Barcelona

Spain

Things to do in Barcelona:

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Barcelona Restaurants

Cheap (52)

Els Pollos de Llull

For a good old British meal of roast chicken and chips, nowhere beats this place. Combine the simple snack with soup, rice, salad or tasty croquettes. read more
Affordable (53)

Miu

Japanese cuisine has taken off in a big way in Barcelona - and unlike many restaurants, this stylish eatery won't blow a hole in your wallet. The chicken yakitori comes highly recommended. read more
Good quality (53)

Rosal 34

Excellent tapas and small dishes are served in this friendly restaurant, which is a favourite with local gourmands. Try the superb Iberian ham, or foie gras with fig jam. read more

Barcelona Nightlife

Chilled (57)

Betty Ford

This lively little bar, run by an Australian, is a favourite of the Raval bo-ho set. Ad-hoc furniture, killer cocktails and an arty ambience set the scene. read more
Live Music (46)

Atene� Barcelonese

A real treat for classical music fans: throughout the month, 30-minute recitals will take place at the Atene�, the stunning home of the city's literary society. Performances are on Fridays,... read more
Clubbing (49)

The Powder Room

Every Thursday night, the Apollo club rocks to the funk and soul sounds of the enormously popular Powder Room. International DJs often make an appearance, and doors don't close until 6am. read more

This Month in Barcelona (March):

By Suzanne Wales

Shopping: Lovingly selected retro objects from the 1930s through to the 1960s can be found in Zaoum, a tiny shop near the Palau de la M�sica. Bakelite bangles stand beside exquisite cobbler's moulds or an antique desk set (9 Argenter, tel: 93 269 0171).

Sightseeing: Explore the universe of Federico Fellini, the master of Italian cinema. The Circus of Images show contains over 400 images, both moving and stills, shown in the CaixaForum all month (6-8 Avenida Marqu�s de Comillas, tel: 93 476 8600).

Key areas: Head up to the Gr�cia neighbourhood mid-morning on 3 March to see Festes de Sant Medir, a colourful horse-and-cart pilgrimage to a local monastery. Sweets are thrown from the carriages and everyone gets their dancing shoes on.

Day trips: The most acclaimed outdoor food market in Catalunya is held in Vic, a handsome regional town located 90 minutes by train from Barcelona. You'll be happy to have paid the fare when you see the size of the sandwiches on offer.

Barcelona News & Gossip

Hairdressers in Barcelona Ask Customers to Bring Their Own Music

Hairdressers in Barcelona have been forced to ask customers to provide their own music while getting their hair cut. The SGAE (General Society of Authors of Spain) has imposed a tax that means if a radio is played in a salon, a royalty fee must be paid. Some 2,500 hairdressers in the city are adamant they won't pay up and are urging customers to bring along their mp3 players if they want tunes while they're going for the chop.

Barcelona Trivia

March: Five stations have now opened along the new L9 metro line. When it's finished in 2014, it will be the longest in Europe - measuring in at 48km long.
February: The Barcelona-based Galactic Suite Space Resort is now taking reservations for its first hotel. Due to be completed in 2012, guests will spend 3 nights in the space hotel after taking an 8-week training course on a tropical island. Cost: a mere �3m per person, all inclusive.
January: In an attempt to cut down on binge drinking, the Catalan government has prohibited two-for-one happy hour offers. Rest assured, though, that drinks here are still some of the cheapest in Europe.