Where to stay: although I never needed to find a hotel, these are 2 places I would recommend:
- Praktik hotels (http://praktikhotels.com/) there are 2 in Barcelona, both very well located. Nice, very cute and not too expensive. Also in Madrid.
- Budget hostel but amazingly located is the Equity Point Centric in Passeig de Gràcia (http://www.equity-point.com/). Can't be more central and its building is modernism at its best.
- Sagrada familia: http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/index.phphttp://www.lasagradafamilia.org/
- Casa Batllo: http://www.casabatllo.es/
- La Pedrera or Casa Mila: http://www.gaudiallgaudi.com/AA009.htm
- Parc Guell: www.casamuseugaudi.org
- Passeig de Gracia (similar to 5th Avenue in NY)
- Las Ramblas, the most authentic street in the city (careful with thieves)
- Portal de l’Angel (shopping and it takes you to the Gothic Neighborhood)
- Gothic Neighborhood (La Catedral, just walk around the area, just beautiful)
- Passeig Maritim (old Harborwalk)
- Plaza Espanya and Avinguda Maria Cristina (L1, red line or L3, green line, stop: Espanya) which takes you to the MNAC (http://www.mnac.es/index.jsp?lan=003) which is the National Art Museum, the building is just amazing (lighted during the night). Climb up to get a great picture of the city. At 8PM (check timetable), fountains water show, music, light, worth seeing. This area is called Montjuic (name of the mountain where the Olympic Stadium is)
- MACBA (www.macba.es), another museum in the Rabal neighborhood (not recommendable during the night). The museum is amazing; the surroundings have a special environment, very cultural. Near this museum, a lot of good and cool restaurants.
- La Boqueria (www.boqueria.info/), fresh food market. With restaurants and bars inside and behind the market, very recommendable, although full of turist
- Barcelona football/soccer team stadium: www.fcbarcelona.com
- Parc de la Ciudatella, near El Born, good on Sunday morning for a walk. Zoo is located inside the park. A lot of musicians playing, people just enjoying the park.
- El Born (beautiful old neighbourhood, newly renovated market with amazing shopping and eating throughout) and Santa Maria del Mar (gorgeous church, check inside)
- My new favourite: Bar Mundial, Placa Sant Agust Vell, 1. Food amazing!!! (http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d697612-Reviews-Bar_Mundial-Barcelona_Catalonia.html)
- Els quatre gats (4GATS, www.4gats.com): café where Picasso used to hang out.
- El Xampanyet, very good for tapas, don’t miss it. Address: Carrer Montcada 22, near to the Picasso Museum, El Born.
- Can Culleretes (www.culleretes.com): the Oldest restaurant in Barcelona offering traditional Catalan Cuisine.
- Agua (www.aguadeltragaluz.com): seaside, really good, not too expensive. I always liked this place.
- Quimet & Quimet, address: Carrer Poeta Cabanyes, 25. Metro: Paral.lel (L3, green line). Best tapas in the city, quite expensive.
- La Paradeta (http://www.laparadeta.com/). Address: Carrer Comercial, 7 (El Born). Fresh fish, cheap, very good quality
- Any place in El Born, Gothic, la Barceloneta or Chiringuitos at the beach (summer time only)
- Pipus Barcelona (http://www.barcelonapipus.com/): if you're going to visit the FCB (Football Club Barcelona) museum or planning to go for a match, good stop over for a pizza or their amazing burgers. They would make you feel like home. Great whether you're a big group, only a couple or family with kids.
- Located in la Plaza Reial or surroundings
- New: Ocaña http://www.ocana.cat/en/ (new and the place to go now)
- Teatre Principal Barcelona: new place to be, all big events are happening here. Check their calendar beforehand: http://www.teatreprincipalbcn.com/
- Jamboree: www.masimas.com/jamboree/
- Sidecar: www.sidecar.es
- Eixample neighborhood (more fancy places):
- Sutton: http://www.thesuttonclub.com/
- Bling Bling http://blingblingbcn.com/
- Luz de Gas: http://www.luzdegas.com/
- Razzmatazz: www.salarazzmatazz.com (a little far, big club, different types of music, alternative, concerts)
- Seaside (fancy places, commercial music, good location):
- Shoko (www.shoko.biz)
- Opium Mar (www.opiummar.com/home.html)
- CDLC (www.cdlcbarcelona.com/)