Day one, morning 

9.30 am - The heart of the city

A two day break in Barcelona should begin with a good panoramic view of the city. One of the best, situated in the "modern" centre of the city, in the Eixample district of Barcelona, is the view from Casa Milà , also known as La Pedrera. 

This is the best place to discover a modernist style residential building in the city. This architectural gem was designed by Gaudí in the first half of the 20th century, and, to this day, it still stands out for its originality, leaving visitors open-mouthed. 

Here you can kill two birds with one stone: discover up close one of the artist's most important works and enjoy the urban landscape from a different perspective. Also, if you go first thing in the morning, you can avoid the long queues of visitors and get much more out of the day.

11.30 - Essence of Modernism

After visiting La Pedrera, you can immerse yourself in Barcelona's traditional passion for design, which has been around for a long time. In many areas of the city you will find modernist style buildings. 

This was the favourite style of the bourgeoisie in the early 20th century. Leaving aside the crown jewel, the  Sagrada Familia situated in the heart of the Eixample district and not to be missed - it is well worth paying a visit to what is popularly known as the Manzana de la Discordia  , or the Block of Discord (Casa Amatller, Casa Batlló, etc). 

This stretch of Passeig de Gràcia, between the streets Consell de Cent and Aragó, is a unique display of Catalan modernist architecture at a scale of 1:1 in the space of just a few metres.
The city's other great modernist work, also created by Gaudí, is the Park Güell. Although it is far from the centre, it is a place which is unique in the world and is well worth a visit. By taking buses 16 (Pg. de Gràcia / Mallorca) and 31 you can get there in around 25 minutes.

12.30 - A touch of good taste

Having enjoyed the architectural gems found on Passeig de Gràcia, now is a good time to see the "wonders" offered by its shops. On this street and in the surrounding area you will find the best shops in the city for fashion and top brands. Browsing around a few of these shops and treating yourself to a little something is a nice way to pass some time. 

Another option, offering a touch of sophistication and curiosity, would be to go to number 39 Passeig de Gràcia, where you will find the Perfume Museum  . This is a little known delicatessen which is well worth a short visit. 

And to finish off with another alternative option, you could visit one of the best interior patios in the Eixample district, found in the shop Vinçon  . This is certainly one of the shops most identified with the design culture internationally associated with Barcelona. Here you will find spectacular signature pieces for an original gift. 

Day one, afternoon 

14.00 - Much more than markets

At the end of Passeig de Gràcia, heading towards the sea and at the heart of the famous Rambla de Canaletes in the Ciutat Vella district, you can visit something quite surprising. 

Here there are two markets which are real treasures, both for their shops and their atmosphere and design. Here you have to make a decision: either head towards the San José market, better known as la Boquería, or go to the Santa Caterinamarket, just next to the cathedral in the Ribera District. 

The first of these is famous for its colourfulness and the range goods on offer, which include everything from pears from Lerida to fried ants from Africa. Here you will find the Pinocho bar, offering a selection of original and extraordinary tapas, which are frequently enjoyed by the famous Catalan chef, Ferran Adrià. Eating here is an unforgettable experience. 

The Santa Caterina market, for its part, has a spectacular avant-garde roof from the Miralles/Tagliabue studio. In fact, it was the first covered market in the city, and that was more than 160 years ago. Tucked away inside is the modern and well-known restaurant Cuines, a great place to enjoy a leisurely meal.

Alternatively, if you prefer to eat somewhere a little less bustling than inside a market like this, you can visit the Senyor Perellada, Ca l’Isidre or the Shunka (Sagristans, 5, next to the Cathedral), one of the best Sushi bars in Barcelona. Wherever you choose to eat, you can be assured of the city's high gastronomic standards.

16.00 - Roman Barcelona

After a well-deserved rest and a good lunch, the best thing to do is to set off again and carry on discovering the city. Whether you are coming from the Rambla or Via Augusta, the afternoon will be dedicated to Medieval and Roman Barcelona. The best thing to do is lose yourself down streets bearing the names of old trades, such as Calle Llibreteria, Comerç, etc., where you will find second hand shops, antique shops... 

Here is where you'll find the Barcelona Cathedral, right in the heart of theGothic Quarter (barrio gótico). Just behind the cathedral is a small, narrow street called Paradís. 

There lies a curiosity that even many residents of Barcelona are unaware of: hidden in the building that houses theCentre Excursionista de Catalunya, are the remains of the temple of Augustus. A plaque indicates the exact place where the Romans founded the city. Although it belongs to a private entity, you can access the building without any problems. 

18.00 - Alternative shopping in El Born

Following this discovery, what better way to end the day than getting to know one of the districts which is less well-known by visitors. This is El Born district, where stands the beautiful basilica of Santa María del Mar, which served as inspiration for the best-selling novel, La Catedral del Mar (The Cathedral of the Sea). Looking around the basilica, you will recognise many of the scenes mentioned in this best-selling novel.  

Over the last decade, the Born district, situated 10 minutes from the cathedral going down Calle Argenteria, has become one of the hippest districts in the city. Here you can while away the afternoon in its shops which sell alternative fashion and fashion from cutting-edge designers. 

Many of these shops are installed in Gothic buildings and there are museums housed in old palaces, such as the Picasso  museum and the costume museum. Sometimes it is hard to know which is more beautiful, the shop or the clothes and articles on sale... 

20.30 - Dinner and drinks in Bohemian territory

It has been a spectacular, but also a long and tiring day, so one good option is to stay in the district and have an aperitif and dinner of a different kind. For, once the shops close and the street lights come on, the Born district changes completely. It becomes a bohemian place, with charm, with artists and models who go out dressed in the latest fashions. Here there are a number of places to eat good tapas, such as Taller de Tapas   (Calle Argenteria, 51) or Golfo de Bizcaia (Calle Vidriera, 12). 

