48 hours in Barcelona - Women's Agenda

48 hours in Barcelona

Stylish seaside city Barcelona, in north-east Spain, seduces with dramatic design, cutting-edge food and lashings of Catalan charm…

Sleep: Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, on prestigious Passeig de Gràcia, offers 98 luxe rooms, Michelin-starred dining and a gorgeous spa, with rooftop snacking by the view-blessed pool in summer.

Shop: Design fans will love style store Vincon, which sells directional modern homewares and accessories in a huge heritage building at Passeig de Gràcia 96. For independent boutiques, wander gentrified quarter El Born, flocked with chic stores. Look out for Spanish high-street fashion labels Zara and Mango around town, as well as sophisticated designer label Adolfo Dominguez. The food hall at department store El Corte Inglés is always a tempting treat.

Snack: For gourmet snacking, make for one of Barcelona’s famous food markets. Boqueria is just off main avenue La Rambla at number 91, or pop into less touristy Mercat de Santa Caterina, at Av Francesc Cambo 16. Both boast groaning stalls of local produce, from bread and cheese to olives and fruit, with food stands for tapas tasting.

See: Barcelona bulges with cultural highlights including the Gothic Quarter’s vertiginous cathedral and Gaudi monuments such as the surreal Sagrada Familia church. For an art hit, we love the Fundacio Joan Miro, at Avenida de Miramar in the Parc de Montjuic, a homage to contemporary Spanish artist Joan Miro. Don’t miss the ground-breaking Barcelona Pavilion nearby, a replica of an original building created for the 1929 International Expo by modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.

Stroll: Gaudi’s fabulous Parc Guell, in the north of Barcelona, offers a fairytale setting for strolling or picnicing, with skyline views over the city to the sea. Rainbow-bright, mosaic-tiled seating, gatehouses and giant lizards create a magical world, dotted with dreamy walkways and caverns. For more Gaudi monuments, stroll down Passeig de Gràcia, where you can scope blue-hued Casa Batllo townhouse at 43, and wavy-stone apartment building La Pedrera, just off the main drag at Provenca 261, which sports a sexy roof terrace for summer drinks.

Spa: Book into the so-sleek-it’s-almost-space-age spa at the Mandarin Oriental Barcelona, which has a full menu of treats, including couples’ massages. Lounge in the herbal steam room until it’s time for your treatment, and then saunter back to your room in your robe – there’s a dedicated lift for spa-going guests.

Savour: For casual dining from the team behind legendary regional restaurant El Bulli, reserve in advance for Tickets, at Avinguda Paral.lel 164. Too-cute-to-eat dishes are styled in eye-catching forms such as vibrant toadstools, with multiple mouthwatering courses. ABaC Restaurant & Hotel is also known for its two-Michelin-starred eatery, serving seven-course tasting menus and fusion cuisine, helmed by chef Jordi Cruz.

Sip: Sparkly cava is the local tipple of choice, served in many of the city’s best bars. Head to the mellow squares in old neighbourhood Gracia to sip some outdoors in the sunshine, or for something flasher, make for the hip Sky Lounge Bar at ME Barcelona boutique hotel, a jewel-bright modern space with DJs at dusk. Hipster-hangout El Raval quarter is a good bet for bars, too.

To book any of Mr & Mrs Smith’s stylish boutique hotels visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or call the expert Travel Team on 1300 896 627. Smith guests enjoy exclusive extras at all stays.

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