Twin Cities – Barcelona and Biarritz

Easy-reach, secluded beaches

Barcelona has a beach for every day of the week, but it’s hard to beat the oasis of Ocata. The quiet of these secluded sands is broken only by gentle Mediterranean waves and the sizzle of prawns on the café grills.

Biarritz has a similarly secret spot. At Plage de la Milady, surfers catch a wave or two, leaving the sheltered crescent of beach free for anyone who just wants to chill. And beachfront restaurant Le Bounty is a laid-back spot from which to watch the fun and sample Basque wines.

Tapas and pintxos: bar snack dreams made real

Take the short stroll from Barceloneta beach to l’Òstia for a modern take on classic tapas – the mini oxtail hamburger alone is worth the trip.

In Biarritz, it’s all about Bar Jean. The blue-and-white tiles and hanging jamons give it a traditional Basque look, but we’re here for the food. Tray upon tray of colourful pintxos, many topped with local delicacies such as salt cod and fried peppers, stretch the length of the eight-metre bar. It’s always busy – expect to make friends.

Stays with cool pools

You don’t need a city map at the Grand Hotel Central. You can chill by the rooftop pool, cocktail in hand, and see the whole of Barcelona laid out before you.

In Biarritz, traditional Basque guesthouse Les Volets Bleus has a pool where the only soundtrack is the clack of boules and the clink of glasses. And with wild flowers, mountains and meadows as the backdrop, this laid-back Basque beauty is one of the best-kept secrets in the area.

Food markets to eat your way around

Barcelona’s legendary La Boqueria market is reason enough to revisit the city time and again. If you have an appetite for more, head to the authentic (and relatively undiscovered) Mercat de la Llibertat, where stalls groan under a rainbow of fresh fruit and vegetables. Try the turrón – a delicious honey and almond nougat – straight from the oven at the family-run La Grana stall.

Or go one better in Biarritz: eat breakfast, lunch and dinner at Les Halles market. Join fishermen over café au lait as the traders pile in at opening time, or come in the evening to slurp fresh oysters straight from the shell.

Architectural gems on every street

You can’t move for sensuous curves and characterful stained-glass designs in Barcelona. The city’s Art Nouveau masterpieces are its most iconic features; on every visit there’ll be something new to notice.

A popular tourist town since the mid 1800s, Biarritz goes big on turn-of-the-century elegance, too. At night, the spotlit columns and towering facade of the Art Deco Casino shine like a beacon over the beach. Inside, dress up for roulette with a live jazz accompaniment.

Chic stays with sea views

The W hotel on Barcelona’s sea front is no wallflower. Its gleaming, curved glass structure bends out towards the deep blue of the Mediterranean, giving every room (and even the tennis court) a big sea view. Inside it’s just as striking, with a futuristic, sky-high bar and sleek white rooms.

But if you want Art Deco vibes with your ocean vista, then Biarritz’s Hotel du Palais is for you. The Palais name is no exaggeration – this was once the summer home of Empress Eugénie, and has all the ornate trappings, beachside terraces and glittering chandeliers you’d expect.

Stays with old-school glamour

Barcelona’s Cotton House Hotel is so old-school cool, you half expect to see Fred Astaire sliding down the banisters. Like stepping into a 1930s musical, you glide through the lobby and up a spiral staircase to your calm, all-white bedroom.

For 19th century elegance, however, it’s Biarritz’s Château du Clair de Lune you should book tout suite. Wander magnolia-strewn gardens before drinks on the terrace, followed by traditional Basque cuisine from the cosy farmhouse restaurant.