Barcelona: Catalonia's queen

Monarch has raised the stakes with the launch of daily return flights from Gatwick

Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury famously sang about Barcelona so it is fitting that scheduled airline Monarch has launched daily return flights from Gatwick to the Catalan capital.

With 11 services a week Monarch is competing with easyJet – good news for travellers wanting to savour the delicious regional cuisine, inspiring architecture and colourful atmosphere that has led Barcelona to become Britain's favourite city break.

The hallmarks of the city's favourite son, architect Antoni Gaudí, seem to lurk everywhere – none more so than the imposing spires of his La Sagrada Familia cathedral where work to complete his vision continues apace.

For designer shopping head for the parallel streets of Rambla Cataluna and Paseo de Gracia, while Calle D'Avignon, a narrow passage in the Gothic area, offers an abundance of stylish boutiques.

After dark, soak up the buzz of El Born, where the narrow streets brim with tapas bars. La Tinaja, a restaurant in a beautiful stone wine cellar and serving typical Catalan cheeses, hams and wines, is a must.

Take in Fábrica Moritz, a 19th century brewery renovated by French architect Jean Nouvel, or sip cocktails among palm trees at the Salsitas bar just off the famous Las Ramblas.

Seal your visit with a stay at the five-star Gran Hotel La Florida perched 500 metres up Tibidabo mountain, 20 minutes' drive from the centre. With panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean, the hotel offers a range of spa treatments to help you unwind after a hard day – or night – on the town.

www.monarch.co.uk
www.hotellaflorida.com

Traveller: Nicola Morris. Writer: Richard Dunnett