You will also find some emblematic places such as the Xampanyet, at number 22, Montcada street. For more formal dinners, at Comerç 24 you can sample some excellent signature cuisine, and Espaisucre (a Repsol recommendation) will totally surprise you, as it is the only desert restaurant in the world. But have no fear, you will have a wonderful dinner.

Later on, the shutters of establishments will start to go up in El Born in order to prolong the night. On Passeig del Born, you will find numerous bars, such as Miramelindo (number 15, a perfect place to sample mojitos and caipiriñas) or El Copetín (number 18). a few metres away at number 27 Calle Marquès de l’Argentera, is the Diobar; one of the coolest black music clubs in Barcelona. 

At number 40 Passeig Picasso, you will find the famous Magic Rock discotheque, for true rockers. All these places enable you to enjoy the night for as long as you are able to keep going.

Day two, morning 

09.30 - Looking out over the sea

Barcelona opened itself up to the sea with the Olympic Games and you should take advantage of this on the second day. To start, you might want to take the classic  golondrina (the city's traditional tourist boat) in Port de la Pau. The ticket offices are situated at the foot of the statue of Columbus (who is not pointing towards America, as you may think, but rather towards Madagascar). 

From there navigate your way to the escollera to get a different view of the city's maritime facade: Barcelona seen from the sea. This is not a sight commonly seen by people visiting the city for the first time, but it is compulsory for every Barcelona resident who prides himself on being part of the city.. There are some vessels which go out to the breakwater, while others allow you to take in the Olympic Port and the Mapfre Towers. 

11.30 – From Maremagnum to Barceloneta

The Golondrina will take you back to the foot of the Columbus statue. Just to the side of this, you will come across an architectural gem: the Maremagnum bridge. This is one of the two lifting bridges (together with the one in the port of Valencia) found in Spain. 

Therefore, before crossing it, you need to check that the traffic signal is on green. This bridge will take you to Maremagnum, one of the city's biggest leisure and shopping centres. This is a really interesting place to do some shopping. Because it is located in a free port, many items are duty-free and are cheaper.

Alternatively, if shopping is not your thing, you can pay a visit to Barcelona's Martime Museum (Museo Marítimo de Barcelona), on Drassanes. There you will find an exhibition on the thousand and one vessels that have been used to navigate the Mediterranean over the last 500 years.

Whatever you choose to do, afterwards you should head towards one of the most emblematic districts in Barcelona: Barceloneta  . From Maremagnum it is a 10 minute walk along Moll de la Fusta (the old part of Barcelona's port) heading towards the sea. Once there you will discover one of this city's natural treasures: its beaches (San Sebastián, El Bogatell, Mar Bella, Nueva Icaria, Barceloneta, etc.). 

In winter, when there are much fewer people, it is transformed into a tranquil meeting place. Here beach and water sports are played and of course, people enjoy classic lunches and aperitifs in the kiosks a few metres from the sea, with the winter light and sun. We recommend that you stop off at the Goa Beach Club, on San Sebastián beach, where a sequence of the film Vicky, Cristina, Barcelona was filmed.

Day two, afternoon 

13.30 - From the sea to the sky

At this time, you may start to feel a bit peckish. That means it's time to make an important decision...namely where to go eat. There are various eating options, starting in Barceloneta. The most convenient option is to try a great rice dish at any of the restaurants on the sea front, especially in Barceloneta and the Olympic Port  . 

Great sea food is served up inCan Majó   (Spectacular "Arroz caldoso", or soupy rice) and also in Casa Solé (calle Sant Carles, 4), founded in 1903 and famous for its rice dishes and for being one of Manuel Vázquez Montalbán's favourite restaurants. Other great options include Els pescadors (Plaza Prim) and Lluçanes (distinguished with a Repsol Sun), where the traditional Catalain Mar y Montaña (Surf and Turf) dish is served.

Another more unusual and more spectacular option is to take the cable car (funicular) to Montjuïc and season your meal with a panoramic view of the city at Torre de alta mar; Its something you'll never forget.

17.00 - The magical mountain

Just behind Montjuïc castle  , next to the Picornell swimming pools, you will find a very special terrace. This is El Xalet  , a chill out in the midst of pine trees, an ideal place to enjoy an aperitif or after-lunch coffee. To get back to the city you have to go the way you came, either walking or using a never-ending series of fun escalators. 

The journey down is shorter and more pleasant if you use the time to discover the twists and turns of this magical mountain. While you are in the area, it is worth reminding yourself one of the city's historical milestones with a visit to the Olympic facilities and the museum that commemorates the events of 1992, which still delight those who experienced them in person or watched them on television. 

18.00 - Between art and nature

Others may prefer to head down the mountain towards Plaza de España in order to visit some of the most important art centres in Europe. Highlights include the  Joan Miró Foundation  and its excellent collection of contemporary art. 

For its part, the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC) houses one of the most complete displays of Roman art in Europe. If you are travelling with children, the Joan Miró Foundation also offers free concerts and activities for children every weekend.

As you go from one point of interest to the next, you will walk through a wide selection of parks and gardens, from the Versailles garden that surrounds the Palacete Albéniz to the cactus gardens of Costa i Llobera, among the most complete in the world within their speciality. At the end of an evening out and also at weekends there is nothing quite like sitting down and looking out over the fountains of Montjuïc, with their unique display of water, colour and music. 

This walk, which gives you the chance to see the alternatives on offer on Montjuïc mountain, brings you to the end of your trip to Barcelona, but, if you have drunk water from the Canaletas Fountain, as we said at the start, you are sure to come back.