Insight Guides: Explore Barcelona

Antonio Miró (no relation to the artist) is perhaps the most famous Catalan designer of men’s- and women’s-wear, with clothes characterised by low-key design and clean lines. His shop can be found at Calle Enric Granados 46

Antonio Miró (no relation to the artist) is perhaps the most famous Catalan designer of men’s- and women’s-wear, with clothes characterised by low-key design and clean lines

Key works by Puig i Cadafalch include the Casaramona textile factory, at the foot of Montjuïc, which is now the vibrant CaixaForum cultural centre

Also by Domènech, at Carrer de Mallorca 291, is Casa Thomas, built for the engraving business of a relative.

Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau (for more information, click here), designed by Domènech, was the most advanced in Europe when it was completed in 1901.

Other key Modernista works include the Unesco-protected Palau de la Música Catalana

In the streets just to the west of here Gaixample can be found, a magnet for gay and lesbian clubbers.

Admiring the view from Montjuic. Tour 12 takes you up the hilly Montjuïc to admire the legacy of the 1992 Olympic Games.

Away from the bustle of the town centre, the slightly bohemian neighbourhood of Gràcia offers peaceful streets, some with lovely Modernista facades, intriguing shops and bars, and a sense of community.

addition to a wide assortment of fine wines from across Spain, including Rioja, Navarra and Ribera del Duero, Barcelona has some extremely good regional wines. Those from Penedès, the grape-growing region just outside Barcelona where cava, Spain’s sparkling wine, is produced, are excellent (for more information, click here). Cava itself goes wonderfully with seafood and most tapas. Among Penedès reds, try Torres Gran Coronas, Raimat and Jean León.