Barcelona is an extraordinary city blessed with historic architecture, some of the finest food in Spain, streets of fashion and a sandy beach. With its exceptional blend of the traditional and innovative, Barcelona has become a hub for Spanish design and a favourite destination for savvy travellers of all ages. Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona reflects the vibrancy of this avant-garde city, which every year welcomes millions of visitors attracted by its architecture, cuisine, fashion forward boutiques, unique art and splendid Mediterranean climate.
Antoni Gaudi introduced the world to creative modernism, an architectural movement that knew no boundaries beyond his imagination and Barcelona is filled with testimonies to his genius. The city has more Modernist buildings than any other city in the world. Steps from Mandarin Oriental, Barcelona is the famous Gaudi House; Casa Batlló, and not far away is his grand opus, the Sagrada Familia church. This astonishing unfinished work of art is in constant development, as funds wax and wane.

Barcelona’s Old City is a maze of streets and squares full of little shops, charming cafés and lively leisure venues. Through it runs Las Ramblas, the famous kilometre-long avenue which connects the city centre to the sea and which, with its living statues and attractive flower stalls, has become one of the symbols of Barcelona. Off the main track are many quieter quarters. A stroll down these narrow shady streets leads to some unique shops and homes of local residents.

An enormously stylish city, Barcelona is overflowing with fashionable boutiques and chic retailers, particularly on the Passeig de Gràcia. Dining and drinking is sometimes an all day past time, as visitors can enjoy tapas in between a slow meander around the city. Evenings can be filled with entertainment, from opera at Gran Teatre del Liceu to a colourful visit at Gaudi’s Park Güell.

Barcelona offers a wealth of museums, fantastic historic buildings coexisting in happy unison with avant-garde architecture and its unique attribute: its proximity to the sea. Barcelona has a lively marina and the beach is exceptional.