Security:
Barcelona is a very safe city but as any other tourist destination you must be very careful with your belongings. Specially, ladies bags are the target of pickpocketers. Don´t leave them unattended at restaurants, bars or if you sit down by the port or beach or around any tourist attraction.

Sights:
Gaudi´s architecture and style are to be seen all over the city at modernist buildings like the Sagrada Familiia, La Pedrera and Parc Guell. The Ramblas, a lively and entertaining pedestrian street, is full or character. Don´t miss visiting the medieval area (Barri Gòtic), the largest gothic cathedral and Plaça de Sant Jaume (showing regular Catalan folk dances), the Picasson Museum and Montjuïc, a mountain next to the sea with an amazing view to the city, with its great museums (National Art of Catalunya and the Miro Foundation), Poble Espanyol and the cable car going down to the port.

Food:
You can try Catalan and Spanish food at several restaurants around the city centre and the port area. Try the lunch and dinner menu specials, they are a really good option for the budget minded traveller. High quality menus range from €7 to €15. Le Quinze Nits and La Fonda, two restaurants right on Plaça Reial and next to la Rambla offer one of the best options. Try Barceloneta beach and port vell if you are looking for seafood. If you want to try tapas (small appetizers) go to Barri Gòtic and around Princesa street (Picasso Museum). Also, Barcelona´s multicutural population has insured a variety of ethnic menu options. Indian and pakistani curry can be found around the Raval quarter. For meat lovers there is Rodizio, a brazilian all-you-can-eat eatery located near metro station Girona serving the best quality of food all for only €9 at lunchtime.

Towns Nearby:
Sitges, 40km south, pretty seaside town favoured by gays.
Montsterrat, 40km NW, caves and monastery.
Figueres, 90 min. north, Dali´s hometown andi museum.
Tarragona, 90 min. south, Roman remains, medieval buildings
Girona, 80 min. north, a medieval river city and Ryan Air´s Spanish airport base.