Barcelona

Barcelona is one of the few cities in Europe with a genuinely distinct architectural identity — and it belongs almost entirely to one man. Antoni Gaudí spent the better part of his life building in Barcelona, and what he left behind reshaped the city's character permanently. The Sagrada Família has been under construction since 1882 and is still not finished; it remains one of the most visited buildings in Europe and, depending on the light, one of the most extraordinary. Park Güell, the Casa Batlló, the Casa Milà — each one is unmistakably his, and together they give the Eixample district a density of remarkable buildings that no other neighbourhood in Europe can quite match.

Beyond the architecture, Barcelona is a city that works on multiple levels at once. The Gothic Quarter's medieval street plan has survived largely intact. The Boqueria market off La Rambla is worth visiting early, before the tour groups arrive. Barceloneta beach is functional and within walking distance of the old city. The food scene ranges from Michelin-starred restaurants in the Eixample to excellent pa amb tomàquet at any neighbourhood bar. Halal restaurants are well-established in the Raval district, which has a long-standing North African and South Asian community; options are easy to find and the quality has improved considerably in recent years.

Three full days covers the Gaudí highlights, the Gothic Quarter, and the waterfront without feeling rushed. Four days allows for a half-day trip to Montserrat, the monastery complex built into the jagged peaks an hour from the city, which is worth the journey. Barcelona is often the first stop on a Spain itinerary and earns that position — but it is also a city with enough depth to justify a trip on its own terms.