Barcelona’s literary society is located in one of the most sumptuous Gotic palaces in the Barri Gótic, though it takes some ingenuity to see it.  You’ll need to  A; Go in with the member. B; Book a guided tour (10am, first Sunday of every month, 6 euros) or C; come on St. Jordi (April 23^rd) or during Corpus Christi,  when the bookish members of the Ateneu grant public access to their grandiose club house. Or you could simply charm the doorman and ask to see the patio. The terrace-garden of the Ateneu is one of of the most evocative spaces in Barcelona, with soaring palm trees, lush plant life and a lily pond. It’s so lovely you may even want to consider becoming a member of the Ateneu (27 euros a month) which entitles you use their facilities when you want, attend lots of book readings and hobnob with the city’s literati.