Luckily I’m never away for too long but in the past, after elBulli was opened, I’d spend six months at a time away at the restaurant in Roses. Despite the whirlwind of everyday madness there were times I missed the calm of Barcelona and wandering its streets and squares.  • Ferran Adrià’s Catalonia: Gourmet Getaways  I head straight to La Boqueria market (boqueria.info) in Las Ramblas, a popular spot for both visitors and locals. It’s truly a marvel, where you’ll find all kinds of fresh, quality products, and people from all over the world.  Hotel Omm (0034 93 4454000; hotelomm.com), a contemporary hotel that’s run by a magnificent staff. It has a particularly sleek style and a beautiful roof terrace with a pool and spectacular views over the city's skyline.  There’s no shortage of wonderful eateries in Barcelona. A great place to sample some local cuisine is Espai Kru in the Eixample neighbourhood. It’s a very different kind of restaurant where shellfish is prepared using a fresh, fun way of cooking. It has an amazing selection of raw dishes featuring seafood, fish, vegetables and meat in a contemporary, dynamic space. For really good tapas, go to Bar Pinotxo at La Boquería market. I’m also lucky to live and work very near to my Mexican restaurants Niño Viejo (34 93 3482194; ninoviejo.es) and Hoja Santa (34 93 3482194; hojasanta.es), so I often visit them.  Rías de Galicia, where you’ll find delicate sashimi, navalles [razor clams] and cannelloni of txangurro [spider crab], elegantly presented like sculptures. Cal l’Isidre is another good dinner spot. It’s like Barcelona’s equivalent of St John [Ferguson Henderson’s restaurant in Smithfield, London] but a lot less formal and expensive. And of course my brother Albert’s restaurants Tickets, Pakta and Bodega 1900 (34 606 225545; elbarriadria.com) near Plaza de España embody high quality gastronomy, offering great food in a casual atmosphere.  • The world's best restaurants, according to Ferran Adrià  In summer, a drink on the terrace at the W Hotel (34 93 2952800; w-barcelona.com) is a wonderful experience.  To get a good sense of the city overall and its dimensions, go to Tibidabo mountain and Montjuïc hill. From there just walk, walk and walk, have a glass of Vermouth on a terrace and chat to locals. For art and design, Gaudi’s Park Güell, Batlló House and above all La Sagrada Familia are all examples of the city’s unique architecture. Buildings designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Jean Moulin will also impress lovers of architecture. Then there’s the Gothic Quarter, which will immerse you in the past. Go for a walk by the sea near the Parc del Fórum area. It may not be the most spectacular part of the city but it’s much quieter. If you like the mountains, Montjuïc has many quiet corners. Personally I love the Fundació Joan Miró (34 93 4439470; fmirobcn.org) museum, which not only exhibits pieces from one of my favourite artists, but the building is a masterpiece in itself, so full of light. But mostly just let the city, which has so many things to offer, surprise you.  A view of Barcelona from Tibidado mountain Photo: Fotolia/AP  It depends on the time of day and where you are going. I use a lot of taxis but then I am working and normally in a hurry. Public transport in Barcelona is easy and practical.  I travel with a small briefcase and never carry valuables, so I’d say manbag. Barcelona isn’t a dangerous city but just use your common sense, which is what I always do in any city.  • 36 Hours in Barcelona  A delicious chocolate creation from one of the many patisseries dotted around the city. They are all magical.  I try to forget bad experiences and only like to remember wonderful places such as Sydney or San Francisco, which are both similar to Barcelona. But basically I’m always looking for good food wherever I go.  Ferran Adrià is a contributor to Companion, inspired by the British Airways American Express® Companion Voucher (americanexpress.co.uk/companions).
My Kind of Town: Ferran Adrià, the Spanish chef, reveals his favourite haunts in Barcelona, including some of the city's best restaurants