| Ever-chic and cosmopolitan Barcelona is often | | | | Placa de Catalunya |
| considered the jewel in Spain's glittering crown. Defined | | | | At its northern tip, Las Ramblas heralds the impressive |
| by easy-going wide boulevards and an array of | | | | Placa de Catalunya - a large plaza characterized by |
| cultural centers, it's a city that warrants weeks - if not | | | | colored fountains, sculptures, cafes, and the thousands |
| years - of exploration and enjoyment. | | | | of people who frequent its cafes, restaurants, and |
| For visitors, orientation around this large city is made | | | | open spaces on a daily basis. |
| easy by Las Ramblas, a collection of streets that cut | | | | Placa de Catalunya is particularly memorable at night, |
| a swathe through the center of Barcelona, running in | | | | when its various parts are illuminated spectacularly. |
| succession from Placa de Catalunya to Port Vell. | | | | Port Vell |
| Evocative and energetic, the streets are potent with | | | | On the face of it, Port Vell is a bit of a rich boy's |
| potential for the incoming visitor... | | | | playground - the port itself is almost overflowing with |
| Hostels | | | | large-scale yachts and the like. That being said, this is |
| Barcelona is a city that excels in hostels, with some of | | | | no out-of-bound's elitist club; Port Vell can be traversed |
| the top ranked hostels in Europe to be found here. | | | | and enjoyed by all who visit. |
| What's more, many of these top-quality joints are to | | | | Particular tourist attractions include shopping in the |
| be found either on or close to Las Ramblas, which | | | | Maremagnum (a super-sized mall), an IMAX cinema, |
| makes exploring Barcelona's central stretch all the | | | | and Europe's largest aquarium. |
| more straightforward. | | | | Shopping |
| Hosteria Grau, for example, is situated about two | | | | Las Ramblas is basically a shopper's paradise. There's |
| minutes walk from Las Ramblas, not far from the | | | | something here to tempt all forms of shopoholics, from |
| Placa de Catalunya. A cozy and ever-so-slightly plush | | | | those who like to cruise designer shops to those who |
| family run place, it is truly a hostel Barcelona is proud | | | | are happiest bargaining and bantering around a market. |
| of. | | | | The streets of Las Ramblas are, themselves, a |
| Another such establishment is the Albareda Youth | | | | shopping district, with various street-vendors peddling all |
| Hostel, which is about 200m west of the Monument a | | | | types of foods and trinkets. The sides of the roads, |
| Colom (Las Ramblas' southernmost point). Considered | | | | meanwhile, are lined with a number of recognizable |
| one of the very best hostels in Barcelona, it's a trendy | | | | brand name shops. For department-store consumption, |
| and popular all-mod-cons type of place, where | | | | Corte Ingles on the Placa Catalunya is probably the |
| backpackers come to chill, chat and (inevitably) party. | | | | best bet. |