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20 Things Locals Love About Barcelona

There’s more to the Catalan capital than football and sangria – and we’ve got proof. We've teamed up with British Airways to ask Barcelona locals where all the hotspots are.

1. Take the bus to Park Güell

2. Sip coffee at the Plaça de la Concòrdia

3. Visit Sant Antoni Market on a Sunday morning

4. Eat ice cream at Tomo II

5. Ride a steel donkey

6. Dance the night away at Magic

7. Bypass Las Ramblas

8. Drink banana hot chocolate and eat delicious salads at Nakupenda

9. Buy biscuits baked by Spanish nuns at Caelum

10. Skip the overcrowded Barceloneta beach

11. Get lost at the Parc del Laberint d'Horta

12. Wander down the backstreets and dine at Salterio

13. Drink cocktails at Ginger

bar called #Ginger in the Gotico region of #Barcelona. For a change. #artfuldodging

There's two reasons to visit Ginger:

1. There's cocktails.

2. The tapas is superb

The cocktails are prohibition-style and the whole place eludes a Gatsby-esque glamour. They also offer an amazing selection of red wine by the glass, carafe or bottle.

Some may find the service a tad slow… But that's only because so much care is put into the drinks.

14. The magical fountain

15. Visit the very secret Tapioles 53

Described as a 'True Barcelona secret' Tapioles 53 is a secret and exclusive (by virtue of its size and the fact that it only holds one sitting per night) restaurant.

The restaurant is hidden with no sign on the door, so make sure you make a note of where it is before you venture out.

The food is fresh from markets that day and is cooked by owner Sarah Stothart, former personal chef to Rupert Murdoch. There is no menu - the chef comes and explains the dishes, and the restaurant only seats between six and 18 people.

The food comprises of Mediterranean and Asian-inspired dishes, and the house red is a very reasonable €12.00 per bottle.

16. Drink Czech beer and eat tapas at Pivobar

17. Visit the birthplace of Salvador Dali

18. Shop for bargains at Els Encants flea market

19. Walk on the wild side at El Raval

20. Pamper yourself at Aire de Barcelona

Clicar y #relajarse http://t.co/u6iwo5AYtN http://t.co/HfVRiFDVZD http://t.co/MDY5czKrjx Imagina #airearse

The Aire de Barcelona spa is a restored Arab baths located right in the city centre.

Within the ancient stone walls you can partake in the Templarium (warm), Caldarium (hot) and Frigidarium (cold) rooms as well as a hamam steam bath. For an extra cost there are massages and other treatments to be had.

Booking is vital and the waiting list sometimes stretches as far as three weeks away.

British Airways flies direct to Barcelona up to 10 times a day between London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Prices start from £39 one-way travelling on a hand baggage only fare.