Travel: Barcelona, Spain

48 Hours in....Barcelona

Friday, 9pm Arrive at Barcelona airport and take the train into the city centre. Get off at Barcelona Sants or take the bus to Placa Catalunya in the hub of the city. Check into the Hotel Montecarlo (www.montecarlobcn.com). Rooms from 100 per night.

Saturday, 10am Walk to La Boqueria market, which dates from the 11th century.

1pm Watch the world go by at the Maremagnum shopping mall, in Port Vell. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from in this area, although if you want to embrace Spanish-style dining, you may want to wait until later in the afternoon to eat.

3pm Get lost in the dark, atmospheric alleys of the Barri Gotic or Gothic Quarter. Salivate over handmade chocolate at Xocoa (www.xocoa.es) and sip coffee at one of Picasso's old haunts, Els Quatre Gats (www.4gats.com).

5pm Take the metro to Passeig de Gracia, where you'll find one of the houses designed by Gaudi, Casa Battlo (www.casabattlo.es).

8pm Dine at Milk restaurant (Carrer de Gignas 21, www.milkbarcelona.com) within the Gothic Quarter.

Sunday, 10am Wander along Las Ramblas, the tree-lined avenue that doubles up as a marketplace.

Noon Sample the Mediterranean cuisine at Hotel Casa Fuster (www.barcelonacasafusterhotel.com).

3pm Take the funicular train from Parallel metro station to the Fundacio Joan Miro (www.fundaciomiro-bcn.org), to see the works of Miro.

6pm Wander around the Park de Montjuic, where you'll find a number of sights including the Palau Nacional, home to the art collection of Catalunya.

7pm Eat at La Font del Gat restaurant (Passeig Santa Madrona 28, 0034 932 890 404).

THE FACTS Return flights from Edinburgh to Barcelona start from 190 with Expedia (www.expedia.co.uk).

• This article was first published in The Scotsman on November 6, 2010