City Guide Barcelona

W Hotels Worldwide Opens First Western European Hotel with the New W Barcelona
W Barcelona is designed by world-renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. Situated at Nova Bocana, where the glamorous Barceloneta beach boardwalk commences, the hotel has a commanding presence against Barcelona's magnificent waterfront and ...
Wi-Fi network opened in Barcelona
Travellers taking city breaks in Barcelona this year will be able to make use of a number of Wi-Fi hotspots that have been opened across the Catalan capital. The city council announced that 170 wireless internet hotspots are now operational, a ...
Bel Air Castelldefels
This 4 star hotel is ideally located right on the seafront at Castelldefels, Barcelona. The hotel offers 44 comfortable guestrooms, equipped with mini-bar, safe, telephone, television with internet connection, heating, air conditioning , and ...
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Recommended Hotels and Apartments Barcelona

Hotel Barcelona Universal  
This modern hotel with free Wi-Fi is located on the prestigious Avinguda Paral•lel, by the Montjuic cable car, and has a charming little rooftop swimming pool.
Rooms at the Barcelona Universal are sophisticated and comfortable, with wooden floors, heated towel rails and full air conditioning.
Spend the morning sunbathing on the hotels lovely rooftop terrace, by the swimming pool.
Wander down to La Rambla, or visit popular Montjüic, set within minutes of the hotel.
You can also take the metro, metres from the Barcelona Universal, and just 3 stops from Plaça Catalunya.
After a long day out in the city, relax your body with a massage or at the gym.
Enjoy a healthy salad buffet and grilled specialties for dinner at the Barcelona Universal's restaurant.
Alternatively, ask at the 24-hour front desk for dining recommendations. Check out different options online using the free Wi-Fi and computers in the lobby.

W Hotels Worldwide Opens First Western European Hotel with the New W Barcelona
W Barcelona is designed by world-renowned Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill. Situated at Nova Bocana, where the glamorous Barceloneta beach boardwalk commences, the hotel has a commanding presence against Barcelona's magnificent waterfront and ...
Bel Air Castelldefels
This 4 star hotel is ideally located right on the seafront at Castelldefels, Barcelona. The hotel offers 44 comfortable guestrooms, equipped with mini-bar, safe, telephone, television with internet connection, heating, air conditioning , and ...

More Recommended Hotels and Apartments Barcelona

Barcelona's enviable position between the mountains and the sea ensures year-round outdoor fun. It is a city that is inconceivable until you get there, unbelievable while you walk its streets and unforgettable after you've gone - if you ever manage to tear yourself away.

Orientation

Barcelona's coastline runs roughly northeast to southwest and many streets are parallel or perpendicular to this. Two major hills - Montjuïc and Tibidabo - provide good landmarks for orientation. The focal point of town is La Rambla, a 1.25km (0.75mi) boulevard running northwest and slightly uphill from Port Vell (Old Harbour) to Plaça de Catalunya. The Plaça is the boundary between Ciutat Vella (Old Town) and the more recent additions further inland. L'Eixample, the city's 19th-century answer to overcrowding, stretches 1.5km (1mi) north, east and west of Plaça de Catalunya. Montjuïc begins about 700m (763yd) southwest of the southeastern end of La Rambla, and Tibidabo, with a landmark television tower and golden Christ statue, is 6km (4mi) northwest of the city.

The Ciutat Vella, a warren of narrow streets, centuries-old buildings and budget accommodation, spreads on both sides of La Rambla. Barri Gòtic (Gothic Quarter) is at its heart, on the lower half of the eastern section of the boulevard. West is El Raval, where travellers need to be alert; its southern part forms a seedy red-light district called Barri Xinès (Chinese Quarter). Port Vell has an excellent modern aquarium and two marinas, and at its northeastern end is La Barceloneta, the old sailors' quarter. Beaches and a pedestrian promenade stretch northeast from there to Port Olímpic, a harbour built for the 1992 Olympics and now home to lively bars and restaurants.