Barcelona

Gaudí's breathtaking, still-unfinished basilica - a forest of stone columns beneath stained-glass light. The defining symbol of Barcelona; book a timed ticket (and the tower lift) well ahead.

A whimsical hillside park of mosaic serpents, gingerbread gatehouses and a panoramic terrace, designed by Gaudí. The Monumental Zone needs a timed ticket; the surrounding park is free.

Gaudí's shimmering "House of Bones" on Passeig de Gràcia - skeletal balconies, a scaly dragon roof and a sea-blue light well. An immersive, audio-guided Modernista marvel.

Barcelona's famous tree-lined promenade leads to the Boqueria, a riot of jamón, fruit, seafood and tapas counters under a stained-glass arch. Mind your bags; come hungry and early.

A labyrinth of medieval lanes, hidden plazas and the soaring Barcelona Cathedral, layered over Roman ruins. Best explored on foot, getting happily lost between cafés and artisan shops.

Run by elBulli alumni and crowned among the world's very best, this Eixample temple of playful, technically dazzling tasting menus is the city's gastronomic high point. Book months ahead.

A tiny, bottle-lined standing bar in Poble-sec famous for layered montaditos and tinned-seafood delicacies paired with vermouth. An institution.

A perennially packed, brightly lit classic for high-quality tapas and montaditos - go off-peak or queue. Point at the counter and order generously.

A century-old Barceloneta dining room serving proper Catalan rice dishes, fideuà and fresh seafood near the beach. Old-school charm and generous portions.

A Ritz-Carlton-managed glass tower on the waterfront, with sweeping sea views, a pool deck and direct beach access by the Olympic Port.

A refined Autograph Collection hotel in a 19th-century cotton-guild mansion, with a spiral staircase, rooftop plunge pool and classic Eixample address.

A hip, design-forward bolthole in a restored neoclassical building, with a buzzy rooftop, hydraulic-tile floors and a great coffee bar.

A stylish, sociable hostel near Gràcia with a lively bar, private rooms and dorms - great value for solo travellers and friends.