Getting there EasyJet, BA and Iberia have daily flights from all major airports in the UK to El Prat, seven miles from the city centre. There are regular trains and buses to the centre, and a taxi shouldn't be more than
€30 (£27) for the 20-minute trip.
Business climate The Catalan business seny (sense) is rightly justified. Spain's most industrious city is home to several leading international companies and many trade fairs. It's a place where finance, fashion and advertising flourish.
Don't miss You can't leave the city without the Gaudí experience.
Antoni Gaudí's masterpieces include the unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral and the sculptural La Pedrera apartment building. Stroll around his mosaic-filled Parc Guëll or the serene La Ciutadella park. Wander down Las Ramblas, or through the twisting alleys of the Gothic quarter. Shoppers can check out designer brands along stylish Passeig de Gràcia or among the offbeat boutiques of hip El Born.
Etiquette Almost all businesses and shops shut from 2pm to 4pm, then open again until 8pm. Dinner is late, after 9.30pm. English is spoken and Spanish helps, but Catalan is the language here. Speaking a few words will show you're aware of Catalonia's political and cultural identity within Spain, and win you many friends. The heat and humidity shut the city down during August when locals head to the nearby coasts or mountains.
Culture Barcelona's a vibrant and modern city. The MACBA, CCCB and Fundació Joan Miró will fulfil modern tastes while the MNAC exhibits pre-20th century art. The Camp Nou stadium, home to FC Barcelona, is worth a visit or head to the Palau de la Música Catalana for its spectacular interior and to hear music of all tastes. Opera lovers should experience the Liceu theatre, lovingly restored after a major fire in the 1990s.
Where to stay The Hotel Arts has the best views of the city (and often the famous). Hotel Neri, beside the cathedral, is a lavishly converted 18th-century palace. The H1898 evokes 19th-century glory, while the Market Hotel near the renovated Sant Antoni market is for the design-conscious.
Eat like a local International cuisine is standard. Traditional Catalan favourites are Bar Mut or the Café de la Academia, while Cinq Sentits offers a modern twist on classic ingredients. For cool design and a creative Mediterranean menu, visit Noti.
www.ba.com
www.easyjet.com
www.iberia.com/gb
www.macba.es
www.cccb.org
fundaciomiro-bcn.org
www.mnac.es
www.palaumusica.org
www.liceubarcelona.com
www.hotelartsbarcelona.com
www.hotelneri.com
www.hotel1898.com
www.markethotel.com.es
www.cincsentits.com
