The cleverly marketed three-story microbrewery offers snacks, unpasteurized beer, well-designed posters, and other name brand swag.

A jam-packed beer bar with serious grilled specialties. This place has a great vibe even late into the weeknight (we've even seen the kitchen firing up new tapas at 1:30 a.m.)

A local favorite offering big pours, heaps of fried stuff, and a boys' club camaraderie. Also open for lunch. 

One of Barcelona's most important gallerists and a pioneer in the international contemporary world since 1976. Also drop by ADN Galeria, an excellent emerging art gallery nearby.

Jardí Botànic at Parc de Monjuïc feature more than a thousand varieties (and counting) of plants that flourish in Mediterrenean climates around the world. They also host an extensive schedule of kids programs and activities.

One of the city's biggest parks, with a lovely fountain, the Castle of the Three Dragons (designed for the 1888 World's Fair), and the Barcelona Zoo.

You could spend an afternoon exploring the hillside area that has hosted some of Barcelona's most important events, most notably the 1929 International Expo and the 1992 Olympics. See the stadium, Arata Izosaki's sports palace, the Palau Sant Jordi, and the Santiago Calatrava telecom tower at the Olympic Ring. 

A prime shopping artery in Barcelona (with the city's most expensive residential real estate). There are incredible historic buildings, including many examples of Modernisme, the Catalan version of Art Nouveau. Antoni Gaudí's Casa Batlló and Casa Milà (a real treasure), along with Casa de les Punxes by architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch are all here.

The UNESCO site has been a work in progress since 1882 (with the scaffolding to prove it). The Roman Catholic Church is a spectacularly grotesque, compelling, and utterly fascinating building filled with light, color, undulating walls, and fantastical features designed by Gaudi. Note that small children are not allowed into the higher areas of the church.

Gaudi's failed posh housing project became a sprawling public park with beautiful landscaping, iconic Gaudi design, and unrivaled views of the city. Along with the Sagrada Familia, this is a quintessential Barcelona experience that's not to be missed. It's highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance online, as park entrance is based on allocated time slots.  

A Richard Meier-designed museum featuring modern Spanish and Catalan artists. 

The city's oldest design association housed in a converted Gothic convent. Continuous exhibitions — didactic shows, young artist exhibitions/sales, workshops — are held in the exposed brick nave.

Pay homage to the old-fashioned, well-worn, and much-loved tapas joint. Cal Pep is casual and traditional, run by gregarious gentlemen who give out tastes and top off beers for the gastronomically curious (do engage them at the bar).

Customize your own burger via a list that asks favorite meat, sauce, bread, and other toppings. Then enjoy it in the very decorated, Instagram-worthy space. Muy delicioso!

The decor is glamorous and festive; the food is very good (don't forget dessert). In the evening, start with a gin and tonic at the bar and after that, at around 10 p.m., go to your table and dine with the Spaniards. Lunch impresses with a very good menu del dia.

There's nothing better than having lunch or dinner on the beach. Gallito, located underneath the W hotel, is a local favorite not only because the stuffed chicken and the gazpacho (for hot summer days) are so good, but because there are incredible views of palm trees, surfers, the beach, and the sea.

The celebrated daily market where you can and should sit down at a stall for a bite of tapas and a glass of cava. Go early to avoid crowds (the market opens at 8 a.m.) and stop by local favorites El Quim de la Boqueria and Bar Pinotxo for double breakfast.

The sandwiches at Sagas — pork-heavy with fresh ingredients from the family farm of the Michelin-starred chef who put together said sandwiches — might be some of the best you'll ever get your hands on. A fantastic second dinner in the hand. 

In a city of strict dining rituals, the new El Nacional is an aberration, as it is one of only a few great options open early morning to late at night including Sunday and siesta hours. Reminiscent of a Spanish Eataly, the beautifully designed space (soaring ceilings, mosaic tiles, open-air marketplace feel) offers multiple dining and drinking experiences under one roof where you can sample traditional Spanish dishes made with excellent ingredients and products. 

A high-end, hot-ticket, tiny Asian-inspired tapas bar from a former chef de cuisine at El Bulli. His wife is the Japanese sommelier. Though the food is quite serious, the scene is very laid-back (and a little rock-and-roll). You’ll need a reservation ahead of time.

Make reservations ahead of time for Albert (and Ferran) Adria's avant-garde, one-Michelin-starred tapas bar, where nothing on the menu is as it seems. In a league of its own.

A charming neighborhood restaurant serving globally influenced tapas and sandwiches.

A Spanish tapas bar in the Boqueria market that is always crowded and a crowd-pleaser.

Baroque meets modern architecture in the 1906 Art Nouveau building right off Passeig de Gràcia. Each of the six suites have two bedrooms, two baths, and come with a personal assistant (ask about El Paulauet Recommends for VIP access to social events about town). Make sure to head up to the terrace for a soak in the waterbeds with views of Tibidabo Mountain.

Before there was Airbnb, there was DestinationBCN. Choose from fourteen stylish one- or two-bedroom apartment suites. Rooms are bright and spacious for a proper siesta. Kitchens are fitted with top-notch appliances (though with La Boqueria ten minutes away, you might not be doing much cooking), and bathrooms are stocked with Malin+Goetz products. 

Right on Rambla de Catalunya, rooms somehow remain quiet and understated despite being on the city’s busiest street. Opt for the Murmuri suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a stand-alone tub.

Right by the beach, the Gothic Quarter, and Parc de la Ciutadella, the tiny downtown hotel scores big on location and friendly reception staff.

A stylish address in Eixample, the 72-room boutique hotel has chic, pared-down rooms, daybeds by the heated pool, and a romantic rooftop bar. Request a room with a view of Gaudi's iconic La Pedrera building.

A design hotel by the Spanish footwear designer Camper. It's accessible and minimalist, but the rooms are akin to suites, the location is great, and it's terrific for young people (like a group of guys who don't want anything too grown up). 

A Design Hotel right on Passeig de Gràcia, the most expensive shopping street in Barcelona. Rooms are sleek and flooded with light from angled windows that cover the limestone facade. There's a Michelin-star restaurant, serenely minimalist rooms, and a rooftop pool overlooking Gaudi's curvy architectural details.

A luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel with great service, a fantastic spa, and the Arola restaurant, which does a fun Sunday brunch.

A historic modernist landmark on Passeig de Gràcia designed as a private home. Have a drink or a coffee on the terrace Mirador del Paseo for great views of Sagrada Familia.

This is the hot new hotel in the former headquarters of the Association of Cotton House Manufacturers. The rooftop pool is lovely.

The artisan of choice for custom and ready-to-wear shoes for men and women since 1886.

The 175-year-old jewelry boutique offers Art Nouveau beauties and 20th-century replicas.

The Eixample concept store off Passeig de Gràcia, the prime shopping artery in Barcelona, sells everything from olive oil to furniture curated by the renown interior designer of the same name.

The Castaner family shop just off Passeig de Gràcia is where Yves Saint Laurent had espadrilles made for his models.

An old-school espadrille shop in charming disarray. Score handmade flats and wedges in multiple colors on the cheap.

A beautiful place to pick up edible souvenirs (top-of-the-line cured meats, teas, spices, and wine) to smuggle back home. No declarations!

A neat shop where you can pick up deadstock cameras, vinyl, limited-edition kicks, and vintage shades.