Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ingthelife'sworkofthefamousCatalanartistsJoanMiróandAntoniTàpies(nottomention
a celebrated showcase of the work of Pablo Picasso). The city is equally proud of its cutting-
edge restaurants - featuring some of the best chefs in Europe - its late-night bars and clubs,
and most of all its football team, the mercurial, incomparable FC Barcelona. Add a spruced-
up waterfront, 5km of sandy beaches, a surrounding green lung of parks and gardens, and
even on a lengthy visit you will only likely scrape the surface.
True, for all its go-ahead feel, Barcelona has its problems, not least a petty crime rate that
occasionally makes the international news. But there's no need to be unduly paranoid and it
would be a shame to stick solely to the main tourist sights, since you'll miss so much. Ta-
pas bars hidden down alleys little changed for a century or two, designer boutiques in gentri-
fied old town quarters, street opera singers belting out an aria, bargain lunches in workers'
taverns, neighbourhood funicular rides, unmarked gourmet restaurants, craft workshops, re-
stored medieval palaces, suburban walks and specialist galleries - all are just as much Bar-
celona as the Ramblas or the Sagrada Família.
BARCELONA ON A PLATE
In a town where lunch can go on until 5pm, and tapas isn't your dinner, but what you eat
before
dinner, dining out in Barcelona is a big deal. Word gets around quick if there's a hot
newrestaurant orbaronthescene, andcity gourmets are pretty discerning customers -not
forthem the Ramblas tourist traps orfast-food chains. Embrace the local tastes and current
trends and a whole new world opens up in Barcelona, from no-frills fishermen's favourites
sonal and straight from the market - that's Barcelona on a plate.
