Go on holiday to Barcelona, one of Europe's key cities, with a booming economy, beautiful buildings, stylish shops and energetic nightlife.

The regional capital of Spain's Catalonia, Barcelona takes much of its identity from its locality and the fierce Catalan spirit, which has held strong for centuries, despite lengthy periods of oppression.

The city of 1,600,000 is lively all year round, with relatively warm weather, wide boulevards and a chic, laid back feel. Many areas of Barcelona, including its harbour, have benefited from an influx of EU money and the city is now a delight to walk around. The 1992 Olympics gave Barcelona the excuse for a revamp and a place on the world stage and the city has continued to build on it.

One of the things Barcelona is most famous for is the work of architect Antoni Gaudi and other Art Nouveau pioneers. The dramatic Sagrada Familia church is the most famous of these and does not disappoint, with its towering spires looming over the city. Barcelona has always been a progressive city, at the forefront of leftist politics and art and this is evident across the city in its extreme architecture.

For art lovers, the galleries of Barcelona hold a rich array of work, by such leading artists as Joan Miro and Pablo Picasso. The buildings are a mix of styles, in keeping with the city's rich and eclectic heritage, with some particularly fine Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture.

Las Ramblas is a must for those on holiday in Barcelona. The vibrant, Gothic central strip is lined with outdoor markets, shops, restaurants and bars. Las Ramblas leads to the wonderful medieval quarter, Barri Gothic, where holiday makers can wander around the narrow streets and squares.

Other key sights include La Font Magica, a dazzling display of water, music and light, the world-class aquarium, and the contemporary art and Picasso museums. Football is almost as important as religion in Spain, with world class team Barcelona FC based in the vast Nou Camp stadium. Tickets are relatively easy to secure, even for the big games, and provide an unforgettable experience for sports fans.

Shopping is one of the reasons people return time and time again to Barcelona and the city's shops are famous worldwide for their designer clothing, jewellery, antiques and local handicrafts. Barcelona is also renowned for its vibrant nightlife, with a dizzying number of pubs, bars, clubs, jazz, flamenco and salsa venues.

Located on the Mediterranean sea in the very north of Spain, Barcelona also has a number of beaches and resorts nearby, easily accessible by public transport during the summer months. Summer in the city sees a host of parties and the week-long annual fiesta taking place.

With a number of budget airlines now flying into Barcelona, city breaks in one of the most vibrant Spanish cities are becoming increasingly cheap. While it has enjoyed some recent popularity with the stag and hen crowds, Barcelona has a lot to offer beyond its bars, with its history, art and culture.

There are hundreds of small hotels across the city, as well as some stylish, luxury haunts. Barcelona is an excellent destination for a short break, though it is worth booking early, particularly in summer, to ensure you are staying in the best location. Food in the city's 10,000 restaurants is, on the whole, excellent, with good local and Spanish cuisine and tapas dishes, as well as fine dining and global cuisine.