Where to go: if you go in spring and autumn you can enjoy fine weather and fewer crowds. Those who visit in June can watch casteller groups in a display of human tower building.
Where to stay: those looking for luxury should head for the 121-room, five-star Claris Hotel located in the business and cultural centre near Passeig de Gracia metro (Pau Claris, 150). Rates start from around £150 per double room per night with breakfast costing £10. Food and service is excellent with friendly staff willing to recommend local restaurants.
How to get there: scheduled carriers include British Airways, Iberia, among others. Those on a budget should fly with Debonair or EasyJet. Prices with Debonair start from £78 plus £14.40 tax. The journey takes from 1hr 30mins to 2hrs.
Transfers: to get from the airport to the centre of the city there is a choice of cab, train, bus or aerobus. While the bus is the cheapest at under 50p, the quickest is the train which costs around £1.25 and takes 20mins; taxis cost around £12.
Clubs: the Maremagnum complex boasts shopping outlets, restaurants and bars with flashing lights and lazers seen from afar; visit the Port Olympic complex for its variety of bars and small discos; La Ramblas for more traditional bars and jazz. Entry to most clubs is free.
Restaurants: best eateries include Agua for tapas, seafood and pasta on the beach by the Port Olympic Village (Passeig Maritim); Botafumeiro to the north of the city for a typical Catalan menu of fish and shellfish (Gran de Gracia); La Tramoia for tapas and grilled food (Rbla Catalunya); Mirablau for drinks with a view (Pza Dr Andreu). Make a reservation where possible.
Exchange rate: 239 pesatas to the pound at time of press.
Cost of living: tapas portions cost from about 70p, starters from £2.50 for soup, main pasta dishes from £3.75, meat and fish meals from £5, bottle of wine £6; in a five-star hotel a glass of wine or beer costs £3; on the street prices are cheaper with a cup of coffee from 60p and San Miguel for around 80p.
Handy hints: lunch is served from 1pm-3.30pm; dinner starts around 9pm and continues until the morning; clubs get busy around 2am and open until 6am.
Shopping: head for The Diagonal Axis for fashionable names; Eixample for furniture and design; Placa Catalunya and La Ramblas for large stores and boutiques; the Gothic Quarter for antique and art.
Sightseeing: don’t miss the Gothic Quarter, the core of the Medieval city with the Cathedral, Placa del Rei and Esglesia del Pi; La Ribera with the famous Montcada street, museums housing Picasso’s works of art, Parc de la Ciutadella and zoological gardens; La Rambla, the mile-long walkway with its shops and market; and Gaudi’s buildings such as La Pedrera and La Sagrada Familia.