Centro Passatge Rellotge

Joan Miró was born into a family of goldsmiths and watchmakers in the Barri Gòtic neighborhood of Barcelona. He began drawing classes at the age of seven at a private school and, at 14, he enrolled at the fine art academy of La Llotja and later studied at the Cercle Artístic de Sant Lluc. In 1918, at 25, he had his first show at the Galeries Dalmau, which was widely ridiculed. Sensing his work would not be appreciated fully at home, he moved to become part of the flourishing Fauve and Cubist scenes in Montparnasse, continuing to summer in Catalonia. In Paris, Hemingway became an early fan and Miró became part of the Surrealist group. In the following decades, he moved between different genres and artistic styles and became a lauded name in the art world.

Barcelona is one of the world's most vibrant, diverse, and interesting cities. If you browse our villas in Barcelona and plan a trip to this part of Catalonia, you will quickly discover an endless list of things to see, do, taste, and experience. From days at the beach, to watching nail-biting matches at the city's football stadium, to shopping her markets and dining in incredible restaurants, to wandering museums full of some of the greatest works of art from both ancient and modern masters alike, to taking in impossible architectural gems, and much more besides, you'll never be short of things to occupy your days. However, for those who love the outdoors, this is a particularly charming city as it combines both cosmopolitan delights with some of the loveliest parks in the world. One of the most gorgeous among them is the Parc del Laberint.

The first thing that I do upon arriving anywhere or ahead of any trip, is to look up the restaurants in the area and plan where I'll eat, slotting each day's activities in around that. Food is such an integral part of holidays and travel and no vacation is complete without an exploration of the culinary culture of a place. Many can't afford to try the most lauded restaurants and eateries but cafes offer a chance to try great food, at a lower price-point and in a more casual environment. As such, we have rounded up a list of some of the most beautiful cafes in Barcelona where you can grab a quick pastry and coffee for breakfast before exploring the city or settle in with a good book to relax and really enjoy your vacation or take a leisurely lunch with friends. Whatever way you like to travel and unwind, cafés are the perfect type of eateries to factor into your itinerary. Here are some of the best ones to pencil in with a vacation rental in Barcelona...

Continuing from our last post and in this, the last post in this week's Barcelona special, we are counting down just ten great reasons to immediately find a vacation rental in Barcelona and get planning a trip to this beautiful city.

We have discussed the incredible architecture of Gaudí's city, the amazing beaches of this seaside gem, and the truly excellent food, nightlife and museums.

If you somehow haven't already been convinced by now, here are five more reasons to visit Barcelona ASAP...

6. The Unique Culture: Spain has a rich and diverse culture and, as Catalan habits are very rooted, and locals feel very proud about them, Barcelona is particularly fascinating with all sorts of performances, foods and experiences that are unique to the city.

The Modernista Sant Pau Complex is a hospital building in Barcelona that was built between 1905 and 1930 and designed by Lluís Domènech i Montaner as a garden city for nursing the sick.

It was used as a public hospital for a century and has been recently refurbished and repurposed as a knowledge campus and the headquarters of international organisations including the European Forest Institute, the Casa Àsia, the Global University Network for Innovation, and the United Nations University Institute on Globalization, Culture and Mobility.

A stunning art-nouveau architectural complex that was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO in 1997, it is a beautiful place to visit, wander and in which to take pictures. If you have found a vacation rental in Barcelona and are looking to visit an attraction that is a little off the beaten tourist track, or you are an architecture aficionado, it is a must-see.

This week, we are talking all things Barcelona and, in particular, have been highlighting some of our truly excellent holiday rentals in the city. We have centrally located apartments, well-connected properties close to public transport, beach-side gems, exceptionally finished and well-decorated beauties and more. So, if you have been looking for a vacation rental in Barcelona, you have definitely come to the right place! Here are some more of our favourites of the many incredible properties available on our website:

3. Roger De Llúria València

This beautiful, bright, colourful and airy apartment is located in a stunning historic apartment block, just 200 m from the centre of the city.