When I went to Spain I brought two with me from the libraries, the DK Eyewitness Top 10 2017 Barcelona and Lonely Planet's Best of Barcelona that was fresh off the new books shelf.  Both were interesting but I was almost overwhelmed with the places and things to do.  I was also a little stymied by the fact that neither of them fit in my handbag (my fault), but the suggestions weren't very useful for someone with only 2.5 days in the city.  The Sagrada Familia may be a "must see" but the queues are insane. The Hospital de la Santa Creu i de Sant Pau is a well worth the trip, under touristed space where we had space to wander and a great time (I also spent too much in the gift shop).

To be honest they were good but quick googling helped us almost more.

I am traveling to Barcelona on business this fall, and will have limited time for sightseeing. I wanted a book with a good map that I could pop into a small purse and find what I want easily.

On some levels, this book is exactly that. Its small size is ideal for sticking into a purse or pocket. Furthermore, it helped me narrow down the sights I am interested in seeing so that I can make a decision once I'm actually on the ground.

However, the map only covers central Barcelona (I will be staying nearer to the convention center) and nowhere in the book is there any discussion of the area where I will be staying. Thus, I knocked off a star because I was unable to learn anything about the environs of my hotel. I will have to find a more thorough guidebook for that.

PLAN YOUR BARCELONA VACATION

Barcelona is a banquet for all the senses, though perhaps mainly for sight. Not far behind are the pleasures of the palate. The air temperature is almost always about right, more and more streets are pedestrianized, and tavern after tavern burrows elegantly into medieval walls. Every now and then the fragrance of the sea in the port or in Barceloneta reminds you that this is, after all, a giant seaport and beach city, with an ancient Mediterranean tradition that is, at the outset of its third millennium, flourishing—and bewitching visitors as it has for centuries. Today new architecture and design—including some of Europe's hottest new fashions in hip boutiques—provide the city with an exciting effervescent edge.

THINGS TO DO IN BARCELONA

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.