Jan Fleischer

Ahh, Barcelona. The city of dreams. Of sipping sangria on a rooftop, marvelling at medieval sights, attractions and architecture, and tucking into never-ending tiny plates of world-class tapas in a city replete with some of the best restaurants in the world. But for whatever reason you’re headed to this wonderfully vibrant city, make sure you choose the right place to stay. The good news? Hotels in Barcelona have it all, from jaw-dropping views and Michelin-starred dining to spa retreats and poolside luxury. One thing is for sure: there certainly is plenty of choice, whatever your budget and wherever in Barcelona you want to stay. But if it feels daunting, we get it. So, put your feet up, because we’ve done the work for you. Read on for the best hotels in Barcelona to book right here, right now. And let us know if we've missed any! Recommended: Barcelona's best AirbnbsRecommended: The best things to do in Barcelona This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, click here.

Barcelona, baby! One of the most popular destinations on the planet, the centre of Catalan culture isn’t about to let that crown slip. The best attractions and places to visit in Barcelona are a celebration of this wonderful place. From the world-famous (the inimitable beauty of the Sagrada Familia) to the decidedly local (Benedictine monasteries, anyone?), Barcelona really does have it all. Yes, it can be a little vain from time to time, but you can’t really blame the place. Barcelona has enough to fill a lifetime, but these are the bucket list items for those on the clock. Don’t forget the appetite, because those restaurants are fire.  Recommended: Barcelona's best AirbnbsRecommended: The best hotels in Barcelona  

With 50 provinces, 17 autonomous regions and at least five languages, Spain is one of the most diverse countries in Europe. Every corner is different to the last, with impressive historical architecture cosying up to revolutionary artistic movements and more. Mountains, beaches, cities and villages; it is all here in spectacular Spain.The best things to do in Spain showcase everything that makes it so magical. Spain is filled with gorgeous beaches, vibrant festivals, natural wonders and some of the most magnificent people on the planet. From Galicia to Catalonia via the Basque Country, Andalusia and the rest, this is Spain at its best.

Everyone should visit Barcelona at least once. Everyone. No excuses. The Catalan capital is a bustling city that lives up to its reputation, a thriving cultural centre with brilliant museums, magnificent restaurants and the sort of nightlife that just keeps on giving. Barcelona is brilliant, bombastic, and bloomin’ marvellous. What are the best things to do in Barcelona? We’re glad you asked because we’ve done the hard yards and put together the ultimate Barna bucket list. You can’t go wrong with this place.  And if you need somewhere to stay? Make sure you check out Barcelona's best hotels and best Airbnbs. 

47 might seem like a lot, but the truth is, this could quite easily be a list of the 4,700 best things to do in Madrid. Heck, that is selling the Spanish capital short. Madrid is a magnificent city, one that ticks every box anyone could want. Looking for genre-defining art and elite museums? You’ll find plenty. Hungry? Madrid’s restaurants are the best in Spain. Short on cash? Not to worry, there is no shortage of excellent free things to do here too. Madrid is a city that does both. There is enough here to keep return visitors engaged while newcomers are in for the experience of a lifetime. Madrid is achingly cool, blissfully beautiful and delightfully convivial, all at once. You’re lucky to be here, we’ll say that much.

Looking for a top-notch place to stay? We’re here to help you narrow down your choices with our pick of the 20 best hotels in Madrid. Whatever you want, Madrid’s got it, from exclusive five-star luxury to boutique hotels and those with dreamy spas to the most affordable places to stay that don’t skimp on style and good taste. Plus, don’t forget that some of the city’s very best restaurants are also housed in hotels, which makes choosing where to go for dins that significant bit simpler. And we highly doubt it, but don’t worry if you can’t find your dream bolthole on this list – there are literally hundreds of other brilliant places to stay here. This is just the crème de la crème.

We’ll cut right to the chase; the best museums in Barcelona are among the best in all of Europe. How could they not be? The Catalan capital is home to some of the greatest art on the planet, and the museums and galleries of the city pay homage to that long list of creative geniuses that this part of the world has given us. Cubism, Impressionism, Modernism, Post-Modernism, you name it, you’ll find it. Hopping from one treasure trove of art to another is one of the best things to do in Barcelona, especially when you can then head to a rooftop bar to consider all the magic you’ve devoured. Barcelona’s museums are one big love letter to art, with legendary permanent exhibitions and a conveyor belt of temporary ones that deserve all the attention in the world.

