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Mariam Al Serkal gives some great relaxation, sightseeing and eating ideas for the Mediterranean country. Oh, and did we mention shopping?
BARCELONA
What to eat
Spain's reputation as a European culinary powerhouse to rival France has been long in coming but is now indisputable, thanks in part to the innovative high cuisine of Ferran Adria but also to the high quality of local ingredients that take more simple dishes of tapas and paella to another level. Tapas, small dishes of food usually served in bars, include patatas bravas (spicy potato wedges), fried calamari, croquettes and gazpacho, while celebrated main meals include paella, turbot fish and roast leg of lamb accompanied by oranges.
Villa Olympic (Olympic Village), which is situated near the beach, is guaranteed to tickle your taste buds as its strip near the marina offers an abundance of restaurants. Cal Pinxo or La Gavina are two top eating options there, with the added benefit of sea views from the restaurant's large terraces overlooking the port and the mountain of Montjuic. While dozens of restaurants can be found along the city's streets, those found within hotels, such as Mimosa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Arola at Hotel Arts are also good options.
Shopping
The vibrant city of Barcelona has the best of both worlds — the beach and a fast-paced city life. Getting around is not a problem since transportation is quite efficient but I would recommend the metro since its extensive network covers most of the city.
La moda Espanola (Spanish fashion) has already made its marks across the globe, so take full advantage of your stay and visit some renowned branches that cater to all budgets, ranging from Zara to Adolfo Dominguez up to the high-end lines of Custo Barcelona and Loewe.
One of the best shopping destinations is the El Born area, which is the best place to find bargain deals besides emerging designer boutiques. Shops that have caught the attention of local fashionistas include Como Agua de Mayo (which means "like water of May"), and Coquette boutique, in addition to quaint tea shops and delis such as E&A Gispert, who have been roasting nuts in their wood-fired oven since 1851.
City sights
One of the main attractions that you cannot afford to miss is Barcelona's cathedral located near the Gothic quarter. Try to visit the cathedral on a Thursday, when you can also get to treat yourself to a second-hand antiques fair right in front of the cathedral's entrance. Running from 11am- 2pm and 5-8pm, the antiques fair offers a variety of knick-knacks and decorations for your home, such as porcelain dolls — that look like they have been handed down from a great-grandmother — to more commercial items such as crystal vases and china sets. As you walk down the pedestrian walkway of Las Ramblas, which is the dividing line of the Gothic Quarter and El Raval area, you get to see people from all walks of life. Even though you might be tempted to grab a bite to eat, try not to fall for temptation since the area caters to tourists and doesn't offer quality dishes. The Eixample-Gracia is Barcelona's central area that clearly defines the meaning of modern art, where you can see the famous architectural works of Antoni Gaudi's La Pedrera and Park Guell. One of Gaudi's most noticeable works, which is still incomplete, is the Sagrada Familia church. The church is a Unesco World Heritage Site and has been under construction since 1882, and local authorities expect it to be completed by 2026.
Beach and bliss
You cannot have a proper holiday in Barcelona if you haven't been to the beach, so make sure your calendar is free for a day and get ready to enjoy the soft sand trickling through your toes and the soft breeze playing with your hair. If you're staying at Hotel W, you can get a beach towel from the hotel pool and be on the beach in less than five minutes. The beach is divided into different names, and if you walk from Barceloneta beach to the Forum you will see dozens of chiringuitos (beach cabana bars), where you can buy seafood dishes — and you won't look out of place if you eat it in your bikini. After a long day of shopping and visiting tourist attractions, give yourself a treat and pop down to Bliss spa at Hotel W, which is a branch of the no-frills spa chain based in New York. According to one of the therapists, the Triple Oxygen Treatment is the most popular since it's the same 75-minute treatment used by the pop icon Madonna. It consists of a complexion reviver of a fruit acid wash and a calming oxygen mask (Dh731).
MADRID
The art of sightseeing
Madrid was linked to Dubai with direct flights last year, and is only a three-hour journey from Barcelona on the the high speed AVE train. The train departs from Sants Train Station every half hour and a single Tourist ticket costs around €117.60 (Dh619). Madrid is a stark contrast to Barcelona, with its Royal Botanical Garden, El Retiro Park, that's fit for a king, majestic government buildings and the boulevards, which are full of fountains adorned with statues of Greek deities and monuments of Spanish literary figures such as Velazquez and Goya. One of the most impressive sights, not to be missed, is the Passeo del Arte (The Art Walk), which includes the city's three largest art galleries -- the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Prado has an exhibition titled Goya and More until August 28, and works of the young artist Ribera are also on display until August 28. The true heart of the city, however, lies at the Plaza Puerta del Sol (Square of the Sun's Gate), a lively semi-oval square created in the 19th century. It now offers residents a little bit of everything with theatres and, hotels, and is also the place where people gather to celebrate public events. In the middle of Puerta del Sol is a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III, which looks out on an 18th-century red brick building, the Casa de Correos. The clock tower was added later in 1866, and is now used as the clock to air the New Year's Eve countdown on national television.
