This is a city of museums and the Picasso Museum has to be on the list, whether an art lover or not. The setting, in an ancient palace, where much of the original stonework has been preserved, sits well with the multi-language commentaries explaining his life and work, and the formidable number of sketches, etchings and paintings.

The list of museums is endless. Contemporary Art, Modern Art, Erotic Art, Medicine, Geology, Zoology, Biology, Perfume, even a Museum of Chocolate. But really worth a visit is the Museum of the Old City. A lift transports you downwards as an illuminated display counts back the years from the present day to 13 B.C. This is 30 feet under the surface where walkways of plate glass are built over the excavated ruins of the city of Barcino, 2000 years ago. Very atmospheric.

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In addition to presenting the "history" of chocolate, the museum displays huge chocolate sculptures. There is also a cafe offering chocolate treats.

Comerç 36, in the Gothic Quarter;
tel: 93 268 7878;
metro: Jaume I or Arc de Triomf;
open: Mon-Sat 10am-7pm; Sun 10am-3pm

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A two-hour trip outside of Barcelona to the small town of Figueres on the regional train was a pure delight. You can walk from the train station to the museum and the works of Dali opened up a whole new world in art for me.

The thing to miss in Barcelona is paying to go into the Sagrada Familia. It is an architectural wonder to behold but we felt the 20 euros spent to go in and up was a total waste of time and money. It is a construction site inside and totally disappointing.

PL. Gala. Salvador Dali, 5, Figueres;
tel: 972 51 1800;
Open: 9am - 7.45pm (Jul - Sep), 10.30am - 5.45pm (Oct - Jun);
www.salvador-dali.org/eng;
horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html

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In the middle of Barcelona Cathedral, stands the chorus. This construction was built in the 16th-century, on the orders of Carlos I of Spain, master of the order of the golden Fleece to meet with his fellow knights. Among which were 40 kings and dukes of Europe. The coat of arms of them all are engraved on the wooden chairs and nowadays are objects of study for chivalry scholars.

When the knights finally met, Carlos gave a phrase to history: "I would rather be Count of Barcelona than Emperor of Germany".

Barcelona Cathedral, Plaça Nova

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This gallery is devoted to the work of the 82-year-old Catalan painter Antoni Tàpies. A rich experience not to be missed.

Aragó 255, 08007 Barcelona; tel: 34 934 870 315; nearest metro: Passeig de Gràcia;
www.fundaciotapies.org/site/article.php3?id_article=2931

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Quite apart from the permanent collection of Catalan, Spanish and other European contemporary art, and the special exhibitions, the museum is itself a work of art (architect Richard Meier). Just walking around its spaces is an uplifting experience.

5 minutes walk from Las Ramblas;
Plaça dels Àngels, Barcelona 08001;
tel: 93 412 0810;
www.macba.es

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Whichever football team you follow, a visit to this stadium will at least make you keep half an eye on Barcelona’s future results. Regular guided tours around the stadium are available, and after seeing all the behind the scenes stuff you get to walk down the players' tunnel and out onto the edge of the pitch. The stadium is a stupendous sight from here; the fans who occupy the uppermost seats must be impervious to vertigo. The tour ends with an opportunity to have your photo taken with a replica European Cup.

Avda de Aristides Maillol;
Nearest metros: Maria Cristina, Collblanc; www.fcbarcelona.com

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Science museum up north not far from Parque Guell (the Gaudi park) - museum full of didactic machines and good explanations - kids loved it and so did us parents - to make a real day of it make trip coincide with planetarium thingys, etc.

Up the top of the city to the left of Guell park on the map

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Some bars resemble shrines on which the faithful worship the gods of good drink, good food and good companionship. This is one of these. Just a hop from Picasso Museum (Barri Gotic), it melts ageing local customers, trendy young crowds and the odd tourist into revering its wonderful cava (really affordable) and great tapas (don´t miss the anchovies).

C/Montcada 22, Barcelona, phone(00 34 93) 319 7003

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Even if you don’t go in, the striking building is worth a detour. You would miss out, however, on the stunning collection of modern art displayed in the airy open spaces inside.

Plaza dels Angels, 1

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Take a day trip out of Barcelona to the amazing Dali Museum in the town of Figuera. Its an easy (though rather long) train journey out of Barcelona - making it an excellent day trip destination.

The Museum is set in the town's old municipal theatre and it is an amazing spectacle - everything that you would expect from Dali and more. Dare I say, even those who usually detest art galleries will love this place. You will find many of Dali's paintings brought to life as sculptures in the amazing courtyard areas and well as all manner of weird and wonderful paintings and objects from the world's best known surrealist.

Once you have had your fill of Dali, there are plenty of shops cafes to wonder around and watch the world go by.

Figueras (Spanish), Figueres (Catalan)

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Groundbreaking architectural delight, it is located in a secluded part of Montjuic ideal for contemplating the colourful sculptures on the rooftop terrace with the Med in the background. The museum is basically a deconstruction of Miro’s creative DNA with temporary exhibitions by other artists.

Marques de Comillas, nearest metro: Paral.lel

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The art scene’s new toy in town – a converted Modernista factory sponsored by the Catalan bank La Caixa, it hosts excellent temporary exhibitions and also features an auditorium.

Casaramona, Avinguda Marquès de Comillas; nearest metro: Paral.lel

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White-hot contemporary art museum in the Raval. A landmark which proved the turning point for the infamous barrio – it is the focal point for a whole host of activities.

Plaça dels Angels 1; nearest metro: Universitat; Closed on Tuesdays

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A little paradise of a street. Forget Poble Espanyol, this is an authentic tour around the best in Spanish food and drink as well as an assortment of museums. Don’t miss the anchovies or the cava at El Xampanyet, indulge in the Textile Museum’s ice creams, listen to the dulcet tones of an oboe and cello while sampling top-quality whiskey at Espai Barroc and sample the avant garde wines at the Va de Vi.

Banys Vells, No 16; nearest metro: Jaume I

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In the heart of the little streets that criss-cross the old town is a small museum to Picasso and contains much of his early work, donated by the artist himself in 1970. It’s fascinating to see the sketches and paintings he made in conventional styles, before he discovered cubism, and indeed how accomplished some of them are. The painting in particular of his sister’s first communion is quite superb.

Carrer Montcada 15 - 23; www.museupicasso.bcn.es

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Located in the former Casa de la Caritat building, the Centre de Cultura Contemporània de Barcelona offers a wide range of multidisciplinary activities to visitors. The original, inspiring exhibitions on art, thought and contemporary society often take an alternative slant on life and usually have accompanying descriptions in English.

The museum also organises concerts, audiovisual festivals and debate, which take place in the open courtyard in the summer months. It also plays host to the famed Sonar music festival in June. There's a pleasant terrace at the back of the museum for a quiet coffee in the sun.

Montalegre 5
08001 Barcelona
Tel. 933 064 100
Metro Plaça Universitat
Not far from the Ramblas, behind the MACBA
www.cccb.org

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