Looking to the future without giving up the past. This is the maxim that a city as lively as Barcelona seems to follow. Exactly, that which many call “ancient but modern”, but in this case, we wouldn't just say that it is modern, but “the most modern”. The Catalan capital has managed to balance all its years of history through culture, architecture and traditions without losing sight of all that is to come. In fact, only here can you find such a deep-rooted custom as the imposing castellers while enjoying a cocktail on a terrace surrounded by all the modernity of Barcelona, which is quite a lot.

Barcelonians embrace their culture and vindicate places steeped in history. In fact, if a traditional bar is maintained over time, it is thanks to this character that the new generations support this type of establishments while paying with their smartphones for traditional tapas. Adapt or die, but never lose the essence.

Rosalía, for example, one of the greatest local prides and international standard bearer of Catalan modernity, has not hesitated on several occasions to recommend some of these places: from the mythical Bar Marsella in El Raval to the Bar del Pla in the Born. And if Rosalía says so, that she is the maximum exponent of this duality of mixing the old with the modern, we can only listen to her. Places with history that are a symbol of a hopeful future.

But gastronomy in Barcelona, like everything else, also reflects this dialogue between the old and the new. Innovative chefs like Ferran Adrià and the Roca brothers have revolutionized traditional Catalan cuisine using modern molecular cooking techniques, while markets like La Boquería continue to sell local products that have been the basis of Catalan cuisine for centuries. The secret is knowing how to coexist.

On the cultural front, Barcelona is a constant feast. The Gran Teatre del Liceu, which opened its doors in 1847, remains one of the most prestigious opera houses in Europe, offering a repertoire ranging from classical to innovative stagings that defy the conventions of the genre. In contrast to this venerable institution, events such as the Sónar Festival have catapulted Barcelona onto the international electronic music and digital arts scene, attracting artists and fans from around the world. Why choose when you can have both?

The Gothic Quarter, with its winding alleyways and architecture dating back to medieval times, is a living testament to Barcelona's history. Here, the Barcelona Cathedral, begun in the 13th century, stands imposing, while just a few meters away, trendy stores and contemporary cafes bustle with the rhythm of modernity. This neighborhood is not only a reliquary of the past; it is also a canvas for the present.

The architectural avant-garde has an indisputable representative in Antoni Gaudí, whose modernist legacy such as the Sagrada Familia, begun in 1882 and still under construction, symbolizes the perpetual evolution of the city. Gaudí designed not only buildings, but also dreamed of futures, uniting nature, religion and technological innovation in his works. But the city did not stop there, of course not.

Barcelona has positioned itself as one of the leaders in the smart cities movement. Through initiatives like integrating IoT ("the Internet of Things") systems into urban infrastructure, Barcelona is redefining what it means to live in a city that respects its history. The 22@ project, for example, has transformed Poblenou from a former industrial district into a bustling technological neighborhood, fostering an ecosystem of startups and innovation centers since the 2000s.

Faced with this duality of the city, the emblematic Hotel Regina with over a century of history writes a new chapter. Located in a building that combines modernist grace with a contemporary renovation, it offers a unique experience where the past dialogues with the future.

Now, as you enter the Regina, you meet Gina, her alter ego, who immerses you in an atmosphere that oscillates between calm and urban bustle. During the day, Gina invites you to enjoy her vibrant daytime energy in her courtyard, an oasis in the tumult of the city where time seems to stand still amidst walls of billet and lush greenery. As evening falls, the atmosphere transforms and cocktails light up the Salon, heralding the Dual Sessions, events that celebrate the richness of contrasts. This new step promises to make the hotel the perfect place for those who don't want to miss anything: neither the good things that came before nor the even better things that are yet to come.