Vibrant and proud, Barcelona is one of Europe’s top city break destinations.

Perhaps nowhere else on earth offers such a tantalising blend of beaches and sunshine; culture and arts; shopping and nightlife.

Not to mention the football! FC Barcelona have won fans all over the world with their irrepressible style – much like the city itself.

With regular low-cost flights and attractive package deals available from Malta, more and more Maltese are discovering the magic of the Catalan capital.

Dream with Gaudí

It’s impossible to escape the fantastical legacy of Antoni Gaudí as you wander around the dreamy streets of Barcelona.

No less than seven of Gaudí’s works have been listed as Unesco World Heritage sites – that’s four more than all of Malta.

All these sites were built in or around the city by the visionary Catalan architect during Barcelona’s modernista (art nouveau) period early last century.

The seven sites are: Park Güell, Palacio Güell, Casa Mila, Casa Vicens, Gaudí’s work on the Nativity façade and crypt of La Sagrada Familia, Casa Batlló, and the crypt in Colonia Güell.

There are many reputable operators offering guided tours of the Gaudí sites. If you prefer to be free and easy, Barcelona has a well-developed, integrated public transport system so you should not have any problems if you travel by bus, train or subway.

Perhaps the most iconic of Gaudí’s – and Barcelona’s – buildings is La Sagrada Familia.

Seven of Gaudí’s works have been listed as Unesco World Heritage sites

This giant basilica has been under construction since 1882 and it still isn’t finished. In fact, it’s not expected to be completed for another 30 to 80 years! Gaudí was actively involved in its construction until his death in 1926. Present-day architects struggle to interpret the original designs because the construction stones are irregularly shaped.

The basilica is open daily and admission costs €14.80; it’s €19.30 if you also wish to visit the tower and €18.30 if you want to include a visit to the Gaudí House Museum.

Park Güell is another huge tourist draw. This fairy-tale garden complex containing enchanted buildings and structures is situated on the hill of El Carmel in the Gràcia district.

It was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site inspired by the English garden city movement.

Now a municipal garden, it’s the perfect place to while away a few hours and take in some breathtaking views of the city.

Loco on La Rambla

This is Barcelona’s most famous thoroughfare. It is the central most boulevard which cuts through the heart of the centre.

Here you will find weird and wonderful street entertainment at all hours of the day and night.

One minute you will be minding your own business, the next a nightmarish, clawed fiend will pounce on you – eliciting shrieks of horror from you and howls of delight from onlookers.

Fear not, La Rambla is full of extravagantly-costumed street performers, many of them sitting motionless until they spot the perfect moment to scare a carefree tourist.

You’ll see everything from hellish ghouls to pale human statues, and they will be glad to pose for a photo in exchange for a few coins.

Be careful of the scam artists who ask you to part with your money with the promise that you can win it back with interest in a street game of chance. These games are invariably cons and pickpockets lurk while you’re mesmerised by the action.

But as long as you’re careful, La Rambla is a thoroughly enjoyable place to spend a few hours. As well as theatres, shops, restaurants and hotels, there are also some great markets here.

Don’t miss La Boqueria Food Market. Covering a huge area, you’ll find a diverse selection of fresh produce, as well as charming eateries where you can sample local delicacies.

Blazing beaches

Barcelona really does have it all, including city beaches to rival Rio de Janeiro as the best in the world.

The most well-known and popular is Barceloneta, which attracts bathers long into the autumn thanks to the city’s favourable climate.

Barceloneta is a triangular spit of land with Port Vell on one side and sandy beaches on the other.

Along the beach and fringing the neighbourhood, rows of restaurants and bars buzz with life.

But if you glance away from the sea, you’ll still see locals sitting in their chairs and clothes drying on narrow balconies.

Night never ends

Quite simply, Barcelona rocks. All year round you’ll find chic bars and thumping clubs teeming with young and good-looking people from all over the world, with venues to satisfy all tastes

If we had to highlight a few summer standouts, we would start with La Terrrazza.

Now in its 18th year of throwing summer parties, it is a justifiable institution on the Barca clubbing circuit.

Located in Poble Espanyol on Montjuïc, this beautifully designed open-air club books the cream of international DJs and it is one of the more glamorous options for jet-setting clubbers.

If you visit Barcelona before the club closes in early October, make sure you pay it a visit.

For Barca’s best beach party, take a taxi to Mac Arena Mar.

This is easily Barcelona’s top summer club. You’ll feel like you’re in Ibiza – the only difference being you won’t have to cough up the extortionate entry fees of the White Isle, as this club is free.

While Friday and Saturday nights are good fun, the Sunday parties are the pièce de résistance, with an impeccable selection of the finest underground house and techno DJs.

And what about you?

Looking for a fun-filled summer break?

ROCS Travel offers packages to Barcelona from as little as €359 per person, even in August.

ROCS has great hotels on offer in the famous La Rambla area. Packages include:

Return flights to Barcelona;
Four nights’ accommodation;
Daily breakfast;

All taxes and charges.

For more information call ROCS Travel on 2015 1515, visit www.rocsholidays.com or request a quotation from travel@rocsgrp.com.