Discover new places to go as a couple, a family, with your friends or after work.
Casa Vicens is Gaudí’s most unknown work. It was the first civil house he built with all the gusto and imagination of a 31-year-old, in the Gràcia neighbourhood. Gràcia is a town in the middle of the city that is a real joy to walk through. It has attractive stores by new designers and local artisans.
Art, just like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. The Picasso Museum, located in the historic neighbourhood of the Born, exhibits all the artistic periods of the painter. On the other side of Les Rambles, in the Raval neighbourhood, more contemporary artists are on display in the Macba.
In the restaurants of the Barceloneta neighbourhood, eating paella is quite a tradition among Barcelona residents seeking to be by the sea. As soon any glimmer of sunlight has faded, the bars and clubs on the seafront turn on the tunes and the party starts.
Barcelona’s range of gastronomy is varied and endless. Any creative cuisine paired with a Catalan wine of DO status is the cherry on top of an intense day of work. And why not finish on a high with a signature cocktail?
Running through the Collserola mountain range and cycling by the sea along the entire promenade are great ways to see the city. If you prefer fitness activities helping you to stay in shape, there will be a gym equipped with exercise machines in your hotel.
Not doing anything is also doing a lot. Float in the jacuzzi at the hotel spa, have a therapeutic massage, snack on an appetiser in the bar or gaze at the views from the hotel terrace. Pure relaxation.
Go for a splash at the beach, eat a variety of tapas at a beach bar, sail the coast by boat, and swim with sharks at the Aquarium… Barcelona’s sea and port have all the ingredients for a fantastic family day out.
Seeing the marvellous sights of the city from the heights of the ferris wheel of the Tibidabo, Barcelona’s legendary theme park, is a real thrill. Located nearby is the Cosmocaixa, an astonishing science museum that has a slice of the Amazon rainforest and a planetarium showing 3D projections.
The more athletic will enjoy walking up the hill of Montjuïc and entering the Estadi Olímpic, where the 1992 Olympics Games were held. At the Camp Nou stadium, FC Barcelona fans will feel like another member of the team as they approach the pitch from the changing room tunnel.
Barcelona gives you the chance to make plenty of memories to bring home with you. Be swept away and get to know the city’s personality—by sunlight or moonlight. Head out and enjoy it!
The Mediterranean heat arrives with full force and gifts us extra hours of sunlight to enjoy life in the street to the max.
This is the day of Sant Jordi, the patron saint of Catalonia, and a day for lovers. As symbolic proof of love, the tradition is to gift a book or a rose… or both. On this day, Barcelona dresses up in her finery and bedazzles passers-by. You’ll bump into small stands on every corner selling roses and imbuing everything with red hot passion. Love is in the air! The book stalls are set up on the main streets, particularly Les Rambles and Passeig de Gràcia, which fill up with hordes of people wishing to buy books and get them signed by the wonderful authors who pop by that day to greet their most steadfast fans.
Barcelona is a UNESCO City of Literature. The book stall tradition goes back to the 1920s. The significant date of 23 April was chosen as “the day of the book” in homage to the day two masters of literature passed away: Miguel de Cervantes and William Shakespeare.
Even though it is not a public holiday, many residents of Barcelona take it off work so they can celebrate with their partner, weaving their way through the stands of roses and books on the street. If you come to explore the city on this day, then you’ve struck it lucky! You’ll have a truly magical and special experience. But do be careful, you could fall in love with Barcelona and end up staying long after your holidays…
The Primavera Sound festival is one of the most eagerly anticipated musical events of the year, and it paves the way for the rest of the annual electronic, indie and rock festivals: Sónar, Cruïlla, Rock Fest Barcelona, Barcelona Beach Festival…
The Godó tournament is part of the circuit of the ATP World Tour, the men's tennis clay court competition. It is played at the historic Real Club de Tenis de Barcelona and is one of the most important sporting events in Spain. With ten titles under his belt, Rafa Nadal is currently the player with the highest number of trophies.
