On a quiet street in Poble-Sec just before the city meets the hillside park of Montjuïc, this boutique bolthole has a modern tropical aesthetic and a lovely little rooftop complete with plunge pool. Expect excellent breakfast from local bakery Funky Bakers, complimentary yoga and boxing classes from nearby fitness studio Beyond BCN and nice touches like the hotel’s daily ‘Brummell News’ that shares current goings on in the city.

Plaça del Sortidor is the central square of neighborhood Poble-Sec and has a real local-feel , making it a lovely spot to spend a few hours people-watching. On one corner of the square is La Galena, a light-filled street level cafe and one of the best spots in this part of town for artisanal coffee (they serve Harmony Roasters) and all day brunch as well as fresh juices and homemade cakes.  

The 1992 Olympics changed the fortune and landscape of Barcelona, much of which can still be felt today. Case in point: the diving pools on the side of Montjuic with sweeping views across the city skyline and out to sea. Today it’s best enjoyed at Salts Terassa Bar, an unpretentious bar at the top of the rows of seats in the viewing area. Go at sunset and don’t skip the patatas bravas.  

On the always-buzzing Carrer de Blai where pintxos rule the menus, Denassus is doing something a little different. Come for the extensive list of natural wine, stay for the regular changing seasonal tapas menu and don’t miss the local mushrooms if they are on the list. It’s a skinny slither of a bar mainly set up for tables of two making it a great spot for a date.