**Las Ramblas** This bustling thoroughfare is one of Barcelona’s most famous attractions, lined with tree-studded colonnades and people sipping sangria in al fresco cafes. Sure it’s touristy and overpriced, but it’s an excellent starting point for first-time visitors. Wander through the sensory overload of La Boqueria market, before stopping for a mid-afternoon cerveza. The Museu de l’Erotica is an eye-opening look at the history of sex in Barcelona, with raunchy exhibitions reflective of the city’s free-wheeling attitude.

Gothic Quarter

History is etched into the stonework of Barcelona’s Barrio Gotico: a labyrinthine collection of Roman, Medieval, 19th and 20th century architecture. The cloisters of Barcelona Cathedral an awe-inspiring sight to behold, as are Roman ruins buried beneath the Museum of the History of Barcelona (discovered less than a century ago). Hidden amongst the grandiosity you’ll find handlebar moustaches aplenty in the alternative bars of Placa del Pi.

Gràcia

Compared to Barcelona’s busier haunts, Gràcia’s laid-back buzz is a breath of fresh air. Bicycles, boutiques and traditional bodegas contribute to its bohemian atmosphere, hinting that this is the kind of place you’d chill with a cold rebujito over a mad club night. Its biggest claim to fame are the gorgeous grounds of Park Guell, twisting and curving in a gorgeous technicolour display. If you haven’t booked a ticket, you can still explore the surrounding park and climb to excellent vantage points of the city.

L’Eixample

Eixample translates to ‘extension’ in Catalan, built in the 19th century to accommodate Barcelona’s rapidly-expanding population. The result is an area peppered with modernist architecture, most notably Gaudi’s Casa Battlo and Sagrada Familia. It’s also incredibly convenient to navigate, shaped in a geometric grid pattern dividing two distinct neighbourhoods: Dreta de l’Eixample (right-hand side) and Esquerra de l’Eixample (left-hand side), where you’ll find bars, restaurants and clubs galore.

Gaudi Architecture

Barcelona is made all the more beautiful thanks to the surreal architecture of Antoni Gaudi. You can’t miss the colourful, curving forms of Casa Battlo and Park Guell; fairytale-esque works of wrought iron, ceramics and stained glass inspired by nature. Despite the fact he died over a century ago, his masterpiece the Sagrada Familia cathedral is still under construction. This icon of Barcelona sees hundreds of thousands of visitors queue for a peek inside its psychedelic halls. If you’re interested in learning more, there is a Gaudi Museum dedicated to Barcelona’s hometown hero.