Every year in the early June the hotel terraces of Barcelona are filled with live music, activities for children, dancing, cooking and gourmet tapas workshops, synchronised swimming, family activities, gastronomic tasting and many further free activities. The terrace week is an initiative organised by the Barcelona Hotel Association to bring Barcelona citizens and visitors closer to these incredible spots.
Sun, beach, vermouth and so much more. Fun and parties to the sound of the best music all throughout Barcelona.
The most magical night of the year. And the noisiest too! Many residents of Barcelona celebrate the summer solstice by lighting bonfires in the street to warden off bad spirits, and they let off fireworks well into the small hours. Cava and the coca de Sant Joan bread are the protagonists of every dinner that night.
A summer festival with a long-standing tradition that includes theatre shows, dancing, music and a circus. It is celebrated across the city's different cultural centres, although the main stage is the Teatre Grec, an open-air amphitheatre in Montjuïc.
During the popular festivals of the charismatic Gràcia neighbourhood, its residents decorate the streets with fantastic stage props. Apart from concerts, the correfocs—demons dancing with fireworks—and the castellers—human towers—are an absolute must-see for their spectacularity and idiosyncrasy.
At this contest, music can be heard all around Barcelona's parks and gardens. Town bands and talented young people play different styles like classical, jazz and blues. Admission to all the concerts is free.
Give autumn a warm welcome with the festivals that celebrate our patron saint.
The main festival of Barcelona is celebrated on the day of its patron saint, the Virgin of La Mercè. Its streets are buzzing with events including giant figures, sardanes, castellers and concerts... The Piromusical at the Font Màgica de Montjuïc brings the final flourish with a light, water and music show plus fireworks.
Mercat de Mercats is a huge fair with producers, sellers and restaurants taking place every year in the central area of Avinguda de la Catedral. There are food tastings and local produce typical of our area is on sale.
These two festivals, sharing one agenda, are the most important within the jazz and flamenco genre in Barcelona. Wonderful artists delight the purist of audiences, as well as those who adore a fusion of improvised Spanish guitar along with saxophone.
A popular tradition celebrated on 1 November, All Saints' Day. Produce like chestnuts, sweet potatoes and panellets, a small sweet which is very typical at that time of the year, are eaten on this day. And they are all paired with a Moscatel wine. You can buy recently roasted chestnuts from stands on the street.
Go shopping at night to the sound of music, to the large boutiques or flea markets in the open air. And forget about the cold by sipping on a hot chocolate with some churros.
This guitar contest is really packing a punch on Barcelona's music scene. Artists as important as Noa, Ringo Starr and Bob Dylan treat their faithful followers to their best repertoires.
One of the biggest marathons that is already marked in the calendar of many runner-travellers across the whole planet. Running the Barcelona Marathon is an original way of visiting the city, in addition to beating personal goals and records.
This fashion, culture and food night organised by the main businesses from the Passeig de Gràcia, lasts well into the small hours. Attend the shows and exhibitions in the shops, and buy yourself a little treat using the special discount.
The colourful Christmas lights of Barcelona are switched on and they invite us to get lost in its streets and shops. Christmas has arrived!
Celebrate the last night of the year on a high at the Font Màgica de Montjuïc. A wonderful scenography and audiovisual show that brings together thousands of people for a New Year's party to bid farewell to the year by eating 12 grapes to the rhythm of the bells, and to ring in the New Year by toasting with cava.
The night of 5 January is the sweetest night of the year for the children of Barcelona. The Three Kings— Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar—arrive by sea and cross the city in an impressive procession, accompanied by their pages and entourage who distribute thousands of sweets from their float.
The Santa Llúcia fair is the oldest street market in Barcelona, containing nativity scenes, trees and typical figurines like the Caga Tió and the caganer. In addition to craftwork, at other markets and shops you can try typical Christmas sweets like nougat, marzipan and crunchy tuiles.
