Revolutionary 1902 masterpiece by architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner, in the exuberant colors and shapes of art nouveau. UNESCO World Heritage site. Tip: Guided visits in English daily at 10:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Barcelona’s biggest, oldest, and best market. Present building dates to 1840, but the open-air markets on this site date to the Middle Ages. Fish, meat, fresh produce, and preserves; 265 stalls selling over 20,000 different products. Tip: Lorenç Petras, at Fruits del Bosc (stall No. 867 in the back), sells wild mushrooms and herbs, edible [...]

Descend 2,000 years to the sprawling remains of the Roman settlement under the Barri Gòtic quarter, and exit at the Saló de Tinel—the audience hall of the Royal Palace, where Columbus reported his discoveries to King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella in 1493. P

Gaudí’s masterpiece, the city’s iconic building, still in progress. Fascinating to see how the parts built when he was still alive—all rippling curves and motifs of plants and animals carved in stone that seem to flow down the walls like melted candle wax—contrast with the recent work.

“The most elegant of all Barcelona’s churches.”—George Semler, author, Barcelonawalks. A 14th-century Catalan Gothic masterpiece of stunning, elegant simplicity. Tip: Visit Saturday morning when a well-connected Catalan family might be having a wedding. Choral or orchestral performances here are breathtaking; check weekly listings.

The hill overlooking Barcelona from the southeast, main site of the 1992 Olympics. Acres of parks and sculptured gardens, sweeping views of the city. Don’t-miss attractions on Montjuïc include the Fundació Joan Miró (Avingudade Miramar; tel. 34 93 443 9470), the Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya with its unique Romanesque and early medieval collection (Mirador [...]

Another one of the city’s contemporary architectural landmarks. This Herzog & De de Meuron work is worth wandering under, even if it’s just for the cool photos you’ll take of the fractal mirror edges!

The biggest night club and one of the best concert spaces in Barcelona, with bands like Kraftwerk and Blur having played there. On club nights there are 5 different rooms – you can go to the Razz Club for indie rock, techno at The Loft and Lo*Li*Ta. or The Pop Room and the Rex [...]

One of the architectural gems of Barcelona, the Market of Santa Catarina was renovated by Enric Miralles and Benedetta Tagliabue of EMBT with its iconic undulating roof clad in colorful ceramic tiles.

Designed by architects Carles Ferrater and Josep Lluís Canosa, landscape architect Bet Figueras, horticulturalist Artur Bossy and biologist Joan Pedrola, the new botanical gardens of Barcelona is host to a wide collection of Mediterranean plants, grouped by ecological habitats. It’s hilltop location provides stunning views across the city, and the modern architectural elements [...]