Barcelona is like that friend who recommends you a classic piece of literature she has recently read or invites you to an electronic music festival. The city has a unique ability to mix the new with the old, without losing an ounce of authenticity in the process. If you only have 48 hours to enjoy it, we propose a route to explore its two faces: one day to immerse yourself in the more traditional history and another to discover the more futuristic and technological Barcelona, the one that competes on the global stage of innovation.

The great thing about Barcelona is its casual character, which doesn't take itself too seriously. You can start the day having a croissant for breakfast with views of modernist facades or a medieval cathedral and end it with a drink in a bar designed by some young interior design prodigy. With this eclectic and unpretentious spirit, we set out to explore a city where the classic and the contemporary go hand in hand. Take note.

Day 1: Traditional Barcelona
Start your first day in the true heart of the city's history: the Gothic Quarter. A labyrinth of narrow streets where the walls have witnessed every step since Roman times. If the buildings could speak, they would tell you anecdotes of kings, battles and medieval merchants who crossed the city from the port. Here, you can't miss Barcelona Cathedral, with its majestic Gothic façade, and the Museu d'Història de Barcelona (MUHBA), where you can literally walk on the remains of ancient Barcino.

Take time to explore El Born, where artisan stores, tapas bars and designer boutiques mingle with centuries-old buildings. This neighborhood gives you a bit of that Barcelona that loves to look back, without losing sight of the present. We recommend a stop at Santa Maria del Mar, a basilica that, with its sober Gothic elegance, seems to come out of the pages of a medieval book.

For lunch, there is nothing more traditional than a stop at the Boqueria Market, where the products are an explosion of local colors and flavors. A good option would be to sit in one of the market's bars and enjoy a plate of grilled squid or fresh prawns with a glass of vermouth.

In the afternoon, head to Montjuïc to discover the vestiges of the 1929 International Exposition and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. A stroll through the gardens and the National Palace, which houses the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), is a must. And if you have any energy left, finish the day in a tavern or traditional bar with a good red wine and some tapas. Our recommendation: the great atmosphere at Quimet & Quimet in Poble Sec. 

And if we talk about classical music, Barcelona has a lot to say. The three great temples of music (the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Palau de la Música Catalana and L'Auditori de Barcelona) have joined forces to promote an exceptional initiative: Obertura Barcelona. This project promotes an accessible program that seeks to democratize classical music and bring it closer to everyone. Visit their website to find out about the best concerts and musical productions of the three venues grouped in special packages.

Day 2: Modern and futuristic Barcelona
The second day will take you to the Barcelona that faces the future, which is why it is one of the most modern cities in the world. Start the day in the 22@ District, the former industrial district that has been reinvented as the technological and innovation hub of the city. Here, giants like Amazon or Facebook share space with local startups that are revolutionizing sectors such as biotechnology, artificial intelligence or urban mobility. Although comparisons are hateful, this neighborhood is like the Silicon Valley of Barcelona. 

If you are interested in contemporary art, the Museu del Disseny in Plaza de las Glorias is your place. Barcelona has always been linked to the world of design and has given us some of the country's most important designers such as Miguel Milá, who passed away recently. Here discover how this discipline can change the future through concepts such as sustainability and accessibility.

For a meal that reflects Barcelona's modernity, head to the Poblenou neighborhood, where signature restaurants offer dishes that fuse local ingredients with international techniques. Here, dining is more than a gastronomic experience, it's a statement of intent about where the city is headed.

In the afternoon, a visit to the controversial Superillas del Eixample is in order: a revolutionary urban project that closes off entire areas of the city to traffic in order to give space back to pedestrians. It is an experiment in urbanism that turns streets into parks and recreational areas, a model that many cities around the world are watching closely. Walking through these areas will make you feel how Barcelona is not only thinking about the future, but living it.

Continuamos con una visita de altura en la Torre Glòries, un rascacielos icónico diseñado por Jean Nouvel, cuya iluminación cambia cada noche. Desde su mirador, tendrás una vista panorámica de la Barcelona que mezcla lo histórico y lo moderno en una sola mirada.

La cara moderna de Barcelona no solo se refleja en su arquitectura o tecnología, sino también en su vibrante escena musical, que late al ritmo de la música electrónica y urbana. La ciudad es un referente en Europa para los amantes de estos géneros, con festivales de renombre como el Sónar. Además, la vida nocturna se enciende en salas legendarias como Razzmatazz, un club que ha visto pasar a los mejores DJs del mundo, o Apolo, donde puedes disfrutar de fiestas que combinan lo mejor de la música urbana y electrónica en un ambiente único. Si lo tuyo es bailar hasta el amanecer, también encontrarás eventos como el Brunch In the Park, una fiesta al aire libre que combina música de alto nivel con una atmósfera relajada y diversa.

¿Con qué Barcelona te quedas? En Hotel Regina nos quedamos con las dos, lo tenemos claro.