5 (five) Stars Hotels in Barcelona, 23 Hotels

Barcelona is different to the rest of Spain and probably the rest of Europe for so many reasons. It is the home of the Catalan people who are happily and fervently different to other Spaniards, it is a sophisticated cosmopolitan City full to the brim of fine architecture that is also a seaside resort.

And it varies from the rest of Europe in other ways as well; Barcelona has one of the longest shopping streets in the world Las Ramblas. Las Ramblas is a strange mixture of smart restaurants such as the les Quartre Chats, dilapidated buildings, chic boutiques, children's toyshops, large vegetable markets and a red light district that leads from an area just above the heart of the city to the sea.

Las Ramblas really sums Barcelona up there is something literally for everyone no matter what they are looking for or their taste. From Bull Fighting to Football, from Tapas to fine Cuisine, from dilapidated buildings to examples of the finest architecture ever built.

Probably Barcelona is most famous for the art deco icon that is the La Sagrada Familia a Cathedral which is actually rather tiny as Cathedrals go but it is probably the most beautiful in the world and it is still under construction even though that was begun by the famous Antiono Gaudi in 1882. Estimates say that the La Sagrada Familia will be finished in around 70 years time. But even only two thirds completed it is a must see.

Then there are other Gaudi buildings dotted around Barcelona the Casa Batllo is a lovely town house that should be seen, as is the park he designed for the Spanish industrialist Guell that bears his name.

But Barcelona is not just a city full of art deco buildings, the Gothic quarter with another beautiful Cathedral should be visited and can be reached via Las Ramblas which is the 'spine' of Barcelona.

When in Barcelona you have to eat Tapas, Squid, fatty Pork and all sorts of delicacies cut, chopped and served in small dishes for you to eat and wash down with mild Spanish beer.

One of the better places to get the true Catalan Tapas is Barceloneta which was originally a small fishing village and retains a lot of its charm even today.

If you have time and want a meal then eat at the Limbo on Calle in Barceloneta the food is great or as you walk up Las Ramblas a short right turn almost at the end with take you down a scheduled alleyway to one of the most famous artists restaurants in the world les Quatre Chats was opened by art deco artists in the late 19th century and then closed for the Franco years until it was reopened in the late 1990's.