One of the best ways to see all the nooks and crannies Barcelona has to offer is to hop on a bike tour. Very inexpensive, the tours generally start at the Colon statue at the end of Las Ramblas.

Barcelona has very flat terrain so you needn't worry about keeping up; the guides are generally very laid back, and on top of the benefit of being a healthy way to travel, you will get to see and ride through the narrow alleyways that you cannot get through in a car. After your bike tour, you can explore the Las Ramblas area as it is full of narrow alleys, shops and restaurants; it is a small and very up-and-coming neighborhood.

Wander down Avinyo Street which begins at the corner of Ferran Street and ends at Ample Street. Here you will will find great shops and little restaurants and bars. Very cozy and not so touristy. Avinyo Street runs parallel to the Ramblas and while you're in the area, you should check out the Rabal area, a neighborhood which has been recently transformed into a great little neighborhood.

Don't miss Balmes Street where you can imagine yourself back in time with the aristocratic feel of the neighborhood. Although it has been transformed in to mostly businesses now, the original architecture of the area is still intact and just as breathtaking. Another great way to experience Barcelona is to leave your guidebooks at home and just wander the streets for a day or two; you'll be amazed at what you may see.

On Carrer dels Comtes, as well as some other streets, you will likely notice the human and animal gargoyles that adorn the upper walls. You will find these beautiful sculptures at the heart of Barcelona, lying amongst the ancient passages and shadowy alleys. As you walk amongst them, you may get the creeps, but worry not, Gargoyles were originally created to scare off evil spirits and keep those in their presence safe from danger.

Please remember, when traveling in Barcelona, use common sense. As a tourist, you are an easy target for even the unlikeliest of criminals. All of the above areas are safe to travel in and explore, however, use caution when exploring the streets late at night, just as you would when you are at home. It's always a good idea to have a little bit of the native language in your back pocket as well. Most of all, have fun on your vacation!