Palau de la Musica - Great Secret in a Great City

Designed by Lluis Domenech i Montaner in 1908, it is the headquarters of The Orfeo Catala (the catalan national choir). The Palau is a perfect marriage of different materials: exposed brick, glass, iron, and glazed tiles that make impossibly gorgeous mosaics. Although it is located in the Gothic quarter and surrounded my tiny streets, all the glass, windows, and doors act as reflectors, making the building very airy and open. It is like being in a dream or a magic fishbowl. Another perfect example of Catalan Modernism, it hosts one of the most beautiful concert halls in the world, if not THE most beautiful.

Quick Tips:

There are tours in English, Spanish, and Catalan almost every hour. The guides are very experienced and knowlegeable, taking you around the entire building so you can experience and see as many things as possible.

Best Way To Get Around:

Located right off Via Laietana on the Sant Pere District. About 10 minutes' walk from the Gothic cathedral. Nearest metro stop is Placa Urquinaona, near Placa Catalunya.

The Hotel Arts is hands down the best hotel in Barcelona. The staff is great, and the rooms are some of the sexiest you'll ever see, fancy but very confortable. It just went through a full renovation (rooms and public areas), including new concepts for the fantastic restaurants. Close to everything with a $4 cab ride, but far enough that you can just relax by the pool and watch the sunset.

Comerc 24 is fantastic restaurant where you will never be disappointed. The chef used to work with superstar chef Ferran Adria (three Michelin stars). The fare is Catalan fusion, taking the traditional Catalan flavors and presenting them in very original ways (foams, jellies, etc.). The staff is super-professional, and the sommelier is fantastic. It's a very comfortable ambience, despite being a very hot place where you can see many Catalan celebrities.