Shopping and eating
Stop by the fashion house of Amaya Arzuaga, a Spanish fashion designer who opened her latest boutique in Madrid at Hermocilla Street in the Salamanca area, one of only two boutiques of hers in the world. A good place for sightseeing and shopping at the same time is the Barrio de las Letras (Writer's Quarter). This district takes you from the Prado Museum all the way to the Royal Palace. The area is known as the birthplace of the first edition of Don Quixote and you can still find traditional shops such as antiquities and bookshops, besides those of silversmiths. Finding halal meat is a bit tricky in Spain but in Madrid the task is a bit simpler since large chain hotels, such as the Intercontinental Hotel, have introduced menus tailored to Middle Eastern visitors consisting of Lebanese mezza and Moroccan dishes. If you're up for a splurge, the two-star Michelin restaurant of Ramon Freixa is the one to visit. Beware: the restaurant is so popular at the weekend that you might have to book a month in advance. During the heat of the day, go for lighter meals - one of the best places to enjoy local cuisine is in the Huertas neighbourhood, which local residents like to say was a frequent haunt of Andy Warhol. Try a meal at Casa Alberto, which was built in 1827 and is known for its typical dishes.
TOLEDO
Culture central
If you're looking to cover more cities, plan a day trip to Toledo, which lies 70 kilometres south of Madrid. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage, as it used to be a capital of the Spanish Empire and a place of coexistence where Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures lived together harmoniously during the 13th century.
Encompassed by the River Tajo, the buildings and narrow streets are all contained within the old city walls that hold centuries of history. Standing at one of the points where you can get a panoramic view of Toledo, your imagination can take you back in time and let you envision the Arabs on horseback, trotting through the labyrinthine streets.
Some of the main attractions include the Synagogue El Tránsito (a 13th-century synagogue with a museum inside), the Alcázar (a castle that was once used as a fortress by the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Christians) and the museum of El Greco, which was once the house of the famous Spanish Renaissance painter and was later turned into a venue to exhibit his paintings.
For a relaxing spot to pamper yourself after touring, visit Adolfo Restaurante either for a meal or merely for an afternoon treat of aromatic coffee accompanied by home-made marzipans — the terrace view is truly breathtaking.
INSIDERS' TIPS
"I love going to the Eixample area for a meal. Some of my other favourite places are Xapela and Ciudad Condal, which serve great pinxos (snacks) and montaditos (canapés from the Basque region)," says Núria Ferran, an advertisement and public-relations professional who lives in Barcelona. Ferran's favourite shop is La Comercial in El Born, a fashion store with pieces from young designers and unique costume jewellery.
"My favourite shops are all located in Passeig de Gracia, and for meals I adore Cerveceria Catalana, which is in the Eixample area," added Alexandra Martínez, a travel industry sales manager based in Barcelona.
Anne Schirbock, a marketing executive who has been living in Madrid for more than five years, said that the Gran Vía and Goyo areas are good shopping districts to visit, besides the more high-end shopping zone of Salamanca. "My favourite tapas bars are Casa Lucas and La Perejila, and don't miss the food market, Mercado San Miguel, where you find all kinds of Spanish specialities such as cheese, fruits, fish and sweets," she added.
GO THERE!
Emirates Holidays offers packages to Madrid (direct flights from Dubai) and Barcelona (connecting flights in Madrid).
Madrid
Package starts from Dh6,380 including return economy-class air fare on Emirates; four nights' accomodation in a deluxe room at Westin Palace Madrid with American breakfast; transfers from and to airport in a private car; fuel surcharge, room tax and service. Valid until September 15.
Barcelona
Package starts from Dh9,550 including return economy-class air fare on Emirates and Iberia; four nights' accomodation in W Barcelona with American breakfast; transfers from and to airport in a private car; fuel surcharge, room tax and service. Valid until September 15.
Note: Prices are quoted per person on twin-sharing basis and are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices exclude airport departure taxes. Other terms and conditions may apply.
Toledo
- A high-speed train from Madrid takes about 30 minutes and costs about 10euros — easily the best way to get to Toledo.
- By Car: Take the R-5 and AP-41 to travel from Madrid to Toledo. The 70km journey takes one hour.
