Best of Barcelona (from those in the know)

The weight of Barcelona’s history can be felt as you wander the worn streets—an old-world mystique that draws you down deserted, medieval passages and into hushed, shaded plazas. At the turn of a corner, you are transported back in time for an all too brief moment. Each neighbourhood that you pass through tells a different chapter of history–from the sweeping gothic splendour of Barri Gòtic, to the provocative modernista mansions of Eixample. Never has a city invited itself into a comfortable nook of our Y factors quite like Barcelona.

A smooth slide into our passion portal of ‘Community & Culture’ is ever so present in this article, offering you a plethora of culturally significant properties whether they be locally owned by families from Catalunya, or a nod to the history of the region. Some pertain a hint to different Y factors which is what makes this round up of hotels even more significant. Artistry, Taste, well-Being. All are dotted with a hint to some kind of extraordinary nod to our portals of passion.

Our steps present a distinctive graphic identity seeking to rekindle a golden age of travel, where the pursuit of adventure and desire for luxury go hand in hand. Our intent when scouring the Spanish streets of this wonderful city are to uncover a curation of cultural and culinary highlights that portray the true character of a bustling city, with a particular fondness for places that have preserved an essence of old world charm, or else exude a certain timeless elegance.

Historic Barcelona is in top form this year. Antoni Gaudí’s architectural marvel, the unfinished Sagrada Familia , recently completed the towers of the evangelists Luke and Mark, which join Virgin Mary’s tower, completed in 2021. In late 2023, the towers of the evangelists John and Matthew will join the other pinnacles in lighting up the city during the Christmas season. For panoramic views of the city, visitors can climb the Apostle towers of either the Nativity or Passion facades. By 2026—the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death—the 566-ft.-tall Jesus Christ tower is expected to debut and complete the set of six.

Beyond the much-anticipated Sagrada Família’s unveilings, 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of Pablo Picasso’s death, and with it, events and exhibitions, including parallel exhibits (Museu Picasso and Fundació Joan Miró) spotlighting the painter’s lifelong friendship with fellow artist Joan Miró.

The city’s leading classical music concert venues—the 176-year-old Liceu Opera Barcelona, the Palau de la Música Catalana, and L’Auditori, designed by a Pritzker Prize winner—will collaborate via the Barcelona Obertura initiative to promote Barcelona as a pre-eminent city for classical music performances.

Visitors can stay at Casa Sagnier, the former home of architect Enric Sagnier, or Antiga Casa Buenavista, a family restaurant since 1918, both of which have relaunched as boutique hotels. But before we settle on where to stay, let us take you on a journey of our top picks.