Sightseeing

April 2013
In Catalonia, Dia de Sant Jordi (St George's Day) is celebrated on 23 April. Tradition dictates that men should buy their gals flowers, while senoritas should buy a good book for their fellas. La Rambla will be overflowing with stalls - and romance.

March 2013
La Festa de Sant Medir (3 March) is known as the sweetest festival in Barcelona. In 1830 a baker called Josep Vidal promised God that he would make an annual pilgrimmage to the hermitage of Sant Medir if he was cured of sickness. God came good, and every year sweets are handed out on the Gran de Gracia to commemorate the baker's journey.

Key Areas

February 2013
Now is the perfect time to explore the Gothic Quarter before the hordes arrive. Hidden treasures include the Roman ruins, Placa Sant Felipe Neri and no end of antique shops and romantic cafes. Finish on Carrer Petrixol with chocolate and churros.

January 2013
Rambla de Catalunya Much quieter than the broad beast of Passeig de Gracia (to which it runs parallel) and cut off from the official "Las Ramblas", Rambla de Catalunya is a far nicer place than its more illustrious neighbours. Largely pedestrianised and flanked with lime trees and Modernista marvels, find a nice terrace or bench and watch the guys and gals that pass by.

Day Trips

April 2013
Famous for its locally caught prawns, Palamos is a good-looking port town with three great beaches, a fishing museum and a lighthouse overlooking the Mediterranean. Hire a car and make a day of it. The drive should take around 90 minutes.

January 2013
Montserrat Monastery You may want to skip the queue for the Black Madonna, but it's well worth taking the train to the Montserrat Monastery, which is dramatically located near the peaks of Catalonia's famous "jagged mountain". The views are incredible and there are numerous hiking trails to explore. The train journey from Barcelona's Espanya rail station takes just over one hour.