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BARCELONA
What to eat
Spain's reputation as a European culinary powerhouse to rival France has been long in coming but is now indisputable, thanks in part to the innovative high cuisine of Ferran Adria but also to the high quality of local ingredients that take more simple dishes of tapas and paella to another level. Tapas, small dishes of food usually served in bars, include patatas bravas (spicy potato wedges), fried calamari, croquettes and gazpacho, while celebrated main meals include paella, turbot fish and roast leg of lamb accompanied by oranges.
Villa Olympic (Olympic Village), which is situated near the beach, is guaranteed to tickle your taste buds as its strip near the marina offers an abundance of restaurants. Cal Pinxo or La Gavina are two top eating options there, with the added benefit of sea views from the restaurant's large terraces overlooking the port and the mountain of Montjuic. While dozens of restaurants can be found along the city's streets, those found within hotels, such as Mimosa at Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Arola at Hotel Arts are also good options.
Shopping
The vibrant city of Barcelona has the best of both worlds — the beach and a fast-paced city life. Getting around is not a problem since transportation is quite efficient but I would recommend the metro since its extensive network covers most of the city.
La moda Espanola (Spanish fashion) has already made its marks across the globe, so take full advantage of your stay and visit some renowned branches that cater to all budgets, ranging from Zara to Adolfo Dominguez up to the high-end lines of Custo Barcelona and Loewe.
One of the best shopping destinations is the El Born area, which is the best place to find bargain deals besides emerging designer boutiques. Shops that have caught the attention of local fashionistas include Como Agua de Mayo (which means "like water of May"), and Coquette boutique, in addition to quaint tea shops and delis such as E&A Gispert, who have been roasting nuts in their wood-fired oven since 1851.
City sights
One of the main attractions that you cannot afford to miss is Barcelona's cathedral located near the Gothic quarter. Try to visit the cathedral on a Thursday, when you can also get to treat yourself to a second-hand antiques fair right in front of the cathedral's entrance. Running from 11am- 2pm and 5-8pm, the antiques fair offers a variety of knick-knacks and decorations for your home, such as porcelain dolls — that look like they have been handed down from a great-grandmother — to more commercial items such as crystal vases and china sets. As you walk down the pedestrian walkway of Las Ramblas, which is the dividing line of the Gothic Quarter and El Raval area, you get to see people from all walks of life. Even though you might be tempted to grab a bite to eat, try not to fall for temptation since the area caters to tourists and doesn't offer quality dishes. The Eixample-Gracia is Barcelona's central area that clearly defines the meaning of modern art, where you can see the famous architectural works of Antoni Gaudi's La Pedrera and Park Guell. One of Gaudi's most noticeable works, which is still incomplete, is the Sagrada Familia church. The church is a Unesco World Heritage Site and has been under construction since 1882, and local authorities expect it to be completed by 2026.
Beach and bliss
You cannot have a proper holiday in Barcelona if you haven't been to the beach, so make sure your calendar is free for a day and get ready to enjoy the soft sand trickling through your toes and the soft breeze playing with your hair. If you're staying at Hotel W, you can get a beach towel from the hotel pool and be on the beach in less than five minutes. The beach is divided into different names, and if you walk from Barceloneta beach to the Forum you will see dozens of chiringuitos (beach cabana bars), where you can buy seafood dishes — and you won't look out of place if you eat it in your bikini. After a long day of shopping and visiting tourist attractions, give yourself a treat and pop down to Bliss spa at Hotel W, which is a branch of the no-frills spa chain based in New York. According to one of the therapists, the Triple Oxygen Treatment is the most popular since it's the same 75-minute treatment used by the pop icon Madonna. It consists of a complexion reviver of a fruit acid wash and a calming oxygen mask (Dh731).
MADRID
The art of sightseeing
Madrid was linked to Dubai with direct flights last year, and is only a three-hour journey from Barcelona on the the high speed AVE train. The train departs from Sants Train Station every half hour and a single Tourist ticket costs around €117.60 (Dh619). Madrid is a stark contrast to Barcelona, with its Royal Botanical Garden, El Retiro Park, that's fit for a king, majestic government buildings and the boulevards, which are full of fountains adorned with statues of Greek deities and monuments of Spanish literary figures such as Velazquez and Goya. One of the most impressive sights, not to be missed, is the Passeo del Arte (The Art Walk), which includes the city's three largest art galleries -- the Prado, the Reina Sofía and the Thyssen-Bornemisza. The Prado has an exhibition titled Goya and More until August 28, and works of the young artist Ribera are also on display until August 28. The true heart of the city, however, lies at the Plaza Puerta del Sol (Square of the Sun's Gate), a lively semi-oval square created in the 19th century. It now offers residents a little bit of everything with theatres and, hotels, and is also the place where people gather to celebrate public events. In the middle of Puerta del Sol is a large equestrian statue of King Carlos III, which looks out on an 18th-century red brick building, the Casa de Correos. The clock tower was added later in 1866, and is now used as the clock to air the New Year's Eve countdown on national television.
