Barcelona, Spain

Rosa Maria Malet, director of Barcelona’s Joan Miró Foundation: “Architecturally and culturally, the city has many layers—and a human scale.”

9 a.m.: Dunking light-as-air melindros pastries into super-thick hot chocolate at Granja-Xocolateria La Pallaresa (breakfast for two $12) is Malet’s morning indulgence.

10 a.m.: Now showing at the Joan Miró Foundation (admission $11), besides works by the famous Catalan: British art, from 1945 to 1968—that is, postwar to Pop.

Noon: Malet can’t resist the fideuá (like paella, made with pasta instead of rice) at Merendero de la Mari (lunch for two $112).

2 p.m.: The Gothic cloister at the Pedralbes Monastery is “one of the city’s most tranquil spots.”

4 p.m.: Barcelona’s best contemporary art galleries—including Galeria Senda—are clustered within the trendy L’Eixample district.

6 p.m.: Don’t miss Joyería Moska, a vintage jewelry boutique that “looks like a museum.”

9 p.m.: With its urban-chic décor and classic Catalan dishes such as a salad of tuna belly with Montserrat tomatoes, Mordisco (dinner for two $50) is Malet’s favorite new dinner spot. —Andrew Ferren