Flights to Barcelona with a touch of Iceland

There's no denying: Barcelona is one of the world's best food destinations. You may find it hard to resist the call of the tapas (bite-sized snacks), the fresh seafood, the jamón (ham) and the sangria, plus the long list of Michelin-starred glories. Start here: Mercat de la Boqueria, Barcelona’s most central produce market, on landmark Las Ramblas boulevard. It’s a sensory riot of local color and flavor, and there are tapas bars here that make excellent refueling stops.

There's good eating to be enjoyed all over the city. The waterfront is a logical choice for seafood and paella; elegant L'Eixample is home to upmarket gems; and Gràcia has a hip, youthful vibe - good eating and drinking spots sprinkle its squares.

Spanish high-street fashion brands (like Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti) are well known around the world, but there's loads more to uncover in the small streets of Barcelona that's worthy of your budget and baggage space. Shoppers will thrill to discover boutiques of emerging designers, shiny waterfront malls, and local street markets selling gourmet delicacies.

Hit the prime retail district of Passeig de Gracia and the streets to its southwest; browse the workshops and small boutiques of El Born; and wander the laneways of Barri Gòtic to unearth treasures. If you're after under-one-roof ease, Las Arenas is a unique city feature: a former bullring turned mall. Don't miss the promenade on its roof, where you can take in brilliant city panoramas.