Orsom is a sail catamaran that does trips up the Barcelona shoreline. A great way to see the city. But best of all are their sunset cruises with live jazz and chillout music. They've got a bar on board so get yourself a glass of cava and enjoy.

The port at the bottom of the Ramblas near the Columbus statue.
www.barcelona-orsom.com

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The 9th Floor café in El Corte Ingles department store in Placa Catalunya. Snacks. Coffee. Beer. Reasonable prices and even better views.

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Take the train by day from Paris (instead of the night train) for stunning views of the French/ Spanish border and coast before arriving in one of the best cities in the world.

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We had a brilliant time in this great one bed flat with two rooftop terraces with great views over the city. Situated on a lovely and quiet pedestrian street in the Borne area, just a minute from the Picasso museum and Citudella Park and right opposite the very cool Bar Casa Paco, as recommended by DJ Cristian Vogel. Lift, aircon, CD player etc etc.

Book through Visit Barcelona (0871 990 30 45) or see it on their website at www.visit-bcn.com/inglaterra/opcion_mestre2.htm

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This Benedictine Monk retreat makes for an amazing break from the bustle of Barcelona. You can get a combined ticket from the station which includes the cable car.

The views from the top are stunning. Inside you can visit the Holy Grotto and listen to the world renowned Montserrat Boys Choir. Time your visit so you are there before 13:00 when the choir sing.

www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/montserrat-spain.html

www.pbase.com/ralf/montserrat

www.funimag.com/funimag14/montserrat01.htm

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This cable car - the Transbordador Aeri - takes you from Montjuic Park to the beach at Barceloneta. It travels over the harbour, suspended across two 400m-high towers. Not advisable if you are in any way scared of heights, but the views across the city are amazing, particularly around sunset.

Leaves from Montjuic, Barcelona's World Trade Centre and the Torre de San Sebastián. Usually open 10.30am-5.30pm and later in summer. Single journey €7.50 or €9 return.

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The company Cruisin' Barcelona is run by a young couple who also cruise the streets as bike messengers. They offer personalised tours on ultra cool beach cruisers. Mahrou knows the city from A to Z and can tell you about the weirdest little ins and outs. They rent their bikes as well but it's just nice to hang out with them while cruising through the city...

tel: +34 605948469;
www.cruisingbarcelona.com

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A totally flat 5km track for runners, cyclists and walkers that runs along the hills at the back of Barcelona and offers the most stunning views of the city spread out below you with the sea beyond. The track sometimes winds through the trees but is mostly out in the open. If you need a break or want a different perspective on the city take a couple of hours and refresh your mind in this oasis with a view.

Despite its wonderfulness, the track is often almost totally deserted, though is busier on Saturday and Sunday mornings as Barcelona exercises itself. This track is a runner’s paradise and if you are there just after sunrise (the best time to go) you may see me plodding along.
www.virtourist.com/europe/barcelona/999.htm

To get there take the Ferrocarillis Catalana, which starts in Plaza Catalunya, towards San Cugat and get off at Peu de la Funicular. Take the funicular to Vallvidrera but get off at the half way stop. As you exit the halt turn left along the track and keep walking for as long as you want. Once you have walked enough either retrace your steps (literally) and return to the funicular or after 4 km you will get to Placa del las Maduixas (sadly lacking in strawberries) and here you can take the road back down into Barcelona stopping for refreshments at the Bar Miramar (a bit expensive and you've already had the views) beside the funicular station up to Tibidado and the Tramvia Blau if you wish

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The monument itself is not the attraction, but the fact that you can go to the observation room at the top by lift makes it worthy of mention. The views of both the city and the bay are quite spectacular from here – but I wouldn’t recommend it for sufferers of either vertigo or claustrophobia.

Placa del Portal de la Pau (at the bottom of La Rambla)

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The best views in the city! Climb El Sagrat Cor de Jesus for the unbelievable contrast between the city in front of you and the tree-covered mountains behind you. Also fun is the tram and funicular railway you should take to get there.

FGC stop Av. Tibidabo, then take Tramvia Blau followed by the funicular railway to the top

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Alongside la Sagrada Familia, this park is probably Gaudí's most famous creation. Apparently his intention was to recreate English-style public gardens, but if so, he failed spectacularly. Spectacularly, in that the Park Güell is a fantastical mix of green spaces, mosaic benches, multi-coloured walkways and colonnades. Topping it all off, it affords one of best views of the city sprawling below.

C/Olot; Tel (Casa Museu Gaudi): 93 219 38 11; Nearest metro: Lesseps

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Just as you wouldn't visit Paris without taking a peek at the Eiffel Tower, you can't visit Barcelona without a trip to La Sagrada Familia. Nevertheless, Evelyn Waugh managed it - refusing to get out of the car to even look at it when he was in town, considering it to be a crime against Catholicism. Of course some might take that as a compliment. Whatever else it is, the still-unfinished church is an arresting sight; by turns elegant, grotesque, inspired and twee. If you've got a head for heights, ascend one of the towers (best by foot, though there is a lift), and enjoy the views across the city. It is Antoni Gaudi's most famous legacy to Barcelona, and he lies buried beneath the nave - having dedicated nearly 40 years of his life to its construction, he died before it was completed.

C/Mallorca, 401; Tel: 93 207 30 31; Nearest metro: Sagrada Familia; www.sagradafamilia.com/

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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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Go straight up to the rooftop, sample the magnificent views amidst the characteristically strange Gaudiesque motifs which decorate the terrace. On summer evenings, you can listen to jazz, tango and flamenco concerts for just €6, including a drink. The ultimate in rooftop ambience.

Psseig de Gracia, Metro: Passeig de Gracia

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