If you’re the type of person who comes alive on the dancefloor, you are going to love Barcelona. Of course, there are so many things to do here that practically everyone loves Barcelona, but this city knows how to party hard. Barcelona’s nightlife scene touches on a host of moods and methods, from live music to international DJs covering every genre from R&B to rock and roll. When preparing for your journey, be sure to pack your dancing shoes because the best clubs in Barcelona will have you throwing shapes in no time. 

Eating paella in Spain is a rite of passage. It is one of those things you simply have to do, like drinking Guinness in Dublin or eating pizza in Naples. Yes, there is a cliched element to it, but forget your cynicism and dig in. We all need more delicious food in our lives, and the best paella in Barcelona is just about as dictionary definition ‘delicious’ as it gets. Paella has its origins in Valencia (a simple day trip down the coast), but you’ll find plenty of options in Barcelona if you’re looking to sample this most traditional of dishes. Of course, the people of Barcelona will argue that their rice dishes (found on menus as arròs, not paella) are better than the others, but we’ll let you be the judge of that.  

Barcelona’s many attractions are beloved worldwide (those museums are spectacular, really spectacular), but it might just be the blind luck of weather that stands out as Barna’s most magnificent feature. Barcelona gets more than 300 days of sunny weather every year, you know. The summers are hot and humid, and the winters are not a million miles away from what is considered summer in the UK. Brits flock to Aberystwyth beach when the temperature hits 20; what will they do when it is in the mid-thirties in Barcelona? They’ll do the same, obviously, just in Barcelona. It has 4.5 kilometres of coastline, a gorgeous strip of land offering up the Mediterannean at every point, with gorgeous sands waiting for loungings, games and everything else. There are so many things to do here that it can be dizzying, so look after yourself and head to the best beaches in Barcelona for some relaxation.  

Is it possible to have a bad time in Barcelona? No, the answer is no, of course, that isn’t possible, but choosing the right area to stay in is an integral part of any fantastic Catalonian adventure. Being based in the right spot is important, after all. Barcelona has plenty of options when it comes to tip-top neighbourhoods, with ‘something for everyone’ status well and truly achieved. Barcelona is a 24-hour destination with potential adventures all over the place, so identifying criteria beforehand is super important. Are the galleries, museums and attractions within a decent distance? Are there any quality bars in the neighbourhood? How about top tapas? Quality bars and tapas are everywhere here, but you get the point. Barcelona has a busy city centre and lots of charming neighbourhoods, with plenty to love in all. Check out our pick of the best places to stay in Barcelona. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to best hotels in Barcelona

De Galicia a Andalucía, Cataluña o Extremadura, nuestro país es tan rico y variado que harían falta muchos viajes para recorrerlo entero. Tanto si ya habéis visitado los principales pueblos y ciudades como probado la gastronomía típica del cocido al ensaimada, seguro que todavía os faltan muchos destinos con encanto por descubrir. Como las vacaciones de este año tendrán que ser dentro de nuestras fronteras por la situación actual, os dejamos un montón de opciones para recorrer el país y disfrutar de ellas con toda seguridad.  RECOMENDADO: Escapadas virtuales para viajar desde el sofá.  

If you’ve ever had the misfortune of doing your laundry among the masses in slot-machine washers and dryers, you’ll know the anxiety, impatience and boredom of waiting for the cycles to end. But not in Barcelona, where Marta Pérez and Gerard Navas have opened LaBar: a spot that’s half-laundromat and half-café/bar. You can hook up to the wi-fi in the bright and welcoming space, then relax with an excellent coffee for less than €2 or, even more cost-efficiently, a well-poured €1 beer. There are also eats such as homemade houmous, guacamole, sandwiches and cakes. All of this turns one of your mundane weekly chores into a sociable excursion where you’ll never ever have to suffer staring at your spinning smalls in sordid solitude.   Sign up here to get the latest from London straight to your inbox.