: 93 412 08 10    Website
This gleaming glassy structure was dropped on El Raval in 1995 and, after a few years finding its way, now shines out as a stage for the best of Catalan, Spanish and contemporary art. The gallery also presents temporary exhibitions and boasts a good art bookshop. It's well worth a visit.

Hospital Clínic i Provincial
Carrer de Villarroel 170
L'Eixample
tel: 93 227 54 00   

American Express
La Rambla dels Caputxins 74
Ciutat Vella
tel: 93 342 73 11   

ONCE
Carrer de Calàbria 66-76
Sant Antoni
tel: 93 325 92 00   
The national blind people's organisation can help with information for the sight-impaired. It has a guide to Barcelona in Braille.

easyInternetcafé
La Rambla 31
Ciutat Vella
tel: 93 318 24 35   

Oficina d’Informació de Turisme de Barcelona
underground
Barri Gòtic
Plaça de Catalunya 17-S
tel: 807 117222    Website