Going out for a meal is by far the favourite leisure activity of Barcelona people. You can check that out for yourself, by just taking a walk round the city's streets and seeing how many eating establishments there are. On top of that, many of them have a terrace, because the city's inhabitants love eating outdoors.

When the weather is good, the city's terraces are ideal for an outdoor lunch or an evening meal. You could start the day by having breakfast in one of the many squares with terraces in Gràcia, Les Corts or Sant Andreu. Then, around midday, you could have lunch somewhere in Barceloneta or the Born, while you enjoy the sea breeze. And in the evening you could savour a meal in the open air, immersed in the multicultural Rambla del Raval. The tables on Barcelona's best terraces are snapped up immediately, so it is best to book in advance to avoid being disappointed.

Hotel terraces are the other big hit. In fact, they have become one of the city's big summer attractions. Whether they are high up, like replicas of New York's rooftops, or in impeccable interiors, hotel terraces continue to enjoy their own particular boom, thanks partly to the anti-smoking law. They are in demand for the tranquility they offer when the summer heat builds up.

The hotel terrace season kicks off at the end of May or the beginning of June with Terrace Week, aka “A vista d’hotel”. Every year around 50 hotels take part, organising outdoor fashion shows, magic shows, literary evenings, concerts and films on their terraces. A great way to enjoy some of the best views of the city you can find, while trying out different dishes.