After you've checked into your apartment make your first point of call Boqueria Market, where you can go simply to enjoy the pleasure of wandering around the maze of booths selling everything from cut fruits for takeaways and local crops, to cured meats and various other food items brought from Spanish regions. Sure to tempt you into cooking up something delicious in your apartment kitchen.

When eating out at restaurants and cafes make sure you check if the price advertised includes VAT, if not then you need to add 7 percent to get the total price. Eating on the terrace is very pleasant, but ask beforehand if they charge a 'suplemento' tax, which may be from as little as 1 or 3 EUR per person to as much as a 20 percent addition towards the bill. With an afternoon siesta the norm, shops and restaurants can be closed when you want them to be open so you may need to change your eating routine. Don't hang your bag or jacket on the chair if eating on a terrace table either as they could be tempting to pickpockets, and there's no need to tip in Barcelona unless you really feel the need to.

Checking your destination out online before you go means you can plan to visit museums and art galleries on their free days. Some offer free entry every day and others have a charge apart from 1 day a week when they are free to go into. The Picasso Museum for example, is only free on the first Sunday of the month, and on certain days has free guided tours too.

Get even more art freebies and discounts with a Barcelona Card, hit the streets for free lectures on fashion, or just spend the day looking around the many galleries. There's plenty of artistic sights to catch your attention too in the public areas of the city, Ciutadella Park is one of the greenest and great for relaxing and having a picnic in the immense grounds. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Parc Guell is a place that's sure to be met with enthusiasm and excitement for its stunning constructions and bizarre sculptures.

Jean Nouvel's dazzling Torre Agbar is a tower with an ultra-modern design standing shoulder to shoulder with the historical monuments in the same area, famous for its obvious shape it has earned itself some interesting and suggestive nicknames.

As long as you plan in advance there are lots of places to visit that will give you a taste of the culture, and many affordable apartments to stay for those who wish to take their time exploring this captivating Spanish city.