Barcelona is a city which is constantly re-inventing itself. Its appeal lies in its ability to embrace old with new, where working class authenticity sits comfortably alongside cutting-edge fashion and locals combine hard-working ethics with a 'live-for-today' attitude.

Barcelona can proudly boast of its Gaudí architecture, the bustling Ramblas, its Olympic stadium, parks, beaches and ports, or its world-famous football club. But there is so much more to the city. Barcelona's real charm lies in its discreet delights - the never-ending warren of alleyways and shops in the city's Barrio Gótico (Gothic quarter), the ever-growing number of chic boutiques, tapas bars and restaurants in El Born (the former fisherman's quarter), or the seductive smells, vibrant colours and endless charm of its countless food markets.

Away from the 'pijos' (the posh lot) in the north or the 'gueris' (tourists) on Las Ramblas, intoBarcelona.com will immerse you into the soul of the city, its cuisine, culture, people and language. We want to show you a proud and approachable city where ancient ‘tallers’ (workshops) sit comfortably alongside chic, modern restaurants, where food and financial markets both reign supreme. This is a city whose people are at ease with themselves and their surroundings, and where everyone is welcome.

Barcelona has won the prestigious Daily Telegraph Award for 'Best Foreign City' and consistently tops the list as 'Europe's Number One City' with the highest quality of life (European Cities Monitor).