Essentials
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit the
Barcelona is from May
to June, when balmy
temperatures in the low to
mid-70° mesh with a flurry
of festivals that trumpet the
adventof summer.GETTING THERE
& AROUND
SWISS, Etihad, Lufthansa and
Qatar Airways fly frequently
to Barcelona’s Josep
Tarradellas El-Prat Airport
from all major Indian cities
with one layover (return fares
from ` 56,000). The city is
connected by a metro, rail
(FGC) and tram network (`
175/ t ri p ), though the best
way to explore the streets
of theOldTownis onfoot.
VISA^
Indian passport holders
require a Schengen visa
to visit Spain. A single-entry
visa is valid for three months
and will cost you around
` 4,844. The process
generally takes about 12
to 15 business days
(www.indiablsspainvisa.com).
EMBASSY ALERT
Embassy of India,
Madrid, Spain:
http://www.eoimadrid.gov.in
CURRENCY
€ 1 =` 79
VEG OUT/ FANCY
A CURRY?
Swad – The Indian Restaurant
is known for its impeccable
service, great portions and
delicious wholesome meals.
Reserve a table here,
as it tends to be full usually
(00-34-931-728-131;
http://www.swadbcn.com; Carrer de
Sancho de Aviila, 167; mains
from`1,50 0 ).
FURTHER INFO
Pick up a copy of the Lonely
Planet Spain guide (` 2,012)
or the Barcelona city guide
(` 1, 580 ). You could also
download Individual chapters
from http://www.lonelyplanet.com
(` 356). Also find Barcelona
on our Guides app, free from
app stores. The tourist board
has plenty of information
to help you plan your time
in the city (www.barcelona
turisme.com).MAKE IT HAPPEN: BARCELONA, SPAIN
BEHIND THE SCENES
We were in Barcelona at a strange and uncertain time in
its history. Just 10 days after we visited, Catalonia held an
independence referendum that had been declared illegal
by the Spanish government. During our time in the city the
Spanish civil guard were sent to search for banned electoral
material, which led to a city-wide protest. At 10pm, eachnight, people came out onto their balconies to bang pots
and pans. This kind of protest is known as a cacerolada,
after the casserole dishes used as the perfect instruments
of resistance. The first time we heard it, it was a powerful
and moving moment, but also one which made us leap out
of our skins in the dark alleyways of the Barri Gòtic.
— Kevin EG PerryMAPKEY
1881 perSagardi
AnticTeatre
BarLeo
BarMarsella
BarPastís
Boadas
CasaMilà(LaPedrera)
DryMartini
ElsQuatreGats
Jamboree
L’Ascensor
La Pepita
La Xampanyeria
PalauGüell
TicketsSLEEPING
BarcelóRaval
Hotel ClarisBARCELÓ RAVAL
Barceló Raval is conveniently located near to the main
drag of La Rambla and within staggering distance of
Bar Marsella. The lobby of the four-star hotel is designed
in a modern style with an eye-catching black and neon
pink colour scheme, while the rooms are generously sized
and comfortable. On the rooftop, there’s a tiny pool and
a bar with a 360° terrace offering panoramic views
of the city (www.barcelo.com; Rambla del Raval, 17–21,
08001; from ` 12,150 [minimum three-day stay]).HOTEL CLARIS
Hotel Claris offers 5-star luxury just around the corner from
Gaudí’s famous Casa Milà. The building the hotel resides
in is a former palace, once known as the Palau Vedruna,
and dates back to the 19th century. The large rooms are
decorated with original pieces of art, and many are split
over two levels. There is an extensive spa as well as an
outdoor pool, a rooftop terrace, restaurant and cocktail
bar (www.hotelclaris.com; Carrer de Pau Claris, 150,
08009; from ` 33,800).WHERE TO STAY
PHOTOGRAPHS: JONATHAN STOKES110 October 2019