Shopping and eating
Stop by the fashion house of Amaya Arzuaga, a Spanish fashion designer who opened her latest boutique in Madrid at Hermocilla Street in the Salamanca area, one of only two boutiques of hers in the world. A good place for sightseeing and shopping at the same time is the Barrio de las Letras (Writer's Quarter). This district takes you from the Prado Museum all the way to the Royal Palace. The area is known as the birthplace of the first edition of Don Quixote and you can still find traditional shops such as antiquities and bookshops, besides those of silversmiths. Finding halal meat is a bit tricky in Spain but in Madrid the task is a bit simpler since large chain hotels, such as the Intercontinental Hotel, have introduced menus tailored to Middle Eastern visitors consisting of Lebanese mezza and Moroccan dishes. If you're up for a splurge, the two-star Michelin restaurant of Ramon Freixa is the one to visit. Beware: the restaurant is so popular at the weekend that you might have to book a month in advance. During the heat of the day, go for lighter meals - one of the best places to enjoy local cuisine is in the Huertas neighbourhood, which local residents like to say was a frequent haunt of Andy Warhol. Try a meal at Casa Alberto, which was built in 1827 and is known for its typical dishes.
TOLEDO
Culture central
If you're looking to cover more cities, plan a day trip to Toledo, which lies 70 kilometres south of Madrid. It was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1986 for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage, as it used to be a capital of the Spanish Empire and a place of coexistence where Christian, Jewish and Muslim cultures lived together harmoniously during the 13th century.
Encompassed by the River Tajo, the buildings and narrow streets are all contained within the old city walls that hold centuries of history. Standing at one of the points where you can get a panoramic view of Toledo, your imagination can take you back in time and let you envision the Arabs on horseback, trotting through the labyrinthine streets.
Some of the main attractions include the Synagogue El Tránsito (a 13th-century synagogue with a museum inside), the Alcázar (a castle that was once used as a fortress by the Romans, Visigoths, Arabs and Christians) and the museum of El Greco, which was once the house of the famous Spanish Renaissance painter and was later turned into a venue to exhibit his paintings.
For a relaxing spot to pamper yourself after touring, visit Adolfo Restaurante either for a meal or merely for an afternoon treat of aromatic coffee accompanied by home-made marzipans — the terrace view is truly breathtaking.
INSIDERS' TIPS
"I love going to the Eixample area for a meal. Some of my other favourite places are Xapela and Ciudad Condal, which serve great pinxos (snacks) and montaditos (canapés from the Basque region)," says Núria Ferran, an advertisement and public-relations professional who lives in Barcelona. Ferran's favourite shop is La Comercial in El Born, a fashion store with pieces from young designers and unique costume jewellery.
"My favourite shops are all located in Passeig de Gracia, and for meals I adore Cerveceria Catalana, which is in the Eixample area," added Alexandra Martínez, a travel industry sales manager based in Barcelona.
Anne Schirbock, a marketing executive who has been living in Madrid for more than five years, said that the Gran Vía and Goyo areas are good shopping districts to visit, besides the more high-end shopping zone of Salamanca. "My favourite tapas bars are Casa Lucas and La Perejila, and don't miss the food market, Mercado San Miguel, where you find all kinds of Spanish specialities such as cheese, fruits, fish and sweets," she added.
GO THERE!
Emirates Holidays offers packages to Madrid (direct flights from Dubai) and Barcelona (connecting flights in Madrid).
Madrid
Package starts from Dh6,380 including return economy-class air fare on Emirates; four nights' accomodation in a deluxe room at Westin Palace Madrid with American breakfast; transfers from and to airport in a private car; fuel surcharge, room tax and service. Valid until September 15.
Barcelona
Package starts from Dh9,550 including return economy-class air fare on Emirates and Iberia; four nights' accomodation in W Barcelona with American breakfast; transfers from and to airport in a private car; fuel surcharge, room tax and service. Valid until September 15.
Note: Prices are quoted per person on twin-sharing basis and are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices exclude airport departure taxes. Other terms and conditions may apply.
Toledo
- A high-speed train from Madrid takes about 30 minutes and costs about 10euros — easily the best way to get to Toledo.
- By Car: Take the R-5 and AP-41 to travel from Madrid to Toledo. The 70km journey takes one hour.
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