Picasso Museum
Set in five medieval palaces in El Born, this museum holds one of the world’s great collections of Picasso’s formative early work, tracing his Barcelona years. Free entry on some evenings – check ahead and book.
Listings
La Pedrera (Casa Mila)
Gaudi’s wave-fronted apartment block, nicknamed “the quarry,” crowned by a surreal rooftop of warrior-like chimneys. Tour the restored apartment and attic, then wander the roof terrace with the Sagrada Familia on the skyline.
Park Guell
Gaudi’s whimsical hillside park of mosaic lizards, wave benches and gingerbread gatehouses, with sweeping views over the city. The Monumental Zone is ticketed and timed – book ahead; the surrounding park is free to roam.
Casa Batllo
Gaudi’s dragon-scaled masterpiece on the elegant Passeig de Gracia, a riot of curves, colour and bone-like balconies. The immersive audiovisual tour brings its organic forms to life – magical in the evening light.
Sagrada Familia
Gaudi’s astonishing unfinished basilica, under construction since 1882 and still rising. The forest-like interior and kaleidoscopic stained glass are unforgettable – book a timed ticket ahead, and pay extra to climb a tower for the view.
Spin Time Labs
A vast reclaimed building near Santa Croce turned self-run community and cultural hub – home to concerts, theatre, workshops, a craft-beer lab and social projects supporting the families who live there. A very different, grassroots side of Rome.
Barikama
A migrant-run social cooperative founded by West-African newcomers, producing organic yogurt and vegetables and selling through Rome’s solidarity-purchase groups and markets. Buying from Barikamà directly supports dignified work and integration.
Casa Scalabrini 634
Since 2015 this welcoming house has been a Rome reference point for refugee integration, hosting families and young people in semi-autonomy and running events, shared meals and cultural activities open to all – a place to meet, learn and support newcomers.
The First Roma Arte
A sleek five-star boutique dotted with contemporary art, moments from Piazza del Popolo, with an excellent restaurant and a rooftop terrace for aperitivo above the rooftops. Chic and central.
Casa Montani
A tiny, lavish townhouse B&B by Piazza del Popolo with just a handful of individually designed rooms and doting, personal service. For travellers who want boutique intimacy rather than a big hotel.