CHECK in CHECK out Barcelona!

A Patchwork of architectural styles

By Daniela Bonetto

TABLE FOR TWO
Since the sad closure of El Bulli there is certainly a similar kind of alchemy going on at Alkimia, which comes a good second. Its deconstructed, theatrical takes on Catalan standards certainly show that Jordi Vilà is a serious chef, with a Michelin star to show it. alkimia.cat

LAIE LIBRERIA CAFÉ
A combined café and restaurant above an excellent bookshop, with a glass-fronted gallery set back from the street on the first floor and a small garden at the back. The restaurant at the back serves an excellent, moderately-priced set lunch. laie.es

ABAC RESTAURANT HOTEL
Eight years later and Abac is still one of the most reliable of the city’s alta cocina eateries. Having entered chef Jordi Cruz the restaurant maintains its origins as being a top dining destination. abacbarcelona.com

PILLOW TALK When some shut-eye is all you want to do…
HOTEL ARTS
Hotel Arts offers five-star service, a contemporary design and Michelin-starred restaurant, on Barcelona’s beachfront. Could anyone ask for more? hotelartsbarcelona.com

CASA CAMPER
True to the philosophy of the Mallorcan shoe company that owns it, Casa Camper is entirely eco-friendly. Everything is recycled! Head to the roof and pick up a bike that dangles from the roof and head over the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Centre of Contemporary Culture and the Ramblas just minutes away. casacamper.com

HOTEL OMM
Architect Juli Capella’s has created Matrix-like corridors which are lined with black rubber and lit by fibre optic strips. The hotel second selling point is its restaurant, Moo, run by the Roca brothers from Celler de Can Roca. The menu offers ‘half’ portions to encourage experimentation, and the desserts are inspired by perfumes. hotelomm.es

MUST SEE & DO An endless amount of places to be and see. Here are a few to keep busy
CASA MILÀ
The distinct style of Barcelona and its master architect Antoni Gaudí are difficult to miss when walking around the city. Casa Milà is it’s official name but it is also known as La Pedrera (The Quarry) and located on the corner of Provença and Passeig de Gràcia, is an apartment block built by Gaudí in 1906. To many critics Gaudí exemplified bad taste but to others he was a genius and decorated the city with works of art. Don’t miss the small Espai Gaudí museum inside the house. lapedrera.com

FUNDACIÓ JOAN MIRÓ
Although it seems to be quite down the pecking order of things to see (after Museu Picasso, Camp Nou or the Sagrada Família), the Miró contains a truly exceptional collection of art (not only Joan Miró’s, but pieces from Alexander Calder, Marcel Duchamp and Sir Anthony Caro), but also it has a Le Corbusier-inspired building worthy of a visit in itself, and a breath-taking view of the city below. fmirobcn.org

SAGRADA FAMÍLIA
Begun by Gaudí at the end of the 19th century it still is not terminated to this day. This cathedral is still very much a work in progress. Infamous for the molten wax-like spires of the Nativity façade and the stark, angular sculpture of the Passion façade but this beauty has details upon detail which would take half a day to visit. Make sure to take the lift up one of the spires for an aerial view, but be warned that the walk back down the steep stone steps is not for vertigo sufferers. sagradafamilia.org

PARK GÜELL
After the failed attempt of Gaudí and his patron Eusebi Güell to provide attractive housing for the upper classes, based on the English ‘garden cities’ (hence the anglicised spelling of ‘Park’) what remains is still extraordinary. The gatehouses were inspired by Hansel and Gretel, and beyond them the ‘Dragon’ guards the entrance to what would have been the marketplace, its roof held up by columns that resemble palm trees. parkguell.cat

MUSEU D’ART CONTEMPORANI DE BARCELONA (MACBA)
MACBA is not only a fabulous museum for contemporary art designed by Richard Meier but it is also the reason the once sordid Barrio Chino, aka the Raval, is now Barcelona’s hippest urban area. Its opening, in 1995, ignited the regeneration of this inner-city zone, bringing in art and design where before there was only crime and derelict surroundings. So make sure to not only enjoy the fascinating temporary shows but the surrounding streets, which are full of happening bars, galleries, boutiques and restaurants. macba.es

MUSEU PICASSO
Get ready to queue! Worth the wait if you’re interested in the early, pre-Cubist and it is especially good on the artist’s early work – Picasso spent his formative teenage years in Barcelona and donated the paintings found in the museum to the city. Highlights include the wonderful Las Meninas series, based on Velázquez’s painting of the same name. museupicasso.bcn.cat

SARDANA
At around 11am on Sundays get ready to enjoy the sardana, a Barcelona Catalan dance symbol of Catalan unity and pride. A small crowd gathers to dance in the square in front of the cathedral.