Hotel España Ocean Drive

Worth getting out of bed for

Set just off Las Ramblas, Hotel España Ocean Drive puts you within easy reach of both headline sights and quieter corners of the old city. A few minutes’ stroll brings you to the ever-busy Mercat de la Boquería — sensory overload is part of its appeal — and into the Gothic Quarter, where narrow lanes open onto hidden squares and centuries-old landmarks, including Plaça del Rei and Plaça Reial. Culture runs deep here: the Museu Picasso and Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA) are both close by, offering a contrast between old masters and cutting-edge works. 

Then there's El Raval’s lesser-trodden streets for browsing independent galleries, bookshops and the serene courtyard of the Biblioteca de Catalunya. A little further afield, Gaudí’s Sagrada Família and the mosaic-clad Park Güell are essential pilgrimages, plus Parc de la Ciutadella for a leafy pause from the city’s buzz. 

Local restaurants

With Raval on one side and the Ramblas on the other, you’re well placed for a varied spread of nearby dining. At Cañete, pull up a stool for razor clams, jamón croquetas and silky tortillas in a lively, shoulder-to-shoulder setting. Around the corner, Suculent serves rich broths and slow-cooked meats by candlelight. For something more tucked away, Arume is a local favourite for Galician plates such as grilled octopus and comforting rice dishes. 

Local cafés

Origo Bakery is worth the short walk for its excellent sourdough and laminated pastries — pick up the Mico, a croissant-dough hybrid with browned butter, coffee syrup and lemon zest that’s already something of a house signature. 

Local bars

Once the hotel’s rooftop bar starts winding down, there are plenty of spots to continue your night. The natural wine list at neighbourhood favourite Bandini’s goes impressively heavy on Catalan bottles. For palate-challenging cocktails, push behind Paradiso’s pastrami-shop fridge door and try concoctions of whisky, lavender, truffle honey and Manchego cheese.