Fashion, flavour and flair

Stay: Cotton House
Once a private palace, then a cotton textile factory, this boutique hotel has been sensitively restored by the city’s best-known interior designer, Lázaro Rosa-Violán. There’s an in-house atelier in a nod to the building’s past, as well as a rooftop swimming pool that draws a crowd. Cotton House, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 670, Eixample, 08010

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Breakfast: Batuar, Cotton House
The hotel’s wood-panelled restaurant Batuar doubles as a breakfast room. Head to the buzzy terrace for a jamón sandwich or pancakes piled with mascarpone and chocolate. Batuar, Cotton House, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 670, Eixample, 08010

Shop: Cereria Subirà
Vast windows reveal rainbow-like strings of poured candles; inside, the air is thick with beeswax. There are all sorts of creations for sale in a variety of colours, shapes and scents, but there’s no beating the timeless liturgical candles that Subirà supplies to the Sagrada Família. Cereria Subirà, Baixada de la Llibreteria, 7, Ciutat Vella 08002

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Shop: La Manual Alpargatera
Espadrilles have been hand-stitched in this cramped workshop in Barri Gòtic since the 1940s, with a hilariously varied client list that includes Jean-Paul Gaultier, Penélope Cruz and Pope John Paul II. The €50 classic pair is the best Barcelona souvenir to take home. La Manual Alpargatera, Carrer d’Avinyó, 7, Ciutat Vella 08002

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Shop: Eliurpi
For a taste of truly cutting-edge creativity, seek out this unforgettable gallery-boutique in Barri Gòtic, where whitewashed walls and old terracotta flooring complement the sculpturally exquisite statement lamps, bags and head-turning raffia hats. Eliurpi, Baixada de Santa Eulàlia, 3, Ciutat Vella 08002

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Shop: Casa Beethoven
One of the most charming aspects of Barcelona is its endurance of specialist merchants such as this La Rambla spot, which dates back to 1880. Sheet music and songbooks range from Mozart to Taylor Swift, and there’s also a niche library of books covering music theory and history. Casa Beethoven, La Rambla, 97, Ciutat Vella, 08002

Lunch: Dos Pebrots
A unique place, fastidiously executed by El Bulli alumnus Albert Raurich and chef Borja García Ordoño. The menu is based on Mediterranean recipes from antiquity to the early twentieth century and includes medieval Catalan duck with pears and Valencian garlic and pepper squid. Dos Pebrots, Carrer Doctor Dou, 19, Ciutat Vella 08001

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Ice cream: DeLaCrem
This cherished Italian institution was founded by Massimo Pignata, a Turin-born gelato obsessive. Famous for sticking to natural ingredients and making ice cream fresh every day, his Parmesan flavour went viral and is more delicious than it sounds. DeLaCrem, Carrer de Muntaner, 59, Eixample, 08011

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Relax: Cotton House
Kick back on the striped sun beds by the hotel rooftop’s narrow saltwater pool and order the signature Gossypium cocktail – a blend of pisco, blue curaçao, gin, lime and spices. Cotton House, Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 670, Eixample, 08010

Dinner: Contracorrent
Many of Barcelona’s best bars are built on talented cross-cultural pairings, and this tiny tapas joint is one stellar example. In the kitchen, Sicilian chef Nico Drago has come up with the cleverest upgrades to classic dishes – and his roast chicken Russian salad has secured cult status. Contracorrent, Carrer de Ribes, 35, Eixample 08013

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Drive: La Roca Village
Jump in the car towards La Roca Village, just 40 minutes from the centre of town. There, you’ll find 150 boutiques of the most covetable names in local and worldwide fashion, alongside complimentary parking and electric car charging points on arrival. La Roca Village, 08430 Santa Agnès de Malanyanes

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Pit stop: Cerámica Cumella
It’s worth the ten-minute detour to discover this third-generation ceramics factory in Granollers. The workshop is responsible for the ceramic skin of the city’s Mercat de Santa Caterina as well as the ceramic tiles that culminate in the Cross of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família. Cerámica Cumella, Carrer de Girona, 87, 08402 Granollers

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Breakfast: Andrea
Celebrate your early arrival at La Roca Village with a jamón mollete, a Spanish open sandwich, along with a strong cortado – followed by a glass of cava. Andreu, La Roca Village

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Shop: LOLA CASEDEMUNT
Catalan designer Lola Casademunt began creating handmade accessories in Cardedeu in 1981. In the La Roca Village boutique, you’ll find her crackled‑silver bombers, metallic trousers and signature animal‑print T-shirts. Lola Casedemunt, La Roca Village

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Shop: PDPAOLA
The Barcelona‑born jeweller makes gift-worthy sculptural hoops, stacked signet rings and delicate chain bracelets, all designed to mix, match and personalise. PDPAOLA, La Roca Village

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Shop: Etnia Barcelona
Known for its playful sunglasses made from natural acetate, stop by the boutique to find colour-blocked shades, oversized frames and limited-edition artist collaborations inspired by photography and music. Etnia Barcelona, La Roca Village

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See: Sampere Ceràmica
Located in La Bisbal d’Empordà, handcrafted Spanish ceramics are made with traditional glazing techniques. Watch artisans at the wheel, then browse sculptural mugs, glazed platters and signature olive‑wood‑handled serving dishes to take home. Sampere Ceràmica, Carrer de l'Aigüeta, 49, 17100 La Bisbal d'Empordà, Girona

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Check in: Perelada Resort
Set among vineyards near the medieval town of Perelada, the bedrooms at this former castle estate have terraces overlooking grand gardens. There’s a historic wine cellar to explore, and a thermal spa with vinotherapy treatments inspired by the region’s winemaking traditions. Perelada Resort, Carrer de Rocabertí, S/N, 17491, Girona, Spain

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See: Gala Dalí Castle House-Museum
In Púbol, Salvador Dalí made this medieval fortress as a surreal gift for Gala, his wife and muse. Wander through her rose‑themed bedroom, the Gothic Hall’s tall arches and the sculptural throne Dalí created in her honour. Gala Dalí, s/n, 17120 Púbol, Girona

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