Sites for sore eyes?

Las Ramblas, Spain

The hype: Described as the “emotional hub” of Barcelona and stretching three-quarters of a mile (1.2km), Las Ramblas is a pedestrian mall connecting Plaça Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell. It’s flooded with theatres, cafés and market stalls.

The reality: “The Covent Garden of Barcelona suffers from an increasing lack of attention to quality control. All too often these days a tourist trip ends in a visit to the police station to report a pick-pocketed wallet or even a daylight mugging.”

See it for yourself: Return flights to Barcelona from London cost around £45 including taxes with easyJet. Find a hotel in the city here.