Welcome from Apartur

Whether this is your first time in the Catalan capital or whether you consider Barcelona to be your sunnier home from home, there is always plenty to see and do here. Over 7.5 million visitors enjoy their own unique Barcelona experience every year. These include business trips, family holidays, friends taking a break together, romantic weekends, and countless more good reasons for listening to the enticing call of destination Barcelona.

The way you travel says a lot about you, and if you’re reading this magazine, chances are that you’re an independent traveller who has chosen to stay in a holiday apartment. Congratulations! Only 1,7% of Barcelona’s apartments are used for tourist apartment rentals, so you are one of the privileged few who have chosen to experience the city just like a local.

Barcelona is a truly unique city, with spectacular architecture, Mediterranean beaches, worldclass sightseeing attractions and a strong cultural identity. We would like to accompany your Barcelona experience with a guide that includes and also goes beyond the regular information offered to tourists. After all, you’re not just visiting Barcelona, you’re also living with us, in the apartment next door.

You’ll find some useful insights into the structures that make the city tick, from local regulations to the colour of the recycling bins and the characteristics of different beaches. Holiday apartment rentals represent the most sustainable travel option for many visitors, and as a conscious traveller we want to help you feel as integrated as possible during your stay in Barcelona.

Chairman Apartur: Barcelona Tourist Apartments Association Wishing you a comfortable stay, Enrique Alcántara-García

Plaça Catalunya 9, Ramblas 140, Ramblas 136, Pg de Gràcia 47, Av Portal de l´Àngel 17, Diputació 323 (outlet), Argentería 65, Maremagnum, Nova Bocana - Pg Mare Nostrum 15, La Roca Village (outlet), Vildecans Style Outlet, Arenas, Airport, and many other stores in Barcelona and rest of the world. Check them at desigual.com

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Welcome from Apartur • Tourist information • WiFi • Transport • Tax free shopping

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Live like a local Shopping hotspots Top sights Gastronomic secrets of Barcelona Top markets Museums and art

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Gaudí off the Beaten Track Activities for kids Churches route Barcelona’s cats Day trip: Cadaques

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March events Lohengrin at Liceu Opera Barcelona April events

34 38 41 Restaurants Nightlife Bars & pubs

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Gothic & Raval Eixample Born Barceloneta & Port Olímpic Metro MAPS 8 PAGES MAPS

Editor: Francesca Hector • Editorial Contributors: Charlie Bush, Sara Siddeeq, Owen Mawer • Nightlife Desk: Mark J • Sales Director: Ana Sanchez Marketing: Sandra Roig • Design: James Ramirez.

www.barcelonaconnect.com Advertising: (+34) 646 682 522 Editorial: (+34) 670 363 805 /BarcelonaConnect @Bcn_connect info@barcelonaconnect.com