El Préssec

Right in among the bustling main boulevards of Barcelona, only 250 metres from the grandeur of Plaça d'Espanya, colourful apartment blocks line the street and stretch all the way up to the blue skies. Just like this spectacular city, traditional Catalan architecture and 21st-century lifestyles combine to create a fabulous apartment.

As soon as you step inside, style and creativity come to the fore. We love the original, historic features in the living space. Wooden-panelled walls and the exposed brickwork of vaulted ceilings help to make an even starker contrast with modern furnishings. Pour yourself a glass of sangría at the suitably red dining table, where ghost chairs and a lime-green retro fridge add a quirky edge to the interiors.

But while it’s all about colour and style inside, the outdoor areas let the city do the talking. Panoramic views of this vibrant metropolis stretch out for miles through the glass ‘infinity’ banisters of your peach-coloured terrace. Settle down on the sun loungers with a bowl of olives and some artisan Catalan cheeses as you peruse the selection of sights down below. Or your host can even arrange something for you if you can’t quite decide.

Home truths:
*There's no dedicated workspace, but laptop-friendly spots like the dining table
*The entrance is shared, not private to your home
*At full capacity, one guest will sleep on a trundle bed which pulls out from under the single bed
*Guests are kindly asked to keep noise to a minimum after 10 pm
*Bookable parking spots are available nearby if you speak to your host in advance – Espanya metro and train station is also just 250 metres away