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Antoni Gaudí: is to Barcelona as Eiffel is to Paris. His work is on all the post cards and it’s almost a cliché, but his creations are a must-see on a visit to Barcelona. Unique and inspiring. Web site of the Gaudí year 2002 is very good and is still live.
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. . . and apart from Gaudí's work, the town is stuffed with more examples of ‘modernismo’ (catalan art nouveau) architecture and decoration.
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Quality meandering and hang–outability. You can wander round the old town or the Eixample and sit out almost all year round. If you don't drink coffee there are plenty of substitutes.
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The beach. What other city on the mediterranean offers the diversity of history, architecture, culture, restaurants, bars and nightlife PLUS kilometres of beach for good swimming, playing and relaxing?
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On Tibidabo mountain behind the city there's a funfair on the summit with stunning views over the city and the sea. To arrive you must ride up the steep mountainside on tram and funicular.
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Museums and galleries. The cultural stimulation on offer is always varied. At any one time there are more permanent and temporary exhibitions than you can take in on a single visit to the city. There are too many galleries and museums to list here, but the MACBA and CCCB are just two minutes walk from the apartments.
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In a converted modernista factory a bank has created a wonderful culture space, CaixaForum, with galleries and auditoria. Open 10am 'til 8pm every day but closed on Mondays.
Bike rental and bike tours – a great way to get the hang of Barcelona's layout. You can go on your own or in a group with english speaking guide. See more explanation on their web at www.bicicletabarcelona.com
Going to look at a fountain may not sound like the highlight of a visit to Barcelona, but the Font Màgica on Montjuic is, well, just magic. Built for the 1929 World Exhibition the fountain with its miles of tubing and thousands of lights has been restored - it's free and is accompanied by music every half hour. Winter: Fri and Sat, 7-9pm; Summer: Thurs to Sun, 8pm to midnight.
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Near the Columbus monument at the end of the Ramblas is the Maritime Museum housed in the old royal boatyards that once gave on to the shore but are now a few hundred metres inland. Interesting permanent and temporary exhibitions, PLUS a restaurant and mega-cool loungey bar outdoors in the patio open 'til very late