Time Out Shortlist Barcelona

Unparalleled in its enthusiasm for a good time, Barcelona barely has time to take down the bunting between its rollicking festivals. When there isn’t an all-night fiesta happening on the street, there’s more than likely a party on the beach and never any shortage of action in its clubs and bars. All of this takes place in a perfect climate and against a backdrop of mind-blowing Modernista architecture and a cityscape as varied as any.

Gentler pursuits are also myriad; the city’s museums have got it all covered from Picasso to perfume, its galleries are among the most avant-garde in Europe and its history is writ large in the churches and perfectly preserved medieval alleyways of the Barri.